Prayer For Restoration For The Years I Have Wasted

Top 7 Bible Verses About Restoration

Restoring old houses or vintage items is very popular these days, as even whole television shows are dedicated to transforming something old and making it look shiny and new. This same idea about restoration is also on God’s heart! Sin corrupts and weakens us, and it even causes us to suffer loss and pain in many ways.

So God wants to bring people back to himself, because He knows that the peace and joy that we all want for our lives can only be found in Him. The Lord is about restoring people—physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Whether we are sick or struggling emotionally or separated from God because of sin, He wants to bring us back into right relationship with Himself, so that our lives can be filled once again with purpose and contentment. God does not want us to fail, as He is our most supportive advocate, cheerleader, and provider.

A popular contemporary Christian song by Brian Johnson, “One Thing Remains,” says it well with the lyrics, “His love never fails, and He never gives up on us.” This is great news, as we read the top 7 verses about what is on God’s heart for us—RESTORATION!

In this passage, Moses is telling the Israelites that if one of them digs a pit, and his neighbor’s animal falls in, then he must restore the value of the dead animal to the owner. It is an important illustration of what restoration is about in God’s eyes.

He was teaching the Israelites who He had recently released from slavery and captivity how to live lives that were honest, true and full of integrity.

There is always a cost and a value to what is lost, so God was teaching His people to respect and honor life in every situation. The children of Israel themselves were a living example of how God had restored back to them everything that they had lost as slaves in Egypt.

Along with most Christians, I love Psalm 23, because it has spoken to me at all the important times in my life. Most recently, I was facing some persecution in my job, and I was even accused of being too spiritual.

Called to defend myself in front of a board “in the presence of my enemies,” I went to the meeting armed with this Psalm and filled with comfort, guidance and hope.

After that difficult appointment, God led me on a completely different path then I had expected, but it has been full of rest and indescribable blessings. I have experienced first hand His restoration.

Confidently then, I can share that God wants us to understand, take to heart, and KNOW that He is the one who restores our lives no matter what we face. God’s love for us is so strong that He not only leads us to places and times of quiet and rest, but He also then renews our soul.

King David was a man “after God’s own heart,” and yet he also experienced hardships and many battles in his life. Sometimes those difficulties were the result of outside forces and other times because of his own sin. But no matter what, David knew that only God could restore his hope, his joy, his peace and his life to him.

In this famous passage he goes on to ask God to help create in Him a clean heart, to purify him, to renew a right spirit in him, and not to take away the Holy Spirit or God’s presence from him. He wants to feel God close to him and filling his life with the blessings only God can give.

Here God is talking about the restoration of Israel. They had disobeyed God and had been taken into captivity, but after repenting and calling out to Him, He promised to restore them to the promised land and to a position of protection and right relationship with Him once again.

He goes on to list, explain and elaborate on some of the blessings that they are going to receive. If we choose to do what is right and obey the commands of the Lord, then the Lord will bless us He told Israel, and even our future generations will be blessed.

God heals the broken-hearted, and restores not only relationships but possessions and land back to His people.

Paul’s letters to the Corinthian church are often full of warnings and admonitions, as they were known for their sinful attitudes and actions. Even though they had claimed Jesus as their Lord and savior, they still seemed to struggle with loving one another and walking holy lives.

In this passage, Paul calls the Corinthians to make things right, to restore relationships with each other, to examine themselves, and make sure that they are in full, right relationship with God once again.

He doesn’t want sin to separate these fellow Christians from the protection of the Lord, rather he wants them to be strong in their relationship with Him. This is what he prayed for on a daily basis.

These words are among Paul’s final words of exhortation to the Christians in Corinth at the end of his second letter to them.

By seeking restoration with their brothers and sisters in Christ, they would reap what they sowed—restoration with God as well.

It is clear from His word that God is our sole source of restoration and hope. But God also wants us to bear one another’s burdens and help and encourage each other, especially when we make mistakes. No one is more spiritual than anyone else, as we all have been filled with the same gift of the Holy Spirit when we are saved.

However, spending more time in the presence of the Lord and developing greater levels of gratitude will draw us closer to our God. Then we can be His vessels for loving, caring, and carrying our fellow brothers and sisters as needed. So when someone stumbles, as Christians we should all seek their rapid restoration as soon as possible.

Simultaneously, we should also examine ourselves and make sure that we are not falling into temptation as well.

