11-12-13

"Just as “eleven” is an incomplete number, the number “twelve” is a complete number. It signifies the number of divine government. More specifically, “twelve” speaks of apostolic fullness. It means that everything is going to come into all that it was intended to be. Everything is going to come into its apostolic fullness. And the true apostle is Jesus Christ. Everything is going to come into fullness in Jesus Christ.

So, as we study the numbers “eleven” and “twelve,” we should see a progression or transition from disintegration and chaos into order and alignment. We are not destined to stay in chaos until Jesus comes and sets everything into fullness and order. Even though we will witness the complete perfection of all things when He returns, God is saying, 'I want to begin to restore things NOW'” (Tom Schlueter, Keeper of the Keys).

And 13 (2013-5774) is the new door we are going through. On this 12th day of our fast, let's step through the door from chaos into order. Let's walk through God's ordained order.

Word for Texas

Here is a vision that Pam Littrell (Pam Littrell Ministries and TXAPN Co-coordinator for the Heart of Texas Region) had on Thursday morning's prayer call:

Here is the vision. I saw like a video, it just kept coming.

I first saw the whole state of Texas green, deep green full of life, provision, the presence of God. Then as I looking out over the state, I saw a tsunami wave coming from the gulf. It is so big it covers all Houston even the tall buildings. As the water comes down it changes and becomes pure and cleansing everything in its path. As I keep looking I see the water spreading across the west and east and moving all the way to Austin. When it gets to Austin the water goes under the city and begins to clean the foundation. And then I see a high hill that  comes up  and at the top it opens up and releases all the evil.  All the blackness shoots up high into the sky and leaves the city and the state. As I am looking I see water coming from the north,Oklahoma. It begins to flood into our state. It moves over Dallas area and then begins to flow to central Texas. The water from the south and the water from the north converged together in central Texas. As the water converged it began to spin like a funnel and began to spin with great intensity. It broke demonic forces entrenched in central Texas.  Now, if that is not enough it swirled through out the whole state. God is sovereign and He is moving.
He gave me a prophetic song. Here are the lyrics. Copyright 2013.

God is moving, God is shaking, He is changing the atmosphere.
God is moving, God is shaking, He is changing the atmosphere.

His word is sent out, and it doesn't come back void, doing the will of The Lord.
His word is sent out, and it doesn't come back void, it changes the atmosphere.

God is moving, God is shaking, He is changing the atmosphere.
God is moving, God is shaking, He is changing the atmosphere.

The word is powerful, defeating our enemies, and they are under our feet.
The word is powerful, defeating our enemies, it changes the atmosphere.

We sing, sing, sing and we shout, shout, shout, we are changing the atmosphere.
We sing, sing, sing and we shout, shout, shout, we are changing the atmosphere.

As I sent this email, I began to weep from great gratitude for what Jesus's love is doing in our state and in our nation. God has heard our cries and the shift is here. As this word goes forth, we trust it is producing the life of Jesus in Texas and that it flows mightily over our nation.

Reformation Day - Enter into Your Destiny!

I AM RESTORING THE PRIESTHOOD

“’And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel" (Exodus 19:6).

It was late February of 2001, and I was standing on the spot where Martin Luther declared his famous speech before the Diet or court, held in Worms, Germany. I was sobbing uncontrollably as I sensed the power of the Holy Spirit surge through me.  As His words gushed forth, I proclaimed:

“I am blowing my wind upon the church. 

I am restoring worship. 

I am restoring the priesthood. 

I will move upon My people in Germany. 

I will move upon My people in the nations. 

I am beginning a new reformation.”

I was in Germany on a prayer assignment with Intercessors International, co-founded by Floyd and Beth Alves.  We were getting acquainted with German businessmen who had invited us to be personal marketplace intercessors for their corporation.  While there, one of the businessmen took another intercessor and me to Worms, the site of Martin Luther's trial. In April of 1521, Martin Luther was called to make an appearance before the Diet.   Everything he had written and spoken about would be questioned. The Diet was not only a gathering of church officials from the Roman Catholic Church, but involved the Emperor himself. According to Roland H. Bainton, Martin Luther was “a simple monk, a miner’s son, with nothing to sustain him save his own faith in the Word of God.” (Roland H. Bainton, Here I Stand (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1950), p. 181.)

Over a two-day period, Luther underwent an extensive examination of his writings about justification by faith and the priesthood of all believers, among other doctrinal topics.  To the demand of the Diet, that he renounce his heretical beliefs, Luther responded by declaring:

“Since then your majesty and your lordships desire a simple reply, I will answer without horns and without teeth. Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason—I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other—my conscience is captive to the word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen.”(Roland H. Bainton, Here I Stand (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1950), p. 181.)

Now, centuries later on the same location, the Lord was proclaiming a fresh wind of reformation and revival.  The focus of the Lord’s words was on the restoration of the priesthood of all believers –

 

not a priesthood that is defined by

clerical collars

liturgical robes

                                                      or religious rituals and liturgies. 

not a role filled by professional pastors and priests.

God’s desire for the priesthood is declared in Exodus 19:4-6 – the first reference of God’s chosen people being called priests.

“'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel." 

The Lord was speaking to the whole house of Israel.  He had delivered them from the clutches of the Pharaoh, and He was making covenant with them at His Mountain.  God declared that those who obeyed His voice and kept His covenant would, as a treasured people, have the privilege of

serving before Him as priests 

entering into His very presence

communing with Him*

AND NOW AS PRIESTS - ENTER YOUR DESTINY AS KINGS AND PRIESTS ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK - THE PRIESTLY ORDER OF OUR LORD AND KING JESUS! 

