Weekly Prayer (6/5)

Weekly Prayer (6/5)

【Last Weekly Prayer (5/29)】  【Next Weekly Prayer (6/12)】

【Cleansing/Covering Prayer】

Editor’s Words

Editorial Special Section: The Great “Jesus Movement” Revival Manifest Again

Date: May 21, 2023  Source : The Christian Tribune

A  sign of spiritual revival in America just took place at a historic location in California. More than 4,000 people were baptized in Pirate’s Cove on Pentecost Sunday to celebrate not only the gift of eternal life but to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Jesus Movement.

…Detailed Reading

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Editorial Special Section: Christy Johnston:  We are in a Nehemiah Moment – The Time of the Hammer and the Sword

…Detailed Reading

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Editorial Special Section: Joe Jo Dawson: Co-Laboring with God in This Building Season!

Message: Joe Joe Dawson Date: May 29, 2023  Source : Elijah List

I was recently in a time of corporate prayer at our Roar Kingdom center. About 40 minutes into the prayer meeting, I felt the power and presence of God begin to fill the room; then the Lord gave me a vision. In the vision, I saw building blocks. They were like the kind a child would play with, but then I saw the hand of God come and start arranging and shifting them around. I could tell the hand of God was using these blocks to build something. However, I couldn’t tell what God was building.

…Detailed Reading

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Editorial Special Section: Sylvia Newsh: DEEP CALLS TO DEEP

Message: Sylvia Neusch   Date: May 31, 2023   Source: Elijah List

Word of the Lord: “My child, I have walked with you through this season of pressure and fervent yearning. I have planted My seeds of ‘more’ deep within you. You have felt the pull of Heaven’s realms in your spirit, calling, urging, and declaring the greater things. Yes, My deep calls to deep within you.

…Detailed Reading

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Editorial Special Section: Dutch Sheets: Dating Places

Message: Dutch Sheets   Date: May 25, 2023   Source: “Give Him 15 Minutes” 

I love the mountains. Doesn’t matter if it’s to hunt, fish, walk, or sit – I just love hanging out in mountainous terrain. I’ve spent hundreds of hours climbing hills, hiking majestic peaks, and sitting in lush valleys, reflecting, relaxing, and rejuvenating my inner person. If you’ve never sat at the edge of a 13,000 feet mountain peak on a clear, sunny day, looking over forests, rivers, lakes, and valleys – well, let’s just say your bucket list is unfinished.

…Detailed Reading

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Declaration Prayer: For President Trump and His Team [Update]

We declare in the name of Jesus :

• God will continue to bless and protect President Trump and his family, as well as the “scepter of justice” that God has raised up to support him in his government.
• The blood of Jesus covers them and those close to President Trump, bind and drive away any witchcraft or spells cast on them.
• The Holy Spirit continues to pour out and personally guide President Trump. He grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God. ( Lu 2:52 )
• The seven spirits of God are manifested in President Trump’s life ( Isaiah 11:1-3 ), giving him keen insight and discernment, judging the situation, and resolutely continuing to fulfill his call.
•  God will restore Trump to his rightful position at His best time and give people grace to transition.

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Declaration Prayer: The Declaration for the Month of Sivan

Editor’s note: Sivan is the third month in the Jewish calendar year 5783, corresponding to May 21 to June 19, 2023 in the Western calendar.

Declare in the name of Jesus :

1. We are God’s people in an eternal covenant with Him.
2. We have the power to acquire wealth because of his everlasting covenant with us. ( Deuteronomy 8:18 )
3. Our success is not due to our own efforts, but a blessing from Jehovah God.
4. We must donate willingly and willingly according to the leading of the Holy Spirit, which is favored by God.
5. God is giving us new provisions, revelations, anointings and abilities, giving us new missions and territories.
6. We choose to walk in God’s grace and mercy, to love God and others.
7. God has activated us to evangelize and perform miracles of healing and deliverance.
8. Now is the time to sow, we will proclaim God’s goodness much, and we will see a great harvest.
9. God’s word is not only the spiritual sword, but also the food of life, which will lead us to victory. ( Matthew 4:4 )
10. All that God has is ours, and all that we have is His. ( James 6:3 )

(Adapted from The Blessings of the Crescent Moon by Rong Sakashi )

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Declaration Prayer: Decrees for America

Decree for America: We, Your Ekklesia. The Church is God’s governing Body on the earth. We have been given legal power and authority from heaven, we are God’s ambassadors and spokespeople over the earth,  through the power of God, we are His world influencers, because of our covenant with God, we are equipped and delegated by Him to destroy every attempted advance of the enemy.

