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Hairdresser turned away from same-sex attraction, now married with kids

Featured by strategicprayercommandmin, posted in redemption, salvation

gail1by Mark Ellis

He grew up in a very strict and controlling Christian home. His youthful effeminate manner sparked abuse at home and school, leading to a pain-filled journey to find hope.

“My family was very religious and legalistic,” says Gail Chester. “I didn’t have long hair. My sisters didn’t wear pants or wear nail polish. I didn’t wear fashionable clothes, so that made me stick out,” he says. Wearing shorts was a sure sign one was headed for hell, according to his parents.

His cloistered environment at home led to feelings of alienation. “I was out of place in school. Dad didn’t let us have friends, go to movies, or eat out.”

From a young age, he says he knew Christ but his perceptions of Christianity were filtered through a distorted prism. “Everything was guilt and shame and a lot of control. Both parents were physically and verbally abusive.”

His parents told him he was stupid, worthless. Corporal punishments were delivered “in the name of God.”

His three brothers were woodsy, flannel-wearing, “spit-on-the-ground” type-of-guys. In contrast, Gail was sensitive, discerning and artistic.

Paralleling the biblical story of Jacob and Esau, Gail’s father would say, “I’m taking the boys. You (Gail) stay here and help your mother.”

Grotesquely, his mother used enemas as punishment. “She would strip me naked and put me on all fours and leave the door open to the bathroom.” She also beat him with a section of Hot Wheels racetrack.

He overheard his mother tell his father, “You need to do something about your faggot son.”

One day he came home from school and his mother had her yarn and knitting needles out, planning to teach Gail how to knit. “Don’t girls do that?” he questioned.

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In junior high, he first noticed his attraction to boys. “Up until then, I had thought I wanted to be married and have kids. I had strong goals for myself and held on to those,” he recounts.

While he didn’t speak in tongues like the rest of the family, he felt God had given him discernment, among other gifts. “God would visit me in my dreams over and over and over again. I would see Him coming back, see the sunset; it would leave the Holy Spirit resting on me for days,” he recalls.

By the time Gail entered high school in Beaumont, California, students started calling him gay and a “faggot.” “It was 100 times a day. They also spit on me. Guys would pee on me in the locker room, try to hold me down and force me to do oral sex.”

Reeling from the abuse at school, he went home to more abuse. “I got the hell beat out of me every day. Mom was going to beat the devil out of me.”

In his senior year, he started cosmetology school with the goal of becoming a hairstylist. He also began experimenting with drugs and alcohol.

Looking back, Gail views the development of his same-sex attraction as circumstantial. “When you are softer, the enemy is able to manipulate you,” he says.

“I was sexualized at a young age. I never had masculinity. I thought that to have sex with men I would get that masculinity; but I would feel dirty or ashamed afterward. I couldn’t reconcile it with the Word of God. I was praying for God to take it away.

“God didn’t give this to me. The devil put this on me,” he contends.

Gail thinks each of his five siblings have been adversely impacted by their home environment. “I know about things they have done in their lives. As children, because we were kept away from everybody, we experimented with one another.”

After Gail’s graduation from high school, a man molested him in the restroom of the building where he took the state exam for his cosmetology license. “This man in his 40s came in and locked and bolted the door. I felt like I had to do what he wanted to save myself from abuse. He was large. I was terrified he was going to rape me. I did whatever he wanted and got out.”

When he turned 18, he says he only had sex one or two times with another man, but each encounter filled him with guilt. “God, I don’t want to do this,” he cried out. “I want to be normal. I want to have kids!”

After he started working as a hairdresser, he lived in a trailer on his parents’ property. He never told his parents about his same-sex attraction, but he is certain they knew.

One day he picked up a hitchhiker on his way home. “It was the worst thing I ever did – we ended up being together. He would come over at night drunk and bang on the door. If I didn’t do what he wanted, he said he would tell my parents I was gay.”

“I didn’t want my parents to be disappointed in me. The dysfunctional relationship continued for two years.” Finally, in an attempt to drive away his gay suitor, Gail stopped bathing. “He was drunk so he didn’t care, but finally he stopped coming around.”

A week before Gail turned 20, he rededicated his life to Jesus Christ. He came to the realization that his life was a mess. After putting his recent knotty relationship behind him, a scripture in Psalms about restoration spoke to his heart.

“That’s what brought me to rededicate. I had never stopped praying or talking to God during the time I was doing those things. I was still very aware of the Holy Spirit and what He wanted me to do.”

A year later he met a woman named Kathy and fell in love with her. She was unaware of his same-sex attractions. “I just thought he was a nice guy. He was my mom and sister’s hair cutter,” Kathy says.

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Gail and Kathy in 1986

When he cut Kathy’s hair, they seemed to have chemistry and Gail began to call her if it was slow at work. “It was a wonderful friendship,” she says. “We talked about God.

“We could never date because of his parents, so we would sneak off to dinner,” Kathy says. Gail’s parents pressured him to break off the relationship, which he did. But six months later, they were in regular contact again.

Finally, he confided to Kathy about his struggles with sexual identity. “I wasn’t shocked out of my mind,” Kathy says.

“Do you love me?” she asked him.

“Yes.”

“I love you and I think we will be OK…I don’t care if we don’t have sex, I just want to be with you for the rest of my life.

Gail had underlying concerns about consummating the marriage. “I had a fear of whether I could do that. I wasn’t physically attracted. Love makes all things possible. It was not a physical attraction. It was an emotional attraction that made the sexual possible,” he concludes.

God impressed this message on their hearts: I have put you two together. The road ahead will not be easy, but it will be worth it. Let no man come between you.

“This is a story of God’s love and redemption.”

