May-June 2019

live A Baptist resource for women on a mission May - June 2019 · $3.50

CALLED TO PRAY A New Prayer Network (p3)

LISTENING PRAYER

Learning to listen (p10 and p15)

PRAYER WALKING

Walk this summer or fall (p7)

live in this issue columns CONNECT TO mission 3 The Prayer Network 5 Prayer Teams | Interceding for an Event 7 Pray On Location 10 World Day of Prayer 11 A Window on Africa 12 Praying Like a Prophet BIBLE STUDY 18 A Bible Study on Listening Prayer CONNECT WITH OTHERS 23 Staff News 23 We Remember

features connect to gOD 14 Closer to Jesus A spiritual director shares 5 ways to listen

16 Listening Prayer 21 ROOM TO PRAY Chosen | Holy | Called . . . declaring the goodness of God

Cover photo: Unsplash.com/CatrinJohnson

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cONNECTING The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.

(Psalm 24:1-2 NIV) About seven years ago I started prayer walking through my neighbourhood. It all started when Christopher and I strolled into a scene from CSI: Toronto two streets over from our home. I saw young men run from the corner apartment building, one stumbling as he ran—had he been hit by a bullet? I didn’t realize guns looked so heavy—they seemed plastic-light on TV—or that the cops who drew them could spring into action so quickly. I didn’t realize spent bullet shells were quite beautiful—even when they glinted up from the sidewalk at the wheel of Christopher’s stroller.

Two weeks later, Winona Avenue made the local news as our neighbourhood mourned the gunning down of a youth by gang members. He was shot on a sunny afternoon outside the home of friends from Walmer Road Baptist Church.

I did my first prayer walk that weekend, with Christopher in his stroller.

I prayer walk the neighbourhood at least once a year. I’ve walked around Christopher and Tristan’s public school, praying for the teachers, administration and kids. I’ve walked a five-km block, praying for the hopes and fears represented by the nail salons, restaurants, bakeries and condos I walk past on St. Clair Avenue West. I do these prayer walks because change is coming to the ‘hood and I feel hope. Town Talk is now a mens’ shelter. It used to serve watered-down beer below and women upstairs. The drug dealers and gangs have moved out (at least I don’t see them any more). Developers have improved real estate values. Our councillor cares.

I do these prayer walks because when I’m intentionally praying for my neighbourhood, I remember. I feel the truth of the psalmist’s word. The earth itself, what I walk on . . . “is the Lord’s.”

Learn more on the following pages about our Prayer Network and consider doing a prayer walk or drive this summer or fall.

RJ 

VOLUME 92, NUMBER 3

live (formerly The Link & Visitor) began as The Canadian Missionary Link (1878) and Baptist Visitor (1890). Published bi-monthly by Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec 5 International Blvd., Etobicoke, ON M9W 6H3 416-620-2954 Fax 416-622-2308 bwoq@baptist.ca baptistwomen.com Executive director Diane McBeth Editor and communications director Renée James 416-651-8967 rsejames@gmail.com Art director Donna Lee Pancorvo of GEPM Group Inc. (gepmgroup.com) Contributors Dr. Sandra Broadus, Dr. Ruth Brown, Linda Ellsworth, Kallie Hutton, Diane McBeth, Cathie Phillips, Dr. TaNikka Sheppard, Monique Tatsu Circulation and subscriptions Subscriptions 416-620-2954 live@baptist.ca Subscriptions Individual: $20* (direct or through promoters) US & overseas: $39 All currency in $C unless otherwise noted.

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The Prayer Network Equipping women to cover their communities in prayer Unsplash.com/HugoDoria

Have you noticed there is a progression in Baptist Women resources?

Room to Pray and Soul Sisters 1 and 2 are meant to strengthen the core of our communion with God. They include spiritual formation practices that develop our ability to hear from God. They help us gradually talk more about our spiritual life and listen to others without feeling pressure to try to fix their problems—or them. These are important skills for reaching outside our Christian community. Soul Sisters 3 will focus on learning how to recognize God working in our own neighbourhoods.

We realize that for many of us, moving out of the circle of Christian community can be daunting. That’s why we are creating resources that focus on intercession. Intercessory prayer can be the bridge between personal communion with God and mission. Intercession helps us see and care about what is happening in our communities. God develops our discernment and increases our faith. Most importantly, He works!

So let us introduce . . . the Baptist Women’s Prayer Network.

by Diane McBeth, executive director, Baptist Women

Although prayer is essential, we know that some of you more seasoned ladies can no longer get out to prayer meetings and you younger women just can’t add another thing to the schedule. That’s why we are creating a prayer network where you can pray from home, at a time live • May - June 2019

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that works for you, and where you don’t have to pray out loud in a group. Of course, if you do want to get together, that is great too, but this won’t be your traditional prayer meeting.

Deep down, you may be wondering how your prayer could make much of a difference. Your prayer matters because the God of the universe waits for you. He could easily do everything Himself but He holds back so we can colabour with Him. Think of Saul’s blindness after his encounter with God. God could have easily healed him instantly at any time. Instead He tells Saul that someone named Ananias is going to come and pray for him; He has to convince Ananias to pray for a persecutor who terrified him; and then He goes to all the trouble of giving Ananias directions to the house where Saul is staying (Acts 9:1019). God’s preference is to have someone pray in faith before He responds. God looks for someone to intercede (Ezekiel 22:30, Isaiah 30:18-19).

