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Types of Intercessors: what type are you?

Featured by strategicprayercommandmin, posted in anointing, characteristics of an intercessor, Marketplace Ministry, spiritual warfare, intercession, God's Army, warriors, intercessors, warfare prayer, transformational intercession, transformation, melissa nordell, transformation

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“There is a sphere of authority that you have that no one can touch like you can” (Cindy Jacobs)

King James Bible
And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
Holman Christian Standard Bible
I searched for a man among them who would repair the wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land so that I might not destroy it, but I found no one.

New International Version
“I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land, so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one. Ezek 22:30 (all emphasis mine)

So….Job, Samuel, David, Moses, Hannah, Paul, William Seymour, Rees Howells, Lou Engle,  others, and above all, JESUS, were examples of how just one stood in the gap through intercession to repair the walls that separated people and things from God –  and they helped so many – you can too as one person!

Definition of an Intercessor:  One who intercedes; one who goes between. An intercessor is a person who by calling or by nature chooses to be a mediator on behalf of those who need intervention through intercession and perhaps cannot intercede for themselves. This includes standing in the gap for not only a person, but people groups, a body of believers, the land, a business, a region. An intercessor builds on the concept of prayer but moves beyond personal conversation with God and petitions and follows Holy Spirit’s leading. An intercessor waits on Holy Spirit’s direction and does accordingly.

Through intercession, we get the tremendous honor of being a bridge between a person or place that still needs to fully experience God and all He has for them, transforming them in God’s kingdom aspects. This is often referred to as “standing in the gap.” When there is a person or circumstance still defined by things that do not represent God’s heart, such as brokenness, sin, poverty, lack of salvation or injustice, an intercessor recognizes a gap between the present reality and the truth and possibilities of God’s kingdom—a kingdom of wholeness, truth, love and justice. Through following Holy Spirit, that intercessor listens for God’s plan to make a change for the good, to transform; allowing His kingdom to come and His will to be done in the situation.

Types of Intercessor Specialties

Intercessors and especially leaders need to be well versed in all areas of intercession with experience in all. However, this list shows how some feel a specific “bent”, specialty, lean and concern for certain areas of expertise; or frequently find themselves interceding for one of these specific areas. By no means does an intercessor just intercede always in one area. A pitfall for all intercessors is to intercede for your particular “bent” in corporate intercession when the group is going a different direction, not following the leader’s or Holy Spirit’s direction, or not following the purpose for which that assembly has been organized.

Warfare Intercessors – These intercessors are typically involved in high-level spiritual warfare, binding and loosing. They follow the Lord and battle against His enemies and are familiar with demonic hierarchies and how things work in the spirit realm. Pitfalls: warring too much; having an angry spirit; having no mercy; always in war mode; getting in the flesh; binding but not replacing; binding in the wrong timing; not binding backlash; and getting ahead of Holy Spirit.

Transformational Intercessors – These intercessors intercede prophetically, asking the Lord what is needed for a city, a church, a business or a region to bring kingdom change, or “transformation”. Most often, this involves repentance most of all, but also includes warfare, prophetic acts and dance intercession. It involves finding what has defiled the land by inquiring of the Lord, often confirming through historical facts. Pitfalls: not correctly hearing from the Lord; not inquiring of the Lord properly and doing it without His direction; not having proper “alignment” or protection; going it alone; doing things out of His timing; binding principalities when He has not authorized it and/or He has not given the name of the spirit specifically (hence always binding Jezebel for instance).

Political Intercessors – These have a healthy burden for things in the political arena that need change. Pitfalls: thinking about politics too much; getting in the flesh; getting angry in an ungodly way; being in fear; arguing about politics with others.

Crisis Intercessors – These intercede for crises and immediate needs like 9/11, Japan’s 3/11 Tsunami, Amber Alerts. Example: Abraham in Gen 18 interceded for Sodom and Gomorrah. Pitfalls: stress and lack of sleep; taking on too many problems; taking on the burden physically.

Birthing or Midwife Intercessors – These intercessors love to “birth” souls, new ministries, schools and Godly businesses. This may involve travailing, which is a type of birthing intercession. Midwife intercessors sometimes help the travailing intercessor to birth what Holy Spirit is wanting to birth. Example: Elijah when he was praying for it to rain got down in the birthing position seven times before the rain cloud formed (1Kings 18). Pitfalls: doing it in the flesh; not following Holy Spirit. Be aware that there might be several birthing at the same time.

Prophetic Acts Intercessors – These are Ezekiel and Jeremiah type intercessors that act out what the Lord tells them to do with specific prophetic acts. Example: Jeremiah burying his underwear, eating the scroll etc. Pitfalls: they can be accused of being weird; need to be able to not succumb to rejection.

Compassion and Mercy Intercessors – These feel compassion for others, especially for the lost. They feel other’s needs and hurts. They intercede for certain age and people groups such as the elderly, children, schools and colleges, foster kids, babies, the sexually exploited; certain races, or the ill. Example: Hannah; Jeremiah the Weeping Prophet weeping for Judah/Israel; Epaphras in Col 4:12. Pitfalls – “unsanctified mercy”; taking on too many burdens and not giving the burden of it to the Lord; taking it on physically to the point of physical illness.

Dance Intercessors and Worship Warriors – These intercessors intercede through dance and worship. Sometimes this type of dance includes prophetic acts and gestures (“He teaches my hands to war” Ps 144:1), and sometimes a warring dance. This includes banners, flags, hoops, tambourines. Why does this and all prophetic acts work so well? – it is by faith and all the glory has to go to God and not yourself. Example: Anna in Luke 2:36-38; Miriam. Pitfalls: if this type of intercessor stays in the outer court and does not enter the Holy of Holies, not much will be accomplished. Some dance intercessors feel like they enter the Holy of Holies but in fact have not. Every intercessor needs to know how to get into Holy of Holies to intercede and to worship. Prophetic dance intercession is not always warring. Performance and man-pleasing is a pitfall as well.

Personal Intercessors – These intercessors are called and sometimes appointed to intercede for pastors and leaders as a specific assignment. Pitfalls: gossip about the leader, not keeping things confidential or trying to control that leader; pride in position; charismatic witchcraft.

Marketplace Intercessors – These intercessors are called and often appointed to intercede for certain businesses. Some may intercede for a certain industry or marketplace sector, as others may intercede for a specific business. Example: Joseph in Egypt. Pitfalls: wanting the glory or demanding money for successes; control.

Intercessors for Israel – All intercessors should intercede for Israel, but some have a specific burden for Israel and the Jewish people. (Ezek 33). Pitfalls: not knowing enough of the Word, the history of Israel or contemporary issues there.

Administrative Intercessors – These intercessors find it easy to gather people together, establish prayer chains, assemble people to intercede in a crisis, etc. These intercessors are sometimes the scribes for an intercession group. Example: Ezra, Mordecai. Pitfalls – not taking time to intercede but concentrating on the administration of it all too much.