 

Do This to Make the Bride Ready, and Awakening Will Come to Your Nation

Featured by strategicprayercommandmin, posted in Awakening, Church, harvest, how to bring revival, How to Transform through Intercession, Prophecy, reasons prayer not answered, Reformation, Revival, spiritual mapping, spiritual warfare, intercession, God's Army, warriors, intercessors, warfare prayer, transformational intercession, transformation, melissa nordell

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by Melissa Nordell

I asked the Lord for His “State of the Church Address,” inquiring how He feels the Church is doing throughout the world, and what He gave me was not what I expected. The best part about it was that after He explained how the Church is doing, He gave me a root solution and confirmed it in a dream.

“The Bride is not ready,” He explained with deep concern. It grieved the Lord that there is so much disunity in His Church, plus a lack of salvations and root darkness in the world. So, I asked the Lord what we are to do about this dilemma, expecting an answer on how to rectify this mainly through intercession.

Reparative Intercession and The Root Issue

It took me a while to “wrap my head around” what the Lord was saying about His concerns and His solution to bringing “Awakening” to a region, as He gave me several points. First, He reminded me that I had spoken with Dr. Negiel Bigpond of the Euchee Nation, Founder of Native American Circle of Prayer and 2 Rivers Native American Training Center, for a Godreports.com and Elijah List’s Breaking Christian News article (2-04-2014) https://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=13275) about his new Native American television studio.

During that interview, Dr. Bigpond told me of a word from Dr. Billy Graham who stated that the biggest end-times Revival/Reformation in the United States, just before Jesus returns, would happen when the Native people in America come en masse to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Dr. Graham said that in order to shift the United States to a saving grace in Jesus Christ requires a major effort in bringing the Native peoples to Jesus. I researched this word from Dr. Billy Graham, who many never realized was often apostolically prophetic, and of course found it to be true; however, Dr. Graham’s word is not just going to happen…it needs intercession and effort to bring it about. We must help the Natives of our given lands come to Jesus, and the only way that can happen is through strategic intercession before works will produce much fruit.

The Lord said that as the original, foundational peoples who were placed in a land by Him, having initial title to the land, come to Him, the rest of the nation will awaken and come to Jesus en masse; but that it is imperative to do major uprooting of the causes of darkness and mistreatment of these wonderful First People, breaking the resulting curses on the land that defiles it. We know that transformational intercession and strategic spiritual warfare have been proven and bear lasting fruit, resulting in not only healing the land but it’s people as well, bringing light out of darkness. There are so many scriptures in the Bible concerning what defiles the land, and all we need to do is renounce, repent, break curses and plead the Blood of Jesus for specific sins; then darkness dissipates, and more light can abound. This is true for any nation, any area.

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Dr. Negiel Bigpond

I Had a Dream

It was a bit to grasp that there could be such an easy fix for all of this by uprooting darkness through specific and thorough “standing-in-the-gap” repentance, forgiveness and pleading the Blood of Jesus on the land for the sins of and against the indigenous peoples. There are so many historical facts that we find needing repentance and renouncement, but the worst atrocity is that we Christians lacked in bringing the love and truth of Jesus to the indigenous peoples on every continent and island. So, I silently asked the Lord to verify the importance of this in a dream.

That night I had a powerful, colorful dream in which the roots of vast crops on the land were infected with every kind of disease and mold, in muted and dark colors. This represented varying harm to the First Nations People in the United States. As the dream continued, I saw intercessors warring in the Spirit, repenting and renouncing in the background. And as they did, these dead and infected roots came out of the land precisely and entirely, with weeds uprooted and rocks thrown out as well. As this type of strategic intercession was done, the land healed and a great, strong and healthy crop sprouted up immediately, grew and flourished rapidly with healthy, bright colors abounding. Quickly in the next part of the dream, I could see the entire Church superimposed on the strong and healthy crop as the whole Church powerfully experienced healing, strength, and multiplication…and the Greatest Harvest began.

Farmers and gardeners know that if a root is rotten or lacking, disease spreads and that crop and the next crop fails. We all presently reap what has been sown in a land from generation to generations past if the various sins are not repented of, as seen in many scriptures in the Bible. Deut 29:27 says, “And the anger of the Lord was kindled against this land, to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book.” Added to that, you cannot plant a crop where there are prolific weeds, rocks and hard ground. You must completely uproot the bad roots and weeds, remove rocks and debris, then heal the soil in order to have a good harvest. Only after the land is cleansed and healed (repentance, renouncements, forgiveness, pleading the Blood of Jesus) can seeds be effectively planted (evangelism), fertilized (with helps and healing) and watered (by God’s Word).

The First Peoples Were First

It stands to reason, logically, spiritually, and biblically in Jesus’ instructions to carry out the Great Commission, that if bad seeds and roots against the original inhabitants of a nation have been planted and not uprooted, the soil not cleansed and healed, then there can be no major harvest or revival because the soil has been contaminated since the beginning. There has been mistreatment of all peoples in differing areas; however, there is such principle importance regarding the indigenous, archetypal peoples that have a spiritual and deep, quintessential tie to their land since Creation. These are the people who have had ties to paganism and principalities that inhabited that land before the gospel came to that area. Plus, indigenous peoples have a sincere understanding and love for their land, making it even more important to get to these deepest roots.

Scripture says in Jer. 1:10, “See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” Of course, there is more to spiritual warfare than just rooting out (repentance) as we must plant good kingdom seeds as well – but the rooting out comes first.

The Lord then showed me that when darkness that has defiled the land since its inception is amended, then even the government and the other kingdom mountain structures will experience healing and Godly renewal. Next, He showed me that the vast roots of racial disharmony originally came from tribal fighting and sins against the indigenous peoples as well. Revival and the Last Great Harvest will not come without specific forgiveness and repentance for all issues regarding First Peoples. Heal the root and all else will follow.