Why does God tell prophets to say something before He does it?

Why doesn’t He just do it? God has Ezekiel walk back and forth through the valley of dry bones so he is truly convinced of just how dead they are . . . and then God tells him to command the bones to come to life (Ezekiel 37:2, 4–5).

Three times in that passage God says, “Then you will know that I am the Lord (verses 6, 13-14), the first time referring to Ezekiel and 4

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Getting started • First, recruit a few other women from your church. This isn’t just for your Baptist Women group.

• Create a prayer list including your pastor, young adults, leaders and needs in your church.

• Add needs from your neighbourhood.

• Include young adults and family members who are distant from God. • Divide the list so each person has several names and needs to cover.

• Have each person call the people they’ve been assigned (if appropriate).

• Explain that you want to pray for them and ask if they have any specific requests.

• Be sure to keep these absolutely confidential. Don’t even tell the rest of the team unless you have specific permission.

• Pray every day or as often as you can.

• Check back with people for updates and new requests every month or so. You may be surprised at the relationship that develops over time.

the other times referring to the people. When we co-labour with God we come to know and believe Him in a deeper way, and those who see it also come to know what God is truly like.

He brings life into the people we are praying for. When you pray, God will do things in your family, church and neighbourhood that He might not do otherwise. He is waiting for you. They say John Wesley once said, “God does nothing but by prayer, and everything with it.”

We hope that many of you will form prayer teams. Eventually we hope to link the teams into a network. Please e-mail Renée James the contact information for your prayer team leader so we can

include your group. You can reach her at rsejames@gmail.com.

Download the Prayer Network guide at baptistwomen.com/resources. It lays out the vision, details on start-up, leader/team responsibilities and optional group activities like Prayer Walking and how to host a Prayer Sunday. We will also produce prayer resources throughout the year to support you. 

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Barb Boyt is a former human resources director with InterVarsity Fellowship of Canada. Beginning in 1993, she took part on intercessory prayer teams that prayed throughout the triennial Urbana Student Missions Conferences. She also co-led three of those teams. live magazine sat down with Barb to talk about how prayer teams work. Whether you’re a seasoned prayer team member or someone who’s considering whether to be part of Baptist Women’s Prayer Network, we hope Barb’s insights will encourage you.

Unsplash.com/JimKalligas

prayer teams | interceding for an event Insights from an intercessory prayer team member and leader

live: What do you want women starting or taking part on intercessory prayer teams to know?

Barb Boyt: Entrust the time to the Spirit . . . to lead you, teach you, develop the intercessory gift within each person.

Silence is a beautiful thing as you wait on the Spirit. I am a list person and a prayer list was important to me. I wanted to know what to pray for. For me, one of the biggest things was to just be silent and to pray, not out of a list that I had written out, but as I was led

to pray.

I learned to pray out of visions.

I had never done this before and usually when this happened, other team members would confirm those promptings. So I learned to pray, not out of what I knew, but as I was prompted.

Be interactive and creative (e.g. posture, worship, artistic expression).

For example, some people may prefer to lie prostrate on the floor; others may prefer to walk around as they pray; others may kneel; still others may stand or sit. Give the team members permission to allow any of those things to happen. A caution: If something is

very distracting you may need to address that.

Some people may be more able to clearly express what they are hearing, feeling, sensing by drawing. Some may be able to paraphrase Scripture. Others may have a song. Some people may weep; others may be super silent.

Don’t be afraid of the charismatic expressions of what people are hearing.

My experience is multidenominational, working alongside intercessors from different cultural and church backgrounds. I’ve learned that anything can happen when you’re on a prayer team!

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Respect the diversity of gifts and experience represented among the intercessors. Learn from and encourage each other as you grow in prayer.

If someone comes to the room asking for prayer, see this as a divine appointment and focus on their needs at that moment.

Keep a journal of what you hear and experience together.

Report to church leaders key things/ themes that would be important for them to know.

Remember that where you meet to pray is sacred space set apart for a specific purpose at a specific time.

As you end the intercessory time, celebrate what has taken place as you prayed.

What are some pitfalls women should know upfront? And how do they avoid them?

One of the pitfalls is fear. People can say: What can I offer to this?

Others can pray up a storm but I can’t. What we forget is that we have been invited to be part of a team Someone has seen something in us.

Pride. It’s important to remember that the whole team is on the same holy ground and the Spirit is going to speak to each member of the team. I have been on teams where the leader has been all about, “It’s my way or the highway.” Don’t become too proud of the fact that you’re the leader or you’ve been asked to take on a specific role, e.g., praying for event speakers or worship leaders.

Being critical of others and what they’re doing.

The biggest one is not being silent; not intentionally listening to what the Spirit is saying but talking the whole time. 

How to set up an intercessory prayer team for a LARGE event Before the event • Identify who is going to be the leader of that prayer team. This is a decision that the event’s leaders will probably make themselves.

• Set out expectations. What does the event leadership expect of the prayer team leader and of the prayer team as a whole?

• Discern who needs to be part of the prayer team.

• Write up a job description before inviting people to be part of the team.