*Thomas Schlueter, Return of the Priests

A Statewide Fast - November 1-21

Over the last several weeks, we (Prince of Peace Church) have been getting confirming words that we were to enter a season of fasting.  But we were not certain of any details.  The timing did not seem right.  I felt that it was to encompass something bigger. Then I received a phone call from Gwen Aldridge of Lamesa (Southern Panhandle Region of TXAPN) and she shared how the Lord was calling her congregation (Lamesa Christian Fellowship) to a time of fasting, but she felt it was bigger than her local body. The Spirit confirmed in our hearts that it was for our local ministries BUT also for the entire State of Texas. This has now been confirmed by a half a dozen other ministries in the state. The fast will take place November 1-21.

What Are We Praying For?*

• Fullness of the Holy Spirit and unity throughout the Church (John 14:12; 17:2–23). 
Spiritual breakthrough with unprecedented unity, purity, and power.
• The great harvest (Matthew 24:14).
• Youth revival movement (Malachi 4:6). Worldwide revival, especially among the youth of the earth.
• Revival in Israel (Romans 9:1–11:36). Fulfillment of all the prophetic promises to national Israel.
• Houses of prayer (Isaiah 62:6–7). The release of “grace for fasting” with worship and prayer to establish 24/7 houses of prayer in the cities of the earth, including Israel
• Wealth of the nations (Haggai 2:7–9). Release of finances for the great harvest, the prayer movement, and the poor.
• A wall of fire of protection (Zechariah 2:5). Divine protection over all that is birthed through prayer.
• A Shifting of human governments into the Government of God, Nationally and in Texas Praying NOW for next year's elections that righteous men and women of God would come into Texas' leadership at all levels. (Matthew 6:10; Proverbs 29:2; 1 Timothy 2:2; Daniel 2:21; Psalm 75:7)
• That Texas would shift into alignment with the river of God that is flooding the state both naturally and spiritually. (Psalm 93; Ezekiel 47; Revelation 22; Psalm 65:9; Psalm 78:19-20; Isaiah 8:7-8; Malachi 3:10)

How are we to fast?*

• Seek the Lord regarding your fast.  is it food?  The internet? TV?
• A very confirming word has gone out that we should fast from negative words and thoughts which are the primary cause for the breaking of covenant.
• Especially meditate on Isaiah 58.

 *These guidelines for prayers were suggested by Connie Fisher of Houston, Gwen Aldridge of Lamesa, Merrie Cardin of Granbury and myself.

We Decree Floods

Yesterday at Prince of Peace Church, the Lord released a "flood word."  It started when I started proclaiming that God desires to break through our man-made barriers and limitations.  As we have been praying for rain over the State of Texas we have had several of us declare: "Lord, send your rain but no floods."  I know that the decree was birthed out of a desire that no property or lives be destroyed or endangered, BUT the Lord wants to send floods.  I remember when I was serving a congregation in Abilene, Texas that the streets literally needed to flood in order to fill the area lake.  The city streets were built for floods.

In October of 2006, Chuck Pierce prophesied: 

"Watch where the Heavens open and the floods "physically" reach the earth, and document those places! Those are places targeted for a Holy Spirit invasion. Rising flood waters will cause you to move to higher ground. As the River of Holy Spirit rises, you will find yourself moving to the high places. I will position My people on the high places this year. As you worship, I will cause ruling thrones of iniquity to topple. Like Dagon, their heads will fall before My Presence! Get ready! I shake loose wicked structures." 

So yesterday we asked to Lord to move outside of our banks, boundaries, limitations and fears.  We asked Him to flood us in the natural and the physical.  We decreed floods. 

As we continued in worship, the Spirit of the Lord broke forth on one of our young men and

he began to laugh in the Spirit.  It then moved into a powerful word in tongues.  The interpretation was interesting and powerful, It was not an interpretation of words but of a picture.  The Lord released His fountains from the deep and caused His glory to rain down on us.  We had over a dozen people experience manifestations or visions of flooding waters in our place of worship.  

• One person saw a large dam filled with water crack open and flood the land.
• Another person saw a tsunami come upon us and the Lord told him "...to move with the water (do not resist it) and it will cleanse everything in your life."
• Another person had water rise up around them and engulf them in love.
• Another person saw water and lowered their head to drink of it.  As they did they noticed a beautiful lion drink as well.  Then the Lion raised its head and shook its mane - sending water over everyone.
• Another person saw water gushing out of "an eternity candle" that hangs from our ceiling. 
• Another person saw a tuning fork rising up out of the water

There was a tremendous sense of joy, life, forgiveness, healing and excitement released through everyone.

The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty;  

The Lord  has clothed and girded Himself with strength;  

Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved. 

Your throne is established from of old;  You are from everlasting. 

The floods have lifted up, O Lord,  

The floods have lifted up their voice,  

The floods lift up their pounding waves. 

More than the sounds of many waters,  

Than the mighty breakers of the sea,  

The Lord on high is mighty. Your testimonies are fully confirmed;  

Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, forevermore. (Psalm 93)

Lord, forgive us for limiting You.  We not only declare but we fully receive Your flooding waters in both the spiritual and natural. We are "targeted for Your Holy Spirit invasion." And please NOTE: we are being flooded in order to carry His kingdom into every sphere of influence in our lives. Decree that the Lord flood your life - flood your city - flood Texas - flood our nation.

Freedom 21 - Day 21

Today is Day 21 of a twenty-one day initiative to end human trafficking in the United States and Mexico.  You can download the  Prayer Guide through this link: Prayer Guide.