As prophetic, transformational people, we are called to look for spiritual roots, following Holy Spirit as to what God is saying is the deep cause of a problem in the kingdom, looking for those things that hinder revival, transformation, and reformation. We wrestle not against flesh and blood (Eph 6:12) but must stand in the gap in the Spirit and repent for atrocities that have defiled us all. It does seem like such a simple solution; but that is often His way, with a root fix that is right under our noses. Sometimes things are so easy that we miss it; but when we follow Holy Spirit as Jesus did (John 5:19), there is fruit – immediate and lasting fruit.

       “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you…’” Matt 28:18-20.  The “First People” of any country are the roots to that country, whose heart and soul are in the land…and the land is in them. They have a true understanding of the richness of the land and were planted there by God for a reason. Could there be any better way to change a nation for God’s kingdom than by healing at the very root? Chuck Pierce says; “Reach the native peoples of your nation and you have your nation!”

Spiritual reparations must be made, and justice must reign. This author’s ancestor, Captain Thomas Harris, was a British officer who came to America on the ship “Prosperous” to establish English colonies in 1611, a few years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. America is in my soul and I feel it. I cry at any American parade or our National Anthem…but the land called America plus the deep hurt from the murders, the Trail of Tears, broken treaties and misuse of native peoples has been in the soul of Native Americans exponentially. In Dr. Bigpond’s words, “it’s in our DNA.”

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All Tribes DC, camping in tents near the Washington Monument, with Native Tribes uniting and interceding for The United States (photo courtesy Negiel Bigpond)

Go Deeper

       Yes, we have heard this before and some of this has been done, but the Lord said that we have only scratched the surface. We have not taken this seriously enough. “Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, ‘Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught’” (or catch), is found in Luke 5:4. When we go deeper, following Holy Spirit, the “catch” is greater. New intercession and spiritual warfare go much deeper and more specific. We have not before realized the important bedrock fact that the First People of every nation were the first to claim the land, the first to shed their blood on the land, making them the most seriously in need of transformation and healing. The Lord showed me that if the Church makes a concerted, sincere effort to bring indigenous people into the Church by fully healing root issues, the Church across each nation, each continent, will shift mightily….it will open the heavens over that land.

In Rev 5: 9, it is written: “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred (or tribe), and tongue, and people, and nation.”

       Get ready for root, original First Nations peoples to be leading the Bride…not bringing up the rear!

(Copyright 2019 Strategic Prayer Command Ministry)

23 Things that can STOP your Prayers/Intercession

Featured by strategicprayercommandmin, posted in anointing, humility, reasons prayer not answered, spiritual warfare, intercession, God's Army, warriors, intercessors, warfare prayer, transformational intercession, transformation, melissa nordell, transformation

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by Melissa Nordell 

Some people say that there is nothing that can hinder your prayers – but the Bible is clear that certain things can cause prayers and intercession to be unanswered. Please read the following scriptures, meditate on them, and inquire of the Lord if any of the following could be what is hindering your requests:

1. Prov 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Pride can stop intercession. It may not be outright haughtiness, but just personal pride in works and prayer or other types of pride. Also, pride causes controlling intercession and requests that are not in God’s will but selfish in nature, which will not be answered. Pride makes people lean on their own understanding and pray amiss.

2. John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” This is perhaps the greatest need in intercession since you must be able to know God’s voice and follow His voice in order to intercede properly. Intercession is more than prayer – it is following Holy Spirit as Jesus did. This is the way to know God’s will in a situation. And by following Holy Spirit, there is always an answer to your intercession, just as Jesus never did anything that He did not hear His Father say or do (John 5:19). Prayer can be amiss, with it being unanswered, but true intercession by hearing God correctly never fails because it is Him. Learn to hear His voice and follow it.

3. 1 Cor 9:26 “So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.” This means that we must not just throw up prayers aimlessly. Another way of saying this is to not shoot up scud missile prayers; but rather, intercede with smart bombs hitting the exact target. You must hear from the Lord and follow His lead to hit the target precisely, thereby getting your answer. Know how to hear Him and follow His direction.

4. Matt 5:44 “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” If you pray or intercede without love, in anger, with un-Godly control, or with vengeance, it will not be answered. Jesus commanded us to pray FOR our enemies – not against them and not for harm to come to them. Always pray in love. 1 Cor 13: 6 says about love: “… it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth,” so pray love prayers and do not rejoice that something bad happened or could happen to a person or persons you want to judge. Soulish prayers (also called charismatic witchcraft) include prayers that are not in love. When you bless someone as the Lord commanded us, the Lord decides what will help them and will probably include something you do not expect. A teaching moment, His chastening, salvation and deliverance are just some examples of blessings from the Lord. He is the Judge. You can ask the Lord for justice; but remember, when asking that, the Lord may bring justice to the person and correction for you as well since, again,  He is the One, true and righteous Judge (see #’s 12 & 13).

5. Eph 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Don’t wrestle against, or control, a person or a group as this will cause your intercession to be unanswered. Never pray in the flesh. You can’t go wrong interceding only as the Lord directs, or by praying in tongues. In true intercession, the Lord may show what evil spirit (principality, power, or other evil spirits) is behind the problem and give instructions as to what to do accordingly; but only do as He directs, in His timing. Many times your prayers are not answered until you get out of the way, out of your flesh, and just intercede; therefore He gets all the Glory.

6. John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Pray and declare life as Jesus did, even to your harshest enemy or the meanest person in the world, as God’s main concern is that they have life and salvation, no matter who they are. If you are praying destruction, God will not honor that.

7. Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Be sure to study the Word of God and use it often in declarations and decrees. Use the Word, though, in context and not amiss. Read the whole chapter of a scripture in order to understand what God is saying. Never take anyone’s word that a scripture means a certain thing – check it out for yourself. If you use the scripture in a wrong way, it will not be answered. Always use God’s Word wisely and carefully. Keys to praying correctly and successfully are in the Word of God.

8. Ps 37:4 “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” This scripture means that He not only gives us what we need but also what we desire (as long as it is good for you or for the person/people you are interceding for). Never say that God only gives us our needs, as that is unscriptural. If you do not believe He gives us our desires, it will not have the faith necessary to have it come to pass. However, delight in the Lord first, above all else. If He is not Lord over everything in your life, and you do not delight and honor Him, your prayers will be hindered.

9. 1 Tim 4:7  “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather  train yourself for godliness.” Be sure that you are not praying something that is religious, repetitive or not in God’s Word. Many intercessors copy what someone else prays but do not realize what they are actually saying, often not making any sense and achieving nothing. These are “silly myths.” Always listen to the Lord, do or say what He says, and you will not go wrong.  Some things that I hear in intercession are not even scriptural. Do not just copy others but learn and grow in intercession and His instructions in the Word.

10. Matt 26:40 “Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter.” You must actually intercede! Don’t just think about it and believe that your thoughts will take care of it. Always intercede until you feel the burden lift, or until the Lord says that you are done for the time being. Don’t quit too soon. Never think that something, including prophetic words, will just happen –  you must intercede. Don’t just rely on others in prayer – intercede yourself. Complaining, lamenting, gossipping and grieving are not prayer and not pro-active for getting an answer. Many people are often heard preaching to the Lord or telling Him what the problem is as if He doesn’t know already, and not declaring, decreeing, not pro-active, not actually praying but then expecting an answer. Watch your words and who you are talking to (the King of all Kings, the One True and Righteous Judge). Use the Holy Spirit within you to direct your words and use the authority and power God gave you.

11. Mark 4:40 “He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’” This is part of the story of the disciples and Jesus in the boat in the storm. All prayers and intercession must have faith. Even well-seasoned intercessors sometimes forget to include faith which literally rides on the words of the prayer to reach Jesus’ ears and make it happen.

12. Matt 7:1-2 ““Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Ungodly judgments hinder your prayers/intercession. Intercede without judgments, or just pray in tongues which is perfect prayer. Ungodly judgments are a form of ungodly control. Just intercede and let God handle what you have wanted to judge. Judge demonic spirits only, not the person (see #5 above). Do not get in the flesh. Realize that ungodly judgments will come back on you as it says in these scriptures.

13. James 2:13 “…because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” Always pray/intercede with mercy. God wants mercy for all. God is very clear in this scripture also, that if you do not pray in mercy, you will not be shown mercy and unmerciful prayers are not answered.

14. Matt 6: 5-8 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Read all of Matthew 6. It is hypocritical prayer to be seen by others, to impress others; and these requests will not be answered since this is flesh. Intercede humbly as God directs. Also, many people pray as if they are talking to the people in corporate prayer, to be heard by others or preach to others,  when they need to be talking to the Lord in fear and awe of Him as if they were at His throne (which they truly are if in real intercession). Even subtle, self-glorifying prayers are not heard by the Lord.

15. James 1:5-7 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” This scripture tells us that doubting nullifies intercession and that He will give you wisdom in how to intercede effectively if you ask. Do not pray in faith, then begin to doubt. He will give you wisdom as to how to have faith and how to intercede for any situation. Never lean on your own understanding. His ways are always higher.

16. 1 Pet 3:7 “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” Husbands who do not honor their wives will not have their prayers answered, as this scripture in God’s Word clearly states. It stands to reason that it could be the same for wives who do not honor their husbands as well.

17. Prov 28:9 “ He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” You must personally know, honor and obey the law in order for your prayers to be answered. Personal sin can stop prayer so we must know His law. Do not forsake learning more about His law and His commands every day. Do not forsake learning and growing in intercession, as well as assembling with others in church and worship in order to grow in Him.

18. Ps 66:18 “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” If you are bitter or unforgiving, all your prayers will not even be heard, regardless. Seek healing, let things go, and forgive no matter how bad the situation.

19. Isa 59:2 “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” Personal sin will stop your prayers from being heard. Inquire of the Lord, repent and renounce. Do not just think of the “Big 3” sins, as I call them (smoking, drinking and sexual sin), as there are many other sins in the Bible that all stem out of pride and flesh. We all sin, but God can hide His face and not hear you in order to get you to stop the behavior; so inquire of Him always. He is a good Abba Father, who wants us to get rid of sin because He loves us and will sometimes not answer until we change.

20. James 4:3 “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” If you are praying selfish, coveting prayers, they will not be answered. Always pray God’s will. The safe thing to do is to always say “I pray YOUR will, God, in this situation.” Or better yet, pray in tongues. “Consuming it upon your lusts” does not just mean sexual things, it also means selfish, controlling prayers which are your will and your fleshly desires that are not God’s will. This has to do with prayer for others especially, because what you want may not be what the other person wills and may not be what is best for them.

21. Prov 21:13 “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.” Never forsake the poor but give and help them when you can, as not doing so will cause your prayers to not be heard.

22. Luke 18:1 “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart…” Luke 18 is the parable of the unjust judge where Jesus is teaching us to keep on asking. Read all of Luke 18. Matt 7:7 says, “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you” (NLT). We need to have faith the first time we ask, but there is no scripture that says only ask once. Never give up.

23. John 14:14 “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” Not interceding or praying using the words “in Jesus’ name” makes the request of no effect. Nothing is done in your name or by your blood – so be aware every time you pray or intercede that you must say this after you entreat the Lord.