• If possible, give prayer requests to the prayer team leader before the event happens. This gives the team ideas about what is going on; what the leaders hope to happen, and is an opportunity to pray ahead of time.

• if possible, meet ahead of time to discuss broad strokes. Assign team 6

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members to pray for specific aspects of the event. Figure out how you will meet if team members are in different locations, i.e., Zoom, Skype.

• At the event, have a dedicated space set up for the prayer team that’s out of traffic.

The day of and during the event • Walk and pray through the venue before people arrive, specifically the rooms where plenary sessions, worship and breakout sessions will happen.

• Logistics: Decide how often this team will pray, i.e., when they will pray and for how long. This helps first-time team members know they’d only be praying for an hour, or two, or three, etc. Where will the team pray? Is the team expected to stay in one room the whole time or

are members expected to be out in sessions as well?

• Pray! For the first meeting, the leader comes with scripture, or the theme of the event, or something worship-related to begin the team’s time of prayer. After a certain point in the session, it’s important that the leader doesn’t look like the leader.

• Give people the freedom to be themselves and to use the gifts they’ve been given in prayer. For example, some people may be silent the whole time—but they’re great listeners. Others will find Scripture immediately. Don’t be afraid of silence during this time.

• An important question: What are you/we hearing?

• Record that . . . so that those insights can be given to the leaders of the event either during or after.

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Pray on Location Walk and pray through your community As you’ll have read in Diane McBeth’s article on The Prayer Network (page 3), Baptist Women is creating resources that invite you to pray with others for others.

There are many ways to do intercessory prayer. One way is through prayer walking.

We know that some people may never have the privilege of knowing a believer who will pray God’s love and peace over their lives, families and neighbourhoods. Prayer ‘on location’ that brings prayer to people costs us little, except a bit of time and exercise in walking around the places we feel led to bless. We can pray for our neighbourhoods, work districts and more. In fact . . . doing a prayer walk (or drive) on the streets around your church offers you one way to discern what the community needs and where God is already at work. live • May - June 2019

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To help you get started, Baptist Women has produced a guide called PRAYER WALKING | praying on location. You’ll find it at baptistwomen.com/resources/prayer network.

In this feature, Cathie Phillips shares about how a prayer walk can help a church both bless its neighbourhood and discern outreach possibilities.

The community around our church, Heron Park Baptist Church in Scarborough, is a mix of many wealthy families as well as a very large number of families who struggle to survive.

Over the years several of us at Heron Park had wanted to have more of an outreach into the community but had not known exactly how to do it. The church had a multipurpose portable that we thought would be a perfect place to do something. The need that was expressed over and over was a place for people to gather and just “be.” We wondered about doing an ESL class for newcomers, something for the youth and seniors as well.

We did a community assessment, visiting several businesses, the community centre, the library and the police station to find out what each group felt was a need in our community. We also asked each group to suggest what our church could do to help the community to come together. Under the direction of our youth pastor, Greg Banik, we conducted over 40 of these visits and interviews.

The prayer walk came out of our Wednesday night Bible study and we did it as the final session of that year’s spring Bible studies with our senior pastor, Dan Clark. There were 12 of us and we set off in four directions from the church building, walking for about 30 to 40 minutes. The common theme of our prayers

was how to be a blessing in our community. We trusted God in His own time to show us the way forward.

During the next school year, Pastor Greg led us on a discernment process that narrowed down about 25 different ministry opportunities to two. The first priority was to help disadvantaged youth through music. This program took place during the summer, involving a number of families from the community.

We depended upon prayer to see whether this program should continue all year long and we concluded that it wasn’t sustainable.

Meanwhile, the missions committee had been praying about the second priority: a place for people

Why do a prayer walk or drive?

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It makes us more sensitive to what’s in God’s heart for people as we look at the world around us through His eyes.

It can shift the spiritual climate in a place, making people’s hearts more open to God.

It prepares/protects a place for open ministry.

It unites the Christians in a neighbourhood when they come together in the same Spirit.

Former global field staff with Canadian Baptist Ministries in Brazil, Bolivia and Turkey, Cathie Phillips has a long history with Canadian Baptists. She and her husband David worship and serve at Heron Park Baptist Church.

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Most of all, such prayers please God, because we are praying for “all people,” not just ourselves or those we know. (retrieved on March 25, 2019 from teachinghumblehearts.com)

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to meet and just be. We decided to have a trial run of a dream that had been forming. We would open the portable for a drop-in centre one day a week from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. We called it Gathering Place.

Volunteers had three training sessions and we began in May, 2017.

We distributed flyers around the community and had a sign outside.

Volunteers brought food. We served the tea and coffee, used nice china plates and cups and sat around tables that had games, puzzles and colouring pages laid out. We decided to try it for six months and then reevaluate. Very quickly we saw the need to serve lunch.

Now we are coming up to two years. What has happened has been beyond what we dreamed.

Over this time, up to 60 people from the congregation have come in and done set up, food preparation for lunch and clean up. And over 150 people from the community have dropped in. Heron Park people continue to offer listening ears and prayer to those who visit.

There is deep sharing of lives and problems, and the opportunity to share Jesus.