Today we will focus our prayer and repentance on the desperate need for intercesi on for global awakening

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. –2 Chronicles 7:14

During this initiative, the facts you have learned demonstrate just how much of a global crisis human trafficking is. However, in order for any actions taken to be effective on a global level, we must first contend in prayer for awakening on a global level.

Personal Repentance

Father, forgive me if I, in any way, have not spent time in prayer and fasting for those caught in trafficking before this prayer initiative. I now not only commit to acting on behalf of the innocent victims, but praying and fasting for them as well. In addition to this, I ask that you would awaken Mexico and the United States!

Corporate Repentance

Lord, we stand in the gap on behalf of our nations and churches, asking that You would forgive us for not standing in prayer and action for revival in Mexico and in the United States, and for those who are enslaved in trafficking. Awaken us, God! Light a holy fire for intercessory prayer and action that will break the chains of human trafficking and bring revival to the nations of the earth.

Intercession

• Lord, we thank You for allowing us to come boldly before Your throne and approach You. We ask that Your people would answer the call to intercession around the world for those affected by and enslaved in human trafficking.
• Father of Light, we ask You to expose Satan’s work in human trafficking by uncovering hidden brothels, cartel activity, perpetrators and consumers of trafficking crimes.
• We pray for the emancipation of modern day slaves throughout the globe. Break their chains of bondage in all forms – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. According to Isaiah 61, You came to free the captives. Do it now, Lord, for Your glory!
• We declare Psalm 91 over those law enforcement agencies and anti-trafficking organizations that are working in the trenches. Protect them, Lord, and give them success in their endeavors.

Freedom 21 - Day 20

Today is Day 20 of a twenty-one day initiative to end human trafficking in the United States and Mexico.  You can download the  Prayer Guide through this link: Prayer Guide.


Today we will focus our prayer and repentance on the occult’s influence in human trafficking.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. –Ephesians 6:12

Many law enforcement agencies diligently work to expose and bring to justice those who traffic, kidnap, extort, exploit, and murder innocent victims. However, there is no doubt that our battle with criminal organizations on both sides of the border is more than a battle in the material realm; it is a battle in the spiritual realm.

Personal Repentance

Father, forgive me for any areas of idolatry in my life. There will be no other God but You. Reveal any doors I have opened to demonic activity, and deliver me from evil.

Corporate Repentance

Father we stand in the gap and repent on behalf of those engaged in occult activity in the United States and Mexico. Forgive our two nations for opening demonic doors of violence and idolatry that aid in human trafficking.

Intercession

• Father God, we ask that You would cause those who worship these deities to experience Your love and mercy, and, by Your grace, know You personally.
• We pray that You would expose those who worship these deities for the advancement of their illegal activity. Furthermore, we ask that You would expose the demonic forces behind this activity and cause the Church to war against them in prayer and fasting.
• We declare the rule and reign of Christ Jesus over Mexico and the United States. By the authority of Jesus’ Name and blood, we pull down the demonic structures upon which these cults have been founded.
• We ask that, since Your blood was shed for the sins of the world, You would cease the spilling of blood on altars made for the appeasement of unclean spirits, strongmen, and principalities.

Freedom 21 - Day 19

Today is Day 19 of a twenty-one day initiative to end human trafficking in the United States and Mexico.  You can download the  Prayer Guide through this link: Prayer Guide.


Today we will focus our prayer and repentance on the issues unique to US-Mexico border towns - the innocent ones.

The Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. –Psalm 140:12

Personal Repentance

Lord, forgive me is I have not cared about the legal battle for innocent victims. I ask that you would give me ideas and show me ways that I can get involved on behalf of survivors from a legislative perspective.

Corporate Repentance

Father, we confess that we have often declared righteousness but failed to work for righteousness. Help us to be true in word and deed. Grant us your wisdom to know how to address this issue in our own communities.

Intercession

• Father God, give Your people favor as we advocate for more effective legislation and more comprehensive enforcement regarding human trafficking.
• Bring the issue of sex trafficking to the forefront of the media, making the public and our legislators keenly aware of the pervasiveness of this issue.
• Turn the hearts and minds of legislators toward being receptive to passing more effective human trafficking laws. Bring conviction and wisdom to our legislators regarding the need to update statutes and develop strategies for better enforcement of them.
• I pray for the exposure and removal of any corruption related to sex trafficking in the government of my state and nation.
• Lord, bring a spiritual awakening among legislators and the law enforcement community, uniting and empowering them to be a more effective force to fight evils such as sex trafficking.

Freedom 21 - Day 18

Today is Day 17 of a twenty-one day initiative to end human trafficking in the United States and Mexico.  You can download the  Prayer Guide through this link: Prayer Guide.


Today we will focus our prayer and repentance on the issues unique to US-Mexico border towns.

No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. –Isaiah 60:18

A border town is a gateway into and out of a nation where people and goods continually cross back and forth. It is a place where cultures collide and blend to such a degree that it can be difficult to distinguish which country you’re really while you’re there.

Personal Repentance

Father, I repent if I lacked awareness, compassion, and intercession for the struggles faced daily by those living in border towns.

Corporate Repentance

Lord, on behalf of our two nations, we repent for acting wrongly towards the people of our neighboring nation. Forgive us for harboring unforgiveness and resentment towards one another over the past and over the actions of government leaders and forefathers. We repent for all the ways we have not been good neighbors, and for all the ways we have exploited one another. Forgive us for not loving one another according to Your command.

