Battle Plan

Over the last few months God’s been nudging me about prayer, and I’ve heard it louder and louder the past few weeks. I’m a little embarrassed to admit, but prayer has never been a central part of my life. In most instances, it’s been half hearted at best. Over the last year or two it’s become more of a conversation throughout my day, but it’s never been a fervent, intentional practice.

My husband and I watched the War Room a few weeks ago. Holy smokes! If you haven’t watched this movie, I strongly encourage you to, and if you have, watch it again! We both sat with tears streaming down our faces. I thought to myself, “God, how I’ve missed the mark!” It stirred something in my spirit for more.

As I’ve been thinking about prayer, the Muslims came to mind. Did you know they have five specific times in the day they are called to pray? Five! I thought to myself, “I struggle with five minutes sometimes!” What if we had that kind of discipline, because it is discipline.

Let’s be honest in the flesh we don’t want to spend our spare time on our knees praying. It's work! Instead, what do we do? We sit for hours streaming on our TVs or scrolling through social media on our phones. When I think about all the time I’ve wasted.

In 2 Chronicles 7:14 it says, “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.” I think the key word here is IF. Who can attest our land could use some healing!

Over the last month, our church has been praying for a move of God. As I was praying a few Sundays ago, I had this vision of people walking in the back doors of the sanctuary, and as they did, chains we’re falling off of them. Freedom was my word for last year, and it’s transcended from my life to the people around me, my community, and the world.

I truly believe what I saw was the Freedom God wants to bring. It’s the healing of our land. Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness the prisoners.”

But, IF. I keep writing down personal revival. A few weeks ago, Pastor Justin said, “Revival doesn’t come when the world stops acting like the world. Revival will come when the church starts acting like the church.” This Sunday Pastor Stevie shared, “proof of our desire is in our pursuit.” He also shared a quote from Leonard Ravenhill, “the only reason we don’t have revival is because we are willing to live without it.” I wrote down Sunday, “Maybe YOU are the key to revival in your church.”

And for those of you who have been praying and feel worn, the resignation is creeping in. You have a Jericho you’ve been circling around for months, some years. I have a word for you.

Last week, I was circling my own Jericho sowing in tears when this song came on Brandon Lake- Don’t You Give Up On Me.

I see you, child Though you can't see me And I know your thoughts Before you even think I heard every last prayer you prayed Though I answered all the time You just didn't hear my reply And I know it's not easy,

Don't you give up on me Don't you give up on me 'Cause the darker the night gets The brighter the light hits Don't you give up on me Don't you give up on me You ain't seen what I promised Child, we're just getting started

Oh-oh-oh-oh There is so much more Oh-oh-oh-oh

I'll be your way When there's no way out And I'll be your strength When your strength runs out And if you walk into the fire I'll be right there in the flames I wouldn't have it any other way 'Cause loving you is easy, yeah

Don't you give up on me Don't you give up on me

Friend don’t give up! “You haven’t seen what he’s promised yet. Don’t lose your hope and faith because that’s where your fight is!”

“The heavenly father does not ask for golden vessels. He does not ask for silver vessels. God asks for yielded vessels. Those who will submit their will to the will of the father. The greatest human attainment in all the world is for a life to be so surrendered to Him that the name of God Almighty will be glorified through that life.” ~Kathryn Kuhlman – 2 Timothy 2:21 “If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”

Warrior- Steven Curtis Chapman

1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”

Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Ephesians 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.”