"The Parable of the Sand Bucket" - Dr. Theresa Phillips

"The Parable of the Sand Bucket"

Dr. Theresa Phillips, Saint Charles, IL

The Elijah List

While in prayer recently, I sensed the SHIFT coming...or I thought. We have all heard about it, but somehow I sensed it has already begun, or did it?

I heard the Lord's voice say, "I know the sorrows, the defeats, the accusers, and the battles you are facing and have been in. BUT, be of good cheer, I overcame these obstacles of the world."

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

I became quiet, and I then simply and honestly said, "Lord, I do love that, BUT that has not changed anything. I'm still in this battle, and I FEEL NO RELEASE."

Silence engulfed the room. Had I offended Jesus? Had I sinned? All this keeps coming at me...why the silent treatment? I wanted to weep and realized I was.

Suddenly I felt a presence. It came in subtly, perhaps always there. But suddenly I felt it. Then I looked up and saw a swirling in the air to my left. I know the presence was strong enough to be seen and felt, and for that I became thankful.

I was still needing HIM to help me. I WAS HURTING deeply. Anyone else feel like this?

Then I had a vision. I saw what looked like a child's hand shovel that one would play with in the sand, and the bucket. (Photo via Pixabay)

Then, I heard this: "Put the sand in the bucket." So, I began to do so. I could feel the warm sand. The sun had been beating down on the sand a long time; it was baked by the sun.

While I was filling this bucket, the Lord spoke to me again: "Theresa."

"Yes, Lord."

"I know your pain."

I didn't answer.

"Do you see the sand?"

"Yes, Lord, I do."

"Look past the bucket." I did; the beach was ahead of me. "Those grains of sand are representing the trials the people of the world had been suffering. I'm showing you how much has been suffering all over the world." (Photo via Pixabay)

I was feeling a bit small, and waiting for the rebuke. It never came. What came was astonishing...and so needed.

Then He said, "Theresa."

"Yes, Lord."

"See your bucket?"

"Yes, Jesus, I do!"

"Can you count the grains of sand?"

"No, Jesus, I cannot."

"Well, My child, I can. I know exactly how many grains are in the bucket."

"Thank You, Lord."

"Theresa, the bucket is in My hand. Fear not; I am with you!"

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

"I am carrying your pain to My Father, and I will not let one grain of sand fall. NOT ONE! Because I care for you, and I want you to know you can trust Me, for I value you!" (Photo via Pixabay)

Now I was in tears of joy and fear. The legalistic side of me was about to repent, when He spoke my name clearly, "Theresa."

"Yes, Lord!"

"No fear. Thank you for asking for My help. I live to make intercession for you."

"Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them." Hebrews 7:25

One begins to whimper like a small child when comforted...and I was doing just that. The Comforter had come. Holy Spirit showed me that while many are in the same battles, mine were just as important as anyone else's. I had been loved by the Lover of my soul. He lives...

Then He spoke again: "Now, Theresa, go strengthen your brethren. Tell them I have their buckets too. They need to know this too."

Then this Scripture flooded my heart:

"Simon, Simon, behold, satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers" (Luke 22:31-32).

I was being sifted, NOT shifted as I was thinking. Perhaps you are too! (Photo by T.K. Naliaka via Wikimedia Commons)

Then I began to understand... Is it possible many of us have not seen the victory as we hear many are saying we already have? Could the process not be completed? 

We are being refined, and we are being prepared for what may come. Our bucket may not be full, and so on.

In the meantime, I have chosen to desire to give strength to the weary, hope to the broken, and love to the hated. I guess I'm singing, "To be like Jesus...to be like Jesus," that's all I ask is to be like Him (song by Sovereign Grace Music, 2009).

I offer this word from a position of grace, because it is by grace one is saved. He knows us...and He is doing something for us: He is interceding for us to the Father, for no one can come to the Father but by Him.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6

Thank You, Jesus! Thank You! Thank You!

Dr. Theresa Phillips
Global Prophetic Voice

Email:GlobalProphetic@aol.com
Website: GlobalPropheticVoice.com

Dr Theresa Phillips is an ordained apostle under Dr. Renny McLean of Global Glory Ministries. She is Senior Pastor and founder of Praise Ministries Church and Christian Seminary in St. Charles, Illinois. She has served there for 24 years. Her ministry spans 28 years, seeing many signs and wonders, including eight risen from the dead. She has authored eight books, recorded one album, and is often commissioned to write poetry. 

Her knowledge of God's glory and His ever-advancing monarchy of Heaven is known by many. She is a regular contributor to the Elijah List and she is also the editor of GlobalPropheticVoice.com, an online publication of prophecy and prophetic glory. Theresa often moves in the prophetic gifts and word of knowledge.