Intercession

• We pray that our two nations would commit to loving and unselfishly helping each other.
• We seek You for the grace to love and live as good neighbors, and for godly wisdom to overcome our differences.
• Father God, impart Your just and righteous characteristics to the hearts and minds of our local, state, and national government leaders.
• Teach us how to demonstrate Your humility and love for one another in meaningful and tangible ways.
• Lord, we bless our neighboring nation and their leaders with godly wisdom and passion for justice.
• Give our leaders and the people of our two nations hearts to know You and walk in Your ways.
• Father, I bless my nation with a spirit of mercy, reconciliation, and healing. I bless my neighboring nation with Your protection, provision, and economic stability.

Freedom 21 - Day 17

Today is Day 17 of a twenty-one day initiative to end human trafficking in the United States and Mexico.  You can download the  Prayer Guide through this link: Prayer Guide.

Today we will focus our repentance and intercession on the identification and dismantling of Transnational Crime Organizations (TCOs ), as well as major pedophile offenders.

Personal Repentance

Father, forgive me for any way I have personally given in to greed and the lust of the flesh that allow these illegal trades to flourish.

Corporate Repentance

Father God, we repent for allowing the huge financial benefit of this illicit slave trade to become a significant part of the USA and Mexico’s economies. Forgive our nations for at times giving more funding and attention to environmental climate conditions than to our children and their wellbeing. Forgive us for neglecting to provide tools and biblical values, which contributes to poverty in the USA and Mexico where these children are taken as enslaved chattel for pedophiles. We repent for the unchecked corruption that has been allowed to grow within businesses, official governmental offices, and national police and military forces.

Intercession

• Sovereign God, expose and destroy the strongholds/principalities over the nations of the USA and Mexico where child sex trafficking is unbridled. Cause there to be an outcry over this atrocity among the peoples of our two nations. Establish a spirit of justice and righteousness.
• We ask You to expose and destroy organized crime networks such as the Russian and Albanian organized crime families, the Chinese Triads, Japanese Yakuza, and the seven major Mexican cartels and US gang affiliates that serve as surrogates for the cartels in the facilitation of trafficking. Take down and dismantle these gangs, which include MS-13, Tango Blast, Mexican Mafia and the Aryan Brotherhood. Bring division in their camps and cause them to crumble (Luke 11:17).
• Lord, create confusion, terror, paranoia, financial loss and overwhelming remorse (that many would come to faith in Christ Jesus) within these organized crime networks. Bring women and children being held captive to instant freedom in the confusion (Deut. 7:23, Ex. 23:27).
• Expose the locations of major pedophiles from the nations of the United States and Mexico. Arrest, convict, and deliver them so that they would stop exploiting these enslaved children.
• Father, impart and infuse hope to the children currently being held captive in our two nations and in nations throughout the globe. Mighty God, deliver them and rescue them from evil predators.

Freedom 21 - Day 16

Today is Day 15 of a twenty-one day initiative to end human trafficking in the United States and Mexico.  You can download the  Prayer Guide through this link: Prayer Guide.

Today we will focus our prayer and repentance on the plight of labor trafficking.

Personal Repentance

Father, forgive me if I, in any way, have been so focused on fulfilling my own desires and needs that I have neglected to consider the expense of others.

Corporate Repentance

Lord, we repent for greed and the devaluing of human life in our two nations. Forgive us for establishing systems that allow and even, at times, require the exploitation of desperate individuals. We repent for tolerating this activity in our communities and ignoring the basic rights and dignity of those victimized.

Intercession

• God, we pray for the breakup, arrest, and just prosecution of human smuggling rings
• We cry out for the protection and effectiveness of law enforcement, border patrol, and military personnel seeking to dismantle the human trafficking problem in our two nations.
• Lord, we ask You to convict the hearts of business owners and operators who have sought unjust gain through the abuse of their laborers. Cause them to turn from their ways and make restitution to those they have wronged.
• God of Justice, create a culture for godly human rights to protect migrant workers and other hardworking individuals in our two nations.

Freedom 21 - Day 15

Today is Day 15 of a twenty-one day initiative to end human trafficking in the United States and Mexico.  You can download the  Prayer Guide through this link: Prayer Guide.

Today we will focus our prayer and repentance on the manipulative use of force and control behind sex trafficking.

Personal Repentance

Father, we repent for any unforgiveness we might have towards anyone who has wronged us on a personal level in these areas. We also ask You to search our hearts and expose anyway we might have manipulated, abused, or controlled others.

Corporate Repentance

Father God, we now stand in the gap on behalf of our nation and ask forgiveness for the sins of our society that provoke such destructive behavior in our lands. Forgive us, as citizens, as citizens, for not seeing the need for strong laws to defend those being trafficked. We also repent for not being a voice that demands the true enforcement of current anti-trafficking laws.

Intercession

• Father God, I ask that You would reveal human trafficking going on in my city. Where there is corruption, expose it and bring every evil thing to light.
• We recognize that power, control, and the need to dehumanize another person are at the root of sexual assault and human trafficking. Therefore, we pray today that homes, schools, and churches across our two nations will be places where children feel safe, affirmed, and see and learn healthy boundaries.
• We pray that You would target the hearts of men caught in this perversion with Your love and conviction.

Freedom 21 - Day 14

Today is Day 14 of a twenty-one day initiative to end human trafficking in the United States and Mexico.  You can download the  Prayer Guide through this link: Prayer Guide.

Today we are praying for law enforcement!

Personal Repentance

Father, I repent if there have been times I have spoken or thought negatively of the law enforcement profession. Forgive me for taking for granted the risks they face daily to protect my community.