CONCLUSION

Whether it is refinishing an old piece of furniture or fixing up a vintage car, it is exciting to see the changes and transformation that can take place in certain objects. wise all have suffered losses in our lives, and, hopefully, we have all felt the joy of having something restored.

This is what God is all about—He wants us all to have our health, emotions, lives and souls renewed to perfect harmony with Him. So when we leave the sheepfold and the other 99 sheep, He leaves them to go after us. God loves us so much, that He does not want anyone to perish (John 3:16).

His desire is that we should all be restored back into a close relationship with Him and one day enjoy eternal life in heaven.

Article by Karla Hawkins

God has been good to me over the years, and I have so much to be grateful for to Him.  First of all, I feel blessed to be the pastor’s wife of a thriving church in northern Michigan and the mother of four amazing grown children.

It is also very rewarding to be a Christian author, editor and translator for the Kingdom of God.

Some of my favorite pastimes include supporting my children’s contemporary Christian band ONLY9AM, singing on  the worship team at church, traveling, and connecting with family and friends via social media.

Источник: //www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2014/10/19/top-7-bible-verses-about-restoration/

A Beautiful Prayer for Repentance and Restoration

Have you succumbed to harmful habits that are hurting your faith and testimony? We’ve all been there at one time or another.

If guilt and shame now dot your life, and regrets are filling in the blanks of your story, take heart. God offers love, forgiveness, and restoration.

If this fits you, here is a prayer for repentance and restoration that can help you find renewed joy, hope, and life:

A Prayer for Repentance and Restoration

Lord Jesus, I’m tired of the sin struggle in my life. I feel distant from You. My choices have not led me into the right places. I’ve listened to the whispers of my enemy instead of Your words in Scripture, and the result has been disastrous.

I once walked with you, my heart tender to Your leading. Yet little by little, I exchanged Your truths for temptations and deceit that led me away from You.

Instead of taking thoughts captive and confessing them immediately, I allowed them to grow totally control. Repentance was not in my vocabulary.

Blame, cover-ups, or trying to reason and rationalize sin never work. They only give birth to deeper sin entanglements.

You created me in Your own image, Lord. You know my thoughts before I speak them. You x-ray my heart and see through my excuses and intentions. Your Spirit warned me, but I ignored You. Disappointment and discouragement have taken their toll on me.

So today I’m confessing my desperate need for You. You have promised that if we will confess our sin, You will forgive us and make us clean again. Lord, I truly need Your forgiveness. Repentance is on my heart and lips. I want to turn around and head another direction—back to You, Lord. But I need Your help.

Just as You created the world nothing, Lord, create a clean heart my “nothingness.” You paid for my sin with your own death. Restore my life and the fellowship we once shared together.

I am the one who broke fellowship with You and am crushed over the way I treated You and Your name.

Lord, root out the darkness and light up my life with Your holy presence. Help me understand what went wrong. Show me how my destructive patterns first began.

What did I allow to become more important than loving and honoring You? Why did I seek satisfaction in others or other things than You? You are the only One Who provides all my needs.

You fill up the soul with deep down joy and peace beyond all understanding.

Lord, may your restoration include new boundaries around my life. I can’t flirt with sin and not be hurt. In restoring me, teach me how to say no again to things which could harm myself or my testimony.

If my actions have wounded others, show me where and to whom I need to ask forgiveness or how to make amends. Help me to surround myself with positive encouragers who will hold me accountable and who will speak the truth in love.

Truly, shame melts away and we are healed when we confess to others and ask for their help.

I understand that my repentance won’t eliminate the consequences of my sin.

Knowing that You don’t hold our sins to our account—You remember them no more–and that You place them as far as the east is from the west both humbles me and fills me with amazement and gratitude.

Thank You, Lord, that sin does not disqualify us. Instead, a runner who has fallen but who gets up again, I, too, am willing to start again and finish the race You have set for me.  

With Your restoration, Lord, perhaps I can help others find their way back to You again. I will not give my enemy the victory. Instead, I will accept Yours. Instead of a meltdown, with Your help I will allow Your Spirit to give me a hot heart for You, one that seeks You and wants to live for You the rest of my life. Thank You, Jesus, for Your sweet forgiveness and promised restoration.

Never prayed for repentance before?

Pray this prayer for salvation:

Lord, I admit I am a sinner. I need and want Your forgiveness.

I accept Your death as the penalty for my sin, and recognize that Your mercy and grace is a gift You offer to me because of Your great love, not anything I have done. Cleanse me and make me Your child.