Issues Intercessors – These intercessors see a need and seek to solve it. Example: Nehemiah, Ezra, Mordecai and Esther. Pitfalls: stopping too soon (which often happens), or interceding even after the Lord says it is enough; taking on the burden physically.

Issachar Intercessors – These intercessors feel a burden for times and seasons, or the future. They hear from the Lord about times and seasons, or are seers in this realm. Example: Anna, John the Revelator, Samuel, Daniel. Pitfalls: feeling the burden too much and not giving it to God after intercession; fear; misinterpretation.

An Analogy Between a Natural Army and Warfare;  and God’s Army and Spiritual Warfare

Featured by strategicprayercommandmin, posted in anointing, characteristics of an intercessor, Church, humility, Revival, spiritual mapping, transformation

 

881850-armor-army-brunettes-girls-with-weapons-guns-helmets-sniper-rifles-snipers-soldiers-womenJer 51:20; Eph 6: 10-18; Luke 21:15; 1 Cor 14: 14-15, 1 Thess 5:13-23, Luke 10:19-20, 2 Tim 2:1-7

There is a distinct correlation between God’s Army and Spiritual Warfare; and a natural army and warfare. Let’s explore some of the similarities. We are not talking about war against people or natural things – but spiritual warfare.

  1. You have been enlisted from the time you were in your mother’s womb, whether you like it or not. We are all in a war whether we like it, or realize it, or not. However, you must be trained, pass tests, have strength and agility, be safe and smart, know how to operate weaponry, be mentally able, be willing to die. Soldiers are tested and tried by fire. They never go to war without basic training and need to pass it. Devote your life to the cause. Some say that God has already done it and we need to do nothing – but is your whole family and your whole city saved? Are people lining up outside before church to get inside? We have been commissioned and commanded to do warfare. Do not cheapen the Blood of Jesus who gave this authority to us by His Blood.
  2. Every soldier must follow orders from his/her superior officer and ultimately the Generals and Commander in Chief (God, Jesus, Holy Spirit), otherwise that soldier can be court-martialled, hurt others or cause all to lose the battle. You must walk in alliance and submission to the Commander in Chief, Generals, your officer, Do not speak badly about your commanding officers. Have loyalty and unity. No dissension. No gossip. If there is a problem, handle it maturely like the Bible says (Matt 18:15-16). You may have to accept correction or seemingly harsh training so you can survive the real war and make a difference. Take orders willingly. (Unless those orders are not biblical, of course, but handle that in a mature, biblical fashion as well)
  3. Know your enemy. The enemy is studied for its supply lines, supply houses, weaponry, warfare tactics, where its strongman is, who the strongman is, etc. You must have good discernment of the enemy/evil spirits, by the Spirit and not in your head. Discernment is always by the Spirit or, in other words, prophetic in nature. Armies defeat the enemy by destroying strongholds, weapons cache, supply lines etc. so you must know these things about the enemy. Many have spoken and written books against warfare intercessors, saying that we concentrate too much on the enemy; however, if it is your assignment from the Lord to be a warfare intercessor, you absolutely must know your enemy (demons) as well as those fighting with you (angels). Soldiers must be balanced. There is always a balance in the kingdom of God. As Christians, we must respect others’ assignments and giftings. We must try to understand and support each other even though we have differing gifts and jobs in the kingdom. Also, be aware that there are innumerable names of demons. (1 Cor 12: 20-21; 2 Cor 10:2-5)
  4. You must be healed from all wounds before going out to war. Get inner healing & deliverance. Get cleaned up, healed in the infirmary (healing room or counseling or deliverance) to get free of warfare PTSD and all spiritual, emotional wounds. No soldier should go out to war when wounded, sick, or with church PTSD or spiritual warfare PTSD. More than in a natural army, in God’s army these things can be totally healed.
  5. You must know your weapons and be very familiar with them, handle them safely and correctly, be able to use them in the dark or when hurt. You don’t want to use a defective weapon. Your weapons can be your words, The Word, prophetic gestures, fasting, worship, warfare dance, flags, tongues, shout, shofar, instruments, anointing oil, pleading His Blood, prophetic acts, declarations, and many more.
  6. Be in unity with the other soldiers – no anger or aught against the others. Know those with whom you war. Each unit marches together, united for one common cause. Soldiers are taught to march together succinctly. One does not try to outstep or overtake the other. Soldiers let leaders correct other soldiers when they need correction. Do not get into strife with your team. No “friendly fire” = don’t kill or wound other soldiers. Be extremely careful, for other’s sakes and your own. Every soldier is needed in this war. Help others. Be able to bring healing, to rescue, to do first aid for other soldiers and help heal their wounds. Encourage others. Stronger soldiers help the weaker. Lift up the one who falls and save the wounded – don’t wound them more. Do not gossip or bear false witness against another soldier or leader. Soldiers fight together with those who are Black or White, male or female, young or old, etc. No soldier left behind! (Matt 18:15-16; Luke 9: 49-50; Gal 3:28)
  7. Do not talk about your warfare with the unsaved unless led by the Lord. Don’t use military terms to the unsaved, like “spiritual warfare,” because they won’t understand – they take things literally. Watch your words carefully. Some have spoken of ”tearing down the Washington Monument” for instance, referring to it as a phallic symbol but the secular world does not understand this is spiritual and not in the natural. They have believed that Christians want to destroy United States monuments. The same has happened with speaking of “tearing down the Statue of Liberty” meaning removing the demonic presence of this statue, as an example; but the world takes that literally too. State your words carefully to others who may not understand. For instance, explain that we are not wanting to destroy a statue or art object but wish to destroy the evil presence that may inhabit that statue. Most importantly, keep your words to yourself to the secular world who cannot possibly understand until they are saved.
  8. Soldiers must be fearless, courageous, free of anxiety; but careful and mature, not impulsive in a dangerous way. Don’t get overly angry, anxious or emotional so that it causes you to do something wrong. Keep a level head. Be stable. Be flexible. (Eph 6:12) Never war in the flesh or in anger like Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane when he cut off the soldier’s ear – be loving like Jesus who put the ear back on!
  9. Focus on the cause and who/what you are fighting for. It’s never your own agenda, but God’s. Soldiers don’t war for self. Remember your mission and stick to that. Write your vision and make it plain; then review it periodically. Know what you are fighting for – your title, promotion, or recognition? Or for more salvations, light for the kingdom, dispelling darkness? What are your motives for being a soldier? (Hab 2:2)
  10. Keep your armor on (belt of truth, shield of faith, etc.) at all times. Know your armor, do not put it on as a ritual but daily in the spiritual, knowing why each part of the armor is there and be comfortable with it. Do an in-depth study of this, just as any natural soldier would concerning his/her armor and would be very familiar with theirs. (Eph 6: 13-17)
  11. Be highly trained in your special job. Stick to your task, your assignment. Some are “snipers”, some back up others, some are militia, some are Navy Seals, some are bombardiers, some musicians, some birth (travail), some build, some are generals, some captains, etc.
  12. Keep going no matter what happens around you. Persevere. Never give up. Be highly trained in survival no matter what happens. Know how to keep your hope and not be discouraged. Don’t let the enemy stop your warfare by effecting you psychologically. Even failure does not equal failure unless you let it be a failure. (Eph 6:18)