(Copyright 2019 Strategic Prayer Command Ministry)

 

 

Unique Ministry Sends Food to Missionaries all Over the World – and needs your intercession

Featured by strategicprayercommandmin, posted in missions, Uncategorized

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Few people know of an amazingly special YWAM (Youth With A Mission) base, called Gleanings for the Hungry, located in Central California, whose mission is to help feed the hungry of the world, both spiritually and physically, by providing nutritious food. In order to receive food, a mission agency must be distributing the food as part of a larger ministry, which always includes the presentation of the gospel of Christ.

Wally Wenge, founder of this YWAM base, noticed that imperfect fruit was being thrown out by farmers in the Central Valley which could be dried and used by missionaries in areas where people were starving. He felt led by God to develop the processing and distribution plant to fulfill this need, so he began to learn how to dry large amounts of fruit, and later to make dried soup mixes, drawing on the story of Ruth in the Bible where the poor were allowed to “glean” food that was left in the field after harvest. Food is distributed to needy seniors, widows, orphans, victims of disaster, and refugees. Recent shiploads went to Greece to feed the Syrian refugees escaping across the dangerous sea.

Fruit season in the summer months at Gleanings is a very busy time. Since 1982, peaches and nectarines are processed and dried in the hot Central California sun to preserve them for transport to missions feeding around the world. Cull fruit, which cannot be sold at market value, is donated by growers to feed the hungry. Processing consists of sorting, washing, pitting, sun drying and packing the delicious fruit into buckets for shipment. Youth from homeschools, churches, youth groups and Christian schools from all over the United States and Canada volunteer for a week at a time during the summer months, coming most often with their pastors. Day groups come as well and kitchen workers feed  100-200 mostly youth volunteers each meal from different parts of the United States and Canada during these busy months.

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(Peaches and nectarines being sorted, then drying in the hot California sun)

Soup season starts each Fall when volunteers work in the soup mix plant at Gleanings. The soup can include dehydrated vegetables, rice, lentils, pasta, dried potatoes and other ingredients that are mostly donated. These are combined with spices to make a very flavorful and nutritious meal. Volunteers package the soup in heat-sealed bags for easy distribution, packing those in boxes, then shipping containers to be sent worldwide. Receiving missions use the soup mix in feeding programs, schools, orphanages and to reach families while sharing God’s love and the Gospel.

Staff member Lori Ragains states that adult volunteers come any time of the year and stay for 2 weeks to three months, as well as local volunteers coming for the day. “Snowbirds” from Canada and northern states come escaping the harsh cold winter months to volunteer in sharing Christ’s love through food and the Gospel. At any time of year, volunteers come with their RV’s and stay for weeks or a weekend to help where needed. Jerry and Cynthia Braka loved working for the Lord at Gleanings so much that they came on staff after retiring and now serve in housekeeping and grounds service.

During the cooler months, quilts are handmade to be distributed to the poor and shared around the world with love as well. Recently, quilters sewed quilts for Holocaust survivors in Israel who are too old to work and do not receive assistance, bringing comfort and God’s love. The Lord opened the door for missionaries to bring food and prayer along with the quilts.

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(Quilters doing what they love at Gleanings, bringing love and comfort to a hurting world)

A man from Venezuela, who works two jobs in Los Angeles, knows too well how dire conditions are for people in his home country. He often drives his truck from LA to Gleanings, picks up crates of food and pays for it to be shipped himself. Most know that the dictator of Venezuela will not allow any shipments of free food and supplies to come into the country to feed the starving people, and even burned food trucks trying to enter over the border. So, God has allowed food to be shipped to this LA man’s sister who distributes it to churches, orphanages, and the elderly. Also, an office supply company in the U.S. has offices in Venezuela, so they ship food undetected along with the office supplies to their warehouses in Venezuela for distribution to the poor, along with sharing the gospel message.

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(Local youth volunteering to pack the dried fruit in the summer)

Deut 15:10 “Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.”

A family from a Muslim country with very limited civil rights in Central Asia has come to Gleanings to work since persecution was too great for them in their home country. Their neighbors would not let their children play with this family’s kids when they suspected they were not Muslim. The children were ostracized. The father of the family taught about Jesus very secretly in their home when people would trickle in to hear about the Lord; however, this was very dangerous. The children went to school and could not let anyone know they are Christians, lest they be persecuted. One of the child’s teachers was teaching on religion in school and the child said that she knew about Christ. The teacher reacted and quickly wanted to know why she knew Jesus. The child was very smart in answering that her grandmother had come from an area where Jesus was talked about, which protected the family’s safety. As things got worse for the family, they were able to obtain exit visas after a year’s process to come to help at Gleanings for a time, which was an absolute miracle. The father is a strong pastor who says that he would like to return to his home country to pastor and evangelize as much as he safely can; but when it is God’s will and timing for them to do so. Here the children have learned that it is safe to talk about Jesus with their friends and in school without the threat of death or imprisonment, and are able to go to a Sunday school and worship with other children which they have never been able to do, thoroughly enjoying this new freedom.

Gleanings also hosts a YWAM DTS (Discipleship Training School) which consists of a twelve-week course of classroom lectures with an eight-week mercy ministry outreach to a foreign nation. This program provides a fast-paced, faith-building challenge for anyone wanting to grow his or her faith and has the heart to reach nations for the Lord. DTS is the entry-level school for YWAM.