To subscribe to The Elijah List go to:http://elijahlist.com/subscribe

Angelic Hosts Are Stirring in the Waters of America

 5/12/2015 LANA VAWSER  charisma magazine

Does God still have confidence in the White House? (Wikimedia Commons )

I saw the Lord's heart for the United States of America to be raised up as a flag of testimony to other nations. As much as it is steeped in such darkness and has moved away from its first love, Jesus, it can be turned back, in Jesus name. 

The Lord is wanting to bring about a great turning in the United States and set her high on a hill to shine to all the other nations of the world, releasing a Song of Victory across the entire earth that a nation can be turned around by the power of prayer and His people moving together in one accord in intercession. 

As the people of God prayed and cried out to the Lord, I saw angelic hosts in the core of the United States of America and they were stirring the waters. They were stirring the waters to bring healing and restoration into the nation. As the people of God cried out and prophesied His words, living in the divine echo of what He was saying, these waters were then being released into many parts of the USA. The Lord wants to heal the land of the United States, bringing life again into places that have dried up and died. 

I then heard the Lord say, "Do you believe these dry bones can live?" 

"He said to me, 'Son of man, can these bones live?' And I answered, 'O Lord God, You know.' Again He said to me, 'Prophesy over these bones and say to them, "O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord." Thus says the Lord God to these bones, "Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life. I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin and put breath in you that you may come alive; and you will know that I am the Lord."'

"So, I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. And I looked, and behold, sinews were on them, and flesh grew and skin covered them; but there was no death in them. Then He said to me, 'Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, "Thus says the Lord God, 'Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life.'" So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army" (Ezek. 37:3-10).

The Lord wants us to align with Him, with what He is saying—to declare and believe that the dry bones of the United States of America CAN live. 

The four winds of God are coming to breathe upon the United States of America. Strong winds will be seen in the natural as a prophetic sign of the four winds of heaven coming into the USA to break the hold of the spirit of death over the nation and bring it to life again.

People of God, it is important in this time of prayer and fasting to be declaring the things the Lord shows you over the United States of America. The destiny of the United States hangs in the balance. He is asking His people, "Prophesy to these dry bones." Put your ears to His chest and listen to what He is saying and speak it out. Be the echo of heaven over this beautiful nation. 

I then saw many of the people of God so discouraged and despaired over the government of the United States of America. 

I saw Jesus come to each one, one by one and He took them in His arms and He spoke with such love and kindness and He said:

"It is not over yet. Not all is lost. Continue to declare My goodness, My kindness and love into the White House. Continue to declare encounters with My love and goodness into the White House."

I then saw Daniels arising all over the world being raised up for such a time as this to move into governmental arenas in the United States of America bringing His hope, His love and His goodness into it. I saw as these Daniels were rising up and moving into governmental areas and there was a wave of His love moving into the White House. 

Encounters with Jesus are coming into the White House as the people of God pray. It is not over yet. Not all is lost. Continue to declare His goodness, kindness and love into the White House. For the Lord desires the White House to be a place that is governed from purity and righteousness. He has not given up on the White House and He does not want His people to give up on it too. A shaking is coming to the White House and as the people of God pray, the shaking may tip into God's desire and destiny for the United States.

People of God, you have been prepared for such a time as this. Your hands have been trained for war and fingers for battle. He is calling His people together in unison to declare and sing a song of victory over the USA. Sing a song of victory even before you see it. The army of God is moving forward. This is a significant time in the United States history. United States of America, it's time to come to life!

Lana Vawser has a heart to encourage the body of Christ and individuals in their walks with Jesus; deeper intimacy with Him; and learning to hear His voice. She operates in the prophetic and loves to share the heart of God with others. Lana has written her first book, titled Desperately Deep—Developing Deep Devotion and Dialogue with Jesus, and loves to see others grow in all that God has for them.

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"The Incense of Intercessory Prayer – Prayers Have the Potential to Alter History!" - Bobby Conner

"The Incense of Intercessory Prayer – Prayers Have the Potential to Alter History!"

Bobby Conner, Bullard, TX

The Elijah List

Never underestimate your prayers. Your prayer life is a sweet fragrance before the face of Almighty God! Our prayers are a vital part of the worship and adoration at the throne of God. It is important to understand what the Word of God has to say concerning what happens to our prayers in the heavenly realm.

"Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." Revelation 5:8 NKJV

This passage gives outstanding Divinely inspired insights and revelatory information concerning the value of our prayers uttered on earth. What our prayers accomplish is absolutely awesome.

Your prayers have the potential to alter history! 

Many of the defining moments in the affairs of mankind are the result of someone's prayers. Truly our prayers move the hand of God.

Today we discover that the Church is at a crossroads and in transition, the saints of God must spend time in God's presence, and asking for divine wisdom and Holy Spirit guidance (see James 1:5). It is almost unbelievable to think that the cries of our soul on earth have such a place of prominence in Heaven. 