By faith I receive You into my heart as the Son of God and as Savior and Lord of my life. From now on, help me live for You, with You in control. In Your precious name,

Amen

Rebecca Barlow Jordan is an inspirational author, speaker, and passionate follower of Jesus who loves to encourage others heart to heart.

She has written 11 books and over 1700 other articles, greeting cards, and other inspirational pieces. Her daily devotional Daily in Your Presence is available for delivery through Crosswalk.com.

You can find out more about Rebecca at www.rebeccabarlowjordan.com.

This article is part of our larger Prayers resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times.

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Источник: //www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/a-prayer-for-repentance-and-restoration.html

Expect To Receive God’s Much-More Restoration (Part 3/3)

Wasted years, broken dreams, wrecked relationships…whatever your loss may be, look to the Lord for your much-more restoration! Join Joseph Prince in this three-part series as he shares how you can position yourself to receive God’s incredible restoration for your losses.

READ: Part 1  |  Part 2  |

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POSITION YOURSELF FOR RESTORATION

Beloved, the restoration that Ruth and Stephie received can happen for you too. Whatever you have lost, don’t give up—you can still win even after you’ve experienced loss.

How? Position yourself for victory by resting in the Lord’s finished work, remembering that Jesus has accomplished everything for you at the cross. If you look at the word “restore,” it starts with four letters that spell “rest.

” In other words, restoration comes as you rest in the Lord and in His finished work.

When you rest in God, He goes to work on your behalf and you end up with more.

This was what happened for Ruth, whose story you read about earlier.

After laboring in the barley fields from morning to evening, Ruth was able to glean one ephah of barley (Ruth 2:17), equivalent to a ten-day supply. But when
 she rested at the feet of Boaz and did not labor, she received six ephahs of barley (Ruth 3:15), a sixty-day supply! And we know her blessings did not stop there.

I want you to pay attention to what Naomi said to Ruth: “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day” (Ruth 3:18).

As long as Ruth rested, Boaz would not rest until he resolved her situation.

The result? Instead of just getting 
a small portion of the barley from the fields, Ruth got the owner of the fields himself, as well as the entire yield of his barley fields! Hallelujah! It is the same for us today.

When we rest, Jesus, our heavenly Boaz, goes to work. When we choose to “work” by striving, fretting and trying to make things happen by our arm of flesh, He rests until we see our need for Him and invite Him into our situation.

REST AND RECEIVE HIS RESTORATION

Now, in case you’re wondering, rest is not doing nothing or being lazy in your situation. Do the practical that needs to be done—send out your résumés, attend interviews by all means—but do all that with a heart that is at rest. Be at rest inwardly, believing in your heart that our Lord Jesus has accomplished everything you need for every demand that comes your way.

Rest in His faithfulness to fulfill His promises to you and to be your supply, strength, and peace while you are waiting on Him.

Your restoration can happen when you least expect it, just it did for Lorraine who wrote to me from North Carolina:

When I was thirty-five, I began losing my sight due to an eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa. By 2006, I could only see with my left eye, with my scope of vision limited to the diameter of a drinking straw.

Round about that time, I began watching Joseph Prince on television. Through the messages that
 he preached, I learned about Jesus and Abba, my loving heavenly Father. I began to learn all that Jesus endured at the cross for me and how much He wanted a relationship with me.

I began watching the broadcast daily and I would search my Bible in Braille, over and over in utter disbelief. Could it be true, that by His stripes, I have been healed—even my eyes? I began to claim this verse for myself.

I figured I couldn’t lose anything since I was already blind.

My husband, Jack, would sit and watch Joseph’s programs with me in the mornings. One day, after having listened to Joseph for five months, I told Jack while watching the screen, “Stop scratching your head!” Jack turned to me and said, “How could you have seen that?” That’s when I realized that my vision had been restored. I raised my hands to the sides of my face and I could see them!

My friend, Lorraine’s amazing breakthrough began when she simply sat down to learn about Jesus and His finished work. By doing that, she positioned herself to receive His restoration for her! The Lord restored not just her vision, but also other areas of health that had been compromised by serious illnesses.

I believe Loraine is enjoying a fresh flood of His healing and health because she learned to rest and rejoice in God’s grace for her rather than focus on what the enemy had stolen from her. So don’t be discouraged 
by the challenges you see in your circumstances. Don’t be alarmed even if you should hear bad news.

