Typical Day

2 Tim 3:10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, NIV

The elder apostle Paul wrote to the younger Timothy reminding him that he had kept nothing back. He knew all there was to know about Paul. Yesterday I wrote that "We are being Watched". This may be a sort of continuation of that theme. What does a "full time" prayer intercessor do during a typical day? I don't know many of them. I can only write from my own personal perspective. Sharon has now been in the USA due to her father's illness for a month. So I am really "full time" with no distractions as Paul wrote about. I am NOT saying being married "distracts" us from serving God. A lot of believers are really busy with a lot of daily activities. Just take a close look at Facebook or Myspace and read how many things are going on that are posted on an open network.

Well, recently I have been up until 1-2 am. I rise between 7-8 am when up that late. Otherwise I have been getting up between 5-7 am. The first thing to be done is a personal anointing. That is quite detailed and I won't take up your time with that now. It may come out again in a future blog or JPN article with scriptural references. I spend time checking Facebook, Youtube, Myspace and recently I have joined Plaxo and Linkedin. All of this takes me up to the 10:00 am (JST) JPN Prayer Watch. Lately I have been paging down over all the friends on Facebook praying for each one at a time.
Eph 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; KJV Also 1 Thess 1:2 and Philemon 4.

There are time when individuals are simply "mentioned" to the Lord in prayer time. Then there are those special Rhema prompting to pause and spend time interceding for that person. In the three verses listed above Paul also refers to the fact that he gives "thanks" to God for those that he prays for. In 1 Thess 1:3 Paul reminds them that he "remembers" their service to the Lord. Praying daily intercessory prayers for others helps us to keep them in mind on a daily basis. I recall times in the past when I would go for weeks without even thinking about or remembering a friend. Now with the use of a personal prayer list those friends are kept before me daily. I have the opportunity and responsibility to bring them up before the Lord on a daily basis. This practice may seem strange or even unnecessary to many other believers. But this is what the Lord has called me to do. I enjoy it immensely. The time with the Lord in prayer is precious. The daily joy of recalling the names of hundreds of friends and family members cannot be matched by many other activities.

1 Thess 3:10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. NIV Paul writes about all the church duties that fell upon him, yet he spent much time in prayer.

Ps 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
KJV We might say David was well occupied as a King, but he writes that he prayed three times a day.

1 Sam 12:23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: KJV Even in his twilight years Samuel felt the need to pray for Israel was so important that it would be considered a sin if he failed to pray for them.

Dan 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. KJV Even in the midst of persecution and danger Daniel ceased not to pray three times a day as in the past.

For some reason I almost feel it is necessary to "defend" the practice of praying daily at set times in addition to when specially promoted by the Holy Spirit. There just is no substitute for prayer. There are no short cuts. It cannot be delegated to others to do for us. Daily intercessory prayer should be a part of every believer's life. Obviously, many have God ordained, family oriented and job related duties that prevent long sessions of prayer three times a day. Sharon's uncle Les was a cook in the US Army in Germany and he mentioned praying with his head inside a garbage can while he was scrubbing it out. All of us can and must set aside and allot time to be alone with God whether is it driving to work, during a long bath, after the childlren are in bed, or early in the morning.

A couple weeks ago I signed up with Skype.com in Japan. For just Yen 685 or US $ 7 I can make unlimited Skype calls to landlines or cell phones in the USA. Today I spent three hours on the phone. What were those calls about? Glad you asked.

1. I called Sharon to check on how her visit in Chicago was going. Her cousin is ill. Of course, I told her that I love her and miss her very much.

2. I checked on a church member who underwent an unpleasant diagnostic procedure. We rejoiced to learn the test results were positive. I also checked on the welfare of their family.

3. I spent 45 minutes in a counseling session that came at an important time in the life of that person.

4. I called a minister friend to find out about a business trip they would be taking soon.

5. I made several calls between Panama and Korea helping out a relative with a business matter giving Korean language assistance.

6. I checked on a Facebook friend/relative that wrote about some medical problems to let them know I was agreeing with them over that.

7. These are just a few of the many calls that take place during a typical day. I told someone today that I am feeling like a "Global Pastor". I loved pastoring in the USA, Korea, and Japan, but now I can minister to people all over the world on a daily basis, but phone, video call, Facebook, Myspace, Youtube and other platforms.

Finally I get around to making a late breakfast, washing clothes, (very little house work) and the normal chores one does when they are home alone for an extended period of time.

The evening JPN Prayer Watch is a very special time. That is when I take out my approx 10 page long personal prayer list and spend 1-2 hours alone with the Lord. That list has grown over the period of many years. It now includes all the nations that JPN web site reaches (88 that we know of) and the Peace Prayer Network's donor churches and individual donors. Also I use the printed list of prayer requests are prayed over at that time also.

There are late night phone calls too and emails to be answered. Sometimes I get to do video Skype with family who live far away. All of this winds down about 1-2 am lately. It is time to say Good Night to my wonderful Heavenly Father. As I play praise music it doesn't take long to fall asleep. I miss Sharon and I miss many friends and family members that live far away.

But I now have a daily opportunity to:

Remember them
Mention them to the Father
Give thanks for them
Interceede for them
Sometimes travail for them
See them on video calls
Talk by phone
Chat on AOL
Chat or write emails and posts on Facebook
Pray for them through videos on Youtube

How about you? What is your typical day like? Sorry to spend so much time talking about mine. Please write me back and share your prayer needs and daily life story too.

God bless you as you pray!

Dan Corbett
"Reaching One Among Millions"