Wednesday, January 21, 2015

LISTEN: 2015 Prophecy Roundtable - Jennifer LeClaire - PROPHETIC INSIGHT from CHARISMA



woman looking up
What is the Lord saying about 2015? How do we position our hearts with Him in the New Year and avoid the enemy's snares? (stockfreeimages.com)

Prophetic Insight
What is the Lord saying about 2015? How do we position our hearts with Him in the New Year and avoid the enemy's snares?
The signs of the times are manifesting around us. Things that can be shaken are being shaken. Yet God is moving in notable ways around the world—and He wants to move in your life in wondrous ways you can't even imagine.
Listen in on Clay Nash, Becca Greenwood, Don Lynch and Jennifer LeClaire in this strategic prophetic roundtable during which they shared what the Lord is saying to us about 2015. 

Click here to listen to the audio.
Jennifer LeClaire is senior editor of Charisma. She is also director of Awakening House of Prayer in Fort Lauderdale and author of several books, including Satan's Deadly Trio: Defeating the Deceptions of Jezebel, Religion and Witchcraftand The Spiritual Warrior's Guide to Defeating JezebelYou can visit her website here. You can also join Jennifer on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.


'It's a Miracle.' Saeed's Wife Says Obama Will Meet with Her

'It's a Miracle.' Saeed's Wife Says Obama Will Meet with Her

Naghmeh Abedini, the wife of imprisoned American pastor Saeed Abedini, says she and her children will meet with President Barack Obama Wednesday.
She tweeted Tuesday night, "Praise God!  It is a miracle!"
The Idaho Statesman reports Naghmeh Abedini received confirmation Tuesday that Obama agreed to meet with her and her two young children.
Obama is making a rare visit to Boise, Idaho, on Wednesday, which is also happens to be the hometown of Pastor Saeed Abedini.
Earlier Tuesday, ACLJ Executive Director Jordan Sekulow talked more about the president's visit and what he hopes to see unfold on CBN News.
Abedini is a U.S. citizen who has been wrongfully imprisoned by Iran for his Christian faith. His wife, Nagmeh , wrote a letter to the White House, requesting a meeting with the president while he's in town.
"My heart leapt with hope when I heard that you would be visiting my hometown of Boise, Idaho," she wrote.
"I have been praying and wanting to meet with you... to have you look into my eyes and see the piercing pain that has been there since my husband's imprisonment; to see my kids and to know that they have missed the warm embrace of their dad for nearly three years," she continued.
"You speak about the need to protect religious freedom and human rights," she said. "Saeed is imprisoned merely because of his Christian faith. My husband has committed no crime - he chose to exercise his God-given right to choose his own faith."
The American Center for Law and Justice also wrote to the president, saying this is the perfect opportunity for the U.S. government to show more of an interest in Abedini's plight.
"There are public reports that the United States may reach a nuclear deal with Iran without securing the release of Americans held captive in that country," ACLJ Executive Director Jordan Sekulow wrote.
"When you are in Boise, we request that you take a few minutes from your schedule to meet with Pastor Saeed's wife, Naghmeh," the letter continues. "After enduring years of fear and uncertainty, she deserves to be heard."

17 Injured in Tel Aviv Bus Stabbing - CBN News

17 Injured in Tel Aviv Bus Stabbing

Associated Press Photo
JERUSALEM, Israel -- An elite unit of prison service officers apprehended a 23-year-old resident of Tulkarem, an Arab city under Palestinian Authority control, who injured 17 people in a stabbing spree on a Tel Aviv bus Wednesday morning.
The officers chased the terrorist as he fled on foot, stopping him with a gunshot wound to the leg.
"We've heightened security in and around Tel Aviv and we are still searching to make sure there are no further terrorists in and around the area," Israel Police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld said.
Paramedics transported the injured to three different area hospitals. Four remain in serious condition and four in moderate condition. Israel's Channel 2 reported that 80 units of blood were needed for the injured.
The terrorist reportedly stabbed the driver first to prevent him from opening the doors to allow passengers to escape. The Dan bus company issued a statement praising the driver's "resourcefulness, bravery and heroism," saying he tried to protect passengers even after sustaining a deep stab wound that penetrated his liver.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed P.A. Chairman Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas) for these attacks.
"The terrorist attack in Tel Aviv is the direct result of the poisonous incitement being disseminated by the Palestinian Authority against the Jews and their state. This same terrorism is trying to attack us in Paris, Brussels and everywhere," Netanyahu said, pointing out that Hamas, the Palestinian faction ruling the Gaza Strip, quickly praised the attack.
"It is Hamas -- Abu Mazen's partners in a unity government -- that hastened to commend this attack. This is the same Hamas that announced it will sue Israel at the International Criminal Court in The Hague," he said. "Abu Mazen is responsible for both the incitement and the dangerous move at the ICC in The Hague."
Hamas officials called it "a brave and heroic act" against "Zionists" in Tel Aviv and a response to Israel's "crimes."