Each time your heart is troubled, look to your unfailing Savior and say, “Lord, restore!”

Beloved, I want to encourage you to get ready for an incredible time of God’s restoration! Instead of saying it can’t be done, start saying, “Lord, restore!” because His sacrifice at the cross has qualified you to receive and enjoy His incomparable restoration.

Through the cross, He has restored to you and your family 120 percent and more of His health, soundness, protection, favor, wisdom, and provision.

Ruth who went from empty to full, I believe you will say in the days to come, “The Lord has turned my loss around with His restoration!”

The names of the testimony writers in this article have been changed to protect the writers’ privacy.

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Enjoyed reading this post? Find out more in this MP3

Activate God’s 120 Percent Restoration

Источник: //blog.josephprince.com/expect-to-receive-gods-much-more-restoration-part-33/

5 Biblical Steps For Restoring Broken Relationships

I have a friend who says that relationships are gardens, they must be cultivated. She also said that the most difficult thing to restore is a broken relationship. Though it is difficult to do, broken relationships can be restored and as with other issues of life, the Bible has guidance for this. Here are 5 Biblical steps for restoring broken relationships.

Be Sure All are Committed With Love

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Loss of commitment in a relationship will lead to a breakup. Cultivation of a relationship requires hard work and much love. Lovingly remind others in a broken relationship that you care for them.

Commitment to the relationship is the first step to restoration and all parties in the relationship must be committed to it.

Humble Yourself

Commitment, humility, time, forgiveness and proper communication …

Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. Proverbs 6:3

One of the greatest things you can do to restore a broken relationship is to humble yourself and admit where you were wrong. God loves a humble heart and He will be glorified when you take this brave step forward and admit how your actions contributed to the breakup. Your humble attitude will show the love of Christ and possibly cause others to do the same.

Don’t Rush It

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. Psalm 27:14

Remember that sometimes the Lord gives us trials in our life so that we take time to cultivate our relationship with Him. When our relationship with the Lord is right all other relationships on earth fall into place.

Don’t forget to “take time” to examine your relationship with the Lord, spend time daily with Him in His word and ask Him for his guidance with restoration. Then when He gives an answer trust Him to make it happen.

Ask Forgiveness and Grant Forgiveness

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15

Just as it is important to humble ourselves and admit when we are wrong, it is important to ask for forgiveness. When you ask forgiveness the forgiving party forfeits their right to ever bring it up again.

We can choose to remember the transgressions no more, just as the Lord does (Isaiah 43:25-26). The same holds true when you grant forgiveness to another, put it behind you and don’t bring it up again.

Forgiveness is a key component to restoration of a relationship.

Remember the Rules of Communication

Moving forward with a healthy relationship requires proper communication. These four simple rules are easy to remember and priceless when applied. Memorize them and teach them to those with whom you have relations. You will be blessed.

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Ephesians 4:15

1. Be Honest – Speak the truth in love and remember shouting does not make it true.

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Ephesians 4:26-27

2. Keep current – Resolve your issues today and once they are resolved do not bring then back up tomorrow.

Let no corrupt communication proceed your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:29-30

3. Attack the problem, not the person – Take care to speak kindly to one another. Avoid absolutes “always”, “never”, “ever”.

For example instead of saying “You NEVER take out the trash” consider saying “It would be helpful if you take out the trash more often”.

When we are not careful how we say things we are grieving the Holy Spirit because He would NEVER prompt us to do that.

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are the bars of a castle. (Proverbs 18:13,15,17,19)

4. Act, Don’t React – I believe this is the most difficult thing to bear in mind when we are communicating. It is so easy to respond in an ungodly way when we are in the heat of discussion. It is only when we take care to think about the information being presented and then slowly respond that we are able to act instead of reacting.

In Summary

Relationships, just gardens are hard work. They require constant cultivation. Commitment, humility, time, forgiveness and proper communication are all steps that will lead to restoration in a way that will please the Lord.

I pray that if you are struggling with a relationship that you have the courage to read, meditate upon and share this article with others and that you will soon be on your way to restoration. May God bless you as you choose His way.

Resource – The Holy Bible, King James Version

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Источник: //www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/5-biblical-steps-for-restoring-broken-relationships/

Four Steps For Spiritual Restoration

2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

“…Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” ~Matthew 6:9

During the Dedication of the newly constructed Temple, Solomon prayed to God, asking Him to forgive and restore the people of Israel when they sinned (2 Chronicles 6:12-42).

