A BOOK? REALLY?

So it's been awhile!  A longgggg while.  Or, as one of my Iranian friends would say, it has been kheeeeeeiiiiiiillllllllliiiiiiii (veryyyyy) long.  But lots has been happening in the last couple of months.  One of the biggest changes is that I believe God is leading me to self-publish up to 4 books.

* "Healing Prayers" - a compendium of many of the prayers that I've prayed over this past 15 months with people struggling with some heavy issues.  It will include prayers about:

> Rejection

> Depression/sadness

> Anger

> Struggles with spiritual oppression (confusion, terrible mental pictures, physical attacks, etc.)

> And many more

My goal has always been to teach people how to connect with the Lord themselves for healing and freedom.  These prayers should be very helpful.  And the book will serve as an accurate introduction to my healing prayer ministry.

* "Spiritual Warfare Prayers" - similar to the first book, but more intense prayers for more intense battles.

* "Reflections on Healing Prayer" and "Reflections on Spiritual Warfare" - each one with short teachings on many different topics.  They are meant as a helpful guide for those searching for answers to issues that people today rarely talk about or seek help for in the church.

If you'd like to learn more about these, please drop me a line.  I now have one person with skills in the publishing area who has offered to come alongside to help.  Any others out there?  Would love to talk and learn from your experiences and wisdom.

SO WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW?

At the most recent conference for house church leaders (held in a secret location in the Middle East), I finally sat down with some of our Healing Prayer trainees and asked them to record what is happening in Iran through their ministry.  The stories were, frankly, overwhelming.  I cried more than once as I heard the translations.

I am working on having someone translate each of these - doing a "voice-over" the original farsi.  Here's a taste, though.  Be blessed!

From N. in Iran – one of our prayer team

Since I met Baba Mike and he prayed with me, I have been healed from the wounds of my heart – the bad feelings of rejection and worthlessness.  I didn’t know the root of where these bad feelings came from.  I didn’t know why they existed in me.  Baba Mike helped me learn how to deal with these feelings.

When I’m in Iran, all the church members are wounded and hurt from many things.  Many are demonized.  God helps me to understand them and the problems they are struggling with.  God wants them to be healed and I am able to pray over them with the gift of healing prayer.  I thank God that He uses me for His glory and I hope that I can do more.

One day in church one of the ladies was so sad.  I went to her and started to talk to her.  That lady started to talk about her husband who had a big problem.  They have been fighting for awhile.  I asked her if she wanted me to pray.  She accepted.

God started working in her heart.  She saw the pride and selfishness and anger in her own life.  These caused problems in her life and especially with her husband.  God worked in her life and she was healed.  At first she didn’t believe that something really happened to her and that she was really healed.  But after a little while, when I saw her again, she told me that the relationship between her and her husband had been healed.  She said that whenever she and her husband start to fight, she chooses Isa and she can resist those feelings of anger.

PRAYER FOR PROTECTION - Psalm 18 made personal

Here is a portion of Psalm 18 personalized and put in the first person to pray for protection.  We'll be praying this together at my upcoming Spiritual Warfare seminar on Oct. 11.  Call or write me for more info.  May this powerful prayer from God's Word bless and empower you!

1 I love you, Lord;
      you are my strength.

2 You are my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
      you are my rock, and I find protection in you.
   You are my shield, the power that saves me,
      and my place of safety.

3 I call on you, Lord, worthy of praise,
      save me from my enemies. 

6 In my distress I cry out to you, Lord;
      I pray to you for help.
   You hear me from your sanctuary;
      I know my cry will reach your ears.

16 You reach down from heaven and rescue me; you draw me out of deep waters.

17 You rescue me from my powerful enemies,
      from those who hate me and are too strong for me.

18 They attack me at moments when I am in distress,
      but you, Lord, support me.

19 Lead me to a place of safety;
      I believe your truth that you rescue me because you delight in me. 

27 You rescue the humble,
      but you humiliate the proud.

28 You light a lamp for me
      Light up my darkness

29 In your strength I can crush an army;
      with you I can scale any wall.

30 Your way is perfect.
      All your promises prove true.
      You are a shield for all who look to you for protection.