Many who have come out have started to come to the church and Bible study and women’s fellowship. We all see this as one of the best tools of evangelism and discipleship that we have ever been involved in. 

3 tips when doing a prayer walk or drive

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Your group needs a degree of unity in the belief that God can, and will, bless people you’ve never met . . . through your prayers.

Be observant to every detail as you walk slowly through the neighbourhood: houses, toys in the yard, the number of cars parked outside, government agencies, community centres. Ask the Lord to give you imagination beyond what is in your immediate visual field.

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At the end of the walk, after you have asked the Lord to bless the community in which you’ve walked with salvation and for people to become disciples of Jesus, take time to write down all the ideas that come to you.

PRAYER PROMPTS AS YOU WALK The best base for strategic prayer over your neighbourhood is Scripture.

Praying Scripture keeps your prayers positive, focused on God and people and gives you confidence. You are praying God’s will for your community, using His Word.

Here are two great Bible passages to get you started.

For the life of the Kingdom to come The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.

Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy (Isaiah 35:1-6a, ESV).

For those in authority First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4, ESV)

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BAPTIST WORLD ALLIANCE WOMEN’S DEPARTMENT WORLD Day of Prayer Monday, November 4, 2019 There is undeniable power in prayer. I consider it to be one of the noblest and most underappreciated benefits of being a Christian. Through prayer we have access to immeasurable hope, strength, joy, encouragement, comfort and peace that surpasses all understanding.

Prayer is one of the foundational commitments of Baptist Women of North America (BWNA).

Therefore, we must remember that praying together is for more than a day. This summer we will launch a weekly prayer call/video cast to allow women throughout North America to pray in unity on a regular basis.

Connections made through prayer help us strengthen our relationships as sisters in Christ. This is the principal aspect of BWNA’s networking opportunities. We are here to help you connect to other women that can support the work you’re doing to impact this world for the better. We are also committed to provide various types of resources needed for Kingdom Dr. TaNikka Sheppard is the president of Baptist Women of North America 10 live • May - June 2019

building.

Over the next two years we will be rebranding and expanding our World Day of Prayer which happens on Monday, November 4, 2019. Please join thousands of other women around the world in supplication, intercession and thanksgiving, and in supporting the ministry and mission of our local, national and global ministries through giving.

One of my greatest passions is to assist in the development of leaders. Throughout my life I have had the pleasure of meeting and following several dynamic leaders. However, I have never met a perfect leader nor one that could not benefit from intentional leadership development. We are in a wonderful position to assist leaders with holistically advancing their organizations and individually reaching their personal aspirations.

Our horizons are broadening and I look forward to working with you in support of your dreams and God’s calling on your life.

New ideas for your Day of Prayer • Have a prayer breakfast, brunch or tea.

• Join the BWA Facebook Live 24-hour vigil—women praying before and after you as the world turns.

• Host an intergenerational Pizza and Prayer night. Use ideas from young women to plan it.

• Prayer walk.

• Join a prayer conference call.

• Use parts of the traditional BWAWD program. This year’s liturgy was written by the Caribbean Baptist Women’s Union.

Download at bwawd.org • Host an interactive Prayer Room with maps of each continent.

The traditional program includes requests for each continent.

Visit baptistwomen.com/resources this summer to discover ways to rejuvenate your Day of Prayer this year. 

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A Window on Africa As members of the Baptist Women of North America, we have an assigned prayer partner—the Baptist Women’s Union of Africa (BWUA).

Here are the most recent prayers received from BWUA president, Marthe Nguimè Ekollo.

Greetings from Africa. Here are some prayer requests.

1. Thank God for the All Africa Baptist Fellowship Executive Committee and Leadership Training held in Monrovia, Liberia, during February. Thank God for the provisions, the deliberations and the journey mercies.

2. Pray for political and social peace in Africa. Pray for the recent changes that have happened in some countries. Pray for women as they carry out projects to fight poverty. May God open doors to them so that they may transform their communities and support the ministry of Baptist World Alliance Women worldwide.

3. Pray that political leaders in Africa will have Godfearing hearts. Pray against the tribalism, favouritism, embezzlement, bribery and corruption that obstruct the development of Africa.

4. Pray against terrorist groups that threaten people’s lives across Africa. Pray that the Boko Haram terrorists will release the girls who have been kidnapped for years. May God strengthen the detainees and their families.

5. Pray for peaceful presidential elections in Nigeria and Senegal. Pray for God’s peace to reign and for His wisdom to direct the leaders.

Marthe Nguimè Ekollo Southern Africa Called “one of the worst weather-related disasters ever to hit the western hemisphere” by the United Nations, Cyclone Idai struck southern Africa in March, killing hundreds and destroying towns and villages through

Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. Hundreds of thousands have been affected, particularly children.

The following prayer, written in 2011 following the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, applies to southern Africa today.

Let Our Cries Come Unto You Most merciful and compassionate God, Giver of Life and Love, hear our prayers and let our cries come unto you.

We weep with your people We hear the cries of orphaned children and laments of bereaved parents We feel the desperation of those searching for loved ones We behold the silence of vanished villages.

We see the devastation.

We are overwhelmed by the enormity of it all.

Our hearts are hushed, our minds are numb.

Let not our hands be stopped, our voices dumb.

