"Prayer Priority" Request for Sunday, July 22, 2007
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

SPRIT OF HOLINESS AND GRACE -- We thank you for bringing new indigenous missionary partners into our ministry like CDA-Columbia and Project Zerabanda to minister to orphans and widows of the drug wars in Latin America. AMEN

MIND OF THE LORD -- Be with Ivy, Juanito and the whole team in Virginia and South Carolina this week as they focus on their communications work in the USA, and give wisdom and protection to Dr. Bray as he travels to Bogota for a week-long field survey of the situation in Columbia. AMEN and AMEN

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK: 'But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere' (James 3:17).

"Prayer Priority" Request for Friday, July 20, 2007
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

LAMP OF THE LORD, thank you for showing Dr. Bill and Ivy your wisdom in ways to destroy the works of darkness and restore what the devil has tried to sabotage and hinder in their ministry for you. AMEN

SPRIT OF HOLINESS, be with the Brays and the Rev. Melana Amaker today as they plan ways to praise you at their Renewal of Vows service next month in Colonial Williamsburg. Be with the rest of the team on this last working day of the week as they move forward the work of the Gospel and keep the communications program on target for CDA-Colombia, Exodus Mandate and our other missionary partners. AMEN and AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "Let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:24).

BILL'S BLOG THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
When the Israelites faced their first serious military crisis, the battle for Jericho, the Lord had them march around the city and praise him for days. What a way to begin a war! As we come up to our Silver Anniversary, our ministry is also at the same time facing a time of crisis. Can there be any more fitting way to face this crisis than to declare a week of praise, celebration and rejoicing? So that's what we're planning to do. Praise the Lord who is worthy to be praised at all times by happy voices.

"Prayer Priority" Request for Wednesday, July 18, 2007
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

THANK YOU LORD for the wonderful native missionary support agencies you have raised up like Advancing Native Missions, Christian Aid, Gospel for Asia, World in Need and so many others related to the Cosortium for the Support of Indigenous Missions. AMEN

HAND OF GOD, we thank you for the opportunity Dr. Bray will have today to share his testimony and present a chapel talk to the staff at Advancing Native Missions. May he give a strong word of encouragement to all today as he speaks your word and still meets today's communication deadlines and family obligations. Use Bill in his contacts with the agencies and churches to bring unity and move your purposes forward. AMEN and AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: 'Let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:24).

"Prayer Priority" Request for Tuesday, July 17, 2007
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

FINGER OF GOD...We thank you for the American Christian School Association that is meeting today in Columbia, S.C. and the welcome they are giving to Exodus Mandate. We thank you for Christians who include Christian schools in their fulfillment of the Great Commission. AMEN

FINGER OF GOD... Use Dr. Bill and the communications team as they finish up the August newsletter for Exodus Mandate today and complete a new tract on the vision of William Wilberforce for Christian education. Use the donor services team to launch the new thank you program today and complete the mailing list update in time for August. AMEN and AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: 'Let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on the earth, for in these I delight,' declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:24)

Lady Bird, Laura Bush and their warrior husbands
LADY BIRD JOHNSON was buried yesterday at the family cemetery in Stonewall, Texas. My memories of her are vivid-not so much as a Christian-but as a human being and the wife of a war president. This was long before LBJ's widow gained fame as life-long conservationist who chose to beautify highways all around America.

While her then already unpopular husband was meeting with generals and presidents, Lady Bird visited medical evacuation centers at air support bases in Thailand. As a local stringer and Foreign Correspondent, I was assigned to travel with her, and I'll never forget the tears in her eyes as she greeted the young amputees and wounded who were getting medical evacuation treatment and transportation to the Philippines and home.

The horrors of war became real to me through her reaction-and through her iron-willed support of her husband who was then escalating the conflict and dividing the nation over the cost of winning the war in Southeast Asia. She combined her humanity, faith and patriotism into one continuous act of devotion to her husband and his cause.

First ladies are human, and I saw her love for the children in those tears. I don't know what Laura Bush and "W" are going through right now, but I know they need our prayers as they send men and women into combat. As Laura has traveled throughout Africa and the Middle East, I am encouraged that she is consistently showing the compassionate, Christian side of our culture. This is something which her husband seems incapable of projecting through I appreciate his boldness and willingness to speak out on his demands for justice and peace.

