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WEEK ELEVEN:  Friday, Feb. 3—Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006

I. REPENTANCE FOR SIN IN THE CHURCH: ANGER AND UNFORGIVENESS (Part Two)

God loves us and He wants to answer our prayers, but if we have bitterness in our hearts, He

cannot respond to the cries of our heart. It is for this reason that Father God commands us to forgive others and be released from these bitter roots -- because we injure ourselves! Consider these verses from the Word of God:

"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the LORD will not hear me." (Ps. 66:18)

"He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination, hateful and revolting [to God]." (Prov. 28:9 AMP)

[Note this special word to spouses]: "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker (physically) vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered." (I Peter 3:7)

"Father, we again ask You to examine our hearts and show us if there be any wicked way within us, that we might repent quickly and run back to you. Thank you, Lord, in Jesus' Name, Amen."

2. REPENTANCE FOR THE SINS OF THE NATION: HOMOSEXUALITY (Part One)

HOMOSEXUALITY: AN OVERVIEW

Homosexual behavior is an attempt to fulfill normal needs for love, acceptance, and identity through sexual intimacy with someone of the same sex. Although the factors that contribute to the development of sexual orientation are complex and subtle, our experience suggests that one of the deepest roots of homosexuality is a break in early relational bonds. This relational breakdown can stunt the development of the individual's ability to healthily connect with others throughout life.

The security of a child depends on the three-way bond of mother to child, father to child, and the bond between the parents. Any break in these bonds can produce insecurity in the child and thus a lack of that sense of belonging and affirmation which is so vital in the development of gender identity.

JESUS CHRIST: THE WAY OF ESCAPE

Homosexuality is clearly a two-fold condition. A fallen world imposes wounds, fears, identity confusion, and alienation; people react with sinful choices in an attempt to restore what has been broken and gain consolation in the midst of pain and need. Yet the goal remains unreached; the promise of real, lasting fulfillment proves to be all too elusive.

Jesus Christ is the alternative. He addresses the problem—humanity limited to self—and provides the way through which we can find fulfillment in God and His people. By releasing us from the dictates of the past, Jesus frees us to live as new creatures. The Holy Spirit carries on that process of change in our lives. His grace is sufficient, for His strength is made perfect in weakness. He provides the mooring point for a new identity—the center out of which a true sense of well being can be enjoyed. As we draw close to Him, we are enabled to reflect His image in our humanity more and more fully.

(Source: "Understanding Homosexuality" by Andrew Comiskey, http://www.desertstream.org.)

For more information on this topic, see also: http://www.exodus-international.org.

A Prayer for those who have been ensnared by homosexuality:

"Father God, we repent that we have not had Your heart for these lost and hurting sheep. We thank You, Lord, that You have come to set the captives free, and to heal the broken-hearted. We ask Your help to be able to intercede for these souls, and to be Your witness in their lives, as You give us opportunity to do so. We ask this in Jesus' Name, amen."

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." (Gen. 1:27)

(Next week: Praying for families of homosexual men and women.)

3. THE BLESSING OF ISRAEL: PRAY FOR THE REMNANT OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL

The Remnant in the land of Israel

There is a remnant in Israel who does hear the voice of the Lord and does seek to obey His voice. We who are a part of His remnant here in Israel are being tested by the Lord to see if we have the spirit of Caleb or the spirit of Esau and the spies. He is testing us to see if we have are a people within a people who have a different spirit.

Everything we believe is being tested because today and in the days ahead it is going to look as if the Lord forgot Israel. Yet we know He did not forget Israel, nor will He break His covenant with us.

Pray for the Remnant of the House of Israel

"It will come about in all the land," Declares the Lord, "That two parts in it will be cut off and perish; But the third will be left in it. "And I will bring the third part through the fire, Refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them; I will say, 'They are My people,' And they will say, 'The Lord is my God."

(Zechariah 13:8-9)

Pray for those of us who are part of the remnant of the house of Israel because Scripture says we must pass through the fire and be refined and tested as gold is tested. Pray we will call upon His name and that He will answer us and say, "You are My people," and we will say, "The Lord is our God!"

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