Corporate Repentance

God, forgive Your Church for not lifting up our law enforcement professionals in prayer with more frequency. Forgive us for not seeing them as partners in our visions for our communities. Forgive us for leaving them to carry the burden of lawlessness alone and not speaking up when we see or suspect criminal activity taking place.

Intercession

• Father, release strategy and wisdom for protocol in how to handle victims when rescued and how to prosecute those who enslave them. We pray that law enforcement and Christian organizations would work together effectively to provide immediate and long-term assistance for those rescued.
• God, help local, state, and federal levels of law enforcement improve interagency coordination and communication. Bring about collaboration and information sharing between the governmental agencies of Mexico and the USA, resulting in more arrests and convictions of leaders of sex trafficking organizations.
• We pray for successful media campaigns which will educate the public and professionals in how to identify sex trafficking victims and how to report suspicious activity to the police.
• Grant police agencies adequate training, resources, and manpower to successfully investigate sex trafficking crimes, rescue victims, make arrests, and build cases against perpetrators.
• Protect our law enforcement officers and their families from harm. Encourage them, and let them know that there are thousands of Christians praying for their safety and success.

Freedom 21 - Day 13

Today is Day 13 of a twenty-one day initiative to end human trafficking in the United States and Mexico.  You can download the  Prayer Guide through this link: Prayer Guide.

Today we are asking the Lord regarding the need for resources!

Personal Repentance

Father, forgive me if I, in any way, have not paid attention to the brokenness of those who have been victimized by these horrendous crimes. I repent if I have not helped to meet and provide the restorative needs so crucial in seeing victims recover and reintegrated into society.

Corporate Repentance

Today we acknowledge that in our two nations, our vulnerable children are caught in the middle of a broken legal system. We ask Your forgiveness that as the Church and as a nation, we have done virtually nothing to change this situation. Forgive us and our nation for ways in which we have devalued women and children and left them to fend for themselves. We acknowledge Your Word: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute (Proverbs 31:8).” Lord, we repent that we who are free have not spoken up for those who are not free to speak for themselves.

Intercession

• We call out to You, El Shaddai, the God who is more than enough, asking You to release abundant provision for the rescuing and restoring of victims of sex trafficking.
• Bring to light the ineffectiveness of the system, and make the public, government and law enforcement aware of the inadequacies.
• We pray that Your Church would lead the way in finding creative, godly, and effective strategies to fix the legal and governmental system that our vulnerable women and children are trapped in.
• Lord, raise up houses of restoration within Your Church to provide safe havens for sex trafficking victims.
• Lord, we recognize that the problems of sex trafficking are so complex that we can never fix the problem in the wisdom of man. We ask for Your supernatural wisdom to know how to put an end to this evil.
• Even as You used Abraham Lincoln to abolish slavery during the Civil War, we ask You to raise up and anoint modern day reformers to overturn the evil of human trafficking.

Freedom 21 - Day 12

Today is Day 12 of a twenty-one day initiative to end human trafficking in the United States and Mexico.  You can download the  Prayer Guide through this link: Prayer Guide.

Today we are asking the Lord regarding Technology, Social Media and the Internet!

Personal Repentance

Father God, in Jesus’ Name, forgive me personally if I have spent more time seeking personal satisfaction, comfort, and attachment through technology, social media, and the internet rather than looking to You for authentic relationship, companionship, and comfort.

Corporate Repentance

Today, we stand in the gap for parents in our two nations who are distracted and neglecting their responsibility to watch over the time and the content with which children are engaging on the Internet. Forgive us all for leaving a generation of children unguarded to those who would seek to bring them harm.

Intercession

• Mighty God, protect our children and young people from falling into the trap of predators seeking to enslave them in the sex trade through technology, social media, and the internet.
• Father, give wisdom, discernment, and information to young people about the traps and snares of false promises of dating relationships, jobs, and other online offers that would lead them into the sex trade.
• Heavenly Father, convict and deliver those who use internet pornography, turning their hearts to You for peace and satisfaction.
• We ask You, God, to give tips, leads, and successful technological strategies to law enforcement agencies to identify, arrest, and convict sex trafficker and put an end to sex trafficking organizations from using social media, and the internet.
• Father God, convict the owners of classified websites to screen and qualify all ads to prevent sexual exploitation and predators. We pray for strict laws to be enacted, preventing the use of social media for sex trafficking and related activities.

Freedom 21 - Day 11

Today is Day 11 of a twenty-one day initiative to end human trafficking in the United States and Mexico.  You can download the  Prayer Guide through this link: Prayer Guide.

Today we are asking the Lord to give us passion for local involvement.

Personal Repentance

Father, I repent if I have not been involved on behalf of those who are victims of trafficking. Forgive me for being apathetic and for not desiring to be eyes and ears that will see, hear, and report trafficking activity.

Corporate Repentance

Father, we stand on behalf of our nation, repenting for aiding human trafficking by not being aware or active. Forgive us for allowing trafficking to continue while being apathetic to its injustice. We repent for not being involved in our communities and neighborhoods and for not preventing human trafficking from occurring.

Intercession

• Father, we ask for the hearts and minds of community leaders to be made receptive to addressing local manifestations of the trafficking industry.
• Father of Light, reveal and expose every place in my community, state, and nation where human trafficking has a foothold. Uncover and make public the whereabouts of these places where trafficking rings operate.
• Call Your Church to take their place as watchmen on the walls of their communities, being alert to and reporting suspicious activity that would lead to the arrest and conviction of trafficking perpetrators and ring leaders.

Freedom 21 - Day 10

Today is Day 10 of a twenty-one day initiative to end human trafficking in the United States and Mexico.  You can download the  Prayer Guide through this link: Prayer Guide.