As Christians, may God give George, Laura and all of us the ability to somehow cross the cultural and communication ravines that separate us from Muslim world. Yes, governments have to fight drug cartels and terrorism-not because we are Christians or Muslims-but because it is the right thing to do. No criminal gang, whatever their religious reason, has the right to impose its will on others, or to slaughter the innocent. We must resist with force the extremists who want to continue this global bloodbath. We also need to be patriotic, not to selfishly promote our national interests, but only to defend and save the innocent that are being sacrificed daily in wars of terror.

Like most Christian Americans, I want to separate our national actions abroad-as military and spiritual-but in this war on terror I still don't see how it can be done. Christ never endorsed the military as a method of the Kingdom, but he recognized the government's right to use the sword. We can only pray that somehow our Christian love and concern will show through and be understood. As followers of Christ this is a huge challenge for me-and for any serious Christian. Let's pray for President Bush and all our Christian leaders at every level that somehow God will be glorified in their actions and the poor defended.

"Prayer Priority" Request for Monday, July 16, 2007
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

EYES OF LORD...We thank you for the CIS Board of Directors who will meet today with Dr. Bray for a mid-year review of the ministry and for every faithful worker on the whole team as they face the deadlines and pressures of this busy new week. AMEN

EYES OF THE LORD...Search out ways to bless, empower, protect and supply the needs of the whole Bray Family household and their ministry partners today. We interceed for Chaplain Moore as he attends the American Christian School Association annual convention, for the office staff as they work on databases, for Dr. Bray as he writes copy and for the artists and printers as they work on meeting so many deadlines this week. AMEN and AMEN

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK: "Let him who boasts boast about this:that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on the earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:24)

"Prayer Priority" Request for Saturday, July 14, 2007
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

GOD OF THE JUST...We thank you today for all those who are reaching out to the victims and perpetrators of the international narcotics traffic, not only in Columbia, but in Afghanistan, Argentina, Bolivia, Burma, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, North Korea and Thailand. AMEN and AMEN

SPIRIT OF PROPHECY...Fall upon Dr. Bray with your power as he writes and speaks this week, preparing for a short-term mission to widows and orphans of the illegal drug business in Bogota, Columbia. Fill Dr. Bray with your thoughts and passions and use him to accomplish your purposes. AMEN and AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "Blessed are thy who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right" (Psalm 106:3).

"Prayer Priority" Request for Friday, July 13, 2007
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

SURE FOUNDATION, we thank you that you have always cared for the Bray Family, both in times of plenty and times of famine. The righteous will never beg for bread but you will supply all their need according to your riches in glory. Praise to you Lord. AMEN

COUNSELOR, during this current financial crisis, speak to old Bray Family friends and supporters that they might send extra financial help. Meet every need. Bless Ivy and the children as they stretch the household budget and seek extra work. Give the children full-time jobs and Bill and Ivy the ability to work full-time for their missionary clients. Use Dr. Bill and Ivy to continue to carry on the work of God in spite of the new challenges of living in Charlottesville. Give them special grace to mentor their children, favor as they do remedial work, and wisdom to set up functioning new development offices in Charlottesville. AMEN and AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right" (Psalm 106:3).

"Prayer Priority" Request for Wednesday, July 11, 2007
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

MIGHTY GOD, we thank you that you do meet every need...you don't just make the ends meet, but you are faithful to answer prayer. We give you all the glory for providing a sacred space for Bill and Ivy to repeat their vows in Bruton Parish, Colonial Williamsburg in August. AMEN

SPIRIT OF GLORY, we boldly ask you to meet the urgent household and office needs in Charlottesville that we face now--for Ivy to have a personal computer and work station, for Billy to have a bed and chest of drawers, for a trash bin and every other need in order for the Brays to accomplish the global work of Christ while they sojourn in Virginia. AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right" (Psalm 106:3).