It is truly stunning to note what Scripture reveals is taking place in Heaven's realm because of our prayers.

A Place of Prominence Before God's Throne

Our prayers have a place of prominence before the Lamb upon His throne in Heaven. Each golden bowl is filled with the flowing fragrance of the incense of our prayers that are ever rising before the Lamb. The aroma of faith-filled prayers is scenting the throne of Heaven. Our prayers, being precious and extremely valuable in Heaven, are caught and kept in vessels of the purest gold.

Many times the foe of our soul, satan himself, will seek to hinder and even stop us from praying by slandering and saying, "It's no use! God will not hear nor heed your prayers." We must be reminded that every time the devil speaks, he speaks a lie (see John 8:44). A lie is the direct opposite of the truth, so be encouraged when the enemy tries to lie to you in that way. If he attempts to convince and persuade you that your prayers are worthless, understand the truth: your prayers are powerful and priceless.

Be confident of this fact: your prayers are heard in Heaven and watched over by powerful, holy angels. The Word of God contains countless precious promises of God's willingness to answer our prayers. The Spirit of God is releasing an anointing for intercession on an extremely high level.

All across the nations saints are being mobilized to pray. It is awesome and thrilling to see prayer meetings are beginning to take place in many of our public schools once again. Powerful prayer gatherings are being led by some outstanding, young radicals who have one goal in mind—establishing God's Kingdom on earth. (Photo via National Day of Prayer)

We can clearly see from these verses that our prayers are priceless. We read in Revelation 8:3-5: "And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake."

One can clearly see that our prayers always result in action. Never forget your prayer engages Heaven's action. We would be blessed to take time to observe some of the examples of answered prayer in Scripture. One such example is the Church praying for Peter and the Lord dispatching a mighty angel to deliver Peter from certain death and prison.

Observing the prayer spoken by the Church in Acts 12 on Peter's behalf, we clearly see this was a life and death situation. James had been beheaded and the same fate was facing the Apostle Peter. However, Scripture states, "Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him" (see Acts 12:1-12). This reminds us that nothing is too hard for God (see Genesis 18:14). Our prayers release the hand of God to move on our behalf.

Prayer Produces Results

When your prayers are spoken on earth and begin to ascend before the throne of God, Heaven begins to respond and things are shaken. Notice when the disciples prayed there was an earthquake, "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God with boldness" (Acts 4:31). Never forget that prayer is a powerful force.

In Revelation 8:3-5 we see not only was there an earthquake but also, lightnings which speaks of God's light and power being released when our prayers are released from Heaven back to earth. Thunderings and noises speak of the "Word of God being released." Our prayers release an awesome response from Heaven. When God's voice speaks we will again see the entire world shaken (see Exodus 19:10-20).

Prayer moves the hand of God. God can do anything (see Job 42:2). The question is posed in Genesis 18:14, "Is any thing too hard for the LORD?" 

As we enter into the realm of the prayer of faith we will discover that absolutely nothing is impossible with God.

God has made us a promise that if we will ask, He will answer. We read this powerful promise in Jeremiah 33:3 which states, "Call unto Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you know not." Prayer makes visible the things that have been concealed. The word "mighty" is literally "fenced in" with the connotation of being "cut off " or "inaccessible." In this we understand that God has many things to reveal to us and through us, but we will never receive them unless we call to Him in believing prayer.

God is able to reveal that which has formerly been hidden and He is committed to deliver and to preserve His people. In Deuteronomy 29:29, we discover that God has some secrets that He desires to release to us, if we are willing to set our hearts to seek Him: "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."

This truth is revealed again in Isaiah 48:6, which states, "You have heard, see all this; and will not you declare it? I have shown you new things from this time, even hidden things, and you did not know them."

Our prayers release God to reveal the things that He desires to show us. Remember the warning, "We have not because we ask not." It is time to claim the promises, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you," (Matthew 7:7).

Once, in a prophetic experience, I was caught up into Heaven, into something like a large warehouse filled with arms, legs, hands, feet, and eyes. Stunned I questioned, "What are these things?" and was told, "This is what you can have restored on earth if you will pray, believing." 

In that moment I was painfully aware that much more is available to us if we truly approach the throne of God with pure faith. We have not, because we ask not. It is the Father's good pleasure to give to us the Kingdom. (Photo via flickr)

Prayer was never intended to be a monologue but rather a dialogue. What is a monologue? It is when one person is doing the talking. God promised us that if we would ask, He would answer. There are two sides to true prayer – the human and the heavenly. The human is the asking; the heavenly is the answering. In Psalm 91:15 God states, "He shall call upon Me, and I shall answer him..."

Jesus stated in Matthew 21:22 these encouraging words concerning the promise of answered prayer, "And all things, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive." There is a readiness in the heart of God to answer true prayer. In Isaiah 65:24 God promises, "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Answered prayer will always release an overflow of joy and raise our confidence in God (see John 16:24).