Today we are asking the Lord to deal with poverty.

PERSONAL REPENTANCE

Father, forgive me when I have failed to be generous to those in need around me. Forgive me, for everything that I have comes from You and is intended to be used for Your Glory.

CORPORATE REPENTANCE

Forgive us, Your Church, for not being compassionate toward those in our midst who need food, clothing, and medical care. Forgive us for our lack of prayer and lack of focused attention on finding solutions for eradicating poverty in both Mexico and the USA. We ask forgiveness for all the ways our two nations have opened the door to the curse of poverty by enacting unrighteous laws, worshipping other gods, and dishonoring You with our words and actions. Have mercy, Lord, forgive our sin, and heal our land.

INTERCESSION

• Heavenly Father, we ask You to impassion and equip Your Church to meet the needs of the poor and vulnerable by providing food, clothing, shelter, education, and medical care.
• Empower Your Church to create employment opportunities for victims and survivors of sex trafficking, that they would not be tempted to return to their previous life out of desperation.
• Holy Spirit, speak to Church leaders about ways they can offer biblical and practical training to help the impoverished break free of financial difficulties and become stable stewards of Your blessings.
• Reveal strategic solutions for problems in our education systems, so more of our populations will be equipped to find fulfilling careers and to adequately care for their families.
• God, raise up Christians as tutors and mentors who will come alongside young people who are struggling or thinking of dropping out of school.
• Father, impart wisdom to our government leaders to enact legislation that helps break the poverty cycle, and empowering our nations to prosper.
• Pour out Your Spirit upon our two nations, drawing people to Jesus Christ and the principles of the Bible, which leads to abundant life.

Freedom 21 - Day 9

Today is Day 9 of a twenty-one day initiative to end human trafficking in the United States and Mexico.  You can download the Prayer Guide through this link: Prayer Guide.

Today we are asking the Lord to deal with unbridled appetites.

Personal Repentance

Father, I repent personally if I have any unbridled appetites. Forgive me for not possessing the spirit of self-control when it comes to the feeding of my cravings (food, spending, shopping, sexual addictions, etc.).

Corporate Repentance

Father God, we now stand in the gap on behalf of our nations and repent for the sins of lust, promiscuity, and pornography that have opened the door to all forms of sexual perversion in our two nations, unleashing the horrific physical, spiritual, and emotional violence that permeates the sex trade. Forgive us, God, for the sin of greed, which is allowing businesses to profit from the misery of those trafficked and sold into slavery. Forgive us for our complacency in prayer. Forgive us that we have not cried out to You to rid our land of this evil. We repent for supporting the Transnational Criminal Organizations and their criminal activities by spending billions of dollars on trafficked girls and boys, destroying the innocent for illicit and lustful gain.

Intercession

• Lord, re-establish Your truth and standard of sexual purity in our nations. Bring Your deliverance to those lost in sexual addiction. Help us return to Your Word and Your purpose for our lives and those of future generations.
• Father of Light, expose the serious atrocities of the epidemics of sex trafficking, prostitution use, promiscuity, and addiction to pornography throughout Mexico and the US.
• Stir our national leadership to respond with immediate and godly solutions to these serious problems in our schools, entertainment, advertising, and society that lead to sexual bondage.

Freedom 21 - Day 8

Today is Day 8 of a twenty-one day initiative to end human trafficking in the United States and Mexico.  You can download the Prayer Guide through this link: Prayer Guide.

Today we are asking the Lord to deal with the sleeping church.

Personal Repentance

Father God, forgive me for my indifference towards those entrapped by human trafficking. I repent for not being awake and alert to the injustice that is going on around me.

Corporate Repentance

Forgive Your Church, Lord, for turning a blind eye to the women and children who are caught in this dark place of depravity right in our own backyard. Instead of calling out to You day and night in prayer, asking for strategies to deliver these victims, we have become too paralyzed to bring about any change. Forgive us for our apathy, unbelief, and unwillingness to engage in abolishing the atrocity of this modern day slavery.

Intercession

• Lord, we ask You to awaken us and all of Your Church to the horrific issues of sex trafficking. Even as Your heart is broken over this injustice, may our hearts be broken, too. Today with thousands of Christians from two nations, we pray that the Church would arise from her complacency and boldly lead the way in the fight for freedom from sex slavery.
• We pray for an awakening of conviction upon the Church regarding this issue, a movement that would gain Holy Spirit-breathed momentum in our two nations to end this horrific plague. We pray that the Church would give liberally and lavishly of her time, talents, and resources, forming a coalition with individual churches and organizations to rescue victims and fight for an end to sex trafficking.
• We acknowledge the Gospel message holds the power to change hearts and, as a result, change culture. We pray, therefore, that the message of Jesus Christ would sweep our two nations, transforming hearts, delivering captives, and bringing people to abundant life.

Freedom 21 - Day 7

Today is Day 7 of a twenty-one day initiative to end human trafficking in the United States and Mexico.  You can download the Prayer Guide through this link: Prayer Guide.

Today we are asking the Lord to deal with pornography.

Personal Repentance

Pornography use in the Church is shockingly high. 50% of pastors(4) and about 70% of men in the Church(5) are viewing it regularly. In order to stop sex trafficking, we must first repent for our consumption of pornography, which ultimately fuels trafficking.
Father, I ask forgiveness if I have consumed pornography. Forgive me if I have not possessed a spirit of self-control and purity. Change my heart and renew my mind now to Yours in this matter.