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(Making peach pallets ready for drying fruit)

Gleanings receives millions of pounds of donated nutritious food to this non-profit, 501c3 organization. Generous companies have donated nutrition and energy bars, raisins, pasta, cereal, vitamins, flour, cooking oil, rice, beans, nuts, various fruits (dried and fresh), spices, various dried vegetables, and quilting supplies and fabric. Also, donations of time and service, furniture, machinery, and equipment have allowed for a greater impact for desperate people in need all over the world. Many also give financially to help feed the world’s hungry.

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(Many seniors from the U.S., and “snowbirds” from Canada come to volunteer in differing jobs at Gleanings in order to bring the gospel to a hurting world)

As the food is processed and as shipments leave the facility, every part of the crop “gleanings” are prayed for as well as for the missions and missionaries serving in hard places. Some of the countries that have received Gleanings food have been: Armenia, Fiji, Liberia, Romania, Belarus, Mexico, Ghana, Moldova, South Sudan, Guatemala, Burkina Faso, Haiti, Tanzania, Niger, Cambodia, Israel, Nigeria, Ukraine, Venezuela, Cuba, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Jordan, Paraguay, Zimbabwe, El Salvador, Kenya, Ethiopia, Lebanon, and most recently to refugees exiting war-torn Syria – all coming from a small town called Dinuba in California.

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(Soup processing at Gleanings for shipment to missions around the world who bring the gospel to the unsaved)

Matt 25:40 “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

For more information:

Gleanings for the Hungry

43029 Road 104

Dinuba, CA 93618

Facebook/YWAMGleanings

info@gleanings.org

www.gleanings.org

559-591-5009

Fax 559-591-5036

(all photos courtesy Gleanings for the Hungry)

 

The Tent Movement is Ramping Up

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

 

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An effective Prayer Tent at the Orange Blossom Festival in Lindsay, CA

By Melissa Nordell

A movement of prayer tents has been spreading throughout communities, big and small. Groups of believers interested in kingdom change and demonstrating the love of Jesus have been motivated to get outside the walls of the church and into the streets to promote the truth about Jesus Christ under prayer tents.

Here the love of Jesus is shared through pure fruits of the Spirit as in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

The tents break down barriers like nothing else can. There is no pretense, no preaching, no law, no Christian jargon nor lingo, no politics – just love and compassion. There are no hidden agendas or fees, no judgmentalism, no offerings taken, no arguments – just light. All prayer seekers are spoken to with honor and respect as Jesus would, without drama or embarrassment.

Barriers are broken. Hearts are lifted. Hope is restored.

One awesome example is a couple, Juan and Patty Tirado, of Porterville, CA who have erected prayer tents in many venues such as swap meets and concerts. At “The Blessing of the Bikes” they have encountered levels of desperation from “everyday folks” that has been alarming. People are looking for answers, as societal stress levels have risen.

    

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Juan and Patty Tirado, celebrating lives changed after an event

Patty reports that God first put it on her heart to offer prayer on Facebook, as she felt an urgency to reach friends and family about Christ. This Facebook prayer page quickly evolved into a mini revival with people Patty didn’t even know watching how she prayed because they did not know how to communicate with God, much less petition Him. Many testimonies soon came back to Patty and Juan. Patty realized that she wanted to do more and reach more people.

 

At the same time, God was putting it on Juan’s heart to start a tent or canopy approach to offer prayer since he had been watching Todd White ‘let Jesus be Jesus’ in communities. This led to the Tirados offering prayer tents in parks and other local venues as God told them; “I need you out there praying for My people.”

Juan first told the Lord “no,” but God eventually changed his heart through a vision he received of a great revival, with God telling him to “fish” wherever he wanted. In the vision, Juan went to the depths of hell where he yearned for the resurrection of his body. God showed him revival and reformation, and how God had called him to set people free.

Now Juan and Patty offer prayer in many communities in the Central Valley of California under their tents.

Soon, testimonies began to pour in. One woman, whose granddaughter was held captive in an unknown location, asked for intercession. She came back to the Tirado’s to report that the very night she asked for prayer, the perpetrator was airlifted to a hospital and her granddaughter was able to somehow flee her captivity. Police found her and took her to safety that very night!

One beauty is that there is usually little or no cost involved to putting up the tents. Also, nothing is advertised. It is just the Holy Spirit drawing people to the tents, which are often picnic or “pop-up” tents that many people have in their garage. Sometimes free bottled water and bookmarks with scriptures are handed out with a business card for follow-up and testimonies.

A few tents have included a live worship group or single worshipper; but the main idea is just offering Jesus’ love, for it is the “Good News” of Jesus Christ that leads all to repentance. Most have handmade signs that read “Want Prayer?” “Free Prayer” or “Prayer Here” in both English and Spanish to passersby.

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Tulare County Prayer Request, after setting up their prayer tent and awaiting those needing intercession at an event

After setting up, the prayer tent is prayed over and anointed; then the Lord is exalted (Ps 100:4) and the Holy Spirit invited to flow. Next, the workers take communion. As people flow in and they begin to pray, the workers (working at least in “two’s”) take a little time to let God’s Presence rest on the person seeking prayer – then smiles come and they see a thousand pounds lifted off the prayer pursuer.

As the scripture says “”Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven” (Matt 18:19).

Prayer seekers are encouraged to ask for forgiveness and restitution along with their requests. The praying volunteers seek the Lord’s knowledge, guidance and direction for each person’s needs and for the root of the problem. Many arrive desperate for help, asking for prayer in a place they perceive to be a safe non-intimidating environment. After the prayer, sources for a church or ministry are offered.

The volunteers report that all types of people from all walks of life come to the prayer tents without hesitation because there is no pretense nor expectations which the seeker would expect in a church, and because that seeker does not know the “prayor”.  Jesus indeed is the focus as He is the answer to the great needs of the people. It’s time that we go out and share His mercy and compassion without encumbrances.