Bobby Conner
EaglesView Ministries

Email: manager@bobbyconner.org
Website: BobbyConner.org

Bobby Conner: This "Gentle Giant" is uniquely anointed with refreshing humor and razor-sharp prophetic accuracy, which has been documented around the world. Bobby's dynamic capacity to release outstanding demonstrations of the miraculous – healings, signs and wonders – reveals the very heart of the Father toward us! Surviving a dramatic abortion attempt by his mother, being rescued again by the hand of God from drug dealing and suicide, the story of Bobby Conner is a display of a man who now walks in his God-ordained destiny to set others free! Highly esteemed as an internationally acclaimed conference speaker, Bobby has ministered effectively to over 45 foreign countries as well as here in the States for many years.

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Prophetic Dream: A Nasharite Army Is Rising in America - JEREMIAH JOHNSON

Prophetic Dream: A Nasharite Army Is Rising in America

3/3/2015 JEREMIAH JOHNSON  charisma magazine

(Facebook)

On Feb. 16, 2015, I had a prophetic dream where I saw two armies who were facing one another on American soil. One army had a flag that said, "Prayer Movement" and the other army had a flag that said, "Awakening Movement." Riding on white horses, two generals of the movements came out to meet one another.

As these generals gathered, the Spirit of God spoke to me in the dream and said, "These men and these movements must join together to fulfill my purposes in America. For surely intercession gives birth to awakening and awakening gives birth to more intercession. This three-chord strand cannot be easily broken. Many moves of My Spirit have known intercession unto awakening, but I am releasing awakening unto intercession in America that will sustain the coming outpouring of My Spirit. The awakening that is coming to America will give birth to many houses of prayer."

As the Holy Spirit spoke this, these prayer and awakening generals got off their horses and took off their helmets. They got down on their knees and extended a hand to one another. As they grasped hands, lightning from heaven struck the ground and a great shaking began to take place in America. The two armies that were facing one another began to embrace and sharpen one another's swords.

The Spirit of God spoke again in the dream and said, "This is My Nasharite Army that will fulfill My end-time purposes in America. They will intercede for awakening and out of awakening in America will come much intercession. It is not enough to pray for awakening, this Nasharite army must pray through awakening."

In a previous dream on May 5, 2014, I was given greater insight into this Nasharite army as I found myself in a medieval-looking city with thousands of saints who were oppressed and fearful because the enemy had laid siege to the city. I began to rally the people and tell them not to be afraid. Suddenly, several key leaders of the prayer movement in Kansas City, Missouri, appeared and told the people to get ready for battle.

As the army assembled, I began to prophesy in the dream and say, "For every one voice of awakening that God is raising up in America, He is releasing seven voices of prophetic intercession that will prepare the way for the coming revival." This Nasharite army carries the DNA of man named Daniel Nash who at age 48, gave himself to prayer for the meetings of revivalist Charles Finney during the Second Great Awakening in America. Nash would go into territories before Finney's revival meetings and travail and intercede until he won heaven's blessing upon the meetings.

Similar to Daniel Nash, I believe God is raising up a Nasharite army in this hour who will not only cry out for awakening, but labor in the secret place to see it come to pass. As awakening comes, it will be the fuel that drives these men and women back to the place of prayer. It was said that when Daniel Nash died, the ministry of Charles Finney ended. We cannot underestimate the power of prophetic intercession and how directly connected it is to awakening and revival. We must move past simply showing up to revival services and actually give ourselves as believers to travail and intercession. As we begin to experience the burden of God for our generation and watch Him release awakening, it must drive us even further into abiding in Him. Apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5).

I prophesy that a uniting of the prayer and awakening movements is coming to America. There will be many strategic gatherings of awakening generals and prayer generals to release the word of the Lord and to deliver clear prayer agendas to the body of Christ. I see a Nasharite army rising in America whose bread is travail and whose water is awakening. These men and women will intercede for awakening and when it comes, it will be a sign to pray some more. We must see awakening sustained in America through a consistent lifestyle of prayer and fasting. There is not other way forward.

Want to know more about the next great move of God? Click here to see Jennifer LeClaire's new book, featuring Dutch Sheets, Reinhard Bonnke, Jonathan Cahn, Billy Graham and others.

Jeremiah Johnson is the servant leader of Heart of the Father Ministry in Lakeland, Florida. A gifted teacher, book author, and prophetic minister, Jeremiah travels extensively throughout the United States and abroad as a conference and guest speaker. Jeremiah and his wife, Morgan, reside in Florida with their two children: Bella Grace and Israel David.

For more information please visit: unknowndreamerministries.com.