Word of the Lord for 2015 By Cindy Jacobs


Word of the Lord for 2015
By Cindy Jacobs
January 6th, 2015


Each year, as we have since 1999, the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders met before the New Year to pray and seek the Lord for a word. In 2011, we added a group of emerging prophetic leaders that, as of this year, we consider fully seasoned members of our round table, and we included their input as well into this word of the Lord.

The ACPE has the conviction that we are to function as the disciples did in Acts 13:1-3. This passage notes that it was the Holy Spirit releasing a prophetic word as a consensus of the prophets as opposed to the exclusive utterance of any one prophet. So, even though this is a compilation of the prophecies that we each have brought to the round table meeting, it was the general consensus of the ACPE members that the Holy Spirit was speaking the following prophetic words to us.

While we are calling this a prophecy for 2015, it should be noted that the ACPE believes that the Lord speaks more in seasons, as opposed to our calendar years. In the past few years we have observed that the trend of some of the prophetic words has been continuing over the course of several years and intensifying.

It is also important to note that intercession may diminish the severity of some of the words that speak of potential judgment—and in some cases may avert them all together. In any case, all prophecies should be bathed in intercession, both the ones that speak of harvest and blessing, as well as the ones with the admonitions attached to them.

As prophets, it is always wise to go back and look at the words we have given in the past. We did this for the years 2011-14, noting that the Lord continues to speak some of the trends spoken in those years. So let us reiterate—the timing of prophetic words should generally be understood more as a season than a calendar year. The words given are not fate or karma but can be changed subject to how God's people respond.

Download the PDF version
2015 - The Turn-Around Year


This is the year when God will give His people the chance to recalibrate in the midst of what will seem to be a whirlwind year. To recalibrate means to correct in mid-course, modify, amend, change, metamorphose, renovate, transform, or turn.

When caught in a whirlwind, you may need to do all of the above. The good news is that God is going to release the anointing, wisdom, and supernatural ability needed to change your circumstances on a whole new level. Remember that God often speaks to us in unusual ways in the midst of shakings and whirlwinds—and sometimes it’s a recalibration word.

God spoke to Job out of the whirlwind: “Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, ‘Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?’” (Job 38:1-2, KJV)

The Living Bible interprets verse two like this: “Why are you using your ignorance to deny my providence?”

Job’s thoughts were out of alignment with God’s. There are many things that are out of proper alignment, but God is going to set them in proper order if you believe. This year God will show you how to move from helplessness to hopefulness!

This will be a year when God will hear your cry. In 2 Kings 20:1-11, Hezekiah was told that he was going to die, but he turned his face to the wall, cried out to God, was given 15 more years of life. Hezekiah had a turnaround from death to life.

A new grace to fight for healing in the face of an evil report will come upon God's people. In this violent, tumultuous season, the strategies for turning even the most desperate situations in your favor will be given to those who seek God's face. God is going to turn around your impossible situations.

Rest

The 15th day of the month in the Hebraic calendar represents rest. There will be a new emphasis on the Sabbath's rest. The admonition was given by the prophets that each person should seek the Lord about how to enter into rest in this season. For some it will be to take a Sabbatical. Others will adjust their schedules not to work on Sundays. Others will cut down their workloads or schedules. Everyone, in some manner, needs to make a change in their lives to enter into rest. This will empower you to overcome the giants you faced in the last season and be refreshed as you enter into a new season.

This is also what is known in Hebrew tradition as the shemitah year or the 7th year of the 7-year agricultural cycle. This is not just a usual Sabbath year, and this re-enforces the need for rest. What is true rest for some may not be restful for another.

The number 5 represents grace in the Bible, and a special grace will be given in the midst of the whirlwinds.

Avoid distractions that will take away from your focus on the central things God is giving you to accomplish. It could be said like this: “Don’t take on assignments that God will not hold you accountable for, things that will hinder your ability to complete with excellence the assignments for which He will hold you accountable.” There will be swirling around you, but don't be pulled off of your God-given assignments.

In the Hebrew calendar, this is the year 5775, and the two fives represent double grace or the double portion. This is a continuation of the double portion season from last year. Expect grace for fulfillment, to complete, and to finish.

Again, in the midst of the whirlwinds and trials, worship is the key to see your release!

Divine Midnight Turnarounds

This is going to be a year for divine midnight turnarounds. There is a significant contrast between what was and what is to come. The midnight hour is that dark time when we have to choose between believing God or the devil, where we either say that God is faithful or we experience a faith failure by letting our emotions rule.

Paul and Silas worshipped God when in chains, and at the midnight hour, God gave them the turnaround (Acts 16:25). The Lord will remove your chains at the midnight hour!