  13. Don’t be entangled with the affairs of life (2 Tim 2: 4). This means that we do not take our personal issues and problems into the war zone and let it affect us there – get healed first and let it go before doing warfare. Natural soldiers are not allowed letters or phone calls from home in certain times of war so that adverse news from home does not affect the whole group of soldiers adversely, causing distraction. (For instance, my nephew was not allowed any news from home while being in submarine communications during Desert Storm).
  14. Sometimes you can’t defend yourself in words. Let God vindicate you. Soldiers know when to keep their mouths shut. You must trust your commander (God).
  15. You must know how to survive rejection, persecution, being a prisoner of war, taunting – without it hurting you. Let it mature you. Any adversity should make you grow, like Paul in prison and Daniel in Babylon.
  16. Can you do the job and are you willing to study for it? Know the basics of the Church, Jesus’ words, and what brings Reformation, Transformation, and salvations. Study transformational intercession and the difference between intercession and prayer. Study spiritual warfare. Officers always go to training school and study past wars and battles. Map out how much time you actually spend in the Word each day and in His Presence, making a log.
  17. Don’t let unsanctified mercy or compassion overrule what God says to do. A soldier does not have “unsanctified mercy” (= too much mercy for the enemy, allowing the enemy to trick you, doing things that God has not authorized, or going overboard in mercy), but follows Holy Spirit. Unsanctified mercy can allow the enemy to come into the camp and destroy the entire army and take your spoils. An example is King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20, who let the enemy see into the palace.
  18. Know your authority in God. Use your authority in God. Know who backs you up. A soldier does not show fear to the enemy but shows true authority. Exercise the Jesus in you. Greater is He that is in you! (1 John 4:4; Jer 1:10; Prov 3:6)
  19. Never lean on your own understanding – but on God’s. (2 Tim 4:2; Prov 3:5)
  20. Don’t carry guilt. Conviction from Holy Spirit is healthy and leads to change, but guilt can destroy and cause you to be off-balance. Guilt can cause PTSD in soldiers. Repent of sin and don’t repeat the sin – but let go of guilt.
  21. Soldiers must be physically and mentally fit, with good character, strong in battle. You must exercise your gift and grow in character and maturity continually. Soldiers train on their own, not just during training times – so get healthy and study your manual (the Word) on your own, get rid of flesh and grow in character – don’t leave it up to your pastor.
  22. Be on guard and ready to do battle at a moment’s notice; sleep with “one eye open” and with your weapons beside you. Be instant in and out of season. A soldier is never off guard but always listens to Holy Spirit and his commanders. Be ever ready and vigilant, always on the lookout, listening to your commander, and always “prayed up.” Things can change in an instant. Always keep your eyes and ears open. (2 Tim 4:2; 1Pet 5:8)
  23. You must follow orders precisely and be in perfect timing, not ahead of the Commander (Holy Spirit), and not behind in timing. You can get others killed or lose the whole war if your timing is not precise and if you are doing it on your own orders. Be sure of your prophetic gifting and hearing the Lord’s voice. Get prophetic training and perfect your gift. You must know His (your Commander in Chief’s) voice and must be able to discern the voice of the enemy. Therefore, you must know prophecy and by reason of use, practice it. (Heb 5:14) This might be the most important and most critical aspect of warfare. Take courses in hearing God’s voice (I highly recommend Dr. Bill Hamon’s three main books on prophecy and his modules on prophecy). This prevents you from danger and provoking the enemy.
  24. Judah (worship) always goes first – as in any natural war. But Judah never goes alone, never without the warriors. You must always enter His gates with thanksgiving, His courts with praise, then worship to go into battle by entering the Holy of Holies – this is the way to be safe in warfare. Every natural army has a band or bugler, calling the army to war. Some instill fear in the enemy’s camp with their worship, prophetic dance, and shofars. (Josh 6; 2 Chron 20:33: Ps 100:4).
  25. War in truth, never in error. You must know the Word and interpret it correctly. Know exactly what the Bible says about spiritual warfare so you will not be deceived. Don’t add to the Bible. Don’t just memorize but know the concepts, the meaning, and meditate on the Word. (Rev 22:18-19)
  26. Don’t argue with those with more experience or knowledge, or your superiors. It’s okay to state your opinion but listen to those who know more about the Word and have more true experience (tested and tried) in warfare. Listen to those with more experience and higher rank for advice, direction, wisdom, and knowledge, Verify everything by the Word.
  27. It does not matter how long you have been in the army (God’s or natural) if you haven’t learned much along the way. It matters what and how much you have learned. No soldier is promoted just on years serving – ever. Be ever-growing. Be teachable. Wisdom is the principle thing. Promotion comes from maturity and growth –  not years of experience. (Prov 4:7)
  28. God’s warriors can spiritually take the spoils for the kingdom. Soldiers get paid but their true reward is in heaven and knowing the lives you save. However, you can take the spoils and demand what the devil has stolen every time you war. (Isa 33:23)
  29. Intercessors are watchmen – they report back to the leader (God, the pastor or prayer leader) but never control the leader. It is that leader’s decision as to what to do with your watchman report; not yours. Give the report to the leader when appropriate and don’t grumble if the leader does not do exactly what you believe should happen. Some intercessors have made the mistake of controlling the pastor or a leader, thinking that they hear God better than the pastor about what the church should be doing; and when the pastor does not do what they think he/she should do, they have complained, spoke or prayed against him/her, or left the church – don’t do this.
  30. Soldiers do not judge people unrighteously, but they do judge spirits and judge whether the enemy is going to attack, where he will attack from, etc. They can judge whether there is a “spy” or witch in the camp, but this is always by Holy Spirit, prophetically, and rare in occurrence. Don’t go on ungodly “witch-hunts”.
  31. Never desert the leaders, or the Army, or God. Maintain your position that you are assigned. Do not go AWOL. Never be a lone wolf – these are not part of an army, they are renegades. Watchmen…stay on the wall!
  32. Always be properly aligned with a church or ministry that knows warfare who can cover you, give you advice, and understand your gift. Sometimes warrior intercessors are misunderstood but it may mean that they don’t have the right covering or are not in the right church that understands their gift. Do not war on your own even if you feel you are misunderstood – it may mean that you need correction or that you are in the wrong church. Be sure to hear clearly from the Lord about this because He may want you to fight for that church and stay. Commanders should know a great deal about the jobs of the soldiers under him/her.
  33. Never give clues to the enemy. Never show the enemy where he can attack you or get you off course. A soldier must know how to keep his/her mouth shut. Know the power of your words. Do not gossip. You must always be stealth; don’t warn the enemy. Be like Navy Seals. Soldiers don’t talk about their operations or plans where the enemy can hear (always bind the enemy from hearing your intercessory war plans ahead of time and immediately after – see my blog for info). It is very dangerous and gives the enemy clues if you bind demons without God’s clear direction and timing. Safe warfare is possible when following Him. Be careful with your words and do not empower the enemy by talking about your fears, how he has affected you in warfare adversely, how bad the warfare is, etc. – there is balance in this too. It is a very dangerous thing to do when warring and can destroy a church when you do not just follow the Lord in intercession. Intercessors have often copied other intercessors, giving the enemy clues and taunting him, provoking him. It is not following the Lord by saying such things as “I stand against ____ (spirit name or satan)_____” which only taunts the enemy; it is better to be proactive = STOP that spirit, tell it to go away, or bind it. Standing against does nothing but provoke it. Never say such things as; “I bind____(spirit name)____ for 30 days.” (I have often heard this – it not only does not make any logical sense but is not biblical and is not following Holy Spirit and empowers the enemy as well). See #48- scud missiles.