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Urgent Call for Intercession Over Franklin Graham - JENNIFER LECLAIRE

Urgent Call for Intercession Over Franklin Graham

 2/20/2015 JENNIFER LECLAIRE  charisma news

Franklin Graham (Courtesy/BGEA)

Billy Graham was a pastor to presidents and certainly addressed the moral slide in America as far back as the 1950s, but Franklin Graham seems to be wearing his dad's mantle on steroids.

The once prodigal son is not shrinking back from hot button cultural and political issues—he actually pointed to Jezebel Scriptures in the book of Revelation to describe the condition of America and is speaking bluntly about transgender bathrooms—nor does he mince words about Islam.

Franklin Graham even dared to rebuke President Obama at a time when other Christian leaders are embracing Chrislam.

Why is Graham so bold? Because he sees an Islamic storm coming against America. Although he's not a Pentecostal spiritual warrior that prays in the spirit and binds devils, he has strong discernment and enough boldness to go toe-to-toe with the principalities and powers that have targeted Christians for destruction.

Franklin Graham is saying what most politicians, pastors, news pundits and others refuse to say: Islam is not a religion of peace.

Do Peaceful Religions Do This?

"For Muslims, peace comes only through submission to Islam. When they speak of peace, they mean submission to their religion," Graham says. "Worldwide, tens of thousands of men, women and children have been slaughtered in the name of Allah, under the bloody flag of Islam."

Graham made it clear to Obama, who appears at best a Muslim sympathizer, that followers of a peaceful religion do not cut off the heads of innocent people in the barbaric fashion the world has watched recently. He told Obama that believers in a peaceful religion do not kidnap 300 young schoolgirls as Boko Haram did in northeastern Nigeria in April and reportedly sell them to men to be sex slaves.

Hoping Obama would get the point, Graham told him men who practice a peaceful religion do not detonate bombs on an American street during a marathon race to kill and maim innocent people. He said no one who belongs to a peaceful religion would even consider hijacking jet airliners and flying them into buildings occupied by thousands of innocent people beginning their workday, as happened in this country and in this city on 9/11.

"Mr. President—no peaceful religion would tolerate, let alone practice, female circumcision, require a woman to have her husband's permission to leave her home and take up employment and restrict her ability to receive justice in the case of sex crimes," Graham says. ""Mr. President—a peaceful religion would not condone and allow a father to drown a daughter in a swimming pool in front of the family in the name of family honor because she might have stayed out late in the evening with her boyfriend, Mr. President—why haven't the 3.5 million Muslims in North America rejected this gross, barbaric and despicable behavior by their fellow Muslims on American soil?"

Obama Gives Islam a Pass

The righteous are as bold as a lion (see Prov. 28:1). Franklin Graham fits that description in his unrelenting campaign to expose Islam for what it really is—and for confronting an American president who some are starting to wonder is sleeping with the enemy. In fact, Obama told Fox News that Obama "only knows Islam" and therefore fails to use the term "radical Islam" when discussing Islamic terrorists.

"His mother was married to a Muslim. His father was a Muslim," Graham said during an "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren" interview. "Then she married a man from Indonesia. He was raised in Indonesia. Went to Islamic schools. I assume she was a Muslim. So his whole life, his experiences have been surrounded by Islam. He only knows Islam. And he has given a pass to Islam."

Graham is not afraid to speak directly to Islamic terrorists, either. Graham is pointing to Romans 14:11, Philippians 2:10 and Isaiah 45:23 in his latest response to Muslim terrorism.

"The evil of ISIS really shouldn't shock us—it is fully in keeping with their ultimate agenda of hastening a final apocalypse," Graham wrote on his Facebook page. "God's Word tells us that there will be a final battle one day, but it will result in the defeat of Satan and all those allied with him. One thing is for sure—one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Amen.

IHOPKC's Mike Bickle last month called for believers to support and pray for Graham as he has "boldly yet tenderly taken a biblical stance in warning America in relation to Islam, gay marriage and several other important subjects."

I'm making an even more fervent call for intercessors to rise up and pray for Graham day and night. The enemy would like nothing more than to silence this mouthpiece for God who is confronting and pushing back darkness in our generation. Likewise, those who subscribe to anti-Christ agendas are raging against his voice. Saints, let's make it a priority to lift up Graham in prayer, wage spiritual warfare against the attacks on his life and bless his ministry. Amen? 

Jennifer LeClaire is senior editor of Charisma. She is also director of Awakening House of Prayer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and author of several books, including The Making of a Prophet and Satan's Deadly Trio: Defeating the Deceptions of Jezebel, Religion and Witchcraft. You can visit her website here. You can also join Jennifer on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.

Unless otherwise specified, the opinions expressed are solely the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Charisma Media.

