“When people pray and fast, there’s an increase of Holy Spirit activity. That’s a fact.
—MIKE BICKLE
Happy Sunday Afternoon!
The above quote from Mike Bickle is significant. When we do what the Bible says, then the Spirit of the Lord responds, amplifies, and multiplies our efforts.
We are living in a quite unusual time. Pat Robertson is prophesying that after the election, early next year, that the level of unrest will intensify along with a mounting attack on Israel by its enemies. You might say, “we need to pray.” Yes! And that is why we are here. Seeking to participate in building a wall of spiritual protection around our nation. At the same time, we are asking the Lord to release a powerful new season of spiritual renewal as we move through the election and onto rebuilding our nation as well as our own lives.
To me it is so important to remind myself that I was created to live and serve the Lord right now, precisely in this moment in history. With that truth in mind and keeping Mick Bickle’s encouraging reminder, let us remain strong in our work together in prayer and fasting. Remember that you are not going alone into this battle!
“One night the Master spoke to Paul in a dream: “Keep it up, and don’t let anyone intimidate or silence you. 10 No matter what happens, I’m with you and no one is going to be able to hurt you. You have no idea how many people I have on my side in this city.” 11 That was all he needed to stick it out.”—Acts 18:9-11a (MSG)
“At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah & said to him, “You depended on the king of Aram to help you & not on the LORD your God. So, the king of Aram’s army escaped from you. 8 The Cushites & Libyans had a large & powerful army & many chariots & horsemen. But you depended on the LORD to help you, so he handed them over to you. 9 The LORD searches all the earth for people who have given themselves completely to him. He wants to make them strong. Asa, you did a foolish thing, so from now on you will have wars.“—2 Chron. 16:7-9 (NCV)
“These are the words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, I, Nehemiah, was in the capital city of Susa. 2 One of my brothers namedHanani came with some other men from Judah. I asked them about Jerusalem and the Jewish people who lived through the captivity. 3 They answered me, “Those who are left from the
captivity are back in Judah, but they are in much trouble and are full of shame. The wall around Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned.“ 4 When I heard these things, I sat down and cried for several days. I was sad and ate nothing. I prayed to the God of heaven, 5 “LORD, God of heaven, you are the great God who is to be respected. You are loyal, and you keep your agreement with those who love you and obey your commands. 6 Look and listen carefully. Hear the prayer that I, your servant, am praying to you day and night for your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins we Israelites have done against you. My father’s family and I have sinned against you. 7 We have been wicked toward you and have not obeyed the commands, rules, and laws you gave your servant Moses. 8 “Remember what you taught your servant Moses, saying, ’If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations. 9 But if you return to me and obey my commands, I will gather your people from the far ends of the earth. And I will bring them from captivity to where I have chosen to be worshiped.’—Nehemiah 1:1-9 (NCV)
Without suggesting how to interpret the above passages, I encourage you to pray prophetically this week into the situation that we see in our culture right now. Speak God’s word into the circumstances you are seeing unfolding before your eyes. Ask the Lord to fulfill the good promises in His Word for His people who are called by His name!
As a very old timer by the name of Tennessee Ernie Ford would say,
The Lord bless ya real good this week!
Paul Laursen
On behalf of the leadership teams of
The Praise Community & Advent Episcopal Church