  34. Repent of your mistakes. Repent of your sins. Own your mistakes. If there is true repentance, there is change and the bad behavior and bad warfare stops. Soldiers can never blame-shift or lie. Get rid of your own sin so there are no inroads. Don’t get a dishonorable discharge!
  35. Have peace amid the battle. Be able to rest in war. It is possible to rest in war just like Jesus was calm and rested in the storm. You can rest when you trust in Him and follow His orders.
  36. You must have a battle strategy. Have a plan and study it. Confer with others when needed, and have mentors and wise counselors. (Prov 12: 15; Prov 11:14)
  37. Get rid of all pride – you must have humility. The only pride that a soldier should have is pride in God’s power and ability. Without Him, you can do nothing. It is He that gives the power, does the action, and gives the victory. Soldiers don’t brag. Give God ALL the Glory for victories. Pride is dangerous and is a sin. (Matt 26:41)
  38. A soldier is not indifferent, asleep, or lazy. Soldiers are committed to the cause, powerful, energetic, focused, and alert.
  39. A soldier is not lacking in love or compassion, and always wars in love. The only one you can hate is the devil. Be sure to differentiate between war in the Old Testament with that of the New Testament. Mercy always triumphs over judgment. As in natural warfare, a soldier needs to not war with people at home or in the community when returning from warfare – the same goes for God’s warriors who must differentiate between anger against the devil and his demons vs natural surroundings and occurrences. Those who show no mercy will be shown no mercy. (James 2:13) The whole Bible is important, and the Old Testament gives us war strategies in analogous form; but we all live in the New Testament Age, so war in love always. Refresh yourself with reading the red letters of Jesus in the New Testament. Intercessors are not called by God to mame, hurt, or destroy people. Warriors need to be careful when not warring in intercession, to not be angry in the natural.
  40. A soldier does not do charismatic witchcraft and knows what that term means. A soldier does not harm the innocent or pray his own will, but God’s will. (Eph 6:12; Eph 5:17) Charismatic witchcraft is praying your will and not God’s; also termed “soulish prayers”. If you are following Holy Spirit, charismatic witchcraft will not happen. When in doubt when praying, add “whatever is your will, Lord” to the end of your intercession.
  41. A soldier must protect himself and others. Always war safely. Soldiers walk circumspectly, meaning that they are careful in their walk, avoiding landmines. Always bind backlash and plead the Blood of Jesus with every intercession time, prayer time and prophetic meeting. Know what “pleading the Blood of Jesus” means. Warfare is not dangerous when following guidelines and following Holy Spirit. (Eph 5:15) Many books and sermons have been written saying that spiritual warfare should not be done, as they believe it is too dangerous. However, this happens when not following Holy Spirit, when not interceding by the Word, when doing charismatic witchcraft or soulish prayers, when not taking proper precautions, and when not binding backlash.
  42. A soldier knows the serious consequences of not winning a battle and what happens to a person who goes to hell. Therefore, soldiers have compassion for the lost and are concerned about souls above all. (I encourage you to read 23 Minutes in Hell, by Bill Weise)
  43. You must know how to get into His Presence and what true worship is. You must know how directions from Holy Spirit come from being in the Throne Room (His Presence), the Holy of Holies. You must know the difference between praise and worship and other songs that do not glorify the Lord. Precise and safe warfare comes from being in the Holy of Holies. (Ps100:4)
  44. Soldiers must have integrity, honesty, and self-control. You must be disciplined. Know the 7 things God hates. (Prov 6:16-19)
  45. After a war, the soldiers rebuild and replace. (Matt 12:45) After binding demons, always rebuild the person or the city. Always replace demons that have been bound in a city and sent to the feet of Jesus. Replace with such things as: redemptive gifts strengthened and brought forth; good seeds to be brought forth; God’s Presence to prevail, etc. When a person is truly delivered, they need healing so that seven more do not return – the same is true for a city or church or business.
  46. Don’t pay attention to distractors or naysayers, unrighteous judgers or those who are not listening to the Lord. Know the difference between distracting naysayers and when God is trying to tell you something or bring correction through others.
  47. You must make good, wise and informed decisions. Wisdom is the principle thing in warfare. (Prov 4:7)
  48. Focus on a specific target. Do not send out scud missiles but send out precise smart bombs that hit the target 100% of the time. This requires hearing from the Lord prophetically and precise timing. Do not just shoot when you think you should and shoot an enemy that God has not told you to shoot. Everything that infects a church or city is not only Jezebel, Leviathan or Python – there are so many more that you have not heard of yet, but the Lord can tell you what it is and why.
  49. Know your weaknesses, and sometimes the weaknesses of others, so that you can improve yourself, help the weak ones be successful, and so you can be safe and we all win.
  50. Know when to call for help.
  51. Soldiers get R and R (rest and relaxation) when needed or when ordered by the Lord. No soldier should continually battle without some rest. Soldiers also need joy.
  52. Do not engage the enemy unprotected so that a demon can infect you. Guard yourself and your spirit. Know safety precautions and use them. Don’t be haughty and go it alone when binding demons in any case. Never war in pride. I have seen many intercessors and deliverance ministers be “infected” demonically due to not following precautions, from getting prideful, or from going ahead of the Lord, out of His timing.
  53. Soldiers always learn easier things before the harder. After they achieve lesser things, they can advance to the harder. For instance, never bind a principality before having successful experience in binding little “imp” demons. A warrior does not do things that he/she is not properly trained to do. For example, an infantryman does not jump into a stealth bomber and try to fly it without proper testing, training, instruction, and experience.
  54. When your Commander calls you to attention, or when you are in His Presence, don’t talk – just listen! Be ready for Him to say “ATTENTION!”
  55. Sometimes you must do seemingly smaller tasks before getting to the main perpetrator – the strongman. For instance, just like allied forces had to take out airports, supply lines, command posts, etc., before getting to Saddam Hussein in the Gulf War, in spiritual warfare we most often must repent, break ungodly ties and curses, and other tasks before binding a principality. This is always safe and in order by following the Lord’s voice.
  56. Never engage with the enemy, meaning you don’t talk or argue with a demon – they cannot be reasoned with and always lie. Don’t “sleep with the enemy,” meaning that you don’t associate with or give power to an evil spirit (the enemy).
  57. Know what can stop your intercession as written in the Bible. There are things, biblically, that can disqualify you. Unforgiveness, bitterness, not taking care of your wife, doubt, asking amiss, not helping the poor, and some other sins and iniquities are things that the Bible says stop your intercession from being heard. (James 1:5-7; 1 Pet 3:7; Prov 28:9; Ps 66:18; Isa 59:2; James 4:3; Prov 21:13)
  58. Soldiers never retire. We are all soldiers for life.