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PRAYING FOR YOU by Morris Ruddick

PRAYING FOR YOU (c)  Morris Ruddick In Memory of Our Grandson Isaiah Bird April 1, 2004 - December 24, 2014 "Been praying for you."  How often do we hear, as well as voice these meaningful words? Praying for one another and depending on the prayers of others can be critical, with the substance behind these words deserving closer examination. Several years ago, on an overseas mission, I recall a time when I entered into a situation with an outcome that only could be redeemed by God. Not even having the presence of mind to know what to pray for at the time, I found myself desperately crying out: "Lord, mobilize some intercessors to pray for me!" Within minutes, I had a calm descend upon me, with an awareness of being prayed for -- and the impossible situation was indeed redeemed. At the other extreme, I recall a time when, at the urging of a friend in ministry, I spent some time praying with a brother who had hit a season of turbulence. I continued with follow-through for him in my own prayer closet. Some time passed without hearing from him. Then I got a note from him expressing annoyance at receiving a quarterly prayer letter from me. Despite the demands on his time, this man had taken far more time to express his displeasure in my asking for his prayers, than it would have taken to just shoot up a couple of covering prayers. Even genuinely called intercessors can hit times when the pressures mount and priorities are not clear. Yet, the reality is that there are times when confronted with spiritual challenges that extend beyond our own faith and prayers in which it is the prayers of others that become the deciding factor. It is the way the Body is supposed to operate. While not every believer is called as an intercessor, we are all called to intercede. For each of us, we have entered a time in which the words of the prophet Samuel should be a constant reminder: "God forbid, that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you." 1 Samuel 12:23 We each have vulnerabilities that can be compensated for -- by the prayers of others.  Peter Wagner wisely advises that those in ministry should have a prayer shield of those who pray for them. His model for a prayer shield includes a handful who serve as a frequent-contact inner circle; a second level of those with whom we are in regular contact, but not with the frequency or detail of the inner circle; and then a third and larger group who we only connect with periodically with a big-picture outlook of developments. The Reciprocity Factor Relationships that carry the expectation of people praying for you cannot extend very far, without operating in reciprocity. Reciprocity is a mutual dependence, activity or influence. It is a cooperative exchange of effort or considerations between two parties, with each looking out for the other. It is a relational thing that in effect serves the common, but higher good. Reciprocity takes maturity and trust to operate. The trust for reciprocity stands on a maturity that is never afraid to risk supporting others and working cooperatively. It operates openly and both ways. The apostle Paul expressed it this way in his letter to the Galatians: "Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." Reciprocity in intercession is a significant reflection of the Body operating maturely because of the way it facilitates the paving of new ground that neither party could have accomplished without the other. Reciprocity will be a key factor as the Body faces a season marked by great turbulence and change. Reciprocity and the combined authority it evokes will have a unique bearing on advancing the Kingdom. On the other hand, there is a need for wisdom as it relates to the manner in which we extend our availability. Wisdom is needed from the Spirit to avoid overcommitments or matters that would inadvertently distract or suck life from us. God forbid that mature believers should ever fall short in extending reciprocity.  Operating as a giver of Life, rather than being a taker, was reflected in Paul's words that expressed both the cost and the supernatural impact tied to being Life-givers. "That the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed-always carrying about in this body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body." 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 God forbid that our zeal for accomplishment in our own callings should blind or override our ability to have a balance in bearing the burdens of those within our sphere. Judas was the epitome of one-way relationships that never quite grasps the reality of the higher good and approaches relationships as a means to their own end. In a word, Judas was a taker and not a giver. He didn't trust, because in his arrogance he knew he couldn't be trusted. He failed not only because his zeal blinded him to what God was doing, but also because he misused the authority of his position to do his thing independently. The Judas factor illustrates an immature purpose-driven zeal built on an outdated and distorted model. "God forbid, that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you." Levels of Intercession Not unlike Dr. Wagner's model for prayer shields, our model for praying for others should encompass different response levels based on a mix and balance of the burden from the Lord and the relationship with the individual. The most basic level would involve simply lifting the name of a person before God's throne of grace and asking for blessing and fulfillment in their lives. An intermediate-level response might suggest a more robust form of intercession as described in Ezekiel 22:30. "I sought for a man among them who would make up the hedge and stand in the gap."  