Sometimes we are looking for what to pray for our kids or, for some of you, grandkids. Whether I have a long time to pray for my daughter or can just launch a short prayer to heaven, this structure has helped me so much. I picked this up from one of my mentors, Dick Eastman, the head of Every Home for Christ. I have used it often over the years, whether I am praying for Samantha as she is going to bed or in my own time with God. This idea comes from the verse: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52). From this, we can easily see the four areas to pray for our children or grandchildren.

1. Pray for their minds.

In this area, you pray that they would grow in wisdom. You may be led to pray for their school or the specific thing they are learning at the moment. You can also pray for the wisdom that you need to teach them as you get opportunity.

2. Pray for them physically.

Jesus grew in stature. If they are younger, you can pray for their development. Even if they are older, you can pray for their protection and for health to be maintained. If they are sick, this is a time to pray for their healing. You can pray for the provision they may need.

3. Pray for their relationship with God.

I pray that my daughter would learn God’s voice at an early age. I pray for her friendship with Jesus. I pray that she would be a blessing spiritually. Pray that your children and grandchildren have a deep love for God’s Word.

4. Pray for their relationship with others.

This is where I pray for my daughters’ friends. I am praying for the kids in her class at school and church. I pray for her teachers she has and will have. Pray that they will have good relationship with the people they meet and will grow in this area.

This is just a system; there is nothing magical about it, but it gives me a framework that is helpful to my prayer life. Along with praying for the current situation in each of these areas, you can also pray each of them into the future.

For thoughts on praying into the future and prayer watch this video:

Kevin Senapatiratne is head spiritual pyromaniac for Christ Connection. Kevin speaks around the United States, helping Christians find the fun of prayer. He is the author of Enjoying Prayer. You can learn more about his ministry at .

This article originally appeared at .

One of the best books I’ve read in a long time is Love Leads by my friend and colleague, Dr. Steve Greene. It’s so good we are promoting it widely and featuring it as the cover story for the July issue of Ministry Today magazine. Dr. Greene invites his readers to think about the question “If God is love and we have not love, how then shall we lead?” The book emphasizes the spiritual connection between relationships and productivity.

To launch the book on July 18 and create traction, my staff has developed a special team of influencers. Please consider this my personal invitation to join our brand-new Momentum Team!

You will discover what it looks like to lead with love and view leadership as you never have before as Dr. Greene dispels the leadership myths and misconceptions many have come to accept.

The real-life principles in Love Leads are fully supported throughout by the actions of God, who “so loved … that He gave” (John 3:16), helping you see with fresh insight that the true essence of leadership is love.

Dr. Greene is the publisher of Charisma, Ministry Today, SpiritLed Woman and Christian Retailing magazines. He received his doctorate in marketing from Memphis State University and has served as the dean of the College of Business and a professor of marketing at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While in Tulsa, he also served as the senior pastor of Bixby Community Church. Dr. Greene has owned restaurants, a national advertising agency and a syndicated market research firm.

What Is a Momentum Team?

This is a group of devoted readers and fans—anywhere from 10 to 200 select people who gather online—to receive specific missions as on-the-ground ambassadors and help spread the word about the book.

What Is Your Role?

As a Momentum Team member, you will have the opportunity to:

1. Share about the book on your social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat).
2. Share about the book on your blog (this is not a requirement).
3. Post a review on the Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites.
4. Find other creative ways to tell others how the book has impacted you.

What Do You Get Out of This?

All team members will receive:

1. A FREE copy of Love Leads (retail price $).
2. Downloadable video teachings from Dr. Greene.
3. Team membership and the excitement of your mission as an ambassador to spread the word.

Simply visit  and click the Momentum Team tab at the top right. Fill out the easy form and wait for your acceptance email.

We can’t wait to get started! Thanks in advance for your help. Share this with friends. Not only will it help sales of an important book but, more importantly, it may help our society make a shift from authoritarian leadership to leading with love. {eoa}

This week, Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin ceremoniously signed into law a bill that officially makes the Bible a public-school classroom textbook once again.

House Bill 128 was adopted by the state House of Representatives on an 80-14 vote after Republicans easily defeated a Democrat amendment that would have removed references to the Bible and replaced it with “various religious texts of the many religions practiced in the Commonwealth.” The Senate approved the bill by a 34-4 margin.

The bill states:

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 156 to require the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate administrative regulations to establish an elective social studies course on the Hebrew Scriptures, Old Testament of the Bible, the New Testament or a combination of the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament of the Bible; require that the course provide to students knowledge of biblical content, characters, poetry and narratives that are prerequisites to understanding contemporary society and culture, including literature, art, music, mores, oratory and public policy; permit students to use various translations of the Bible for the course; amend KRS to permit a school council to offer an elective social studies course on the Hebrew Scriptures, Old Testament of the Bible, the New Testament or a combination of the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament of the Bible.