 

AS WE SAY TO OUR SOLDIERS, WE SAY TO YOU INTERCESSORS: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

(Copyright 2019 SPCM Melissa Nordell)

What is Spiritual Mapping?

Featured by strategicprayercommandmin, posted in anointing, Church, Marketplace Ministry, Revival, spiritual mapping, spiritual warfare, intercession, God's Army, warriors, intercessors, warfare prayer, transformational intercession, transformation, melissa nordell, transformation

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What is Spiritual Mapping?

 “It is an attempt to see our region as it really is and not as it appears to be. It is the discipline of diagnosing the obstacles to revival in a given community through fervent prayer and diligent research.” (George Otis Jr.)

Cindy Jacobs says that it is the researching of a city to discern any inroads Satan has made which prevent the spread of the gospel and its evangelization for Christ.

Victor Lorenzo says that spiritual mapping combines research, divine revelation, and confirmatory evidence in order to provide complete and exact data concerning the identity, strategies and methods employed by spiritual forces of darkness to influence the people and the churches in a given region.

Harold Caballeros says that, “what an X-ray is to a physician, spiritual mapping is to intercessors.”

Modern spiritual mapping involves following Holy Spirit who reveals the roots of darkness which are holding back God’s kingdom of light. When Holy Spirit reveals what we need to repent for, declare, bind and loose, which prophetic acts need to take place, what light to bring in, what redemptive gifts need to be strengthened in the spirit, etc., and we follow through, then the Church grows, people are eager to be saved, healed, delivered, grow and hear from God and they come willingly and easily. Spiritual mapping can involve transformation of the family, a church, a city, a business or a region. And it always involves prophetic or transformational intercession. (Melissa Nordell)

Some promoters of spiritual mapping identify three levels of warfare:

  1. “Ground-level” warfare, which involves casting demons out of individuals, repentance, prophetic acts, etc.
  2. “Occult-level” warfare, which tackles more organized spiritual wickedness and witchcraft (the most dangerous aspect)
  3. “Strategic-level” warfare, which directly battles the “territorial spirits” (rulers of darkness and principalities), larger demons and demonic structures. Territorial spirits are thought to answer directly to satan and are responsible for coordinating all demonic activities within their sphere of influence.

 

Eph 6:11-12 “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Lev 18:27 “”All these detestable activities are practiced by the people of the land where I am taking you, and this is how the land has become defiled.”

Ezek 36:18 “So I poured out my wrath on them because they had shed blood in the land and because they had defiled it with their idols.”

2 Chron 7:13-15 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people,  if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.”

Gen 1:28 “And God blessed them. And God said to them, “’Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”’

Isa 58 – read the whole chapter

Num 35:33-34: “This will ensure that the land where you live will not be polluted, for murder pollutes the land. And no sacrifice except the execution of the murderer can purify the land from murder.You must not defile the land where you live, for I live there myself. I am the Lord, who lives among the people of Israel.”

Lev 19:33-34: “Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” (mistreatment of foreigners)

 

(copyright 2019 SPCM Melissa Nordell)

Sample Staking Scriptures

Featured by strategicprayercommandmin, posted in anointing, Church, Marketplace Ministry, Revival, spiritual warfare, intercession, God's Army, warriors, intercessors, warfare prayer, transformational intercession, transformation, melissa nordell, staking, Uncategorized

 

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A sample of tent stakes used for “staking”

 

Sample staking scriptures to put on stakes

(Use sharpies or other permanent marker to mark the scripture names and numbers that you choose on large tent pegs or large nails; pray over them and anoint with oil; then drive them into at least the 4 corners of the property; place anointing oil on the whole perimeter as you walk, praying in tongues and declaring His Word)

 

  1. Isa 54:2 “Enlarge the place of your tent,stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.”
  2. Isa 65:16 “Whoever invokes a blessing in the landwill do so by the one true God; whoever takes an oath in the land will swear by the one true God. For the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes.”
  3. Deut 15:4 “However, there need be no poor people among you, for in the land the Lordyour God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you”
  4. Deut 28:8 “The Lordwill send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you”
  5. Deut 28:12 “The Lordwill open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.”
  6. Ps 67:6 “The land yields its harvest;God, our God, blesses us”

 

The following scriptures are specifically to stop Jezebel and Witchcraft:

  1. Isa 47
  2. Rev 22:14-17 “Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life.Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie. I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star. The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ Let anyone who hears this say, ‘Come.’ Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.”
  3. Lev 20:6-8 “I will also turn against those who commit spiritual prostitution by putting their trust in mediums or in those who consult the spirits of the dead. I will cut them off from the community.So set yourselves apart to be holy, for I am the Lord your God. Keep all my decrees by putting them into practice, for I am the Lord who makes you holy.”
  4. Ps 143: 11-12 “For the glory of your name, O Lord, preserve my life.
    Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress.In your unfailing love, silence all my enemiesand destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.”
  5. Micah 5:12 “I will put an end to all witchcraft,and there will be no more fortune-tellers.”
  6. Rev 2: 26-28 “To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, To them I will give authority over all the nations.They will rule the nations with an iron rodand smash them like clay pots. They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star!”

 

(copyright 2019 SPCM Melissa Nordell)

 

 

Staking and Anointing the Land & Buildings

Featured by strategicprayercommandmin, posted in anointing, Church, Marketplace Ministry, Revival, spiritual warfare, intercession, God's Army, warriors, intercessors, warfare prayer, transformational intercession, transformation, melissa nordell, staking
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A sample of 8-inch nails used for “staking”

Staking and Anointing     by Melissa Nordell

What is “staking”?

