Men respond to a challenge and so I would like to challenge each one to begin by agreeing to our eight point pledge.
- Pray everyday
- Read the Bible everyday
- Seek daily the Holy Spirit’s leading and empowerment
- Live a holy life, an example of godliness in truth and love
- Take every opportunity to witness to an unsaved person
- Pursue justice for the poor, innocent and vulnerable
- Be generous in speech, deeds and finance
- Encourage other men to join “Million Praying Men”
In saying that I acknowledge that each person is on an individual journey and while we aspire to do the things we know we should, in reality, it will be easier for some and harder for others.
Therefore let me say, that the eight point pledge is intended as a benchmark of achievable goals to aim for. It is not something to bring or cause condemnation, but rather something for us all to reach for (becoming our consistent lifestyle) as men of God.
We must encourage and be patient with those who might struggle at first. For men more experienced, we need to love and strengthen those for whom this is new, so that together we will grow stronger.
So let us rise to the challenge and not shrink back or look for excuses. Let’s man up; “tough men pray”. As we aim high I believe we will be amazed by what will happen!
Asking men to pledge to….
1. Pray everyday
- It is important to pray everyday. Prayer is the conversation which we have with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- Pray, not only for yourself, but for your family, friends and for His strength and guidance for each day.
- Spend a few minutes praying into one or more of the “five battlegrounds” that are listed.
- Set a specific time aside to pray and be ready to pray at all times.
2. Read the Bible everyday
- It is imperative that we fill our life with God’s Word.
- Reading God’s Word daily is an important means to counteract the world’s influence. The Word of God is our foundation, source of truth and the revealed will of God.
- e.g. The Book of Proverbs has 31 chapters. A good practice is to read one chapter a day and feed yourself with divine wisdom.
3. Seek daily the Holy Spirit’s leading and empowerment
- Daily fellowship and reliance on the Holy Spirit is essential for a successful Christian life.
- Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will teach us and reveal truth to us.
- The Holy Spirit brings revelation to us that we might know Jesus more and know His plans for our lives.
- The Holy Spirit gives us power to witness.
4. Live a holy life, an example of godliness in truth and love
- When we confess to be a disciple of Jesus of Christ, then our choices and behaviour should also demonstrate this.
- We must be both hearers and doers of the Word of God; living lives that honour God through our choices and actions.
- Our whole life should reflect of the grace of God, the evidence that we have been and are still being changed from our former sinful life and old ways.
- Our life should be free from immorality and we must be an example of sexual purity.
5. Take every opportunity to witness to an unsaved person
- Simply tell a friend or family member what Jesus has done for you. He has forgiven you and His love is transforming your life.
- Tell them that God is good and is the One who answers prayer.
- The “Jesus pattern” is simple. When you become a disciple the expectation is that you too will find someone to introduce to Jesus and train them as you are being trained.
- Remember you can offer to pray for the person you are witnessing to – addressing an expressed need they have. If they are sick, then pray for their healing.
6. Pursue justice for the poor, innocent and vulnerable
- The world is full of injustice and cruelty. When we can, we should be prepared to step in, speak up and act for and on behalf of those who cannot speak for or defend themselves.
- We can be men and fathers standing in the gap for the innocent unborn, the defenceless, vulnerable, abused children and adults in our world.
- God is the defender of the fatherless, widows and orphans. When we make a stand for justice and seek the wellbeing of the poor we are working the works of God.
7. Be generous in speech, deeds and finance
- Jesus said that out of the abundance of our heart the mouth speaks. He also said that where our treasure is there our hearts will also be. Both these are heart issues
- We need to be generous with our words towards one another, especially our family and friends. Our tongue is a source of blessing or cursing.
- Generosity is a life style. Everything we do should abound with kindness and energy as doing it for the Lord. There is an old saying: “If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well.”
- A man generous with his finance, who gives cheerfully, will himself be blessed and receive generous blessings back into his own life. It is written that Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
8. Encourage other men to join “Million Praying Men”
- As you catch the vision, see the potential, watch your own prayer life develop and become more effective, then you will want to see other men’s lives also impacted and blessed. Please spread the word and help encourage another man to pray.