Therefore, in the name of Jesus Christ 

WE MAKE OUR DECLARATIONS:

1. We decree that America’s executive branch of government will honor God and defend the Constitution.
2. We decree that our legislative branch (Congress) will write only laws that are righteous and constitutional.
3. We decree that our judicial system will issue rulings that are biblical and constitutional.
4. We declare that we stand against wokeness, the occult, and every evil attempt against our nation.
5. We declare that we now take back our God-given freedoms, according to our Constitution.
6. We declare that we take back influence at the local level in our communities.
7. We decree that we take back and permanently control positions of influence and leadership in each of the **Seven Mountains.
8. We decree that the blood of Jesus covers and protects our nation. It protects and separates us for God.
9. We declare that our nation is energy independent.
10. We declare that America is strong spiritually, financially, militarily and technologically.
11. We decree that evil carries no power, authority or rights in our land nor over our people.
12. We decree that we will operate in unity, going beyond denominational lines in order to accomplish the purposes of God for our nation.
13. And we decree that AMERICA SHALL BE SAVED! 

In the name of the Lord Jesus, amen.

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Pray for America: Ekklesia Stay Salty and Bright

Editor’s Note: This article is an excerpt from the “Give Him 15 Minutes” prayer on 6/2 by intercession leader Dutch Sheets . “I invite you to join me every day in prayer for our country until the election crisis is resolved. I will read the daily “Give Him 15 Minutes,” give a comment, and then we will pray together. As we stand for America” You can join us here as we go to Petition. “

【Background: In what we call The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said,

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16). ...Detailed Reading】

• Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.  

• Acts 5:12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade.

【Prayer】

• Ekklesia, Be Salt and Light : Heavenly Father, You are raising up an Ekklesia of Salt and Light on earth. We are saddened by what is happening today and the demise of American spirituality, but we are not discouraged. Holy Spirit is giving us more revelation and filling us with Your authority, grace and power. We will grow and mature in all that You have sent us and ordained. We release this power of identity transformation to all who will receive it in the church and will not allow Your enemies to define us or our boundaries. We will operate in love, doing and claiming all that You have called us to be. Please give us more courage, make us strong and courageous, like the early church, receive the same great grace, power, miracles and wonders as they did, and turn America back to You!

• We declare in the name of Jesus Christ ,

• • Ekklesia of America, shall arise to be salt and light.

• • Ekklesia of America, will use the authority of the kingdom of God to manifest the glory of God with supernatural power (dunamis)!

• • The kingdom of God will come to America, and the will of God will be done in America.

• • America will once again be the city on the hill and the light of the world.

Pray in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

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Pray for Israel: (3) “You shall be Called by A New Name, which The Mouth of The LORD Himself has Spoken.”

Editor’s note : The series of prayers in “Isaiah 62 Prayer” was written by Sandra Teplinsky, one of the founders and directors of Light of Zion in 2023. This booklet, Isaiah 62 Prayers for Israel, was written to complement a devotional called The Heart of God for Israel (“Heart of God”) published by the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, Missouri (“IHOP-KC”). In 2023, when IHOP-KC launched a 21 day global fast based on Isaiah 62, it also suggested that Heart of God be used as a prayer guide during those 21 days. We will post the prayers every week in the future. 

【Current event: As an Israeli Messianic Jewish prayer leader in Jerusalem, I felt it would be valuable to supplement Heart of God specifically for Israeli intercessors to use during the 21 day fast. This became my reason for writing Isaiah 62 Prayers for Israel (“Isaiah 62 Prayers”). However, seasoned intercessors for Israel who are neither Israeli nor Jewish can also benefit much from Isaiah 62 Prayers. ....Detailed Reading】

• Isaiah 62:2 The nations will see your vindication,  and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name  that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.

