Prayer Shield Fall 2007

by Debby Spruill

September 20, 2007

Hello Everyone,

I just got back from Uganda on Saturday night, and I want to thank all of you who prayed for Ashley and I.

Pr. Bill Campbell and his son, Brian, will be leaving for Uganda on Thursday, Sept.20th.  Could you please keep them in prayer?  Bill will be gone for 2 months.  Brian will go with Bill for his first trip to Africa and return October 9th.  Linda will leave for Uganda on October 29th to join Bill.  Their plans are to go north into Sudan, so they will need much prayer.

Bill & Linda will not ask for this, but if you could help with shipping some boxes of childrens clothing to Uganda, about $150 per 70 pound box, please let Bill & Linda know right away.

I woke up Monday morning about 6AM, with Holy Spirit speaking to my heart through the scriptures about sheep and the Shepherd.  (Now those of you who know me know that I am not a morning person, so when He wakes me up I get up, but that is not a normal time for me to get up without help).  He spoke to me from Psalm 23 about Bill and Linda and then I began to hear verses from Ezekiel 34.

    1  The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.

    2  He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters,

    3  He restores my soul.

        He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

    4  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,

        for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

    5  You prepare a table (of abundance) before me in the presence of my enemies.

        You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

    6  Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

        and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.                  (NIV)

Sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd for provision, guidance, and protection.  May Bill & Linda and Brian be completely dependent on the Lord for provision, guidance, and protection.  We are the sheep of the Good Shepherd--not frightened, passive animals, but obedient followers, wise enough to follow the Lord who will lead us to the right places and in the right ways.  The sheep have complete contentment when they follow the Good Shepherd.                              

Life Application Bible, commentary p. 1452.

Father, May Bill & Linda and Brian be obedient in every way and have complete contentment as they follow the Good Shepherd.

In ancient Near Eastern culture, at a banquet it was customary to anoint a person with fragrant oil as a lotion.  Hosts were also expected to protect their guests at all costs.  God offers the protection of a host when enemies surround us.  He feeds us even as enemies surround us.  He is not worried.  God promises to guide and protect us through life, bringing us into His house forever.  May Bill, Linda, and Brian be completely protected as they are hosted by You, Lord, in Uganda and Sudan.

New Spirit Filled Life Bible, commentary, p. 1094

Ezekiel 34:1-31   Please read this.

Holy Spirit was enlightening these verses in terms of sheep and the Good Shepherd.  In this case, I was hearing about sheep who have not had a good shepherd, (and I am in no way putting down pastors).  I believe these verses have to do with Uganda and Sudan, and that these verses have relevance for this trip that Bill and Linda and Brian are making.  I believe God is going to give Bill & Linda opportunities to pray and help many sheep who have had poor shepherds or no shepherd.

I believe that Bill & Linda will be helping to equip the saints and train people who will be set in place as leaders to lead the flock as God leads, as David led the people in worship, a man after God's own heart.

The king, prophet, and priest as shepherd was an ancient image dating back more than 1,000 years before Ezekiel.  The king had the responsibility to supply food and water for his flock, to destroy those who would harm them, and to defend the right of the weak--the widow, the orphan, and the alien.  But several kings had failed.  The prophets and the priests had also failed (vs. 4).

Instead of feeding the flock, they feed themselves (vs. 2) and clothe themselves with wool (vs.

3)--which comes from sheep.  As a result of neglect, the sheep are scattered (vs. 5-6).  God will intervene and gather the scattered sheep as the Good Shepherd (vs. 11-16), Isaiah 40:11, Jeremiah 31:10).  He will judge the sheep who have done wrong (vs. 17-22), and will place His servant, David, (a man after God's own heart) over them as a shepherd (vs. 23-24).  Finally, He will make a covenant of peace with them; they will be His people and He will be their God (vs. 25-31).

Spirit Filled Life Bible, commentary, p. 1094

From Debby:

Angels to go before them, preparing the way--Warring angels, revelation angels, healing angels, deliverance angels, worship angels For travel mercies--luggage and cargo boxes to arrive with them For provision from Jehovah Jireh For divine appointments For God's people to come along side them in unity to establish God's purposes For unity

Thank you for praying and God bless you and your family,

Love,

Debby