God of the universe, Open our hearts to feel your compassion Galvanize in us the act of continued giving Bond us to our sisters and brothers in need Comfort and heal the injured, the bereaved, the lost Strengthen the aid workers and medical personnel Bolster the resolve of governments and those with power to help Open through this tragedy pathways to partnerships and peace In Your Name of mercy and healing and compassion we pray (sourced from xavier.edu) 

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Photos: Kallie Hutton

Praying Like a Prophet

Photos: Above: Children pray for each other at Casa de la Amistad, Cochabamba.

Opposite page: Aymara women pray.

by Kallie Hutton Kallie and her husband Tim are CBM global field staff in Bolivia.

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There are days when God’s justice seems so far away. Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM) projects in Bolivia operate in the midst of suffering, vulnerability and exploitation. Countless times I have felt a burning in my stomach, the air sucked from my lungs and my eyes stinging with tears while listening to or witnessing someone’s story. Women beaten, children abused, justice denied, treatment refused . . . the list goes on. We walk alongside the broken and vulnerable, trying each day to participate in God’s promised restoration.

It is vital when embracing a broken world that we center ourselves in prayer. If our passion is not rooted in prayer, burnout inevitably comes.

There is comfort in the realization that throughout Scripture the faithful cry out to God for justice; we look to them to learn a posture of prayer.

The book of Habakkuk illustrates this beautifully. This short account follows a conversation between God and a prophet named Habakkuk, who begins by laying a complaint before Yahweh. He sees Israel’s sin and asks God why He isn’t acting.

How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?

Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save?

(Habakkuk 1:2 NIV) Habakkuk brings a desperate, honest cry to God demanding to know

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why He hasn’t moved in the face of injustice. God then gives an unexpected reply, telling the prophet that He is sending Babylon to carry Israel into exile as punishment for their sins. Shocked by such an extreme response, Habakkuk once again brings a complaint before the Lord asking how God could use such a horrible nation to punish Israel. He finishes by stating that he will stand watch and wait for God to respond to his prayer.

In response, God says He will use Babylon to punish Israel, but neither will Babylon go unpunished. He closes by reminding Habakkuk who He is: The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.

(Habakkuk 2:20 NIV) Something beautiful happens now: Habakkuk remembers who God is in spite of the situation and

he begins to worship: Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength.

(Habakkuk 3:17-19a NIV) Bethany Hoang of International Justice Mission’s Institute for Biblical Justice, a wise woman who herself fights for justice in a fallen world, has helped me understand Habakkuk’s approach to intersensory prayer in the face of injustice.

First Habakkuk laments; he asks God “Why?” This is not a lack of faith; God welcomes our questioning and understands our heartbreak. We too can bring our complaints before God. Second, Habakkuk stations himself. He steps away from the pain and suffering to watch, listen and wait for God to move.

While everything inside us might want to stand and fight with all our strength, we are shown here that laying our burdens at the

feet of the Father is the best path.

Ultimately, it’s God’s justice we seek, not ours.

This waiting is the hardest part of prayer. We want to see resolution and a clear response right away, but God reminds us that although we may have to wait a while, He is faithful and will answer in His perfect time.

Finally, Habakkuk rejoiced. This response is quite surprising because nothing in his situation has actually changed; he is simply reminded that his hope is greater than his despair. Though we live in brokenness, God’s justice will reign, His healing will come and His glory will be made known. This is our hope. If we seek to draw near to the oppressed and confront injustice, we cannot afford to do so without this hope.

I invite you to follow this example of prayer with me. Lament for all our broken world. Station yourself and wait for God to respond. Rejoice—even in the tension—because we know the One to whom we pray and we know that He is faithful. 

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Closer to Jesus A spiritual director shares 5 ways to listen

by Dr. Sandra Broadus Sandra is the co-founder and executive director of Emmaus Formation Centre.

She was the keynote speaker at Baptist Women’s 2017 Conference.

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I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20, NIV)

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These five ways of praying have drawn me further into an intimate relationship with my Saviour. I began praying in each of these ways either with a spiritual director or in the company of others at a retreat.

While God may have other plans for you, learning in community, with at least one other woman, seems to be the best way to begin.

(inhale) “I am here Lord,” (exhale) and “I love you Lord.”

Or, (inhale) “Come Lord Jesus.” (exhale) “I need you Lord.” I may repeat this breath prayer for three to five minutes. When you are practiced in this prayer form, you will be able to forget yourself, other than your prayer, and come to notice an impression of God’s presence, perhaps God’s voice, Word, or invitation.

Scriptural Prayer We begin with the Word of God, the story of God and His people—the great narrative which arcs towards the second coming of Christ. Many call this type of prayer Gospel Contemplation, a prayer that invites us into the stories of Jesus. For example, we might read His encounter with Zaccheus in Luke 19. Then we allow the story to unfold in our imagination.

As we do this, we see ourselves in the story, we learn about ourselves and Jesus and we have the opportunity to encounter the living Christ—even in a story as ancient and familiar as Zaccheus’. Through this prayer form I have experienced Jesus as my Lord, protector, friend, brother, Saviour, lover of my soul.