We “stake” the land, whether we own the property or not, which is our dwelling, church, ministry or business for reasons below. We also must anoint the outside and inside of these structures, dedicating them to the Lord.

KJV Dictionary definition of staking (verb) = “To fasten, support or defend with stakes; to mark the limits by stakes, without as to stake out land; to stake out a new road, or the ground for a canal.” or “That which is pledged and wagered; that which is set, thrown down or laid, to abide the issue of a contest, to be gained by victory or lost by defeat.”

Since the devil is defeated by Jesus’ shed Blood, we have the right and obligation to take authority in the spirit realm over the land, dispelling darkness and bringing His light.

 

Reasons for staking the land:

  1. To rid the land of evil spirits. To take the land back from the enemy. Num 33:52: “Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:”
  2. We are taking our territory, saying we possess it; and no one can take it. Num 33:53: “You are to take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess.…”
  3. We are decreeing that this land belongs to the one true and only God
  4. It brings protection and safety, as you are anointing the land and pleading the Blood of Jesus over it
  5. God gave the land to us and we are to take care of it. Josh 1:3 “I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.”
  6. We are dedicating it to Him
  7. This puts a blessing on the land. Deut 28:8: “The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land He is giving you.”

 

How to do staking:

Buy 6-10 inch large nails or tent stakes that can be firmly hammered into the 4 corners of the land you will stake. Use a permanent marker and write the scripture name/number that you choose on the stakes – as many as you wish. Then anoint each stake with oil and pray over them, declaring that these stakes will protect the people inside, keep darkness outside, etc. Declare the scriptures out loud that you have written on the stakes, saying that these scriptures are permanently imbedded into this land for God. Then hammer one stake into each of the 4 corners of the property as far down into the ground as you can so that they are not pulled out or caught in a lawnmower. For sample scriptures, see my blog “Sample Staking Scriptures”.

 

Anointing a building

Always anoint all entrances when moving into a new house, apartment, building or church; then periodically, since people come in and out.

Pray over your oil, then anoint the doorposts and windows with the oil (sparingly so as not to mar surfaces), like the children of Israel did, signifying the Blood of Jesus. Every door and window should be anointed. Anoint your house, church or business after staking the land. It is best done with more than one person, in agreement (Matt 18:19). Read the scriptures out loud, intercede or worship when you do this. Anoint inside and outside. Keep your spirit alert to hear from the Lord during the process – He may tell you roots of history on the land that need repentance or deliverance, sin of previous dwellers, etc., or He may alert you to anoint certain other places as He leads. Many people anoint a hotel room when traveling as well.

Ex 12 is the story of the Israelites anointing the doorposts with blood so the angel of the Lord passed by them and did not kill their children, meaning protection.

Ex 40:9-11 is God’s instructions for anointing the Tabernacle. He said to anoint the Tabernacle and we must do this periodically.

 

The Jewish Mezuzah always includes Deut 11:13-21 (‘“If you carefully obey the commands I am giving you today, and if you love the Lord your God and serve him with all your heart and soul,  then he will send the rains in their proper seasons—the early and late rains—so you can bring in your harvests of grain, new wine, and olive oil.  He will give you lush pastureland for your livestock, and you yourselves will have all you want to eat. But be careful. Don’t let your heart be deceived so that you turn away from the Lord and serve and worship other gods. If you do, the Lord’s anger will burn against you. He will shut up the sky and hold back the rain, and the ground will fail to produce its harvests. Then you will quickly die in that good land the Lord is giving you. So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.  Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.”) and Deut 6:4-9 (“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.  And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.  Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates”) and is placed on doorposts of Jewish homes. We now have Holy Spirit and Jesus in us and use anointing oil that has been prayed over, thereby using His authority.

 

Why and how can we do this? Why do we have this power?

Luke 10:19 “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.”

Eph 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

And we can always judge by the fruit of what we do. (Matt 7:16)

 

(copyright 2019 SPCM Melissa Nordell)

15 Good Characteristics of a Humble Intercessor

Featured by strategicprayercommandmin, posted in characteristics of an intercessor, Church, humility, spiritual warfare, intercession, God's Army, warriors, intercessors, warfare prayer, transformational intercession, transformation, melissa nordell

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15 Good Characteristics of a Humble Intercessor    by Melissa Nordell

  • You are teachable and you can be corrected (Heb 12:6; Prov 15:31; 1 Pet 2:23; Prov 13:18 and Prov 12:1)
  • You are eager to learn and grow (Prov 9:9)
  • You rejoice when others are celebrated (Luke 15 The Prodigal Son; Jonah 4 Jonah and Nineveh – the prodigal brother and Jonah did not rejoice in other’s change for the good)
  • No job is too small for you with God (Mark 10:27)
  • You don’t have to be right (Matt 5:9; 1 Cor 13:5)
  • You naturally seek the wisdom of others and God (James 1:5; Eph 1:17; Prov 1:7)
  • You actually DO pray/intercede (1Thess 5:17)
  • You freely, readily admit your flaws, mistakes, and failures; but don’t focus on your shortcomings and the shortcomings of others (2 Cor 5:17; 2 Cor 7:10; Matt 7:1)
  • You live to help others succeed (Rom 15:1; John 15:13)
  • You aren’t “entitled” in an ungodly way (James 4:6; 1 Cor 13:4)
  • You are patient (1Cor 13:4)
  • You don’t promote yourself (1 Cor 13:4-5)
  • You give all the glory to God (Ps 115:1)
  • You respect others (including not interrupting others or being rude) (1 Cor 13:5)
  • You are joyful, happy, positive, hopeful (Prov 17:22; Phil 4:4; Jer 29:11)

Great helps regarding “character” for intercessors can be found in the Beatitudes (Matt 5), the Love Chapter (1 Cor 13) and the Fruits of the Spirit scriptures (Gal 5:22-23)

(copyright 2019 SPCM Melissa Nordell)

 

Binding Backlash: How and Why

by strategicprayercommandmin, posted in Church, Revival, spiritual warfare, intercession, God's Army, warriors, intercessors, warfare prayer, transformational intercession, transformation, melissa nordell

Binding Backlash: How and Why    by Melissa Nordell

It is very apparent that one of the biggest mistakes intercessors have made is to not bind backlash with every prayer or intercession. This means that the intercessor does not realize how vengeful, vindictive and hateful the devil and his cohorts really are. He is not a human being, does not have any redemptive qualities or compassion in him and does not play fair at all. Think of the worst dictator, terrorist or criminal – he is much worse than that! That is why every intercessor needs to know the enemy. We do not give him power, but we must be wise and know how he operates. Satan hates it whenever you pray the slightest prayer, never wanting you to communicate with God since he wants to be god himself. He is extremely jealous.

