If you've read my columns for any length of time, you know that I'm sober-minded but also full of hope. You know that I once saw a tsunami of perversion heading for America. But you also know that the Lord told me He will bring a Third Great Awakening to this nation.
As I stretched out on the carpet in the prayer room, I found myself grieving. The fear of the Lord struck my heart. I saw the persecution that is coming to America. I mourned over the blood of abortion that is on our hands. I pondered the eternal value of how I spend my time. I considered the failure of the church to be salt and light. And I felt the pain of God's heart.
Taking an Eternal Perspective
God wants to break out, break in and pour out His Spirit over America. But here's the issue: We're waiting on God to move, and He wants to move us. We're praying for God to send revival, but He wants to revive us. We're asking for an outpouring of glory, but we need an outpouring of repentance first.
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I didn't sleep much that night as I pondered how so much of what I do makes no impact on anyone. I woke up early and prayed in the Spirit for over an hour trying to come to grips with the reality of where America is heading if we don't repent. We like to pray 2 Chronicles 7:14, but so many of us fail to live 2 Chronicles 7:14.
I watched David Wilkerson's video montage on anguish. I listened to Leonard Ravenhill's classics on revival. The Holy Spirit prayed through me with groans too deep for words (Rom. 8:26). I considered what love really is. After all, we can pray in the tongues of men and angels, we can prophesy with the best of them, we can feed the poor, we can have mountain-moving faith, we can even die for the sake of the gospel, but without love it's useless (see 1 Cor. 13:1-3).
It's true that "love suffers long and is kind; love envies not; love flaunts not itself and is not puffed up, does not behave itself improperly, seeks not its own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things" (1 Cor. 13:4-6).
Love also warns, but it does not seek to breed fear for profit's sake. Love makes intercession. Love stands in the gap and on the wall. Love has violent faith that presses into what God is saying and doing in this hour despite what it looks like. Love hears His voice and sounds the alarm. Love carries the burden of His heart and prays until something happens.
Overcoming the Reality of Now
That morning, while I was in my room praying, I heard the Lord say this:
"If My people who are called by My name would think more about life in 1,000 years than life tomorrow, they would make a greater impact in their generation. But the cares of this world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life and other demonic distractions have consumed many with the reality of now instead of the reality—of eternity.
"Millions die and go to hell every day because My people who are called by My name are not about My business. Rights and freedoms are lost, people murdered, lives destroyed, babies aborted because My people who are called by my name are not about My business.
"I am looking for those in this hour who will look up instead of looking back; who will cry out; who will press in; who will determine in their hearts to see My kingdom come and My will done on the earth—in your cities and families—as it is in heaven.
"I want to pour out My Spirit. I want to save souls. I want to heal sick bodies. I want to restore broken families. I am depending on you to rise up and fight on your knees like there's no tomorrow because for many there isn't.
"Who shall I send to the closet of prayer to shape history? Who will go for Me? I will show myself strong in your life. I will take care of your needs. I will bless you and keep you. I will show you things to come if you will partner with Me in the place of prayer. I will do it, and I will be glorified."
Who will answer this call in their generation?
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I saw these doors opening this week for many and these doors will position them perfectly as we enter into Rosh Hashanah to see the winds of change land suddenly in lives, rearrange much, put all things in heavenly order, and they will be positioned ready for takeoff into the greatest demonstration of "unlocking" they have seen. (Photo via Wikimedia)
There is going to be a "STEPPING UP" required in September. The sense of many being placed in their, "It's time," moment. This is the manifestation and realization of, "My time has come," and being "ready" to move forward. There will be greater areas of stretching and testing in September, but these stretching and testings will be in the midst of whirlwind changes, and there will be much joy and also a deeper call to surrender and intimacy to carry the increase He is releasing. (Photo via public domain image)