The Tirados consider it all fun, interesting and life-changing in every circumstance, no matter what. However, they advise that this type of ministry is not for the “faint of heart” and not for the immature or religious. Maturity, the Word and much wisdom are necessary. Volunteers need to know how to spread God’s love and hope to a diverse cross-section of people.

Juan reports that the most opposition that they have felt was at a July 4th celebration. Beforehand, the Lord told him to just show love; and when he did, many people were saved, and lives were changed. Some people had been partying and drinking; however, people came up to the tent for prayer for such things as addictions and family problems. One family was facing eviction.

Some recognized that substance abuse was not changing their circumstances or relieving their pain. Juan says, “it was their day!” The Tirado’s did not argue with anyone, as some tried, but just shared Jesus’ love; and that was the key. Juan emphasizes that there are “hurting people out there and there is no time for politics, strife or religion.”

“All people are good,” he says. “Just some have gone wrong a little bit.”

Sindee, one of the “local missionaries” in her own organized prayer tents reports that people come in bound, broken, hungry and thirsty for answers and help. They leave with hope, smiling and laughing.

One woman came in hurriedly, fearing a stalker and asking for prayer that he would cease. She reports, “that woman left with peace, calm and the presence of Jesus upon her.”

Chris and Christine Callahan of C & C Callahan Ministries have obtained permits to use city parks in different cities and sponsor events they call RTC Block Parties (Revive Tulare County). The events include worship music, testimonies, face painting, free food, free haircuts, a bounce house, games and raffles.

At some events, fancy car groups or Christian motorcycle groups participate. Beforehand, Christians pray over the city and the park. At one recent event, each prayer tent had long lines of people asking for prayer. They estimated that 500 people attended the latest event with about 60 receiving prayer and intercession, with some accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and some receiving instant physical and emotional healing.

Many people stop by for prayer at prayer tents even if there is no event used as a draw. Sometimes it is not the homeless or disadvantaged but people of means who stop their cars and park, asking for prayer, needing hope and someone to agree with them in love. Many are believers who do not know where to turn, needing help, some even doubting their beliefs, and some with no church home.

Individuals have stopped for prayer and healing for such issues as cancer or other illnesses, depression, emotional issues and family problems. At times, police and first-responders have asked for intercession for healing of trauma, stress, family issues, and safety. Several nurses have stopped by asking for prayer for stress and the burden of their vocation.

The Tent Movement brings the Good News to the streets, highways and byways. The tents are never placed beside a church or on church property but on vacant lands, construction areas, downtown or uptown, parks, private homes in neighborhoods, booths in fairs or swap meets, outreaches, or on busy streets, farmlands and crossroads.

Tents can also be set up in disaster areas, homeless hangouts, drug-infested areas and in streetwalker territory. And, not surprisingly, police often welcome the tents in oppressed areas. It’s time that the Church ceases ignoring the great needs of the people who are outside the church.

Each time a person asks for prayer, more light is shed in the darkness of the cities.       As it says in Eph 5:8 &9: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth).” This is how we change a world full of darkness – by bringing light, healing and compassion.

How will they hear unless someone tells them? How will they see unless we go out? For as the Word says in Mark 4:21, “And he said to them, ‘Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? No, that light is to go out into the darkness to help a dying world.”  As Christians, we are called to bring that light out into dark places; not just keep our light where other lights surround us all the time!

The tent movement is made up of nameless, faceless, grassroots Christians, foretold to bring the greatest Revival and Reformation ever seen. This movement must involve groups of prayer warriors whose only goal is to reach souls, lift burdens, and bring growth and change to the kingdom. These warriors do not want accolades or recognition – they just serve the Lord and want to see people saved and to know the love of Jesus Christ.

In Luke 10:2, Jesus told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field”. We may understand seed planting but don’t really understand how to operate in harvest. We must launch our nets into deeper waters, into areas we are not accustomed, to get the greatest catch, or harvest.

It is the organizers prayer that others catch the vision and erect these pop-up tents of prayer in every city and town to spread the love of Jesus, not in a way that people of the world expect from the church. Youth groups, home fellowships, recovery ministries, Bible study groups, men’s and women’s groups can each have their own tents organized. The Word says in Isaiah 49:6: “….I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” It is time that we, the Church, be that light and life to a hurting, fearful and distressed world.

Mark 16:15 is Jesus’ words: “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation’”. The words “Go into the world” is a command, a mandate, not an option. It does not say “just ask people into your church!” It says to go out into the world and bring Him to them. No one is beyond reach and no one is beyond God’s love. We need to take seriously words of Jesus and act like Him in this dark world. If every Bible-believing church and ministry in every city and town erected a prayer tent, think how much light would be shed, how many lives would be changed; and how your nation and the world would change for Jesus Christ!

 

                                   

 

 

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?

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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 spiritual mapping 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)

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.

Scriptures identify the fact that we are to do transformational warfare:

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.” We are called to war against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, etc.

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.”’ We are called to subdue the dark powers and take dominion over evil for God’s kingdom.

Isa 58: read the whole chapter. We are repairers of the breach.

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.” We can intercede to “undefile” the land and reverse curses. God is waiting and wanting for us to do this. We can change our cities and nations through intercession.

What defiles the land? There are many scriptures which identify what defiles the land and the people on that land. To “undefile,” we must stand in the gap, renounce and repent for the “first cause” of the sin defilement. God knows where and when this sin started, so just say “back to the first cause.” After renouncing and repenting, then plead the Blood of Jesus on that land and break the curses. Here are just a few scriptures regarding what defiles the land:

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.” Read the whole chapter to see what defiles the land and people.

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.”

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.” Now, since Jesus purchased for us this ability to do warfare through His death, burial, and resurrection, we can purify the land through standing in the gap, even if we were not involved.