It is imperative that after every prayer or intercession session, whether alone or corporately, you MUST bind backlash for your protection and the protection of others. To think that it is not necessary for any reason is just ignorance and foolishness. Even if the leader does not bind backlash (although it is a good idea to teach them or remind them), you can always do it yourself for everyone present. Do not think that any session of talking to God will not cause the enemy to retaliate.

I have had so many saints tell me how they have been attacked, the many things they are going through with health, family, finances, how their church is attacked, etc. and I always ask if they bound backlash with every intercession and the answer is always: “no”. Do not discount that your intercession is important and damaging to the enemy’s camp, no matter how brief. It will always make the devil and his minions furious. I have seen churches destroyed, families torn apart, intercessors and their family members extremely ill, finances and properties stolen, and even death occur whenever this is not done. To not bind backlash is to leave doors wide open for satan to attack. In natural warfare after a fight, the soldiers must assure that the enemy will not be able to attack again – the area must be cleared and made safe.

Spiritual warfare is serious business and we always need to take strategic precautions. The “backlash script” included below is what has been developed through trial and error; and it works for all intercession. The most dangerous type of warfare is binding and loosing but this script is imperative for all sessions. Take my word for it, in 30 years of strategic intercession I have learned the hard way and have seen others learn the hard way – so take our advice and be safe, keep your family and church safe! Don’t be a needless casualty.

Copy this and put on your mirrors, in your car, in your Bible, in your prayer journal and share it with others. Please do not change it, as this is what works well.

War on, mighty warriors!

Melissa Nordell, SPCM

 

End of Intercession Declaration (Binding Backlash)

I (we) bind all backlash, retaliation and revenge and stop all assignments of the enemy against what I (we) prayed, and for any reason against me (us), all my (our) family and friends (and the land and its people and our destinies) in Jesus’ mighty name. And I (we) stop all communication of the enemy about my (our) intercession, in Jesus’ mighty name. I (we) plead the Blood of Jesus and place the hedge of protection around me (us) and all that pertains to me (us), all my (our) family and friends and all that pertains to them, in Jesus’ mighty name.

(copyright 2019 SPCM Melissa Nordell)

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Good Teens who Make Bad Choices: Family turns Tragedy into Marketplace Ministry

by strategicprayercommandmin, posted in Church, Marketplace Ministry
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Garison Steele

Good Teens who Make Bad Choices: Family turns Tragedy into Marketplace Ministry

by Melissa Nordell

Garison Steele, 14, was an energetic teen with a big heart for evangelism. Concerned that all of his friends would accept Christ and be in heaven with him later in life, Garison had prayed for months that his friend Troy would visit his family’s church, Joyful Sound in Porter, Texas, northeast of Houston. Troy accepted Garison’s invitation, partly to return many favors Garison had shown him.

At the end of the church service at Joyful Sound Church, Troy came forward to accept Christ as his personal savior. Garison was ecstatic, and after the service the boys asked if they could go to a local gas station less than a mile from the church. “I told him he better drive safe,” Garison’s mother, Betsy Steele, told Troy. “He was carrying my life with him.”

It was Garison’s first ride with a young, non-family driver. As he was leaving, Garison remembered he forgot to say goodbye, so he rushed back to the church, told his mom he loved her and kissed her on the cheek.

But it seemed to be taking a long time for the boys to return, so Betsy and Garison’s Aunt Jeannie phoned Garison on his cell phone — but there was no answer. Alarmed, Betsy and Jeannie got into Betsy’s car and traced the route Garison would have taken to the gas station.

The two sisters soon saw fire engines, police and other first responders a very short distance from the church. Behind the fire engines was a lone car wrapped around a tree, barely recognizable, which happened to be in the front yard of the house where Pastor Betsy and Garison’s father had been married.

Betsy tried to get to the vehicle as soon as she recognized it, remaining calm but praying for life, as she asked police about her son. However, the police restrained her because Betsy’s only son and his newly saved friend were killed instantly in the horrific crash.

First responders and neighbors began to ask Betsy, “Who was the third person in the car?”  Several people reported they were sure that they had seen a third person when the car crashed. But there were only two boys in the car!

Betsy, Jeannie, and Grandmother Sally are convinced that third person was Jesus Himself. Both boys were carried to heaven in Jesus’ loving arms.

Investigators determined that Troy lost control of the vehicle when he hit a culvert at a high rate of speed, then the vehicle went airborne. The speedometer inside the vehicle was stuck on 84 mph.

“The boys both wore their seat belts, and alcohol and other drugs were not factors,” Betsy said. “It was just a young driver with his friend in the car making a bad decision.”

Like many parents, Betsy had no idea that car accidents were the leading cause of death for teens. However, statistics show that crashes account for more teen deaths than suicide and homicide combined. Drivers aged 16 to 19 are three times as likely to crash as more experienced drivers.  Plus carrying passengers exacerbates those statistics. Only one teen passenger can increase crash risk by 48 percent.

With forgiveness, and after a few years of healing, Garison’s grandmother, Sally Pritchard, Senior Pastor of Joyful Sound Church, felt the Lord calling them to do something about these statistics. The family wants not only to save lives, but to reach out and tell others about the saving love of Jesus Christ to honor young Garison, his life gone too soon.

They soon joined the Teen Safe Driving Coalition and the HEARTS Network, both established by The Allstate Foundation and the National Safety Council. They also started a driving school, along with a “Garison Steele Safe Driver Elite Award,” an annual scholarship whose theme is “Steering Teens in the Right Direction”. The scholarships award teens who demonstrate safe driving based on recommendations from adults, writing a winning essay on responsible driving, and demonstrating a good example for their peers.

They named the school “G and P Community Driving School” after Garison and his “Papaw,” grandfather and Senior Pastor Harley Pritchard who graduated to heaven a few years after Garison. Harley had taught Garison about fixing cars and welding. They had together won “Best of Show” in the Houston Car Show with their jointly restored ’63 Mustang.

“Parents need to prepare their teens and make sure they demonstrate good driving habits,” Betsy said. “Even good teens make bad choices, and one wrong decision could take their teen forever.”

Turning a tragedy into marketplace ministry, they expect the scholarship and school will save lives and honor the memory and testimony of Garison Steele. At an annual church ceremony in his honor, his mother, Betsy, testified that Garison “carried the light of God’s love everywhere he went, and many hearts were changed.”

Betsy says that at first she wondered “why God would want me to go outside the church, but then one day while worshiping, I felt that God said I would reach teens that would never set their feet into a church and I would be able to show and demonstrate God’s love, joy, and peace to those teens and their parents…and that is exactly what happened.”