【Prayer】

Thank You, Jesus, that You have graciously given Zion a new name that foreshadows our new identity – to be pitied, fully redeemed and restored, and to serve You in love. Allow me to discern and call to mind our new authentic identities in our prayers, relationships, and tangible actions. I do the same for so many Christians around the world.

In Your mercy, please break the power of names that have been used by Gentiles for thousands of years to derogate Israel and the Jewish people. Forgive those who so demean Your people and heal everyone who is hurt by these names.

In the Almighty Name of Jesus, I bless and declare Israel to be the “great nation” proclaimed by your Holy Word ; “a people holy to the Lord… His people, His precious possession;” … different from other nations;” “the saints redeemed by the Lord”, “Hepzibah and Beulah” (Genesis 12:3; Deuteronomy 7:6; Numbers 23:9; Isaiah 62:4,12).

Jesus, You said that in the throes before You return, those who follow You should look up, because our redemption is near. So in these shaking times, I look to Your glorious face. I look into Your eyes, your eyes burn with love for Zion. On my knees I seek Your eyes to be aware of all the vibrations and labor pangs around me. Help me to focus on You and what You are doing to Israel instead of what Satan is doing or trying to do to Israel. Help me to call on You faithfully in prayer. I ask You to raise up and equip millions of intercessors across the nations to do the same. Today, as Israel celebrates the traditional festival of Lag b’Omer, a festival of worshiping the deceased Rabbi, may Your mercy bring Israel back to worship the resurrected Rabbi-Jesus. May You reveal to Israel that Jesus is the only name by which we can be saved.

Thank You for accepting the pleas of my heart, and may You respond to each of them with loving kindness.

In the holy name of Christ Jesus, amen!

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Critical Event: Sudan – A Nerve on the African Continent

[Background:   In mid-April 2023, another military coup clash broke out in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan. This time, at least 56 people were killed and 595 were injured. This is not the first military conflict in Sudan, but this turbulent political situation is really disturbing, and people do not want it to evolve into a Russian-Ukrainian battlefield in Africa. ...Detailed Reading】

• 1 Timothy 2:1-2 I beseech you, first of all, make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and blessings for all people; for kings and all those who reign, so that we may live in godliness, integrity, and peace .

• 1 Timothy 4:12  Do not let others look down on you when you are young, but be an example to believers in word, in deed, in love, in faith, and in purity.

• Isaiah 55:5 You will call nations that you did not know, and you will run to you nations that did not know you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.

• Isaiah 30:20 Though the Lord gives you bread of affliction and water of affliction, your teacher will hide no more; your eyes will see your teacher.

【Prayer】

• The Ekklesia of Sultan Responded : Abba, Father, although You gave the Sultan hardship as bread and affliction as water, You, the teacher, will no longer hide from her, and the Sultan will see You with her own eyes ( Isaiah 30:20 )! Your true disciples in Sudan, the Ekklesia will surely appear, stand before the throne, become the mainstay of the country, the one who carries the ark of God, the one who cries out to heaven, the one who preaches the way of repentance, Those who preach the Gospel of the Kingdom. ( 1 Timothy 2:1-2 )
• Sultan Enters Destiny : Sultan, like little Timothy ( 1 Timothy 4:12 ), is small but strong. Sultan, your name is endowed with the good meaning of “strength”, which contains God’s destiny for you since the creation of the world. Sudan is going to be a blessing to Israel, which in turn pulls the nerves of the entire African continent. At this very moment, it is time that God is going to give birth to precious children in Sudan and Africa. In the name of the Lord, we command the evil spirits behind the military rebellion in Sudan to stop! We have seen through your intentions. The members of Ekklesia all over the world are here to stand with God and the Sudan, and help Sudan to enter the magnificent destiny and the blueprint of God’s plan!

In the name of the Lord Jesus, amen!

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Pray for Native Americans: Arise and Resound!

【Current Affairs: In these times, I believe the Lord is INCREASING and RELEASING His voice, with great authority, through His “first fruits” people groups of the land. He is raising up His sold out, set apart, Indigenous burning ones, and releasing HIS VOICE to set nations ablaze for Jesus. …Detailed Reading 】

• Psalm 149:3-4 Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes delight in his people;  he crowns the humble with victory.
• Psalm 40:1-3 I waited patiently for the Lord;  he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock  and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth,  a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.