God then told Solomon (in the verse above) that, when the Israelites sinned, they would be restored after going through a four-step process.

God’s Word is eternal; therefore, this four-step process has unequivocal application to Christians today. Christians ARE God’s people called by His name.

STEP 1: Humility

The first step in spiritual restoration is humility. To start the restoration process we must first recognize our nothingness before an Almighty God. I have neither rights nor commendation before God. On my own, I am both guilty and unworthy to be in his Holy presence. God is everything; I am nothing.

…the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. ~Habakkuk 2:20

STEP 2: Prayer

The second step in spiritual restoration is prayer. Prayer is an act of humility. Prayer is NOT presenting God with a list of desires. God DOES care about our needs and He instructs us to “cast all our cares on Him” (1 Peter 5:7).

“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” ~Matthew 6:10

However, Jesus showed us that the primary purpose of prayer is to prepare persons to perform the perfect will of God (Matthew 6: 9-13, Luke 22:42).

After we humble ourselves before God, we then seek to discover His will for our lives through prayer.

STEP 3: Communion/Fellowship

The third step in spiritual restoration is communion with God: ‘seeking God’s face’. To ‘seek God’s face’ is to live in His presence: to commune/fellowship with Him. Prayer is the doorway through which we enter into communion with God.

Scripture instructs us to seek God, and to do so “continually” (1 Chronicles 16:11, Psalm 27:8, Psalm 105:4). To commune/fellowship with God is to live one’s life every second as if serving before God’s throne in heaven. It is to be in constant dialogue with God.

It is to be intimate with God: talking with Him “face-to-face”:

“Give us this day our daily bread.” ~Matthew 6:11

And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend… ~Exodus 33:11a

To “seek God’s face” is to walk with God as Enoch did: in such close fellowship that the line between earth and heaven becomes blurred.

When Moses communed with God he came so close that after the experience his face shone (Exodus 34:34-35). Paul communed with God and was caught up in the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:1-3).

God wants to lead us from humility into prayer; and from prayer into communion with Him.

STEP 4: Repentance

The fourth and final step in spiritual restoration is repentance: turning from “wicked ways”. Repentance is the offspring of communion.

This is not the same “repentance” that is a prerequisite for salvation (Acts 3:19), because this passage was addressed to “my people, which are called by my name”. So, God was addressing those who are already in the fold.

Repentance for believers is described in Romans 12:2 as transformation by a renewing of our minds.

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…” ~Matt. 6:13a

God intends to bring us from humility into prayer, from prayer into communion with God and finally communion gives birth to repentance (mental renewal): a change in mindset allows us to turn from our “wicked ways”.

Start… and You Will Finish

These four steps of spiritual restoration, though sequential, are not independent of each other. The believer that humbles himself before The Almighty God will pray, because he recognizes that he must submit to the will of the Lord of Hosts.

The believer that discerns the will of God through prayer must also ‘seek God’s face’, because to walk in the will of God is to walk in communion with God. And the believer that walks in communion with God cannot help but have his mind renewed.

Источник: //reflectionsintheword.org/2010/05/06/four-steps-for-spiritual-restoration/

Aim for Restoration

There is no question that we are living in times of restoration. Never before was God so active as in the past century in restoring what needs to be restored. Both Israel and the Church have experienced extended periods of divine restoration. God is surely not at the end of this process, as the Word of God tells us the best is yet to come. These are truly exciting days to be alive.

A God of Restoration

Restoration is certainly a theme for the last days, but it also characterises God’s work throughout history.

Jesus’s ministry on earth was one of restoration. He restored the health and well-being of countless people in Israel. He desired to restore sinners and lepers back to society. Freedom was restored to the demon-possessed as they were set free by the power of his word.

After his death on Calvary and then his resurrection, millions and millions of people from all tribes and tongues and nations have been restored to a relationship with their God and Creator.

Families have been restored, broken marriages have been mended, many have experienced financial restoration, and even emotionally wounded people have experienced the restoring power of the Holy Spirit.

Peter encourages the Church with these words: “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Peter 5:10 ESV).

So Peter sees for the suffering church a coming period of restoration, while Paul also admonishes the church in Corinth: “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration…” (2 Corinthians 13:11 ESV).

Restoration needs to be part of our personal agenda. God is a God of restoration and no matter how difficult our circumstances may be, we should never lose our trust that He wants to restore all things.