Journalling As I mentioned above, I keep my journal close by as I begin my morning practice. After spending time in silence, I may read Scripture imaginatively, or notice an insight or prompting from the Word. I will often take my wonderings, the words or impressions I have, and journal them to God. Journalling my thoughts becomes my prayer. When I am patient enough during my journalling, I find I am in a conversation with God. My writing becomes a conversation, for which I am always so grateful.

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Silence I usually begin my day at the same spot in my home. My Bible and journal are nearby but I begin by sitting comfortably, yet attentive.

Closing my eyes, I take three deep breaths. Each breath is long and deep, remembering the Giver of breath.

Then, I settle into three to five minutes of silence.

During the silence, I offer all of who I am to God. Focusing on my breathing helps keep me from getting distracted. This prayer practice, for me, has its origins in Galatians 2:20: During this practice, I let go of my own self—my needs, my agenda, my petitions, and remember only Christ in me. This, some say, is a part of “dying to self.”

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Breath Prayer During silence, I may feel led to offer a breath prayer: a short one-sentence prayer, divided between inhaling and exhaling. For example,

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Finding my own pathway to encounter Christ Gary Thomas’ little book, Nine Spiritual Pathways has been so helpful to me in developing my relationship with God, leading to times of great worship and communing with Him as I seek His voice and word on any given day.

Taking the test showed me my natural orientation to God—the pathway to communing with God that is natural for me and that He Himself created in me.

My pathway is that of Naturalist. When I am close to the ocean, a forest, or wild animals, my heart is most open to God. I am more open to worship, to sense God’s presence, and to hear His voice. Knowing my most natural spiritual path has led me to seek out opportunities to engage God in this way and this has led to a more prayerful life.  You’ll find the test at https://www.soulshepherding.org/ sacred-pathways-survey/

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Listening prayer The second in a series on encountering God and the impact of that encounter on ministry and mission. Each piece features the voices of those who are leading ministries focused on spiritual formation.

Dr. Ruth Brown is the spiritual formation and prayer ministries director with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship of Canada. As she meets with the staff and volunteers of InterVarsity, she is so encouraged that this generation of young believers have an expectation that they will hear from God directly about the things that concern them. Communities of staff and students regularly spend time in listening prayer and finding encouragement, direction and delight in this communication with God. In this article, Ruth shares some of the guidelines for listening to God that have been helpful for them.

by Dr. Ruth Brown

by Dr. Ruth Brown Unsplash.com/CatherineMcMahon

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God does speak today.

Scripture affirms that God delights to speak to us and calls us to listen for His voice: “O that today you would listen to his voice!” (Psalm 96:7b NRSV).

When we expect to hear from God we are more likely to spend time listening and searching for God’s presence in our daily lives. It is equally as amazing that God listens to us: “He [God] will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when he hears it he will answer you” (Isaiah 30:19b). Conversation with God is two-way and so worth it. But how can

CONNECT TO GOD

we know if it is God’s voice or just a voice in my head talking (like memories of a nagging voice or the evil one accusing?)

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Discerning God’s voice . . .

• comes from relationship with God: “The shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out . . . he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice” (John 10:3b-4b). God often speaks through Scripture in ways unique to you.

• takes practice: “solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14).

Practice by asking God questions and waiting to see what answers come and how.

• comes as you recognize characteristics of God’s voice versus the voice(s) of others: God’s voice leads to life, forgiveness, love and peace; convicts not condemns.

• aligns with Scripture and your prayerful community—ask others to discern with you.

• flows from a heart that is free to follow God’s voice. Notice areas of compulsion and unfreedom —pray for grace to open your hands and not demand that God answers in only one way.

• remembers that the Trinity want to communicate clearly and will help you.

• means you stop, wait and listen.

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How do you listen?

Through Scripture Depending on what season of life you find yourself (lots of birth and new life, busy active ministry, suffering and grief, resurrection and restoration . . . it may be helpful to use passages about Jesus’ birth and new life, or ministry, teaching and healing, or His road to the cross, or meeting people after His resurrection.

Ask God for what you need (partnership and wisdom in life and ministry, comfort through His suffering, encouragement through His resurrection; proof that He is alive; awareness of His love for YOU . . . ) Choose passages that speak to what you need. Use all your senses to imagine the scene. Let it unfold as written, then put yourself in the picture as one of the disciples, a person being healed or taught, one of the women at the tomb . . . and see how you feel. Notice how you interact with Jesus. What do you want to ask Jesus? What does Jesus say to you? Journal your experience.

Through Nature Take a walk through nature and use all your five senses. Ask God to show you something of who He is through what He has made (Romans 1:19). Talk with God about what you see, hear, touch, smell, taste. This focus on taking in information through your senses can quiet the voices in your mind and help hone your sense of listening

to God. In this spring/summer season when trees are budding and flourishing, notice what is beautiful and enjoy what God has made and how He has made you to appreciate and notice that. Share Jesus’ joy. As you consider how many colours of green God has made, invite this God of abundance to reveal to you more of His character, and challenge any false concepts of God you may have held. Also notice things that are not pleasant (mosquitos and black flies) and talk with God about these.

Notice what is dead and what is alive around you. Let God speak through what is going on in your life and in His creation.

Through Life’s Experiences Hearing personally and uniquely from the living God in ways that address your daily needs may be one of the most amazing and satisfying experiences of life. The Psalmist says “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 46:10a).