Samson lay down until midnight but then got up and tore the doors off the city gate (Judges 16:3). Supernatural strength comes at the midnight hour!

Deliverance from the Egyptians came at the midnight hour (Exodus 11:4). The Lord will move on your behalf at the midnight hour. You will be released from any oppressor!

Ruth changed the heart of her kinsman-redeemer at midnight (Ruth 3:8). The Lord will manifest as your kinsman-redeemer at the midnight hour! This speaks of the restoration of generational inheritance.

There are also those who have despaired of getting married, and for many, their Boaz will manifest in this season.

God will require us to stand firm in the midnight hour of changing seasons. We cannot afford to stay in the old season. As mentioned above, the word “recalibrate” indicates metamorphosis; the picture is appropriate because it involves a struggle.

The Enemy’s Plans For You Will Boomerang

Esther 9:1-4 speaks of the turnaround from the plans of their enemy that God gave His people. Interestingly, in verse one, this Hebraic word "turned" in the Strong's Concordance is the number 2015! It means “to overturn, to turn around, to transform and reverse.”

This is the year of divine reversals! The number 15 in scripture is linked to victory and harvest. The Feast of Tabernacles, Unleavened Bread, and Purim all happen on the 15th day of the month.

Esther 9:24-26 says that the evil scheme the Jews’ enemy, Haman, had worked out came back onto his own head (boomeranged). This was a divine turn around at the Jews’ midnight hour!

So what has the enemy been plotting against you? It’s going to boomerang right back onto his head!
The Church

We are now in the Jesus People Movement that has been prophesied about for years. The great harvest of souls is now upon us, and with it, another Great Awakening.

This is the age when God is releasing a new wave of evangelists and evangelism into the church. Revivalists will once again go to the streets and move in great supernatural power.

The Lord gave us the admonition that the role of the evangelist must be emphasized in the church. With this will come a shifting in emphasis from preaching a more social gospel to preaching a supernatural gospel. God is getting ready to make surprise visits in the church with His miracle-working power. Coupled with this, a new move of compassion and acts of mercy will flow from the church. The church will remember the poor, and the love of God will touch broken lives.

There are also those who will arise like Moses to lead God's people out of idolatry.

We in one accord felt the strong admonition to guard against deception in the church. Many will deceive themselves in order to follow the lusts of their flesh.

The church will learn to wage spiritual warfare once again, and many will teach on this subject again from the pulpits of the nation. The church will shine as a light into the dark places of our culture on new levels.

New prayer movements will arise, and their prayers will cause a turning away from casual Christianity.

The church is coming into a new level of maturity. With the teaching on Kingdom, there has been a great acceleration of nations turning to the Lord through the different sectors of society bring reached.

Israel

This is the time for the harvest of the Jews to begin. Bold witness will arise from believers in both the Jewish and Arab sectors.

United States

The Lord is going to use the coming shakings, even from more internal attacks, to wake up people to their need for God. This will come seemingly in waves, subside, and come again.

Christians will boldly start giving testimony of their Christian faith and be very counter-cultural. More producers will make movies with godly values, and Hollywood will start to lose money on the "dark field" as the appetite of the nation changes.

Even the news media will be affected by righteousness as more and more Christians rise to places of visibility in the coming years.

The United States has been given one more season to turn the nation to righteousness. As will be noted in the section on Europe, there will be an economic shaking that will affect the U.S., but many prayer groups are heeding the warnings. We feel that prayer will be able to greatly lessen what is coming. We believe 2 Chronicles 7:14 can still be applied to the economic structures both personally and nationally.

New lawyers will arise who have God's anointing upon their lives, and they will start to "turn the tide" in our legal system.

Corruption will be exposed on a national level. It will be exposed in the Pentagon and in Congress—in both political parties.

Canada

An increased vigilance to pray for this nation was called for from our midst. Canada is going to be a key missions force to reach those who are in ISIS and radical Islam.

Latin America

Communism will start to lose its grip in Latin America. The people of Latin America will start to shift the trend from hard leftist ideology to more moderate forms of government. 
 
Europe

Europe will experience a financial shaking, and this will affect the US economy, though not at the level of the 2008 economic meltdown. This may or may not happen in the fall of 2015, depending upon people's prayers, but will eventually happen.

Again supernatural wisdom will be given to those believers who seek God for strategies to get out of debt, and in some cases, break the cycle of debt.

In the midst of this, the re-evangelization of Europe will begin. God is listening to the prayers of those in Europe who are shaken and distressed, and He is preparing to answer.

France

The Latin Americans in France will play a large part in seeing France come into revival. France is going to begin to experience an awakening but it will be in the midst of continued shakings. There is an admonition for the Houses of Prayer to continue to pray against terrorism from ISIS connected groups.