Think and pray about how you can bring the restoring power of the blood of Jesus to the people around you.

Aim for restoration!

Restoration of the Church

A powerful process of restoration can be seen in operation in the true Church today. It was triggered already centuries ago, when after the sad and dark era of the Middle Ages, God started to restore important truths to the Church through the Protestant Reformation of the 16th and 17th centuries.

In this time, the Church rediscovered the authority of the Scriptures after believers had been discouraged for centuries from reading the Bible and rather were told to trust the priests and Christian sages for the correct interpretation.

In fact for most a Bible did not even exist in their native language, as they were available only in Latin or other ancient tongues.

A personal relationship with Christ became almost impossible, as the priests used the Church not as a vehicle to bring men to God but rather as one to financially exploit and control them.

With the Reformation, the Bible became available to ordinary believers in their own language.

For instance, Martin Luther translated the word of God from Hebrew and Greek into an ordinary non-liturgical language – German.

Its distribution received a significant boost when Johannes Gutenberg invented the first printing presses in Europe. The newly translated Bible quickly became accessible to countless believers all across Germany.

In the following centuries, the word of God became widely available and biblical truths were restored to the Church.

Righteousness by faith and not by works; the priesthood of all saints rather than the rule of a corrupt clergy; baptism of those who believe rather than of new-born babes – these are just a few of the theological discoveries that came the Reformation. Yet, these were not new doctrines but ancient truths of the Bible, which were restored to the Church.

The Puritans of the 16th and 17th centuries rediscovered God’s covenant faithfulness with the Jewish people and foresaw a restoration of Israel long before there was a political Zionist movement.

The following centuries saw the restoration of the great missionary movements.

From the 18th century onward, Moravian missionaries would leave for Greenland, William Carey to India, Hudson Taylor to China, and David Livingstone to Africa.

In the 20th century, the Church saw the restoration of the gifts of the Spirit, which impacted even the mainline churches through the Charismatic movement. Along with it came a rediscovery of the five-fold ministry. The list goes on…

That God wants to restore the Church even further is beyond doubt.

The Apostle Paul declares: “… just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25–27).

The Word of God declares that at the return of Christ, the Church will be in a most glorious state – a bride made ready for her bridegroom. This makes me believe that the most glorious spiritual condition of the Church is still ahead of us. What a great hope we have!

Restoration through the Church

It is a fact that without the transforming power of the Church, our Western societies would not be what they are today. Loren Cunningham, founder of YWAM, documents in his book “Transformation” how the reformation of John Calvin and Martin Luther had a major impact in shaping European culture.

Luther and his preachers told people that whatever they do, they should do so to the glory of God. Whether you are a carpenter or a blacksmith, you can do the work of God by carrying out your work for His glory. He took sanctity the cathedrals and brought it into the homes and workbenches of the believers. this emerged what became known in coming centuries as the German work ethic.

John Calvin challenged the rulers of Geneva over usury, as money lenders asked for interest rates of up to 60 percent.

His summons gave Switzerland its reputation for punctuality and built the foundation for its world-renowned watch industry.

The Indian philosopher Vishal Mangalwadi documents in his book “The Legacy of William Carey” how that great English missionary transformed India in a way that is still felt to this day.

It is widely recognized today that without the revival of the Wesley brothers, England would have experienced a massive social revolution similar to the French revolution, with its horrible human toll. Many more examples could be mentioned of the transforming power of the Gospel over society.

Today we see a similar development taking place in Africa, where the growing church of Nigeria is impacting that nation in a significant way. We have witnessed this as well in the Ivory Coast, where high-ranking politicians have a pastoral council helping them to make godly decisions for their nation.

There is no area that can be exclude from the transforming power of the Kingdom of God, even today.

Restoration for Israel

The most widely covered restorative theme in the Bible relates to Israel. God declares through the prophet Jeremiah: “… I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord…” (Jeremiah 29:14, ESV).

Nearly every Hebrew prophet foresaw a time when God would restore the fortunes of the Jewish people following a long period of exile, destitution and suppression. Indeed, they would return from the all countries where God had scattered them (Jeremiah 32:37).

He would plant them back in the land of their fathers (Jeremiah 24:6). They would rebuild the ancient cities (Isaiah 61:4). They would turn the desert into a blossoming garden (Isaiah 51:3). God would increase them in numbers (Ezekiel 37:26).