Recently I asked a group of staff what they thought this verse meant. One woman from a Caribbean country replied that it made her think of lifting a spoon of her mother’s spicy curry to her lips. The heat immediately spreads to her whole being, the saliva flows and the flavour brings her great delight. Another person compared it to savoring a Werther’s caramel that he holds in his mouth for a long time letting it slowly melt and the sweetness live • May - June 2019

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refresh him. The voice of God communicates with us in our own language and culture and can be a source of deep satisfaction and comfort.

In Community At other times, I’ve gathered with groups of students to discern a question or a decision. During a discernment prayer retreat with some of our campus staff interns earlier this year, we spent some time listening to God and

Be curious with God exploring whether or not God was calling them into full time work with us. Through scripture passages, pictures and personal experiences, God affirmed these young people in their gifting and personhood. Over the following weeks, some heard God’s call to work with InterVarsity and others felt drawn by God to go back to school or take on another vocation. There was a spacious freedom in the listening and a confidence to move forward as the individuals, within their communities, heard clearly from God. Let me encourage you to be curious with God. Ask God to speak with you and ask particular questions that can be answered. Notice what benefits this brings to your life. 

A bible study on Listening Prayer How keen is your listening ability?

We recently looked after three grandchildren. The guestroom is in the basement, and my five-year-old granddaughter’s bedroom is upstairs.

At 3 a.m. I heard a frightened voice calling “Grandma, Grandma, I had a bad dream . . . I’m scared!” Yet my husband had heard nothing. After comforting and praying with Emmie and singing Jesus Loves Me several times through, I moved up to my daughter’s room right across the hall. Not turning my light out right away, I then heard the same little voice call out, “Grandma, are YOU OK?” She had been watching the light and listening to make sure I was going to sleep!

There is a wonderful woman in the New Testament who never stopped praying and listening for God’s voice.

Anna the Prophetess READ Luke 2:36-38 In verses 36 and 37, we learn a great deal about this amazing woman: • Anna was a ________________

Unsplash.com/AnanthanLoggi

by Linda Ellsworth Linda is the member care coordinator for Christian Camping International, Canada

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What is the tremendous significance of this statement? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Prophetesses are mentioned in the Bible. (Hebrew nbiyah;

BIBLE STUDY

Greek prophetis meaning inspired woman) Read then name these inspired women who listened and spoke for God. What was the significance of each of their prophecies? In order to gain their insights, what kind of prayer life must they have engaged in?

Exodus 15:20 _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Judges 4:4 _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ 2 Kings 22:14 _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Isaiah 8:3 _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Luke 2:36-38 _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Acts 21:8-9 _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ “While these nine are the only women called prophetesses specifically, most agree that it is not a complete list of all of the women in the Bible who prophesied. Here are others who are believed to have spoken prophetically. What was the significance of their prophecies and what kind of prayer life must they have

had?

Rachel (Genesis 30:24) _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1-10) _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Abigail (1 Samuel 25:28-31) _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Elizabeth (Luke 1:41-45) _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Mary (mother of Jesus) (Luke 1:46-55) _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Adapted from: Steve Shirley administrator for JesusAlive.cc.

• Her father was ____________, meaning “Happy” and she was from the tribe of ___________, one of those known as the Lost Ten Tribes, and likely located in the area of what is known today as Lebanon.

• She was very old, at least ____.

• She had been married for ____ years.

• She was a ____ and had remained _________.

• Since losing her husband, she had “never left” and likely lived at _____________________.

• She served God ________ by ______ and ___________.

What a great deal of information

we have been given about this woman of God. And yet the most amazing part of the story is in verse 38. Entering the part of the temple where Simeon had recognized Jesus and was prophesying.

Anna immediately did two things: • She _____________________ • She then _________________ Throughout an entire adult life of serving God, Anna had awaited the moment that had just transpired. Knowing just a little of her life story, write what you think one of her prayers would have been like: _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ We aren’t told whether or not Anna heard Simeon’s declarations.

How/why did she recognize Christ as the Messiah? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ What can we learn about the “listening” part of two-way conversation with God: From Anna? _______________ ._________________________ _________________________ _________________________ From the following Scriptures?

II Chronicles 7:11-22 (God’s charge to Solomon regarding the completion of the Temple) _________________________ live • May - June 2019

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BIBLE STUDY

________________________________________ ________________________________________ Joshua 1:8 The key to seeing God’s strong work is ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Isaiah 30: 15 The key to strength is ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Psalm 119:15, 27, 99, 148 The key to hearing God is ________________________________________ ________________________________________ I Thessalonians 5:17 The key to being like Jesus is ________________________________________ ________________________________________ James 3:17 The key to God’s wisdom is ________________________________________ ________________________________________ “How keen is your listening ability?” The daily breathingin-and-out of conversation with our God depends on one party waiting, meditating, being still and listening for the other party to speak. Who is doing all the talking in your dialogue? Remember: God speaks not in the wind, the fire, or the rain . . . but in a still, small voice.