【Prayer】

First Nations people, We decree that

•  the shackles have now been broken off of you. Arise and dance! 
• First Nations people break forth with dancing and worship to the Lord (see Psalm 149:3-4 TPT)!
• I decree, you have been lifted out of the pit of destruction, your feet have been set upon the rock of Jesus and He has established your goings (see Psalm 40:1-3 AMP). Arise and resound – no longer bound!
• I decree, the Lord has put a new song of praise to the one true living God in your mouth. 
• You have now put your trust and confident reliance in the Lord God Almighty. You see Him, you revere Him, and you worship Him alone.
• First Nations sons and daughters, arise and shift into destiny, with a dance of deliverance and a strong song, boldly decreeing the Word of the Lord with your new voice!

In the name of Christ Jesus, amen!

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Pray For Church

Pray for Participating Churches and Pastrs on Regional 24/7 Prayer Walls

【Editor’s Note: The 24/7 prayer walls listed here are especially for local churches and pastors. If you are committed to watch on the regional walls, simply click on the link listed below to connect to the local prayer wall. 】

• East Coast 24/7 Prayer Wall – Prayers for Local Churches & Leaders
• Bread Of Life Christian Church in ShiLin
• NZ Awaken the Dawn

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Related Events and Prayer Background

Editorial Special Section: The Great “Jesus Movement” Revival Manifest Again

Date: May 21, 2023  Source : The Christian Tribune

A  sign of spiritual revival in America just took place at a historic location in California. More than 4,000 people were baptized in Pirate’s Cove on Pentecost Sunday to celebrate not only the gift of eternal life but to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Jesus Movement.

More than 280 churches and 8,000 attendees watched as 4,166 people fled to the shore of Pirates Cove to declare their new life in Christ.

The wave of revival is rising

Attendees report the atmosphere was electric as people praised God and celebrated their “Kingdom family.”

“What an amazing and historic day,” said musician and pastor at West Coast Life Church, Ray Gene Wilson. “Thousands baptized at Pirates Cove, God is moving in California!”

“A moment I’ll never forget,” one attendee commented on Instagram.

“This is absolutely amazing praying for all in their new walk with Jesus…. Welcome to the Kingdom family,” another Instagram user commented.

Worship leader Lindy Cofer said, “The Church is alive! What a beautiful sight in Southern California yesterday!!! On the 50th anniversary of the Jesus people movement.”

“It was such a blessing to witness so many people getting baptized for one but to be able to see happen the same place that the hippies did it 50 years ago for The Jesus People Movement was just surreal,” wrote videographer Eddy Ferguson.

Worship Leader Daniel Mamora said, “It was so incredible just seeing all of these people come together. In fact, I was sitting on top of the cliff watching the baptisms and there’s a staircase in order to get down if you want to get baptized and literally, there was a whole line right there and then all of a sudden, the line just goes around into the parking lot, it wasn’t just people wanting to come in and witness but people wanting to get baptized, that blew me away!” 

The “Jesus Movement” of the 20th Century

During the 1960s and 1970s, the “Jesus Movement” witnessed the conversion of hundreds of thousands of young people to Christ, the largest number of baptisms in the history of the United States.

The Jesus People movement and the baptisms in Pirates Cove are featured in the movie “Jesus Revolution”.

The movie became a box office hit after its release in theaters in February. The film also climbed to the top spot in DVD and Blu-ray sales this month. 

While the film’s success may have stunned Hollywood, it didn’t surprise Southern California Pastor Greg Laurie, who told CBN News he sees God at work through the film.

“People are hungry for this,” Laurie said. “I’ve never heard of a movie in the theater that had people breaking into spontaneous prayer and worship or like I heard one story it was shown in the theater and afterward some kids wanted to be baptized and they baptized them in the fountain in front of the theater. I’ve never heard of such things, so I think these are all like little indications that God is at work.”

