Through this year that now draws to a close, there has certainly been plenty to pray about. But we saw God give new strategies to intercessors as they stepped out obediently and boldly. In the face of all those reports that could have instilled fear, people of prayer displayed a sheer determination to press on in faith. In retrospect, I see intercessors who chose to lock arms together for a greater purpose, when they might otherwise have given in to divisiveness. 

Have you taken your place on the wall?

View Comments (8)

… The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working] (James 5:16b AMPC).

I am beyond grateful for those faithful who pray along and who engage the calls to action whenever those are shared. It’s been an eventful year. Here are some calls to intercession — and some ways that your prayers have made a big difference. 

God’s Ways Are Higher

Many of you will recall SatanCon, that satanist gathering held in Boston in April and which caught the attention of mainstream news outlets. Normally, such an event would have us kicking into direct warfare mode: We’d pray binding-and-loosing prayers and start “rebuking the devil” and “refusing him any access” to our cities. This is understandable, and it is precisely what two sisters who live in Massachusetts initially set out to do. God had them take another approach instead.

Suzie and Lynn MacAskill, IFA’s state prayer leaders for Massachusetts, were quite surprised at His unconventional strategy. The Lord told the sisters that, rather than “pray them away,” He wanted His chosen ones to go to the gathering and meet the people there with His love. Thousands of intercessors prayed on IFA’s prayer calls and downloaded prayer guides to intercede in agreement for a great harvest of souls to come forth. The Lord moved on the hearts of intercessors who shared that they, too, had wanted to rebuke the gathering but wound up praying instead for His will to be done. Those prayers, along with the prayers of the intercessors who came and stood on-site physically, planted kingdom seeds in Boston. The Lord is faithful when we are obedient! And I expect God to continue to do big things in Massachusetts in His appointed time. Your prayers were a big part of this successful intercessory mission. 

Countering the Enemy’s Plans 

This past summer saw a new strain of COVID called Eris, after the Greek goddess of strife and discord. Given our awareness that names often have prophetic meanings, we were able to see the root behind the virus, seeking to divide the people further. Many read, shared, and prayed alongside IFA. That virus never inflicted the strife and discord it had been expected to do. In fact, it was reported that the number of COVID cases was lower than in previous years, and that is something to be grateful for. It also proved that so much more can be done when there is agreement in prayer rather than strife and division (see Matthew 18:20).

We understand that physical problems in our nation have unseen spiritual roots. Author and speaker Jill Noble spoke with IFA Chief Program Officer Kris Kubal about some of the demonic roots of this nation. Many of the sins we see in our culture now are merely repackaged wickedness from biblical times. Jill offers encouragement to intercessors for using our God-given authority in resisting evil.

If we are repentant, obedient, and prayerful, God will disclose His secrets and strategies and give us opportunities to pray not just from where we are, but also on-site. That seems to have become a recurring theme.

In Ohio, several intercessors were moved to pray when they learned that train derailments had contaminated the waters and land in that state. In Texas, Kentucky, and Florida, intercessors discovered that pagan rituals were being done at their rivers, bringing curses on the land, so they prayed over those rivers. In Wisconsin, state prayer leaders met with a team of prayer warriors to perform prophetic acts for blessing across various counties. IFA contributing writer Rich Swingle bicycled through the New York City borough of Manhattan while praying for the city. Elsewhere, two other intercessors painted Bible verses onto wooden crosses and then planted them at their states’ borders. And the list goes on. 

A pastor in Texas discovered Masonic roots in his city and gathered a team of intercessors to pray on-site. Having heard about IFA through a friend, he reached out to seek  prayer covering for an event he called God’s Encounter Weekend. Many youths were healed, delivered, saved, and baptized at this event.

I pray all of this brings you encouragement. Leaders like that pastor are looking to people of prayer; they’re desiring our prayers for favor, for protection, for guidance. And we at IFA are a community of praying people stretching far beyond the U.S. One evangelist has brought the March for Jesus event, which takes place in the U.S. every year, into the Netherlands. 

Many times this year, we could have given in to anxiety and worry and fear — which would only have hindered our prayers. But instead, we stepped out in faith. Our confident hope should always be anchored in the Lord. As we look back on how God answered prayer in 2023, let’s praise Him and give thanks!

As we look forward to 2024, we are, of course, unsure what to expect. It’s a big election year — normally, during these cycles, there is increased tension and violence in the land. We must keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. We must keep our ears turned toward heaven. Keep taking up the armor of God daily, and keep your sword sharp, for discernment’s sake. Most important, remember that you possess a power that is so great that Jesus’ disciples, witnessing that power at work in Him, pleaded: “Lord, teach us how to pray.”

Prayer is exceedingly powerful, so long as we remember in whose name and authority we are praying! 

Father, this year brought its challenges, heartbreaks, and disappointments, but it also brought victories. We praise You! Every challenge was an opportunity for us to pray and to engage in action. Thank You for the growing community of intercessors who locked arms with us, and for the presence of the faithful who are always praying. Lord, please expand our intercessory community, because we know that more prayer equals more power. Strengthen and bless this community with a heart that is always after You! Bless us with unity — make us one. Help us to love You with all our hearts, and to love others the way You love us. Please refresh the weary intercessors as we head into the new year. Grant rest wherever it is needed. Give peace that crushes chaos wherever it is needed. Restore the joy of intercession to all who have battled long, and grant fresh boldness and courage to every one of us as we step out in faith. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Share with others below whatever you’re experiencing and turning into fervent prayers.

IFA contributing writer Gloria Robles is a passionate intercessor with a prophetic voice for today. For more from Gloria, go to Spotify or Anchor and listen to her podcast. Photo Credit: Intercessors for America.