Pastor Betsy used the scripture 1 Peter 2:9 for the award ceremony: “that we may proclaim the love and praise of God who has called us out of darkness into his marvelous LIGHT.” Along with his family, Garison’s life has proven to be a legacy for saving lives, both in the physical and for eternity to come for many.

 

“It’s Time for a New Thrust in Spiritual Warfare”

by strategicprayercommandmin, posted in Revival, spiritual warfare, intercession, God's Army, warriors, intercessors, warfare prayer, transformational intercession, transformation, melissa nordell, Uncategorized

 

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“It’s Time for a New Thrust in Spiritual Warfare”    by Melissa Nordell

(published on Elijah List August 25, 2018)

The Old Vacuum  

I had a dream recently that I must explain. In the dream, I was vacuuming with an old, red vacuum that was not picking up all the dirt. I could see what it had left on the floor as I was vacuuming. The smaller things were consumed by the vacuum, but the larger debris were not.

The vacuum was not a typical vacuum, it was also an old radio that looked “outer-space-like”—a design made from back in the last century. I remember items in the last century were sometimes designed to reflect what they expected the 21st century would look like—but they could not see how things would exactly unfold.

Get Ready for the New and Improved

Next in the dream I heard the Lord say, “I have a new vacuum.”

From the beginning, I knew this was a dream about spiritual warfare, as God has shown me transformational intercession as a “cleanup” many times in dreams. According to Dr. Barbie Breathitt in her A to Z Dream Symbology Dictionary, the color red symbolizes: “the Spirit of the Lord, anointing, power, prophetic anointing, prayer, evangelist, thanksgiving, the Blood of Jesus, Jesus’ healing Blood.” A vacuum cleaner can represent: “dust, debris, and dirt being removed by the wind of the Spirit.” Also, a radio can depict: “an ability to receive frequencies from airways, spiritually sensitive, prophetically gifted to hear the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit, prayer that activates the angels and the Spirit of the Lord.”

This old, 20th century vacuum was prophetically gifted but not as powerful as new vacuums would be in the future; however, it served its purpose for a time. It was an old design that needed improvement in both hearing (radio) and cleaning (vacuum). I believe this radio/vacuum was a symbol of hearing from God clearly, and cleaning up cities, churches and regions from evil. During the past movement in spiritual warfare, no one could see how the “new” one would look. Now it is time for the “new and improved.” God is giving us new spiritual warfare tools. He is developing, training and healing wounded and weary soldiers to clean up much more efficiently and so much quicker. 

 radvac1

“It is time,” says the Lord, “for a newer, deeper, higher, bigger movement or thrust in spiritual warfare.” The most prominent apostles/prophets of our day are sounding this alarm. And “surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).

The Spiritual Warfare Movement of the 90s and into the early 2000s was strategic and so necessary; transforming lives, cities, groups and churches. Now God is awakening something new, building on the old for new generations, a synergy of the ages.

The “Dry Bones Army” is Rising!

I am convinced that the decline in moral values, the 2008 financial crisis, the decline in church attendance, and ungodly political changes in the United States of recent years were due to the decline in the quantity and quality of spiritual warfare activity. As the last movement abated, God’s Kingdom lost ground. But we are arising now as the Ezekiel 37 “dry bones” army who have been given the breath of God again.

We are not just returning to an old movement. Rather, let us improve on it, increase it, restore what needs to be restored, revive that fire and passion, and pull out the rocks that have stopped up the wells of revival and transformation (Genesis 26). The wineskin of spiritual warfare of the last century is in a new wineskin; with new, ready, healthy and properly aged (matured) wine; better and sweeter than before.

This time, the renewing of spiritual warfare will be more united—as one army for a common cause. Saints will war with more insight, knowledge and wisdom. They will war with more faith and trust in God and with less assumption and presumption. Intercessors will follow Holy Spirit precisely, without getting ahead of Him. Warfare will be done in love for the Kingdom and its people, like Jesus said to do. Saints will war with precise prophetic direction and strategies, going deeper and more strategic than ever before. Intercessors will be trained properly in schools of intercession, learning safety precautions given in His Word. They will even be knowledgeable in safely combating witchcraft as they are properly trained.

The Waters Have Been Stirred, Now It’s Time to Submerge

We are not waiting for the water to be stirred. It has already been stirred and it is time to submerge (John 5).

I declare this over all Godly warriors of intercession:

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come” (Ephesians 1:18-21). (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)

Melissa Nordell
Strategic Prayer Command Ministry 

California is Going to Rise up out of the Ashes

by strategicprayercommandmin, posted in California Fires, fire, God's 4 R's, Revival, spiritual warfare, intercession, God's Army, warriors, intercessors, warfare prayer, transformational intercession, transformation, melissa nordell

 

th (3)California is Going to Rise up out of the Ashes    by Melissa Nordell

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations. (Is 61:1-4 NIV)

California has currently 18 major fires throughout the State, from north to south with major devastation and several deaths. But I hear God saying that California is going to rise out of the ashes in an amazing way, as only Jesus can do. As in this scripture, it is HE that does the restoration, it is HE that does the work. It is HE that bestows the crown of beauty in place of ashes. Even when it looks impossible.
Just as the large Redwoods in California’s National Parks have large seed pods that only can sprout when there is the high temperatures brought about by forest fires, God’s seeds of revival have been sprouted.
For the Lord says, “Don’t look at the natural, but look at the spiritual. Is anything too hard for Me? Yes, many in California have seemed to turn from Me; but there are so many of my righteous, faithful ones who have warred, prayed, interceded, worshipped Me in the Spirit of Holiness, cried out and honored Me. Do you think that I have not heard them? And then there is My Grace, love, and concern as well.”
It does not matter what it looks like in the media, in politics, in Hollywood, in the justice system; a State with such utter sexual sin, human trafficking, drugs, lawlessness and abortion – just watch what God can do.
As I was hearing this from the Lord, I had a vision of a horribly hot fire, billowing up with tornadic wind and heavy smoke. However, out of the very center of the fire rose a mighty, gold archangel; like the counterfeit phoenix myth that rose out of ashes. But this was God’s angel to bring Restoration, Revival, Reformation, and Restitution – God’s “4 R’s.”
As this golden angel arose, it was a symbol of God’s golden Shekinah Glory returning to California. Many revivals started here, and the State of California began with the Gold Rush of 1849. But God says that this will be His Gold, His Shekinah Glory returning in a new and mighty way, in The Golden State.
In Pastor Bill Johnson’s words on Sunday after the fire’s most wicked devastation, July 29, 2018, he said: “We have heard the voice of the Devourer; but you are about to see the Restorer.”

“And you will be called priests of the LORD,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.
Instead of your shame
you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours. (Isa 61: 6-7 NIV)

Melissa Nordell
Strategic Prayer Command Ministry   (copyright 2019 SPCM)