In the second half of the 19th century, the Jewish people entered into a period of divine favour and restoration as Jews mainly from Europe began longing to “return to Zion”. As a result, the first Jewish settlements were established in Ottoman-ruled Palestine.

In the ensuing decades, many more Jews would come until in 1948 the State of Israel was established. This reminded many of the question posed by Isaiah long ago: “Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be brought forth in one moment?” (Isaiah 66:8 ESV).

In May 1948, the resounding answer was “Yes!” The German theologian Karl Barth later proclaimed: “Now we can read it in the newspapers: God keeps His promises.”

Today, close to half of the world’s Jewish population is residing in Israel, compared to only 0.5% in 1889. They have turned the State of Israel into a hub of technology and innovation. Israel’s ancient cities are not only rebuilt, but they are larger and more beautiful than ever before.

But this process of restoration has not ended yet, as many of the promises of God for Israel are still outstanding. The Hebrew prophets foresaw that God will one day pour out His Spirit of grace and supplication upon His people and they would look upon him whom they have pierced (Zechariah 12:10).

A people which Moses and the prophets described as rebellious and with an uncircumcised heart, will receive a new heart of flesh and will be filled by the Spirit of God (Jeremiah 31:31). This is exactly what the Psalmist declares: “…the set time to favor Zion has come.” It is the time of restoration.

Restoration in troublesome times

Recently, somebody told me: “Jürgen, you have a far too optimistic outlook on our world, as the Bible speaks clearly about great judgments, apostasies and tribulations to come.

” The truth is the Bible speaks about both. It speaks about the judgment of the nations (Joel 3), but also about the outpouring of His Spirit upon all flesh (Joel 2:28-32).

And both will take place before the great and terrible Day of the Lord.

It is true that the word of God does speak about the great falling away and apostasy (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4), but it also talks about God preparing an end-time church without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:25-27). It speaks about five foolish virgins with empty vessels but also about five wise virgins with vessels filled with oil (Matthew 25:1-13).

The question is, therefore, not so much which eschatology you hold to, but more about on which side do you want to be?

This is what Isaiah foresaw: “For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and His glory will be seen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:2)

He calls upon us and upon Israel to arise and let our lights shine in a world that is covered increasingly with darkness.

In the years ahead, the gulf between light and darkness will increase. Grey areas will become either black or white. Luke-warmness will not be tolerated anymore. We are called to make up our mind to be either hot or cold.

We purposefully chose “Restoration” as the theme for this year’s Feast of Tabernacles as we believe that there is great hope for both Israel and the Church. There is still great hope of restoration for you, your family, your city, and your nation.

As God is restoring Israel, He is calling upon the Church to have an active part in it. This is why we help with Aliyah and why we support Holocaust survivors. But this is also why we bring Jews and Arabs together to declare to them the great and glorious future God has for this region. It is the time of restoration. Join with us to fulfill that calling.

Make a purposeful decision today to expect, hope and work for restoration. As a child of God, your personal agenda needs to be an agenda of restoration. Think of what you can do in the sphere where God has placed you to bring restoration to the people and situations around you.

Aim for restoration!

Источник: //firm.org.il/learn/aim-for-restoration/

Marriage Restoration Prayers

These marriage restoration prayers are a guideline on how to pray for your marriage.  Pray in faith, that God will move on your behalf.  There is no guarantee you will not have problems in your marriage, even if you are a Christian.

   But, God has promised never to leave or forsake us.  All marriages will have trials and tribulations.  Statistics can be quite discouraging, as over 50% of marriages end in divorce.

  Christian marriages are fiercely under particular attack because the enemy does not want strong spiritual families. 

If an enemy can destroy the family unit, he can come in and wreak havoc on the parents to the children.   The good news is, God has ordained marriage and wants your marriage to succeed even more than you can imagine.  He has not abandoned or forgotten you or your children.

Joel 2:24 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

We can not control others, and God will not go against a persons’ will.  He can, however, change hearts.  He can bring about situations that change hearts and minds.   Pray that God will touch the heart of your spouse. 

The Holy Spirit will go to places we can not go, to accomplish things we cannot.  These prayers are just a guideline for how to pray. When praying the prayers below, use the Word of God, because it a powerful tool against the works of darkness. 

Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Insert the name of the person you are praying for to make the prayer personal.  Do not be discouraged if things do not change right away, continue to thank God for the victory and the restoration of your marriage.