"Prayer Priority" Request for Monday, July 9, 2007
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

THANK YOU LORD for calling Elise to start work today at Frontline Ministries to maintain the donor data base and for the many volunteers who are helping Chaplain Ray Moore in leading the battle for Christian schools in the USA and worldwide. AMEN

SON OF DAVID guide Dr. Bray and Ivy as they focus this month on the next three critical mailings for the development of Frontline Ministries and Exodus Mandate. Use these publications to help leaders shift the emphasis on education from secular, government institutions to families. Supply their every financial need, especially for the support of Elise and communication programs. AMEN and AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: 'Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right' (Psalm 106:3).

"Prayer Priority" Request for Saturday, July 7, 2007
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

TRIED STONE we thank you for the Body of Christ that has supported Bill and Ivy all these years and we thank you in advance for renewing and expanding that sponsorship from the churches of Charlottesville and throughout Virginia during the Bray's sojourn in Virginia. AMEN

ROSE OF SHARON this weekend give Dr. Bill and Ivy great wisdom in organizing the work and making an impact on the USA and outreach missions in Bogota, Columbia. Give Dr. Bill the pen of a ready writer and inspire him with words that call believers to action. AMEN AND AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me" (John 8:28).

"Prayer Priority" Request for Friday, July 6, 2007
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

THANK YOU LORD for providing assignments for Dr. Bill to go to Bogota, Colombia this month on a community development project for ChristWorld as well as to serve the Christian school movement worldwide through Frontline Ministries in Columbia, South Carolina. AMEN

HOLY SPIRIT, inspire Dr. Bill and Ivy as they work on the details of the flight to South America, various editorial projects and audio visuals for the 25th Anniversary Celebration of their marriage and ministry next month. Provide the finances for the tasks ahead and especially touch major donors in the next two weeks. AMEN and AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be..." (John 8:28).

"Prayer Priority" Request for Thursday, July 5, 2007
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

MAN OF SORROWS we thank you for allowing us to live in this land of religious freedom and for those who gave their lives in order to make us free, beginning with your death on the cross. AMEN

BREAD OF LIFE may Dr. Bill and Ivy bring glory to you through their interactions with the people of Williamsburg this week and give them favor and support from the people of Virginia as you have done in California, Illinois, Georgia, New York, Tennessee, Texas and across the USA. AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: So Jesus said "...I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father taught me" (John 8:28).

JULY 4, 2007 INDEPENDENCE DAY BLOG
Every year, our family has a tradition of gathering here in Williamsburg to celebrate the birth of America where it all began, here on the blood-soaked battle fields of Yorktown. Few people realize that the birth of America was not in Phililadelphia but actually here where the 13 colonies united to defeat the British and declare their freedom from royal tyranny.

Of course, we love laying on our backs and watching the glorious fireworks, having brunch on the James River, the annual ice cream social at William and Mary University, the reading of the Declaration of Independance and all that...but the only time that Ivy and I shed tears is in the worship services as we sing the national hymns and pray for the future of this country. For me, July 4 is primarily a religious holiday.

"Prayer Priority" Request for Tuesday, July 3, 2007
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

THANK YOU Lord Jesus for giving us Governor's Green and Colonial Williamsburg as a location to celebrate your 25 years of faithfulness to us with our friends next month. AMEN

LORD OF HOSTS, help Ivy especially today and all this week as she finalizes the details of the Bray's Silver Anniversary celebration August 3-10 in Virginia. AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me" (John 8:28).

"Prayer Priority" Request for Monday, July 2, 2007
30 Second Pause for Prayer from Bill and Ivy Bray...

PHYSICIAN, heal and restore Dr. Bill and Ivy and their whole family as they have retreated from the stresses and strains of Charlottesville to spend a week in Williamsburg. We thank you for the growing support network of Christians that are coming around us in Williamsburg and throughout Virginia. AMEN and AMEN

MY MAKER, you understand how we were made male and female and what young men need to become godly Alpha Males. Help Dr. Bill as he writes this Alpha Male guide. My he author not just an evergreen bestseller but a classic book that will be loved and used until you return in ministry to young men. May he find the right publisher that will support it and use it to raise up more Alpha dads, husbands and leaders. AMEN and AMEN and AMEN

VERSE OF THE WEEK: So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man then you will know that I am the one that I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me" (John 8:28).