Such wise words, Dave! Thank you. I have felt overwhelmed so often in these days, and needed to sit at the feet of my Jesus and hear what He says about me, first of all, and then about the world and MY PART in intercession. I have spoken before about ‘staying in our lane’. Everyone has a different part and no one has all the parts. Hallelujah! His Word tells us that His YOKE is easy and His burden is LIGHT (Matt.11:28-29) If we are burdened, it is a s Dave says, we are looking at the problems and not fixing our eyes on Him, and also we each have a ‘metron’, a Greek work for the area of authority and responsibility He has given us. If we step outside it we will be weighed down with burdens which are not ours. IN the areas He calls us to, we are yoked WITH Him.Two animals yoked pull together but one is the lead animal and bears the greater brunt. Sit and gaze at His beauty. Go with no other agenda than just to love on Him.

Several months ago I put a sticky note on my wall that says “ watch & pray”. I don’t even remember why or what prompted me to do it. But when I’m feeling helpless, I’m reminded that watching & praying is indeed doing something!

I appreciate this very much! For I truly believe I was created for such a time as this. I pray to remain strong & steady ever watchful that even in my small life my prayer & commitment to my Lord makes a difference to bring God honor & praise. That America stands strong & mighty not by power or worldly might but by the Spirit of our Father God we remove the shameful administration that promotes abortion & evil as they’re trying. Jesus is Lord!

I must admit I have grown weary this year in intercession after all the stresses of 2020. I was downcast and my arms and hands were listless and laying by my side. Like Aaron and Hur lifting Moses’ hands in Exodus 17, I too needed someone to lift my hands. Lord, forgive me for wanting to give up. You have called me to be a watchman for such a time as this. Thanks, Dave, for your faithfulness in “holding up the hands” of the intercessors who have grown tired of being watchman. We all need to take turns holding up the hands of our fellow intercessors/watchmen.

Thank you, Dave, for the reminder to seek the Word of the Lord which gives us wisdom, direction, strength, and hope, and a firm foundation of TRUTH in a world full of lies and deception. Any message we relay must be from God and not ourselves.

A prayer:

Rejuvenate my faith, O Lord. Restore my passion and energy for intercession. Fuel me with your Word and your power. Remind me that it’s not MY message, but YOUR MESSAGE. You are bringing about your plans and purposes during these last days and you have given us the distinct privilege and responsibility of living during this time. We take comfort in the fact that You have promised to never leave us nor forsake us. You will equip us, guide us, and lift us out of the pit of despair. Lord, we do weep about our personal and national sin and repent in sackcloth and ashes as we lament the sinful turn our nation has taken. Forgive us Lord, save us by your great mercy. Have compassion on us as we are but dust. Come quickly, Lord, let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Thank You, Lord for this encouragement through IFA. Reading Your Word and the woes of many of the prophets we see that man makes the same mistakes throughout history. (Ecc. 1:9) The problem is sin that is in the heart of man (Jer 17:9-10, Mark 7:21-23) Pride has infiltrated every aspect of our lives and as watchmen, it’s been our time to call out the warnings so clearly articulated in Your Word. This is the warning! That You, Lord can not tolerate nor be in the presence of sin. We see it’s destruction throughout the the history documented on Your Word yet we fail to learn from the mistakes made in the past. Proverbs 16:18 reminds us that “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.” We confess that we have been prideful, thinking that we are wise but only in our own eyes. We go against Your precepts and design for humanity. We have sacrificed our children on the throne of convenience. We have redefined Your design for marriage and family leading to a loss of identify and value. We have replaced Your wisdom for our own leaving us isolated, empty and without hope. Yes, Lord we have done these things and now beg for Your mercy. Please Lord, soften our hearts, reinstate the watchmen through repentance and obedience. Lord, hear us and move Your hand. We love You and humbly ask for Your forgiveness and grace to wash over our nation and the nations of this world. Lord, grant us courage and boldness as we speak Your truth and walk in Your ways. Prepare hearts to receive salvation through Jesus Christ as we share Your amazing Love! In Christ’s Name we pray!

I experienced this in a powerful way yesterday. After reading more information on the state of our world I felt really burdened. But then I read the book of Habakkuk! He knew what we are experiencing. After that I took a long prayer walk, put on the armor of God and was immediately renewed in my spirit by the Holy Spirit. Yes, keeping my eyes up and on Jesus!

As I read, this Psalm came to mind…
“I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.”
Psalm 121:1-3

As we watch, the Watchman of all watchmen stands with us and even when we grow weary He does not and will keep us.
Your Brother in Christ,
Michael

Thank you Dave,!!!! the ONLY effective intercession begins with hearing the heart of God. We pray back to Him from earth what HE wants. He has set up His kingdom to be this kind of partnership. We need to put aside our own desires, fears, pleas, and stop long enough, perhaps with fasting, to find out what is in Gods’ heart right now. We would do well to beware of human compassion, which is different from God’s compassion and caring. We must be willing to accept the fact that ending suffering or preventing suffering on earth is not God’s first priority. What is His first priority now???? What is He intently looking for from His people, and watching for in the world as a whole?