Disciplines

As the first week of the 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting comes to an end I have found myself reading again Richard J. Fosters book, "Celebration of Discipline - The Path to Spiritual Growth". The book is a good guide for helping remind one of the multiple facets of spiritual discipline and how those disciplines can be in stark opposition to the reality of ones life. In our noisy, distracted, busy worlds of family, work, friends and neighbors it can be very difficult strike a balance with the disciplines.

Meditation

Prayer

Fasting

Study

Simplicity

Solitude

Submission

Service

Confession

Worship

Guidance

Celebration

Sons of Liberty

"one man's terrorist is another man's patriot."

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"Society is produced by our wants, and government by wickedness; the former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections, the latter negatively by restraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions. The first is a patron, the last a punisher. Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil." -Thomas Paine

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As I listen and watch the uniquely American process of governing play out I am reminded again that at the core of the matter are a few very simple and core concepts. Concepts that our founding fathers held dear and voiced many times without regard to their personal safety and material wealth. The founding fathers were passionate men, relatively small in number, but who held on to their convictions and shook the world of tyrants. Where are the those leaders today, those voices against oppression, where are the Sons of Liberty?

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We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed.

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it,...

Declaration of Independence 1776

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Prayer and Fasting

Escambia-Santa Rosa County Area

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Mr. Joe Miller spoke for a few minutes at services this past Sunday at First City Church. Last year Mr Miller and a small group of citizens from the Escambia-Santa Rosa County area got together and purposed together to enter into a 40 day period of prayer and fasting centered around the city of Pensacola, FL. The group called their effort "Pray For Pensacola" and for 40 days those participating would pray for a particular subject or group such as a local elected officials & leaders, local church leaders, local businesses, local crime issues, etc. Many of the participants fasted during the 40 day period. A few fasted from all solid food, some only ate raw fruits and vegetables, many fasted from solid foods 1 or 2 days a week, and some chose to fast 1 meal per day. So this past Sunday Mr. Miller spoke about last years experience and the plan for another 40 days of prayer and fasting in 2009. I think it is pretty neat to consider that a group of individuals from a variety of backgrounds came together deliberately and purposefully to pray for their city, county and region.

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Did the prayers make a difference? I have faith that the prayers had a positive impact on Northwest Florida though I may never know the specifics but isn't that how prayer works anyway?

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So what would you pray and fast for concerning your city?

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Pray, then, in this way:

Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

-Matthew 6:9-13