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.”  This involves the mistreatment of foreigners who abide with you – abuse of foreigners defiles the land.

 

(copyright 2019 SPCM Melissa Nordell)

Sample Staking Scriptures

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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 land will 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 Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you”
  4. 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”
  5. Deut 28:12 “The Lord will 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 enemies and 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 rod and 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

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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” at: https://strategicprayercommandmin.com/2019/03/11/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)

 

Prophetic Dream: Is Jesus Coming Sooner? Or Later?

by strategicprayercommandmin, posted in Church, Jesus' return, Prophecy

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By Melissa Nordell

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

(1 Thess 5:1-2 KJV)

       I had a prophetic dream recently with 3 vivid scenes that happened one right after the other, and the symbolism was profound in its conclusion.

       In the first scene of the dream, I was in a house (representing the Church) where all the people were very concerned about politics and current news, talking, stressing, arguing, and protesting. It isn’t that we are not to be concerned with political issues, it was that they were not in the Word of God and not worshipping the Lord, not evangelizing, no effort to bring in the Harvest or to be ready for Jesus’ return, but spending all their time in political upheaval. God was definitely not their priority as politics was #1. In the dream, I heard the Lord say: “You don’t belong here, for I am coming soon.”

       I would in no manner want to downgrade the gifts of those called to the political mountain since it is so needed; what the Lord was saying in this dream is that many in the Church have their focus more on politics, not interceding enough, not asking God how to change what is wrong in the political arena, and most of all not in worship of the Lord. I had the feeling in the dream that some are so entirely focused on and so angry about current events that they may not hear the Lord’s last trumpet call when it sounds and were doing nothing to effect kingdom change.

       Next, in the second scene of the dream, I went into another big house (another aspect of the Church) where leaders were very concerned about the people who had missed a meeting or service, not in compassionate concern but deep in worry about a lack of the absent parishioner’s giving and whether the church was declining in attendance. I could see that the leaders felt that the people of the congregation “belonged” to them so these leaders spent most of their time trying to get the people to attend, counting attendance, trying to get back those who had left; but these leaders were not in the Word nor the Presence of God. They were not in faith, not asking God what He wanted them to do as far as worship, direction, and sermons. There was no dependency on the Lord but on man’s ideas of bringing people in. I saw no effort to evangelize here either, just worrying about the already-saved. Some leaders in this dream were saying that the people who had left were either lazy or complacent, with the leaders not seeing that the former congregants may have felt led to leave or wanted a different church for varying reasons. It seemed as if these leaders, as well, would not be able to hear the last trumpet call due to a wrong focus and worry.

       I saw much dirt and layers of old dust in this second “house,” which I knew represented religion. I saw clutter since many clothes were strewn all around the house, representing greed as I knew no one could use that many clothes, shoes, and jewelry. With all the various clutter, I also knew that there was no order in the house. I saw dirty dishes strewn all over as if they had just been socializing and no one wished to clean up. I knew this represented the emphasis on socializing; and not worship, not teaching, and not lovingly cleaning up the Bride.

And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but you have made it a den of thieves. (Matt 21:13 KJV)

       The first two houses represent aspects of His Church that God is concerned with and that need attention. Both represent churches and people who do not have their emphasis on what Jesus said the Church is to be: a house of prayer. These surely were not houses of worship unto the Lord as well but were mainly self-focused. Neither scene showed anyone spending time with Jesus, in His Presence.

       Then, in scene three I was outside a large old building with many people on the inside who represented another aspect of His Church. This was like an old building that housed many people on many different floors, and the fact that it was old represented that His Church has been around for a long time. As I was walking towards this huge Church, the Lord said to me: “You must get home quickly now (into this “house”) because your elder brother is coming soon” (Jesus is our elder brother).

       I went inside and hurriedly started to tidy up and throw out old and unnecessary things. I also began organizing the contents of the house for my special guest and changed the guest’s sheets as quickly as I could. As I was putting the sheets in a hamper, feeling like there was just a little more to do, I suddenly saw Jesus out the window, arriving in a stretch limousine driven by the heavenly host, some surrounding the limo, all very active and powerful.

       Jesus soon came into the Church, bounding up the stairs with such joy, skipping some of the many steps. When He entered, He questioned: “Now why did you think I was coming on the 31st?”

       I knew that myself and the other churchgoers were just not quite ready for Jesus to return even though we knew it would be sometime soon. The 31st day of the month represents “the last day(s)”; also meaning that we believed He would come a bit later than actuality.

 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (Rev 19:7 KJV)

       We know He is coming soon – but do we really realize how soon it will be? And are we interceding for His grand return? Are we interceding that the most people possible can be saved before He comes? Being often in many intercession circles, I rarely hear this type of intercession. Are we interceding and working for the Good News to reach the uttermost parts of the earth so all can hear it? Are we really working on the cleaning up of the Bride, ourselves, and getting things in order?

That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Eph 5:27 KJV)

       The question is also raised: are we really listening for that last trumpet blast, ready at a moment’s notice? Do we just think these times show minor birth pangs or is the head for the birth already crowning?

Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. (Matt 24:7-8 NLT)

       As the Lord indicated in this dream, He is sounding the alarm to alert the Church as to the urgency of the hour. The Church needs to recognize this severity and impending closeness of the hour – that He is coming sooner than later. We must be ready for His return, both individually and corporately, with a cleaned-up, spotless Bride, fully ready for the Groom.

       Two days later  I had another dream in which the Lord said that intercessors have been working hard on the transformation of cities, but that He wants transformational intercessors to now concentrate in strategic warfare for the transformation of the Church at large, making the Bride ready.

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (Matt 24:42-44 KJV)