This involves discerning the gap or lack in the situation-and then praying in faith with the appropriate scriptures that seal off that gap. Then, the highest level of intercession is what old-time Pentecostals refer to as "praying through" or travailing in prayer until there is a release that affirms that the answer is at hand. Holding the Rope Within these levels of intercession is an illustration in Acts 9:25 of "holding the rope." This is the story of when the brethren saved Paul's life from the plots of his persecutors by letting him down the city wall in a basket at night. Those holding the rope of the basket being lowered, which held Paul, illustrate the role that our intercession plays in the lives of those in our sphere. There will be times when there is only one or two whose spiritual alertness is such that the rope will even be held. Sadly, there are times in which the zeal, the preoccupations and the distractions can be such that there are none to hold the rope. This should not be so. Again, our willing readiness to grab and then hang onto the rope will be determined by a mix between the burden from the Lord and the relationship with the individual. The degree to which we sacrifice for others in holding the rope or standing in the gap is a mark of spiritual maturity. However, the degree to which the Body is functioning in maturity by standing in the gap or holding the rope for those within their spheres, at each level, was spoken of in Paul's letter to the Ephesians. "From whom the whole body, being fitted and held together ??by what every joint supplies, according to the ?proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself ??in love."  Ephesians 4:16 "Been praying for you!" Core Prayer Issues Abiding in God's Presence. Foremost at the core of praying for others is the reality of the time we spend in God's presence. That time is not designed as an exercise or an obligation. There should be a passion for His presence that turns us into firebrands who go around igniting revival. What we impart to others should be an overflow from that time spent with Him. "That the excellence of the power may be of God and not us."  2 Corinthians 4:7 While we each need time alone with the Lord, our lives should simultaneously reflect an ongoing consciousness of His presence, a reciprocal flow of spiritual oneness. Jesus described this ongoing oneness with the relational dynamic He had with the Father:"The Son can do nothing of Himself, He can only do what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son does also. For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all that He is doing." John 5:19, 20 This truth parallels what Jesus imparted about our "abiding" in Him. "I am the vine and you are the branches, whoever abides in Me, and I in Him will bear much fruit. Apart from Me, you can do nothing. But if you abide in Me and my words abide in you, you will ask what you will and it will be given you." John 15:5-7 The closer we are to "abiding" when we pray, the closer we are to knowing WHAT to pray, in order to bring results in a given circumstance. THIS is spiritual reciprocity in action -- the dynamic designed to overflow into the way the Body as a whole functions. The Apostle James' decree that broke long-standing Jewish traditions for Gentile converts reflected this reciprocal abiding unity when he said, "it seems good to the Holy Spirit and to us."  Acts 15:28 Imparting the Presence of God. In John 15:13-15 Jesus outlines a level of reciprocity that marks seasoned, mature believers. It is the lifeblood for operating as instruments of God's purpose with results that defy what we consider as the natural order of things. It involves embracing and then extending the presence and friendship of God to those bound by the devil and the precepts of men. Psalm 15 is a bedrock truth that outlines the parameters for operating in and extending the friendship and presence of God. It deals with some nitty-gritty issues, such as slander and reproach that are tied to how we should be responding to members of the household of faith. Yet, at its core pivots the truth of "walking in integrity, working righteousness and speaking truth in our heart." For our time in the presence of the Lord to be real, approaching His presence has the requisite of speaking truth in our own hearts. That should not be confused with obsessive introspection. However, it is foundational to extending the love and grace of God. It also means that for us to be able to stand in the gap for others, without being spiritually pummeled as a result, we need to have a realistic appraisal of what is operating in our own hearts. Operating in our Sphere of Authority. Each of us has a sphere of authority that is tied to our calling. The parameters of that sphere vary with each of us.  However, a realistic grasp of the individual scope of that sphere for the mature believer defines a very powerful arena when it comes to petitioning the Lord on behalf of others. Moses reasoned with the Lord following the Israelite's transgressions in the wilderness. Nehemiah petitioned the Lord on behalf of restoring Israel's dominion over Jerusalem. Yet, beyond the boundaries of our individual spheres are thresholds that will require a combined authority to truly see the answers to our petitions manifest. It is why unity within the Body is so important to issues such as transformation and the miraculous. While the importance of individual time in the presence of the Lord can never be diminished or sacrificed, there is special power in prayer that results from the meshing of anointings that reflects an overlap in the "authority spheres" of those praying together for common purposes. The Spontaneity to Pray When these core issues converge, there will come a spontaneity-for-prayer-and with that spontaneity, a new level of the Body functioning in maturity. Body maturity and the increase of the miraculous can be expected to go hand in hand. For the miraculous to become the mode rather than the exception is going to require a shift within the Body. While many within the Body do flow on this level, far, far too many are still guided by the precepts of men and operating according to their own strengths as described by 2 Corinthians 4:7. It is a path that falls short. The shift is from the self-focused mind-set to mind-sets that are intent on imparting Life. Evelyn Roberts used to speak about bringing God into the "everydayness" of our lives. The gap in the dichotomy between the lives we live and the meetings we attend to get a mere touch of His presence should and can be bridged by entering the place in which His presence is ongoing. Jesus gave a lot of focus to teaching on prayer. Transforming, miraculous prayer is an activity for every believer, rather than it being reserved for those who might be referred to as "the God squad." It was at the core