Can you hear Him? Use the link to listen to the beautiful words of Stephen Curtis Chapman https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=BgaHaioAjyg 

Be Still and Know Be still and know that He is God Be still and know that He is holy Be still oh restless soul of mine Bow before the prince of peace Let the noise and clamor cease Be still and know that He is God Be still and know that He is faithful Consider all that He has done Stand in awe and be amazed And know that He will never change Be still Be still and know that He is God Be still and know that He is God Be still and know that He is God Be still Be speechless Be still and know that He is God Be still and know He is our Father Come rest your head upon His Breast Listen to the rhythm of His unfailing heart of love Beating for His little ones Calling each of us to come Be still. Be still.

Songwriter: Steven Chapman. Be Still and Know lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Capitol Christian Music Group Photos.com

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ROOM TO PRAY Chosen | Holy | Called . . . declaring the goodness of God ROOM TO PRAY is a collection of CBWOQ resources on prayer and fasting.

You may want to build a prayer room for your next Association spring or fall event based on Baptist Women’s theme: Chosen | Holy | Called . . . declaring the goodness of God. To get you started, we’ve detailed two prayer station ideas for your theme room, courtesy Monique Tatsu from First Baptist Church, Chatham.

Monique created the prayer room for our Women’s Conference in May. When you build your room, do send us photos—we’ll use them on our website gallery. Or let us know your Pinterest boards and we’ll pin from there.

You’ll find lots of resources on how to build prayer rooms, prayer station ideas and more at baptistwomen.com/resources.

PRAYER STATION #1 Reflections of Light Items needed • Medium table with tablecloth • Chair • Assortment of mirrors • Framed prompt and instructions Prompt This world needs light. You live in a world that does not care about Jesus. It is a world that makes fun of Christians, but it needs you. It may not be a very comfortable position to be in sometimes but you play an important role in this world. You are called to be an example of Christian living to the world.

You are chosen, a royal priest.

The earth’s source of light is the sun. Nearly all the light that fills the world is reflected from a million objects around us, and does not stream down directly from the sun. Similarly, Jesus is the supreme Source—the Son of Righteousness. His light is reflected upon the world from the millions of believers whom He has chosen and blessed by His Holy Spirit.

Instructions Choose a mirror and gaze into it. Examine the reflection that stares back at you.

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Meditate on God’s abundant love for you. Give thanks to God for the amazing creation that is you.

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As you consider your reflection, perhaps use this centering prayer, praying it over and over, meditating upon and sinking deeply into the meaning of the words: “Thank you, God, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Let me reflect Your love to all around me.”

Unsplash.com/AlexLopez

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ROOM TO PRAY Chosen | Holy | Called . . . declaring the goodness of God

PRAYER STATION #2 Gospel Shoes—You Are Called

Items needed • A collection of shoes, including slippers, flipflops, trainers, party shoes and walking boots • A medium table with tablecloth • Chair • Address-label stickers and pens • Framed prompt and instructions

Instructions Take off the shoes you are wearing and lay them before God.

Prompt “Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet” (Ephesians 6:15).

Write the following verse on a sticker, and stick it inside your shoe, to remind you of your calling to share good news.

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” (Isaiah 52:7).

You are called to declare His goodness, so how ready are you to tell others the good news of Jesus?

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Pray, asking Him to fit you with the shoes that will make you ready to share your faith in all kinds of circumstances.

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What “gospel shoes” are you wearing? comfortable slippers – Do you need to go out of your comfort zone? fast trainers – Do you need to slow down to allow time to share your faith? flip-flops – Is your faith robust enough for the long haul? rain boots or workboots – Are you ready to get your feet dirty? or some other footwear?

Unsplash.com/JakobOwens

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STAFF NEWS

We REMEMBER

We congratulate Renée James and her husband Jeff on becoming permanent legal guardians to Renée’s five-year-old nephew Tristan, a little companion to their son, 11-year-old Christopher. We pray for an abundance of God’s blessing.

Each generation has the opportunity to fuel mission for the next. Did you know that if you include CBWOQ in your Will, your estate will subtract an equal amount in tax?

u Christopher (left) and Tristan (right)

IN HONOUR OF Marjorie Foster, Tillsonburg (85th birthday) Leone Mater, Petrolia (90th birthday)

In Memory of Margaret Branscombe, Campbellford Pamela Davis Hope Harwood, Victoria, BC Darlene Murray, Tillsonburg Alma Ruston, Selkirk Daizie Williamson, Nepean

Bernice’s Picks . . .

Love Like You’ve Never Been Hurt: Love, Healing and the Power of an Open Heart

by Jentezen Franklin Go deeper! Study this 5-star rated book; on the Baptist Women’s book list.

diversity in worship matters. be the welcome.

NOVEMBER 1-2, 2019 logos baptist church • mississauga

On sale for $15 DVD $24.99 Participant’s guide $10, or get the curriculum kit for $59.99

Join CBOQ pastors, worship leaders and teams, as we explore how to winsomely develop intercultural worship. details & registration: baptist.ca/worship-for-the-world

All titles available from ReadOn Bookstore 5 International Blvd.

Etobicoke, ON M9W 6H3 Tel: 416-620-2934 Fax: 416-234-8840 E-mail: books@readon.ca readon.ca

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“We never know how God will answer our prayers, but we can expect that He will get us involved in His plan for the answer. If we are true intercessors, we must be ready to take part in God’s work on behalf of the people for whom we pray.”

Corrie ten Boom

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