Bevin officially signed the bill into law April 11, according to Kentucky officials, but held the ceremony this week to highlight the importance of the legislation.

“Whether someone is a believer or not, the Bible is an important part of our culture, and is key to understanding contemporary society,” the bill’s primary sponsor, state Rep. D.J. Johnson, said at the ceremony. “Thanks to this legislation, Kentucky’s students will now have the opportunity to learn about the Bible from a historical perspective, if they so choose.”

The new courses are likely to be available beginning in the fall. {eoa}

I have often heard pastors and teachers, teach on the subject of double-mindedness, but what if I told you it was much deeper than what we think?

The Bible says, “A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8). There are two words to consider in this passage: the first is “double-minded,” which comes from the Greek word dipsychos, which means “wavering or divided interest.” The root of this word literally means to have two psychologies or dual consciousness. The double-minded person literally has two agendas operating inside them. Another translation is “two souls.”

Often, the double-minded person is unaware that they are working against their own vision or assignment because of a division in their soul. This division is usually a result of trauma. This trauma can range from molestation, abandonment, rejection, divorce, betrayal or church hurt. A woman praying for a husband while sabotaging relationships. A man praying to be in a position of authority while actively dishonoring leadership. Or a person saying they are looking for a good church but failing to commit when they find one. These are all examples of double-mindedness.

The other word to consider is the word “unstable.” This word comes from the Greek word akatastatos, which means unable to stand or unable to be set. The friction between the two personalities of the double-minded person creates an atmosphere of spiritual and emotional instability. They are never “settled” in their purpose, and ultimately, they never fulfill their destiny in God.

This is more than a deliverance issue. The double-minded person needs to be healed and made whole from the self-inflicted damage they have undergone. They must kill the other ungodly (false) personality that has been given influence over their thinking. Then and only then will they experience real stability and lasting change.

It is like a clay pot that is broken into pieces; the fragments are dispersed in different directions. That vessel is no longer capable of holding any water. God spoke to the children of Israel through the Prophet Jeremiah say, “For my people have committed two evils; They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water: (Jer. 2:13).

Many people in the church are like those broken cisterns. They are incapable of containing the living water. They go from conference to conference, from church to church, looking for a move from God, and they are unaware that until they allow the Holy Spirit to mend their broken pieces; nothing God does in their life will be sustainable.

The good news is found in Jeremiah 18:3-6:

Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was making something on the wheel. Yet the vessel that he made of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:  O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter? says the Lord. As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.

The God that we serve is in the business of restoration. He (and He alone) is more than capable of bringing us to the place called wholeness. As the psalmist wrote, “He restores my soul” (Ps. 23:3a). It is time for the body of Christ to allow the Holy Spirit to produce in us the single-mindedness necessary to release revival to this generation. {eoa}

Dr. Kynan Bridges is senior pastor of Grace & Peace Global Fellowship, Inc. Visit .

A whopping 90 percent of conservative, evangelical pastors do not preach about abortion, the radical homosexual movement, government, gun control, Israel or the Middle East, Carl Gallups says.

The pastor pulls his information from a George Barna survey that evaluates clergymembers all around the country.

“What we’re finding is that when we ask them about all the key issues of the day, [90 percent of them are] telling us, “Yes, the Bible speaks to every one of these issues.” Then we ask them: “Well, are you teaching your people what the Bible says about those issues?”—and the numbers drop … to less than 10 percent of pastors who say they will speak to it,” Barna himself says.

Yet as culture rapidly shifts further away from the founding values, Gallups says it’s time for pastors to stand up.

Watch the video to see more.

{eoa}

For the sixth time in a row, Israel ranked in the top category on the USA list of countries fighting human trafficking. The report has been published annually since 2001, and divides 187 countries into three groups according to how active they are in fighting the issue.

For over a decade, Israel’s ranking held fast in the second group, until it moved into the first group in 2012. Since then, Israel has retained its ranking as a top country. Israel fights human trafficking in three main ways: prevention, enforcement and protecting the victims.

Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked said, “The report classifies Israel as one of the best countries, and that’s good news for the state of Israel. We are working to eradicate the cruel practice of human trafficking. We will continue to work in order to ensure that the modern world ends slavery forever.” {eoa}

This article originally appeared at .

You were the first man to:

• hold her hand and win her heart

• give her a kiss and snuggle her close

• read a bedtime story and tuck her in bed

• wipe her tears and calm her fears

• save the day and scare the boogey man away

• teach her to ride a bike and throw a ball

• lead by example, working hard to provide

• treat her like a lady, giving respect

• love her for being uniquely her

• treasure her, the apple of your eye

All of these things are solid and good, necessary and wonderful, essential and positive.

But it can’t stop there—especially as she matures. Here are a few ways to grow right along with her:

Are you now the first man to:

• say you’re sorry when you’ve hurt her heart?

• admit fault when you’ve been harsh?

• humble yourself, asking her to forgive you?