31 There is no God but you, Lord!
      You are our only solid rock

32 You arm me with strength,
      and make my way perfect

33 Make me as surefooted as a deer,
      so I can stand on mountain heights.

34 Train my hands for battle;
      strengthen my arms

35 You have given me your shield of victory.
      Your right hand supports me;
      your help has made me great.

36 You have made a wide path for my feet
      to keep them from slipping.

37 Help me chase my enemies and catch them;
      I will not stop until they are conquered!

38 With your power, Lord, I will strike them down so they can not get up;
      they will fall beneath my feet.

39 You have armed me with strength for the battle;
      you have subdued my enemies under my feet.

40 You placed my foot on their necks.
      I will destroy all who hate me.

42 Even now, I grind them as fine as dust in the wind.
      I sweep them into the gutter like dirt.

43 You give me victory over my accusers

45 They all lose their courage
      and come trembling from their strongholds.

46 The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock!
      May the God of my salvation be exalted!

47 You are the God who pays back those who harm me

 48 and rescues me from my enemies.
   You hold me safe beyond the reach of my enemies;
      you save me from violent opponents.

49 For this, O Lord, I will praise you;
      I will sing praises to your name.

50 You give great victories to your child; and show unfailing love to your anointed

FASCINATING INTERVIEW

Here is an excerpt from an interview I read recently about Iran.  It reveals the hunger of the people for something more - and many are finding it in Jesus!  Please continue to pray for these precious people!

ROSENBERG : Are the Iranian people supporting Ahmadinejad and the Ayatollah Khamenei? 

DOYLE: Not at all. The people believe that the Islamic Revolution has destroyed their country. The people live in constant fear daily because of the government's fanatical obsession with upholding Sharia Law that was imposed on them in 1979. Iranians also believe that the government cannot be trusted and that corruption is rampant. In the last "election" in Iran I am told by insiders that only about 10% of the entire country voted. Another tell-tale sign is that an estimated 70% of Iranians claim to be atheists now. The majority of the people want nothing to do with Islam and their leaders. 

ROSENBERG: What's happening spiritually in Iran -- and why? 

DOYLE: In 1979 when the Islamic Revolution began there were probably about 500 believers in Iran . The country was going to become "an Islamic model" for other Muslim nations to follow. But those plans failed miserably. Because today we know that there are 1-2 million believers [in Jesus Christ] in Iran . The Church in Iran took off once the Islamic Revolution took place. Joel, the people of Iran are so open to Jesus. We had many people walk up and ask us to tell them about Jesus. The believers meet in secrecy, they share Bibles written in Farsi, and they worship passionately. In Iran if you are a believer your life is obviously at risk. Some key leaders have been martyred for their faith. 

ROSENBERG: How many house churches are you hearing will be planted in Iran in the next 12 to 18 months or so? 

DOYLE: The estimate is about 10,000. 

INNER HEALING

I know, it's been a long time. Guess this will be more of a periodic posting place for now. What follows is an article I've been asked to write for the upcoming newsletter sent out by Paraclete to all of those who support an Associate. It will be the lead, front-page article. Please pray that all who read it will be blessed and understand a ministry that's seems impossible to summarize in only 800 words! Blessings on all!

************************************************

“The panic attacks just keep getting worse! The meds the doctor gave me aren’t working and my therapist isn’t sure what to do next. What do I do?”

“Well, let’s spend some time in prayer and ask Jesus what He wants to show us. (Pause) ‘Lord Jesus, teach us how to pray for Linda.’”

This is a fairly typical beginning of what has come to be called “Inner Healing” or “Healing Prayer.” When we intercede for another, it usually involves a dialogue – I take someone’s requests and present them directly to the Father. Healing Prayer is more of a “trialogue” – a 3-way conversation between God, the pray-er and the pray-ee. A lot of time is spent listening for the Holy Spirit to direct us. He uses pictures, words, our spiritual gifts and other means to delve deep to the roots of a person’s issues.