Corporate Repentance

Father God, we stand in the gap for our nation and repent on behalf of those involved in pornography use. Forgive us for allowing such perversion to be rampant within our borders, which leads to the degradation of human beings who are bought and sold for sexual slavery. Hear our cry, and heal our land!

Intercession

• Lord, I ask that You would bring down the idolization and obsession with pornography in the US and Mexico.
• Cleanse the heart of my land by exposing those who are producing pornography using trafficked victims.
• I pray that You would convict those in the Body of Christ who are using pornography, and that You would set them free so they can live in righteousness and purity.

Freedom 21 - Day 6

Today is Day 6 of a twenty-one day initiative to end human trafficking in the United States and Mexico.  You can download the Prayer Guide through this link: Prayer Guide.

Today we are asking the Lord to deal with our unhealthy perspectives regarding women and sex.

Personal Repentance

Lord, forgive me if I have not had the right perception of sex and people as You intended. I repent if I have entertained ungodly cultural perceptions that are found in my nation.

Corporate Repentance

Father God, we stand in the gap on behalf of our nations and ask forgiveness for perverting sexuality and objectifying women. Have mercy on our nations as we repent for creating and exporting movies, TV shows, and music that teach our citizens to not follow your standards. Forgive us as your Church for submitting to these negative cultural forms instead of standing up for what is moral and pure.

Intercession

Holy God, we call out to You to bring a cultural revolution of purity and a restoration of godly sexuality and marriage as You created them.

Bring a spiritual transformation to movies and entertainment in our nations, reversing the portrayal of women as sex objects to one of dignity and respect.

We pray for cultural views that devalue women and girls to be transformed into biblical views (Gen. 1:26-31).

We pray for a counter-cultural movement opposing the normalization of homosexuality, pimping, pornography, and prostitution.

We pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our two nations, with a river of righteousness, holiness, and purity.

Freedom 21 - Day 5

Today is Day 5 of a twenty-one day initiative to end human trafficking in the United States and Mexico.  You can download the Prayer Guide through this link: Prayer Guide.

Today we are asking the Lord to restore the broken family.

Personal Repentance

Lord, forgive me if I have mirrored the sins of my culture through breaking marriage covenants, dishonoring my spouse, neglecting my children, and/or putting the god of materialism above You.

Corporate Repentance

Father, we repent for breaking Your commandments regarding how to conduct marriage and family in ways that release Your blessings upon us, our children, and all of society. Forgive us for neglecting to disciple the next generation regarding holy relationships, marriage, and family.

Intercession

• God of creation, we call out to You for the healing and restoration of our families to Your original design. May husbands and wives honor one another and children experience a safe and loving environment.
• Give parents wisdom for a redirection of priorities, first a turning to You in repentance, then refocusing on the health and wellbeing of family members and relationships.
• Heavenly Father, we pray that pastors would teach on the biblical model and role of parents and the family.
• We ask that You would awaken fathers and mothers to the need to pray with and for their families consistently, intentionally, and fervently – that You would restore the family altar in homes across our nation.

Freedom 21 - Day 4

Today is Day 4 of a twenty-one day initiative to end human trafficking in the United States and Mexico.  You can download the Prayer Guide through this link: Prayer Guide.

Today we are asking the Lord to deal with fatherlessness.

Personal Repentance

Father God, I ask forgiveness for any way that I have neglected children by putting other pursuits and interests before them and by failing to disciple and protect them. I ask forgiveness for turning a blind eye to those fatherless children in my neighborhood and church who You have called me to come alongside.

Corporate Repentance

We stand in the gap for fathers in our two nations and ask forgiveness for those who have been emotionally or physically absent from their children. O Lord, teach us to do what is right, to seek justice, relieve the oppressed, and correct and reprove the ruthless. Forgive us for not defending the fatherless, and fighting for the rights of the widow (Isaiah 1:17).

Intercession

• Lord, we recognize that those without the love of an earthly father are more vulnerable to being snatched up into sex trafficking. We ask You to “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; do justice for the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked (Psalm 82:3, 4).”
• Today we ask You to prompt and to equip the men in Your Church to step in and become father figures and mentors to those with absentee or disengaged fathers.
• We pray also for the healing of strained and broken relationships between children and their fathers, that old wounds affecting current healthy relationships would be healed.
• Lord, we recognize that those without fathers often have no blueprint for becoming a good parent themselves. We pray for healing and restoration of those without fathers, so the cycle of fatherlessness is broken, and the children in our two nations would be protected and loved rather than be exploited through evils such as sex trafficking.

Freedom 21 - Day 3

Today is Day 3 of a twenty-one day initiative to end human trafficking in the United States and Mexico.  You can download the Prayer Guide through this link: Prayer Guide.

Today we are asking the Lord to deal with sexual abuse in the home.

PERSONAL REPENTANCE

Father, forgive me if I have not paid attention to the needs of the children in my society, particularly those who have been abused in any form. I ask that You would open my eyes to see the signs of abuse that may be taking place around me.

CORPORATE REPENTANCE

Father God, we stand in the gap on behalf of our nation and repent for the abuse, mistreatment, neglect, and dehumanization of our children. By understanding that sexual abuse aids trafficking, we repent for allowing it to occur.

INTERCESSION

Father God, rebuild the family unit in America and Mexico. Return the family to its original purpose and destiny as it was designed by God. Restore in families reverence and awesome respect for God.

Restore innocence and sexual identity to those children who have been abused by friends and family members, those they trusted the most and looked to for protection and safety. Heal their deep wounds of betrayal and abuse.