of the vibrancy and spontaneity of the Jesus movement in the late 1960s and the 1970s. Jesus modeled our priority for prayer and the importance of our time in God's presence by spending entire nights with the Father. However, at a time when everything that Jesus had come to do was converging and in the crucible, the forces working against our seizing the initiative in prayer is illustrated by Jesus' own inner circle falling asleep. While at Gethsemane, Peter, James and John were simply unable to stay awake to keep watch and pray with Him-for even an hour. Yet, simultaneously, in that very hour, Jesus' own travail in prayer was of such a fervor, that the scripture (Luke 22:44) describes it as Jesus agonizing in prayer to the degree that His sweat was as great drops of blood falling to the ground. The Apostle James outlined the dimensions of a range of needs and our prayer-response to them. He began with those who were afflicted or suffering evil by telling them simply, to go pray. So often when we're oppressed or depressed, we look for someone to do something for us. James simply said the answer is to get alone with the Lord-and to pray. James went on to note, that if someone is sick, that it will require getting others involved-to pray over the one who is sick. When that occurs he tells us that the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick and the Lord will raise Him up. Then he adds something else. He says: "And if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven."  Then James gives the admonition to be open in our relationships by being real about our sins and shortcomings -- AND to pray for one another. This is the model for the type of spontaneous gathering together that happens when there is revival in the air. It is from that point, that he takes a jump to describing Elijah as having been a man with a nature no different from ours; yet who prayed fervently and saw remarkable things happen. So it should be with us today. The scope of matters covered by James brings this conclusion to the issue of "been praying for you." Prayer needs to be ongoing. It needs to be spontaneous. We should each have what weapons' specialists call a hair-trigger to pray. A hair trigger is one that you barely touch and it goes off. It relates to bringing the Lord into the equation in each dimension of our lives. It should be the natural order of things. When we hear the words "been praying for you," it should evoke a response of "well then, let me tell you what God has been doing!" When we share the words, "been praying for you," it should be a reflection of imparting Life and holding the rope until we can share in rejoicing about God's intervening goodness. Reciprocity is at the heart of both ends of the spectrum of prayer and intercession. The reciprocity from abiding in and extending God's presence will nurture Body maturity and fuel revival, the miraculous and societal transformation.  The apostle Peter sums it up with these words: "As every man has received the gift, even so minister the same as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."  1 Peter 4:10 ___________________________________________ The Strategic Intercession Global Network (SIGN) is closing in on its twentieth year of operation. Some members of SIGN I know well. Some I recognize by your email address. Some have been a part of this ministry since its inception. I thank God for each and every one of you--and for the hearts which hunger for more of the Lord that respond in praying into issues so critical to this hour. I also wanted to say that I've been praying for YOU--and wanted to thank each of you who have spent time in God's presence praying for us. What this ministry represents is clearly beyond the scope of my human abilities. My six marketplace books and the God's economy entrepreneurial program are an outgrowth of throne-room initiatives we have targeted over the last two decades through SIGN. God has been faithful and I am very grateful for your sustaining prayers. May the effort represented by your prayers and these posts be as a sweet fragrance to the Lord, along with serving as a foundation and catalyst toward the goal described by Paul: "In attaining to the oneness of the faith and the full knowledge of the Son of God, that we might arrive at mature manhood, the measure of the stature of the fullness and the completeness found in Him." Ephesians 4:13. ___________________________________________________ Morris Ruddick has been a forerunner and spokesman for the call of God in the marketplace since the mid-90s. As founder of Global Initiatives Foundation and designer of the God's Economy Entrepreneurial Equippers Program, Mr. Ruddick imparts hope and equips economic community builders where God's light is dim in both the Western and non-Western world. He is author of "The Joseph-Daniel Calling;" "Gods Economy, Israel and the Nations;" "The Heart of a King;" "Something More;" "Righteous Power in a Corrupt World;" and "Leadership by Anointing," which address the mobilization of business and governmental leaders called to impact their communities with God's blessings. They are available in print and e-versions from www.Amazon.com,www.BarnesandNoble.com and other popular outlets. Global Initiatives Foundation (www.strategic-initiatives.org) is a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 non-profit whose efforts are enabled by the generosity of a remnant of faithful friends and contributors whose vision aligns with God's heart to mobilize the persecuted church to be the head and not the tail. Checks on US banks should be made out to Global Initiatives and mailed to PO Box 370291, Denver CO 80237 or by credit card atsign@strategicintercession.org Likewise, email us to schedule a seminar for your congregation on the wisdom the persecuted church has for the times emerging in the West. 2015 Copyright Morris Ruddick -- sign@strategicintercession.org Reproduction is prohibited unless permission is given by a SIGN advisor. Since early 1996, the Strategic Intercession Global Network (SIGN) has mobilized prophetic intercessors and leaders committed to targeting strategic-level issues impacting the Body on a global basis. For previous posts or more information on SIGN, check:http://www.strategicintercession.org

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