The “Jesus Movement” has spawned some church denominations and Christian organizations, and has influenced the development of contemporary Christianity. Some poetic styles have also developed from it, which has greatly influenced contemporary Christian music. Worship poetry has also formed various styles, such as Christian rock music and Christian metal music, among which Maranatha Music is the most representative. (Source: CBN News, Charisma News)

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Editorial Special Section: Christy Johnston:  We are in a Nehemiah Moment – The Time of the Hammer and the Sword

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Editorial Special Section: Joe Jo Dawson: Co-Laboring with God in This Building Season!

Message: Joe Joe Dawson Date: May 29, 2023  Source : Elijah List

I was recently in a time of corporate prayer at our Roar Kingdom center. About 40 minutes into the prayer meeting, I felt the power and presence of God begin to fill the room; then the Lord gave me a vision. In the vision, I saw building blocks. They were like the kind a child would play with, but then I saw the hand of God come and start arranging and shifting them around. I could tell the hand of God was using these blocks to build something. However, I couldn’t tell what God was building.

In the vision, I could feel the anointing and tangible presence of God, and just as what He was building began to really take shape, the vision ended. I then began to pray into the vision, and I told the Lord I didn’t know what He was building, but I could clearly sense that He was building something.

He Is Looking for Co-laborers

I sense so strongly in my spirit that God is shifting and rearranging things in this season in order to build something that we cannot yet see or make sense of. God is building behind the scenes, and He is looking for those who can walk by faith and not by sight.

Many times, we think we are waiting on God in order to step into everything He has for us, when really He is often waiting on us. God is always building, always working and always doing more behind the scenes than we can see or expect.

I believe God is looking for those that will get ready, get themselves into position and prepare for what He is building right now. He is rearranging the blocks in order to build something that will manifest itself in this next season. (Photo via Pxhere)

It’s Time to Position Yourself! God Is About to Do Something BIG

You may feel like things are falling apart in different areas of your life right now, but ask the Lord to give you greater discernment to be able to step into things with Him that you may not fully understand yet. Part of following the Holy Spirit is saying yes to God before we even know the question. This is the walk and fight of faith that we need to pursue, if we want to be a part of what God is doing and about to do in the earth in this hour.

I also want to encourage you that as I was praying into this vision, I sensed from the Lord that every prophetic word that God has ever spoken over your life is going to come to fruition. Now is the time to lean in and engage with the Lord in prayer and preparation so that you can run full throttle into what God has for you when it comes to pass.

This is a “now” season for God to do something big – something extraordinary – and He wants you to be a part of it! Make sure you are ready for what God is about to do. Grab hold of this vision and ask the Lord how you can co-labor with Him as He builds in this season!

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Editorial Special Section: Sylvia Newsh: DEEP CALLS TO DEEP

Message: Sylvia Neusch   Date: May 31, 2023   Source: Elijah List

Word of the Lord: “My child, I have walked with you through this season of pressure and fervent yearning. I have planted My seeds of ‘more’ deep within you. You have felt the pull of Heaven’s realms in your spirit, calling, urging, and declaring the greater things. Yes, My deep calls to deep within you.

“You have felt a holy dissatisfaction with the status quo. You have come this far, and now you know you cannot go back. You have been made for more and the ‘revealing’ is upon you. There has been much preparation to bring you to this moment in time.

“You have felt the sting of circumstances and the vice of squeezing that has pushed you through, preparing you for the new. Nothing has been wasted. Every evil assignment of your adversary I am turning. I am turning them for your good and for your favor. They will now serve as stepping stools to propel you higher into your destiny.

“I am bringing healing to you now. In this next season, healing will come to your heart as joy and fulfillment erase the pain of your past season. I am shining truth into every dark corner of your heart and mind where lies have hidden until now.

“Do not give up hope or abandon ship now, as you are approaching the shores of the new things I have prepared for you. You, along with My Spirit, have navigated well through the tumultuous waters of uncertainty and obstacles. Rejoice, now, as you anticipate and approach your promised lands of inheritance.”