Spain

We see the same for Spain, with the Latin Americans being used by God for awakening.

Russia

The Russian bear will continue to test it muscles against other nations. Alaska and the Aleutian Islands must be very watchful during this time. The Empire Spirit has been loosed; however, the body of Christ in Russia will once again see a powerful move of God such as was seen after the fall of Communism. Another wave of God's power will sweep the land.

Ukraine

The serious issues with Russia are going to bring a tremendous unity to the church, and many cooperative efforts will take place for mass evangelism.

Japan

God is going to move in a powerful way with new, young Japanese revivalists, and this once-difficult place for evangelism will see a great harvest of souls.

Middle East

ISIS will continue seemingly unchecked for a season, but in contrast, their wickedness will cause openness to the gospel as many, many turn to Christ. Even some of those who left their own countries to seek to join the coalitions will become followers of Jesus and begin to evangelize the Middle East.
Prophets

We ourselves received an admonition from the Holy Spirit to be very intentional to share with great love what we are receiving from the Lord as we prophesy in the coming season of shaking and whirlwinds.

Turnaround Decrees You Can Make

I will enter into rest. So, therefore, I decree healing for all stress-related problems which may include:
Depression
Anxiety
Sleepless Nights
High Blood Pressure
Acid Reflux
Heart Related Issues related to Stress

I will prosper and pay off all debts. In my turnaround year, I will receive the God-given plan to get out of debt.

I will go to new levels in my faith. Poverty will not have any hold on me.

All court cases against me and problems related to business will turn around.


Watch full video: Cindy Jacobs - Word for 2015

Inside an Israeli Winery ✡ "Destroy it not, for a Blessing is in it"

So said the Lord, "As when wine is found in the cluster, and one shall say, "Destroy it not, for a blessing is in it"; so will I do for the sake of My servants, not to destroy everything.

ISAIAH (65:8)
 

כֹּה  אָמַר יְ-הֹוָה כַּאֲשֶׁר יִמָּצֵא הַתִּירוֹשׁ בָּאֶשְׁכּוֹל וְאָמַר אַל תַּשְׁחִיתֵהוּ כִּיבְרָכָה בּוֹ כֵּן אֶעֱשֶׂה לְמַעַן עֲבָדַי לְבִלְתִּי הַשְׁחִית הַכֹּל

יְשַׁעְיָהוּ סה:ח


ko a-mar a-do-nai ka-a-sher yi-ma-tzay ha-tee-rosh ba-esh-kol v'-a-mar al tash-hee-tay-hu kee b'-ra-kha bo kayn e-e-se l'-ma-an a-va-dai l'-vil-tee hash-kheet ha-kol

Today's Israel Inspiration

In today's verse, Isaiah encourages the Jewish people in exile that God will yet bring the redemption. Just like a vine with a few good grapes will not be destroyed, but the good will be extracted for its blessed juice, thus will God redeem His people despite their sins. "Vineyards of Kindness" is a green charity that "finds the blessing in it" by recycling old furniture and used clothing and distributing them to the poor in Israel, along with food and money for urgent needs.
 

Inside the Golan Winery: L'Chaim!

Step into the Golan Heights Winery where award-winning wines are produced right here in the Holy Land.
 

After Effects of Terror

For eleven years, an Israeli family has been haunted by memories of a suicide bus bombing which took place in front of their eyes. Help has come from a surprising place.

Hebrew Name Necklace

Stay connected to your biblical roots by wearing your Hebrew name proudly! Don’t know your Hebrew name? No problem! Many English names derive from Hebrew names in the Bible, and the rest have etymological or spiritual cousins in Biblical sources. Just include your English name and we’ll find the Hebrew name in the Bible that’s most closely connected to yours.

Today's Israel Photo

All hands on deck as newly harvested grapes get a cleaning at a winery in Gush Etzion, before the grapes are turned into wine. This photo was taken shortly before the start of the Sabbatical year of rest for the Land.

Yesterday's Photo Trivia

Yesterday's photo by Grace and Rick Knelsen's featured a craftsman weaving a tallit (prayer shawl) in his Safed studio. One of the laws God gave to the Jewish people are the fringes that are still worn by Jewish men to this very day. We wear the Tzitzit underneath our clothes and the Tallit on top of our clothing during prayer.

Thank You

Today's Scenes and Inspiration is sponsored by Alicia Stensrud from Carlsbad, New Mexico. Toda Raba!
 

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It Is Time Israel - Prophetic Perspective with Rick Joyner


Watch here:


It Is Time Israel
Rick Joyner
Tuesday, January 20, 2015









www.itistimeisrael.org

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

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
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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.
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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
Morris Ruddick
Global Initiatives Foundation
www.strategic-initiatives.org
www.strategicintercession.org