“I see a picture of myself as a little kid, running away from someone in panic. I think it’s my cousin. I was always afraid of him – but now I feel terrified. What is happening?”

“Lord Jesus, fill your daughter with peace and love right now. Come to this frightened child inside and surround her with your grace and protection. Begin bringing healing to this memory.”

And that is precisely what our Lord does. We so often talk about the love of the Lord, the peace and freedom He brings, abundant life, His healing power – yet so few believers actually experience these wonderful gifts. After 17 years in this ministry, I have seen miracle after miracle of freedom and healing, life and joy – and it lasts!

A simple working definition: “Healing prayer is a method of prayer by which Jesus is invited to address the hurts of the past and heal us of their negative results.”

Sometimes I’m asked: “Where is this type of ministry in Scripture?” And I always find my mind going back to one of the most remarkable healings in Jesus’ ministry. In Mark 5, while on an errand to heal the daughter of the most honorable man in town, Jesus stops to talk to the town’s most dishonorable woman. That in itself is a HUGE statement by our Lord that ALL are worthy of His time and love.

But Jesus goes further. He has already (unknowingly) healed her physical issues. But it isn’t enough. So He stops - disregarding the confusion and embarrassment of His disciples – and waits. And this woman (who, according to the social and religious rules of the day, has no right to even be here) pours out her story – the “whole truth.” It takes time – maybe hours. Twelve years of suffering inside and outside isn’t summarized in a few statements.

It takes so long, in fact, that the daughter of the #1 VIP in town dies as she pours out her heart. And then this very unorthodox rabbi brings it all to a close with a remarkable claim (:34): “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” Her healing is first “peace” and then freedom from suffering. Is that why He stopped so long?

And is this why He first pronounces forgiveness for the paralytic lowered through the roof when everyone there could certainly see that his problem was his legs – or was it? Or why He spoke as He did to the Samaritan woman at the well? Or why He touched (touched?!) lepers?

Jesus brought healing to people on both the outside and inside in a variety of ways. And it’s no different today. Personally, I’ve received His healing power through the Word, the counsel of a good friend or therapist, and just spending time alone with Him in prayer. Healing Prayer – God’s ministry of inner healing from emotional damage, childhood trauma and the consequences of human sin – is one of His ways to set His children free at the deepest levels.

“I see Jesus! He is telling me that it’s ok now. My cousin can never hurt me again. And He’s asking me to give Him all my fear and pain. I give it to you gladly, Lord. I don’t want it anymore. Oh, He’s taking it. I don’t have to carry it any longer. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you!”

And now we have the honor of sharing this powerful ministry throughout the world. In Iran, e.g., many who have received deep freedom and healing are now praying with others and training them in Healing Prayer. And the testimonies we receive are amazing. Please continue to pray for these precious fellow believers in the Middle East!

A Touching Note

From a church leader formerly in Iran (who had to flee because of persecution)

“You are like our Baba. Merci. Everyone I talk to (in Iran) loves you so much. You are blessing the churches and people of God so much. I appreciate it. You know, after (some of the churches split), I prayed so much for the churches that were hurting – that the Lord would take care of them during this time. They were all babies in the Lord. And when I talked to them again a few months ago, there was so much healing. The Lord heard my prayer and brought you to them. They seemed so healthy and free and grown. And I will pray for you, that the Lord will continue to use you in this area. Because I know that the Lord will use this church and the churches in Iran to bring millions to him in the Middle East. It is a promise that He made to us a few years ago. Thank you again.”

Where Have I Been?

So, just what does a missionary that stays at home actually do? Glad you asked!

The past few months have been quite a ride! I actually thought life would slow down a bit when I left the pastoral ministry. Fat chance!

Most of my days are spent in praying, counseling, training and mentoring on the internet. I now am teaching 2 classes in Iran on Skype, with about 30-40 joining me each week. These leaders are taking these lessons and teaching them wherever they travel. Pray for them, please!

I’m also helping several Christian leaders here and in Mexico. These have been intense times for intense problems. So keep praying! And thanks!