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Editorial Special Section: Dutch Sheets: The Places

Message: Dutch Sheets   Date: May 25, 2023   Source: “Give Him 15 Minutes” 

I love the mountains. Doesn’t matter if it’s to hunt, fish, walk, or sit – I just love hanging out in mountainous terrain. I’ve spent hundreds of hours climbing hills, hiking majestic peaks, and sitting in lush valleys, reflecting, relaxing, and rejuvenating my inner person. If you’ve never sat at the edge of a 13,000 feet mountain peak on a clear, sunny day, looking over forests, rivers, lakes, and valleys – well, let’s just say your bucket list is unfinished.

I remember the day several years ago while hunting elk in Colorado. Actually, I wasn’t elk hunting; I was “place hunting.” I had walked an hour or so from the truck when I rounded a turn, crested a hill, and…there it was. Several hundred yards below me was a gorgeous stream. Across the stream was a beautiful green meadow, covered with flowers, leading up into a golden aspen forest. Indescribable beauty! Almost surreal. Well, this is it, I thought. The hunt is over. I couldn’t find a better place to sit and talk to God.

“How’s it going today, Abba?” I asked. “It sure is great to be together here in this amazing, majestic setting.”

I sat there for a while thinking and conversing with Dad, just enjoying the pleasure of His company. After an hour or so, I heard the unmistakable screech of a Golden Eagle. Sure enough, there it was, soaring right in front of me – gliding, dipping, flying over the river, then back above the trees – just showing off.

“How do you like that, son?” Papa God asked.

“Amazing, Dad. Incredible performance,” I said, thanking Him.

If any of you have biblical proof that God would not have caused this eagle airshow and then spoken to me in this way, please keep it to yourself. Leave me in my blissful ignorance. What a day!

As much as I love mountains, I don’t like being alone on one in the dark. Things get a little scary in the mountains when the sun goes down. The absence of light awakens fright, and thrills give way to chills. There are wolves, grizzlies, black bears, and mountain lions behind every bush, just waiting to eat people! And one can get lost, really lost, on a mountain in the dark. So I always made sure I was back to the truck by nightfall.

Having experienced the intimidation of a mountain alone at night causes me to be even more impressed with Joshua and his thirty-four days alone on Mount Sinai. Many people know Moses spent forty days and nights with God on this mountain, receiving the Ten Commandments and other laws, precepts, and religious rites God intended Israel to live by. Almost no one, however, thinks about Joshua. But he was there, also.

God instructed Moses to join Him on this fiery mountain and take Joshua, his servant, with him.

Now the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and remain there, and I will give you the stone tablets with the law and the commandments which I have written for their instruction. So Moses arose with Joshua his servant, and Moses went up the mountain of God. But to the elders, he said, ‘Wait here for us until we return to you. And behold, Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a legal matter, let him approach them” (Exodus 24:12-14).

Moses obeyed, and up they went. Then things get somewhat puzzling. God actually made the two of them wait six full days before He said anything. “And on the seventh day, He called to Moses from the midst of the cloud” (v. 16). Can you imagine? What would you do for six days sitting just outside a cloud generated by the glory of God, with thunder crashing and lightning flashing inside of it? The mountain actually shook, at times. I wonder if Joshua ever nervously asked, “Uh, Moses, are you sure we’re supposed to be here?”

We’re not told what they did for six days, or why God made them wait. Perhaps He was teaching them patience. Finally, however, He spoke from within the glory cloud and invited Moses in. Notice, I said “Moses” was invited.

The part of this story that intrigues me most is that on the seventh day, when Moses disappeared into the glory cloud, Joshua was left alone for thirty-four more days! He wasn’t invited to the party. One can only imagine what it was like to be there, alone, for more than a month. Was he horrified when Moses walked into the cloud? It was more than just a cloud, after all; it was a fiery cloud: “To the eyes of the sons of Israel [from the base of the mountain], the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the mountain top” (v. 17). One has to wonder:

• Did Joshua wonder for thirty-four days if Moses survived?
• Was he hearing God and Moses talk?
• Did he flinch every time the mountain shook?
• Could he hear the finger of God chipping the Ten Commandments into the tablets?
• Did he get hungry? If so, what did he eat?
• Was he tempted to leave? (We know he didn’t. Exodus 32:17 tells us the two of them came off the mountain together.)
• Did Joshua sit for hours just staring at the glory?
• Did he receive angelic visitations?
• While Yahweh was with Moses, were Jesus or Holy Spirit visiting Joshua?
• What was his reaction when Moses finally emerged with his face glowing from glory exposure?