Submit your Prayer Request

Continue to Believe God for your Marriage

When going through problems in your relationship, it is easy to want to withdraw into yourself and become paralyzed with fear and depression.

  I encourage you to continue to attend church and consider joining a prayer group.  This will provide spiritual strength and support.

Also, if you are involved in ministry, continue to minister.  Remember when the enemy is not only attacking your spouse, he is attacking you.  Remain prayerful and consider praying for others who are having difficulties in their marriage.   Proverbs 11:25  The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

Prayer of Salvation

 Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus.  I believe that you are the son of God and that you died for the sin of the whole world.  I admit that I have not done everything right.  I repent of my sins and want you to change my life.

 Forgive my sins and come into my heart, and wash me with your blood.  I believe that you are the son of God and that you died for the sin of the whole world.  I admit that I have not done everything right.  I repent of my sins and want you to change my life.

 Forgive my sins and come into my heart, and wash me with your blood.  Amen.

Prayer for a Discouraged Husband

Father, I come before you. I ask that you do a new thing in his life. Let him experience your divine love and grace.   Cover him with the precious blood of Jesus.  Lord, you said in your word, ” for this cause shall a man leave, his mother and father and the two shall become one flesh.”   Unite us as never before and let him feel my love and support.

I cancel every assignment of the enemy to make him feel inadequate.  Help me to show greater love, respect, and affection.    Cause my husband to surrender every weight and burden to you Lord and bring restoration to his/her heart and mind.

Help him to trust you and seek your guidance in everything.   I command every burden to be broken off his life right now in the name of Jesus.   Bring him into the full knowledge of you will and cause him to be the husband and father you have called them to be.   Let him walk in victory and wisdom in all he does.  In the Jesus name.  Amen!

Lord, I bring my marriage to you today.  I discovered __________ is having an affair.   I ask that you restore and heal my marriage.  I know you are the restorer of the broken.   Help me to be strong, and continue to seek your face. 

Help me to continue to take authority over this situation.  Father, you told me you have given me the power to step on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy!  So, I bind every ungodly soul tie ______ has with this person!  I break and destroy every plan the enemy has to hurt my family. 

I pray a wedge between them, right now in the name of Jesus, and I command that all connections with this person be destroyed, right now, and I cancel every assignment of the enemy!   I commit _______ to you and ask that you take out the stony heart and give _____ a heart that loves and fears you.   

Father, in the name of Jesus, open _______ eyes, and cause the scales to be removed.  Holy Spirit, cause  ______  to be convicted of their sin.   Let them no longer find enjoyment in this ungodly relationship.

  Amen

Father, I bring this couple before you today. I ask you will touch the heart of this husband that he might know your divine love. Whatever he is seeking that is not in you will let him find only emptiness.

  I bind everything that is separating him from you. Send people to him to share the Gospel of your son, and let them man surrender to the highest God.

Let him be, saved, healed and restored, right now, in Jesus name!

Remind him of his commitment and vow he made to his wife before you. Father, you said the king’s heart is in your hand, so I know this husband’s heart is also in your hand! Turn his heart back to his wife and family in the name of Jesus. I speak restoration of the love and this marriage, in the Name of Jesus. Amen

Prayer for Your Wife

Father in the name of Jesus, I thank you for this woman. You have said for this cause shall a man leave his mother and father and the two shall become one flesh. Father, I cancel the assignment the enemy has set forth to destroy this family.

  You are the restorer of the broken. I ask that the Love of God which passes knowledge will arrest this wife. Open her eyes and her heart to you. Send laborers in her path, to minister God’s love, mercy, and His Salvation.

We call it done in Jesus name!

Prayer for Marriage Restoration

Move on behalf of this couple and bring restoration to this relationship. Father, in the name of Jesus, I decree this man’s heart, is turned back to his wife, and the wife to the husband.

  Bring healing and restoration to their home.

  Where there is no love, create love, where there is no peace, bring peace, where there is trouble, calm the storms of life, where there was confusion, bring understanding.

I ask that every obstacle bringing this separation will be removed, and cast into the sea, and this marriage be restored, and made whole. In Jesus name. Keep me posted! God Bless you!  Marriage restoration is a process.

 It is the process of changing not only your spouse but you as well.  Take all of your cares to the Lord because he is the author and finisher of your faith.

   May the spirit of Christ cover and comfort you as you believe for the healing of your marriage.

Источник: //spiritualgiftstoday.com/marriage-restoration-prayers/