Monday, April 30, 2012

Meditation Matters (“matters” as both a noun and a verb) REVISED


4/30/12 Returning from a “prayer for revival” time where 4 of us convened to pray today, I opened this email from a blog reader in France (whom I have never met) .
She wasn’t sure why she sent it to me. But God…..knew the nature of our group and this so affirms our need to continue to pray for our nation and its leaders especially as election time is just around the corner.

AGGIE’S E-MAIL (synopsis)
It's early Sunday morning, one of those short nights.  I just checked out your blog and saw the I

It actually reminded me of something totally on the opposite end of the pole.  A positive I  which has nothing to do with the big ugly I  that pops up so insidiously in our lives.
Around 2001, due to some negative factors, the French leaders felt God asking them to close the French association.  Shortly afterwards, at a small gathering of several Lydia cells at my house, we spent time waiting on the Lord.  I received a mental image of a strong white curtain-type material stretched out, and in the center was a tall I .  As we shared with one another what God had been speaking, I described what I had seen.  To me it was a big tear in the white "wall" and at the same time it was an opening to something else.  When I said "I'm not sure what the stands for, one of the gals immediately responded, "It means 'INTERCESSION'."

As the four of us (a small nucleus of the group which had gotten together annually) met and prayed with the European leader earlier this year, she saw Jesus just on the other side of the I, waiting with joy to see us enter and begin again this ministry of intercession.

Only five former Lydia cell members, from my local area, responded to a letter sent out in March and expressed their desire to continue, but God (emphasis mine, DAL) doesn't despise small beginnings.  I am asking Him to give us some guidelines for days ahead, and encourage each of the ladies to trust God for a prayer partner (or several) to faithfully listen to God and intercede according to his heart.


Along with excerpts from Aggie's message, I have also included a link from her that led me to a site which led me to our meditation verse for today. (along with a few hints) Lydia Fellowship is “a call to prayer for Christian women, those who have the heart
 to meet with God and encounter his presence. The Vision of Lydia is for women to meet together with a "prayer-partner" or in small groups of 3 - 5 women.  Each Prayer Group is responsible to seek God for his specific agenda for prayer by the group.” 

Our prayer group's structure is very similar in structure to those Lydia cell groups in France. For 15+ years, our goal has been prayer for revival; for our own hearts, for members of our church, for our city, our state, our nation and our world.

At the Lydia website, (http://www.lydiafellowshipinternational.org/) a list of names, of those in authority in our country, was included. I printed those off to share with my group. A verse, which seemed so appropriate for today's meditation entry was:
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (1 Timothy 2: 1-2)
Guidelines for meditation were also given. God is so good!!