Although God didn’t reveal these things, He did give us a hint of the effect this experience had on Joshua. In Exodus 32, he and Moses came off the mountain. In chapter 33, Moses erected a tent, sometimes called the Tabernacle of Moses, where the ark of the covenant resided. It was also called “the tent of meeting,” for “everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting” (Exodus 33:7).

When Moses would go into the tent to meet with Yahweh, the people were so captivated and spellbound they would stand and watch, for “the pillar of the cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent” (v. 9). The sight was so spellbinding and awe-inspiring that people would “arise and worship, each at the entrance of his tent” (v. 10).

Everyone but Joshua, that is.

It would seem that on these occasions, Joshua was allowed to go into the tent with Moses. What an honor. And when it was time for Moses to leave, an interesting and revealing development occurred. “Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses returned to the camp, his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, WOULD NOT DEPART FROM THE TENT” (v. 11, emphasis mine).

There you go. Joshua had been infected by an insatiable hunger for the God of glory. Forever ruined on the mountain, he became addicted to the presence of God, hopelessly enamored with the pleasure of His company. One can almost hear Joshua asking his mentor and boss, Moses, as the old leader was leaving, “Hey Moses, you think it is alright if I stayed for a little while and hung out in the presence?”

I can imagine the other “addict” answering with a knowing smile, “Sure, son, take your time.” Yep, it takes one to know one. Moses knew, and understood.

This type of addiction to God’s presence doesn’t occur overnight. When we begin our journey with Yahweh, it takes a while to work through the restlessness of our flesh and emotions as we wait on Him. The “unusualness” of relating to an invisible person must be overcome. Our hearts must learn to connect with His intangible presence, and our minds be quiet enough to hear.

One of the things that will help in this process is to find or create a place where you meet with God regularly. Moses had one, as did Joshua, David, and Christ.

Experiment with various translations of Scripture until you find the one you enjoy most. Buy a journal and, as you spend time with Him, write down your thoughts. He will speak to you in your heart and through your mind. Some people also like to create a personal list of their favorite worship songs to listen to as they spend time with God.

Create a routine that works best for you and get started. If you choose to set aside times to visit with God and train your heart and mind to listen, you’ll begin to hear His voice. As happened with Joshua, an addiction will soon develop, and your encounters with Him will become the highlight of every day. In fact, you’ll find them so fulfilling that, like Joshua, you won’t want to leave.

Pray with me:

Father, bring us into the school of Holy Spirit where we’ll learn to overcome the restlessness of the flesh, quiet our minds and listen until our hearts become fully aware of Your presence.

And as we spend time with You, let us be infected with an insatiable attraction to Your presence. Let us become hopelessly enamored with the pleasure of Your company.

And we pray for America, a confused people wandering in the wilderness of lost identity and misplaced affections. Looking for Your love in all the wrong places, Americans are burnt out on unsatisfying religious activities and sterile Sunday social clubs. America is disoriented, dissatisfied, and deceived. We ask You to rock the boat, buck the system, and annihilate status quo! Show up, Jesus, and infect our nation once again with Your overwhelming presence. In Your wonderful name, we pray, Amen.

Our Decree:

We decree that a powerful presence movement is coming to America, a love affair with Yahweh that can’t be stopped.

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Pray for America: Ekklesia Stay Salty and Bright

Editor’s Note: This article is an excerpt from the “Give Him 15 Minutes” prayer on 6/2 by intercession leader Dutch Sheets . “I invite you to join me every day in prayer for our country until the election crisis is resolved. I will read the daily “Give Him 15 Minutes,” give a comment, and then we will pray together. As we stand for America” You can join us here as we go to Petition. “

【Background: In what we call The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said,

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16)

My friend, Dwain Miller, said regarding this passage:

“We lost our seasoning ability (saltiness) by not embracing our calling and responsibility as the Ekklesia. When we do embrace it, we prevent corruption in society, even as salt prevents corruption when it is used to preserve food. Each of us has a sphere of authority given to us by God, in which we must release our influence as the Ekklesia: our families, cities, and other areas of responsibility. However, the world has come to a place where they expect the church to function only in the realm of empathy and sympathy. They become nervous when we step out into our responsibility as the Ekklesia of God. The devil does not like us moving into the secular realm with Christ’s authority. That’s when things get stirred up, kingdom clashes occur.