• soften your tone before she softens hers?

• listen to her when she’s had a hard day?

• have her back when she needs support?

• believe in her when her friends betray?

• embrace her after a guy breaks her heart?

• hug her and hold her and dry her tears?

• go the extra mile when she has a need?

• extend grace like has been done to you?

• pursue time with her and engage her heart?

Dad, you were her first love, and that will always be true.

And now you have an opportunity to keep the first love theme going by being the first to model kindness, forgiveness, grace and compassion. Let her know by word and deed that she can always run to you because you’ll always be there.

Why not choose one thing off this list of firsts so you can more proactively put your heart of love for your daughter into action today?

Why not be the first to initiate and lead while making that change to enhance your relationship with your daughter?

Better yet, why not be the first to write to tell me about it at drmichellewatson@? I always love hearing from you.

Who’s going to be first? {eoa}

Dr. Michelle Watson has a clinical counseling practice in Portland, Oregon and has served in that role for the past 17 years. She is founder of The Abba Project, a nine-month group forum that is designed to equip dads with daughters ages 13 to 30 to help them focus more intentionally on consistently pursuing their daughters’ hearts. She released her first book titled, Dad, Here’s What I Really Need from You: A Guide for Connecting with Your Daughter’s Heart. She invites you to visit  for more information and to sign up for her weekly Dad-Daughter Friday blogs where she provides practical tools so that every dad in America can become the action hero he wants to be and his daughter needs him to be. You can also follow or send feedback on Facebook and Twitter.

First, if overeating and/or unhealthy eating is a sin, did Jesus die for that sin? Did He pay for it in full on the cross? When you confess it to Him as sin and ask for forgiveness, does He wash you clean and forgive you, even if you keep messing up and seeking His mercy? The answer is yes, yes and yes. He forgives the sin of overeating just like He forgives the sin of pornography or the sin of lying.

Perhaps by putting food into a different category, you fail to receive forgiveness from the Father, and your fat is a constant reminder to you that you’re an unclean sinner, whereas if you lie to someone then confess that sin to them and to God, you can walk away feeling forgiven. But you wear your fat 24/7.

Your Fat Does Not Define You

Second, your fat does not define you. I’m aware it’s with you all the time, not just in appearance but in tangible feeling. But being overweight doesn’t define you. Being a child of God defines you. Being a new creation in Jesus defines you. Being in Him—seated with Him in the heavenly places—defines you. So rather than thinking about yourself as a fat person—in a way that defines, describes and delineates you—think of yourself as a beloved child of the Father who has a weight issue to deal with.

I’m not talking about denying reality. I’m not talking about rebuking calories before you eat, and yes, some believers actually do this, or of confessing, “I’m thin in the Spirit!” I know someone who did this too; the fact is that your spirit is not operating in the realm of physical weight. I’m talking about not allowing a negative, destructive, hopeless, harmful self-image to dominate your psyche so that your weight defines the essence of who you are. Instead, let your standing with God fundamentally define you. Then from that point of confidence in the Lord, you can address the very real problem of being overweight.

You Are an Overcomer in Christ

Third, in Jesus, you are an overcomer. In Jesus, you are dead to sin. In Jesus, you are not a slave to the passions and lusts of the flesh. As Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts” (Gal. 5:24). That includes you and me, and you need to think in terms of having victory over food just as you have victory over drugs or alcohol or gambling or porn. Tell that food, “My stomach is not my god.” Walk around your house worshipping and praising God, saying, “In Jesus, I can be free from food addictions! In Jesus, I am not a slave! God’s grace is more than enough!”

Spiritual Warfare Regarding Food Is Real

Recognize the reality of spiritual warfare when it comes to food. I don’t want to overly spiritualize things here, but I don’t want to leave out very real spiritual truths. Of course Satan tempts us with food. Of course our bondage is both physical and spiritual. Of course we can break these strongholds in Jesus’ name through prayer, leading to a changed lifestyle. Prayer alone won’t do the trick; it takes prayer and obedience. Why not attack demonic food strongholds the way you would attack a satanic stronghold that was trying to destroy one of your kids? It’s the same devil we’re dealing with and the same Jesus who triumphs over that devil. And we triumph in Him. {eoa}

This article is an excerpt from Breaking the Stronghold of Food by Michael L. Brown with Nancy Brown. Copyright 2017 by Michael L. Brown, Ph.D.

Dr. Michael Brown () is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Breaking the Stronghold of Food. Connect with him on Facebook or Twitter.

“If you want Christian music radio airplay, we know the formula. It’s real simple.” With those words, John Crist lays out every trope of Christian music in just three minutes. Watch the video and prepare to laugh—it’s funny because it’s true.

Jeremy Camp’s newest single features something surprising: a fervent cry to the Holy Spirit. “Word of Life,” an ode to God’s power to change, includes these powerful lyrics: “Spirit of God, Take me to a deeper place/Take me out of what is safe.”