The atmosphere is ripe for conflict. It hangs thick in the air like a fog–a predator just waiting to be unleashed. But I believe there is a strategy that will not only hold it, but push it back.

Most of us watch the news or look around our city as riots rage, police are pelted, and peaceful protesters are hurt or killed.

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Most of us recognize the difference between the peaceful protesters (who are speaking up about an issue that is an issue in America) and the rioters who are activists with an agenda to cause harm, destruction, and chaos. The latter is the spirit of which I speak. We have the authority to quell the conflict in the spiritual realm as we form a wall not only with prayer, but with praise and the Word.

We need to “seed the clouds” to change the atmosphere.

“Cloud-seeding” is the colloquial term for launching chemicals into clouds via rockets, accelerating the creation of ice crystals that eventually become rain. It is a practice that has been used often by China to produce rainfall, but also by many other countries who have experienced severe seasons of drought. They shoot missiles into the atmosphere to bring the needed change.

I believe that should be our strategy to change the atmosphere of rage and chaos in our land as we shoot up “missiles” of praise, worship, and declarations of the Word of God.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Heb 4:12).

Where has this strategy been used in the past?  

• In the beginning God spoke and the world was created. (Gn 1)
• In biblical times, singers and musicians of praise were sometimes the front line of the battle. (2 Chr 20, Jo 6)
• Jesus spoke to the storm, “Peace, Be still.” (Mk 4:36-41)

In ancient times, a vast army from three different groups marched against God’s people intent on destroying them. The Israelites fasted, prayed, and cried out to God.

“Lord we don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (2 Chr 20:12)

We face the same dilemma as the riots rage, COVID-19 has continued and the National Guard has been called into several states to take control. Lord, we don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on You!

The result in biblical times as the people “seeded the clouds” with worship was miraculous.

And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with voices loud and high.  After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”

As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another (2 Chr 20:17-19 & 21-23).

Praise and the Word are our weapons. This is how we are to fight our battles.

On the National Day of Prayer, I participated in a call for the Bible to be read aloud in one day across our nation. Each state was given a section to read. I didn’t know if anyone else in my state was participating and so I read the entire section for Oklahoma aloud that day.

When I was finished, not only did I recognize that I had helped change the atmosphere, but it had changed me. I determined from that day on for my daily Bible reading to be done aloud. Additionally, I often go outside and sit on my porch as I read to declare it into the atmosphere.

Why does this matter? Because the Word of God is a powerful force that will accomplish what it is sent forth to do. Our job is to give voice to it.

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it (Is 55:10-11).

Will you join me in seeding the clouds and changing the atmosphere of chaos in our nation to praise for peace?

If you would like to make this an ongoing strategy in your life, we have a Bible reading schedule that will take you through the year to read aloud. If you simply want to participate in an immediate atmosphere changing action, will you begin to pray out from the Psalms or wherever the Lord leads you. Follow it with praise and prayer for our nation.

CLICK HERE FOR THE BIBLE READING SCHEDULE.

Isaiah 55:12-13 tells us the end result of the activated Word of God: You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thorn bush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever  (Is 55:12-13).

As we pray for the rioting to stop, let us not lose focus that there is a deeper issue that God is working in our nation–revival that transforms hearts. We don’t just want to see peace in our land. We want to see removal not only of racism, but also of perversion, humanism, and pride. Let us pray for reconciliation and hearts that are hungry for Him as we seed the clouds to see change.

Karen Hardin is a literary agent, author, and intercessor. Her work has appeared in USA Today, World Net Daily, Intercessors For America, Charisma, CBN.com, The Elijah List, etc. If you are interested in changing the atmosphere in Washington DC to pray before the election this fall, you can contact her at [email protected]. https://destinybuilders.world/ at www.prioritypr.org, www.karenhardin.com  or