“If we simply feed the hungry and clothe the poor, we are accepted. The church needs to do those things, yes, but we also need to use our authority against the dark structures holding people in that bondage of poverty. We need to release them spiritually to become everything God created them to be. When we do so, however, we stir up conflict in both the spiritual and earthly realms.”

Shockingly, the Pharisees didn’t approve of Jesus healing people and delivering sinners. He healed a blind man in John 9; they didn’t like it. He forgave a lady of adultery in John 8; they didn’t like this either. The apostles healed a lame man in Acts 3, which also drew their ire. Why would kind, compassionate acts so upset the antichrist crowd? Because the authority the Ekklesia moved in verified a message they didn’t like and caused the hearts of people to turn to Christ. The works of the church weakened Christ’s enemies and strengthened the church.

It is no different today. As the Ekklesia moves into society saving the lost, healing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out demons, we’ll be persecuted by the religious and political. When we release kingdom strategies for systemic societal problems, we have been and will be attacked. And most assuredly, when we carry our moral convictions into government arenas, those who disagree with us become irate. They think we’re so clueless we can’t see their hypocrisy: they can take their beliefs and moral values – or lake thereof – into government, education, sports, media, etc., but we’re not supposed to. Their decree: “No free speech for Christians and conservatives. No voice. Just go to your churches once a week and be quiet everywhere else.” They accuse us of what they do: forcing their beliefs on others. In reality, we don’t operate in tyranny; they do. Jesus, our Leader, said our method would be to speak truth, be salt and release light.

We must be prepared for the confrontations and accusations we will face with the religious and political spirits operating in our time. When the Pharisees and Sadducees had seen to it that Jesus was crucified, they thought they had finally rid themselves of the threat to their power. Many people had been following Jesus and causing them no end of troubles. We can imagine the religious leaders brushing their hands together after Christ was sealed in the tomb, boasting to one another, “Well, we took care of that problem!”

Their problems had only just begun!

In Acts 2, the outpouring of Holy Spirit occurred. The church had a holy boldness deposited in them by the Spirit of God, and were unstoppable! They realized jail, imprisonment, and beatings would be the result of telling others about Jesus. But they did so anyway, preaching an uncompromising message and refusing to water it down, unafraid of who would be listening. Salt. Light.

Miracles began taking place, and they preached boldly. Acts 4:13 says, “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” This terrified the religious leaders. They had control over the people, having actually developed an antiChrist system in order to maintain this control. They operated in tyranny, lies, and wickedness. Now, their problem was exacerbated. There was no longer only one Jesus to deal with. Increasing numbers of people were carrying Christ within, being baptized in the Holy Spirit, speaking a clear, biblical message and performing miracles. And the church was multiplying.

In Acts 5:12, it says, “And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.”

Salt. Light.

The response of the Pharisees and Sadducees to all this was to throw the apostles in prison. But the Lord sent an angel in the night to open the prison doors and deliver them. Nothing could stop the early Ekklesia, for God was with them.

The religious, political spirit wanted to silence the Christians. No voice! But the demonically empowered opposition discovered that a greater power was in the Christ-followers, and it could not be stopped! This is where we are today. We have entered an Acts 4 and 5 season; Holy Spirit’s anointing and authority is growing in us, restoring our saltiness, our preserving and seasoning ability.

I believe Christ likes the sound of clashing kingdoms; it means we are advancing His kingdom in the earth. A wise Pharisee named Gamaliel said in Acts 5:38-39 (NKJV), “And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” There could be no more appropriate verse for those currently leading our nation and those vomiting their filth into our schools and airwaves.

Darkness hates light – always has and always will – and spoiling bacteria hates salt. The next time you see these forces manifest, remember, the Pharisees knashed (ground) their teeth in rage toward Stephen, shouted loudly, and covered their wars before stoning him (Acts 7:54-60). Don’t be surprised when those who hate God’s ways, hate you.

Stay salty, and stay bright.

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