Expose sexual abuse in homes – alerting a caring family member, school teacher, doctor, friend, or church leader. Rescue these young vulnerable ones who are being abused; deliver these powerless ones from the hands of their perpetrators and a life of fear and torment.

We cry out also for the sexual abusers, especially ones who may have been abused as children themselves. Bring conviction to these perpetrators. Give them courage to step forward in truth, to seek help and to find salvation, healing, and restoration in their lives. Where appropriate, we pray for relationships to be restored.

In agreement today, we decree in Jesus’ name that the cycle of sexual abuse in the home is broken, not only in our generation, but in the generation to come.

Freedom 21 - Day 2

Today is Day 2 of a twenty-one day initiative to end human trafficking in the United States and Mexico.  You can download the Prayer Guide through this link: Prayer Guide.

Today we are asking the Lord to deal with our mistreatment of children.

Personal Repentance

Lord, forgive if I have seen children as a bother or a hindrance to my own plans and desires. I repent if I have been too focused on my own world to notice the hurting kids around me.

Corporate Repentance

The Church has been slow to engage this issue in a practical way, often finding it easier to send money to feed and rescue the rest of the world’s children rather than making the necessary sacrifices to rescue our own. The growing movement for adoption has often focused on babies, resulting in many older children growing up without families. Lord, forgive us for not protecting the most vulnerable among us, our own children, to whatever degree. We repent for not revealing the Father’s  heart to them.

Intercession

• God, we ask You to uproot the selfishness in our hearts that causes us to not see the enormous value of the next generation.
• We pray You would help us to not miss out on the opportunity just because it is inconvenient to be Your hands and feet to children who desperately need to know You.
• Help Your body to actively make a place for those who need a family. Open our eyes to see that children truly are a blessing from You.
• We pray that You would expose the mistreatment and abandonment of children in our nations. Raise up men and women willing to be counselors and adoptive parents, who see the importance of healing this wound.

Freedom 21

Today is the beginning of a twenty-one day initiative to end human trafficking in the United States and Mexico.  You can download the Prayer Guide through this link: Prayer Guide.

Today we are asking the Lord to deal with our apathy.

Personal Repentance

Lord, I repent if my heart has been apathetic or if I have been too concerned with my own comfort and convenience to truly see the urgency of this issue. I ask forgiveness if I have bee indifferent and inactive while lives are being tormented and ended.

Corporate Repentance

God, as Your body and Your children, we repent for seeing this as someone elses problem to solve instead of engaging in it ourselves. We repent for selfishness, indifference, and apathy. Anoint and empower us to confront and stop human trafficking in the United States and Mexico!

Intercession

• Father, over these next 21 days, I ask You to give me Your heart for the victims of human trafficking all around the world. Stir me to pray like never before.
• Please open the eyes of Your Church to fully see this issue for the tragedy it is, to own it, and to take action to stop it.
• Lord, awaken Your bride to fight for what matters to Your heart. Give us the passion to fight injustice and the wisdom to create strategies that will bring breakthrough and healing to those who have been victimized by human trafficking.

Gad

Next week we are entering into the next Hebrew month - Elul.  It is the month represented by the Tribe of Gad.  The following was written about Gad by the staff at Glory of Zion in Corinth, Texas:

Gad was the seventh son of Jacob and Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid. Gad means 'troop/soldier" or "good fortune." Mazel tov! It also meant a "camp” or a "company" as in a troop. Leah's seven sons made up a troop. What good fortune this was!

Jacob's blessing in Genesis 49:19 is, "Gad will be plundered by marauding bands, but he will turn and plunder them." In other words, if you strike at me I will strike back and win. Moses' blessing likened Gad to a lion. In Deuteronomy 33:20-21 he declared "Blessed is the one who enlarges Gad's territory! Gad is poised there like a lion to tear off an arm or a head. The people of Gad took the best land for themselves; a leader's share was assigned to them. When the leaders of the people were assembled, they carried out the Lord's justice and obeyed his regulations for Israel. Gad was a tribe that raised cattle and sheep. They saw the land east of the Jordan as being the best for their cattle. Since they were men of war they were also best suited to protect the land from the eastern enemies, Moab and Aram (Syria).

In Chronicles 12:8-14 the tribe of Gad is described as "men of valor, men of war fit for the battle, who could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions and were swift as the roe upon the mountains...captains of the host: the least of them commanded a hundred men and greatest, a thousand". Gad together with Ruben and Simeon were stationed on the south side of the tabernacle, Gad was faithful to carry out their pledge to side with Israel and fight on their behalf when needed and to remain in unity with the rest of the tribes of Israel.

Gad is connected to the sixth month, Elul (August-September) in the Hebrew calendar. Tradition says Gad was born and died on the 1Oth of this month. In Jewish history this was and is a month for repentance and forgiveness. This month followed the previous two months where God dealt with the sins of the people in the wilderness at Sinai. Moses sought the favor of the Lord on behalf of the people because the Lord was ready to destroy them because of their unfaithfulness and idolatry (Gen 32-33). The people repented and God forgave them and made a new covenant with them.

This is a month when "the King is in the field!" His light shines on us all. He moves among his people and loves for us to approach him. This is a time where he lavishes his mercy and forgiveness on us. This was the time biblically when Moses approached God for the third time on Mt Sinai for God to rewrite His covenant tables.

The anointings for the month include:

1.     The ability to gather a company of warriors

2.     To war and have victory over ones enemies

3.     To remain aligned in war

4.     Leadership

5.     To receive the forgiveness of God

6.     To walk in the light and presence of the Lord

The traditional symbol for God is a tent and the banner color was grey or silver. The stone could have been the grey-banded agate.