I Prayed have prayed
Lord God, thank You that You are at work right now in the midst of everything. Thank you for healing our wounds by the power of the wounded, risen Christ.
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Sunday evening in Nashville, the capital of Tennessee, multitudes gathered on the Capitol grounds culminating seven successive days of prayer and praise countering the chaos. Beginning once again on the grounds of the Capitol courthouse, multitudes of intercessors peacefully passed “Black Lives Matter” activists in a prayer vigil on the way to the seat of our legislative body.

The week was reminiscent of what took place in Jericho when God directed His people to march for six days around the city and then on the seventh day do it again but this time lift up a shout of praise! God caused the formidable walls to collapse enabling His people to secure the victory!

What took place then and what was repeated in Music City most likely appeared like foolishness to the natural mind. Multitudes of peaceful and pleasant-faced Christians prayer-walking by assembled police and BLM demonstrators may have triggered similar thoughts. But after an explosive eruption a week ago, the entire city certainly rejoiced that our experience was nothing like that of cities like Minneapolis, Seattle, Portland, Atlanta and scores nationwide. The multitudes of black and white prayer warriors who participated-and I was privileged to be one of them-believe we experienced divine intervention in moving a mountain out of our way.

First of All

I have had the honor of serving on the board of Intercessors for America launched by Derek Prince and Ern Baxter almost 50 years ago.

The biblical passage that has been the core of our mission is 1 Timothy 2:1-4. I believe, from personal experience, this is one of the most neglected directives in the entire New Testament.

FIRST OF ALL [emphasis mine] then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and ALL WHO ARE IN AUTHORITY [emphasis mine] in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

By divine revelation, the apostle Paul in this passage gave instruction to the younger apostle Timothy on how God’s people were to conduct themselves in the church. In assembling together the priority was put on praying for civil authorities so the people of God have good government and enjoy a tranquil environment enabling them to freely  proclaim the gospel and see God’s will fulfilled for multitudes to be saved!

Honestly, do most churches do this? Do any churches do this? From my 50 years in Christian service I’ve seen hardly a handful consistently pray for the government in their local church gatherings.

But crisis brings clarity! And today in the midst of the unprecedented crises we’ve been experiencing, many pastors and people are having a “woke” moment to take this seriously. That’s really good news!

Volunteering for Service

In Tennessee our motto is the “Volunteer State.” For the approximately 500 that gathered on Sunday night to conclude our week of intercession during these turbulent and tense times, a verse comes to mind. “The Lord will stretch forth Thy strong scepter from Zion, saying, ‘Rule in the midst of Thine enemies. Thy people will volunteer freely in the day of Thy power…”(Ps.110:2-3 NAS).

Our Ledger newspaper screamed front page titles like “Racism… Police brutality… I can’t breathe… Black Lives Matter… No justice… White privilege…”

We dared to believe that by taking our place as “watchmen on the wall“ (Is.62:6)… repenting of our sins (2 Chron. 7:14)… knowing “our fight is not against flesh and blood, But against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.(Eph.6:12-13)…and “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people mourn“(Prv.29:2), we came together in faith and witnessed a quick cessation of the anarchy, looting, violence and unrest.

Unite Nashville

As we knelt together on the grounds of our capital building, I scanned the  diversity displayed amongst the  intercessors; approximately half black and half white men, women, youth and children loving God and each other. Probably half wore T-shirts with words emblazoned on the front: “Unite Nashville” next to two hands clasped together in prayer-one black and one white.

As Christians we know the root problem of our racial divide is sin. The solution is the new birth experience transforming our hearts as we yield our lives to Jesus, the “Prince of Peace” who alone can bring us together.

We left grateful for the calm that came over our city and we know we played a significant part by responding to what God called us to do in being “salt” here in Music City USA.

I drove home remembering a song by a man who has a supper club not far from where we assembled. Maybe you recall the lyrics from the  classic song by Ray Stevens who inspired us to envision what God intends for us in the “new heaven and a new earth”(Rev.21:1 when He finally returns.

“Everything is Beautiful”

Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white. They are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Everything is beautiful in its own way. Like a starry summer night on a snow-covered winter’s day. And everybody’s beautiful in their own way. Under God’s heaven the world‘s  gonna find a way.”

Here’s the deal: In the midst of these turbulent times, let’s all do our part to tell others about Jesus so that they may, like us, realize Him truly as the way.

 

Larry Tomczak is a cultural commentator of 46 yrs, Intercessors for America board member, best-selling author and a public policy advisor with Liberty Counsel. His innovative video/book, BULLSEYE, develops informed influencers in 30 days (see www.bullseyechallenge.com). Hear his weekly podcast here.

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lisa wilson
August 10, 2020

i have been seeking deliverance for 23 years. i have a demon that is channelling through me impersonating the real me and have been to many churches and they all could not help me. i have crioed out to, God for my deliverance and don’t understand why He has not freed me. this demon forces me to practice masturbation, overeat, overshop, and i can’t sleep because i have no peace. it tries to get me to kill myself. please comment back to me. i need deliverance. i am sad to hear thing thing curse Christ as i was raissed in a Chritian home. how didi i get myself in this mess?

Donald R Winders
June 28, 2020

AMEN

Delia Pabon
June 27, 2020

AMEN!!!!

Kathy
June 24, 2020

I decree Amen to building a wall of prayer around our nation I am a intercessor standing praying for our Nation President & Vice president and those in authority. God Bless IFA and all that you do to keep us informed of the issues to pray about and stand together on.

Palm Bay. Florida
June 23, 2020

AMEN!

Rhonda Kielinen
June 23, 2020

Amen

Bill
June 23, 2020

amen

Nancy M. Garver
June 23, 2020

Amen. Isn’t our country worth saving? Pray like never before!!

Deborah Melicharek
June 23, 2020

Yes, Amen, Praise God!!! He is the waymaker, miracle worker, light in the darkness, promise keeper!!! God is doing a great and mighty work in these days as the light exposes the darkness and He never stops working. He alone is worthy to be praised, to receive all the glory forever and ever, Amen!!

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Eila Granfors
June 23, 2020

Starting a prayer group this Friday, June 26, 2020 to pray for our Nation. It was great to read about the people in Nashville to gather together, God is a prayer answering God.

Maria Gallant
June 23, 2020

Praise YAH for hearing and answering all the prayers. I have joined all you intersessors from Winnipeg in Canada. Ny heart and spirit arewith you all. Do not give up, for this battle won’t let up until JESUS comes. I love you all. We do win but it is a fight. May GOD bless you all and keep you strong and I pray for God’s wise stratages and HIS righteous judgement to prevail. We cry out for JUSTICE in Jesus name.

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    Joyce
    June 23, 2020

    How encouraging to read these words from you! We are all so upset at what is happening, but grateful for your prayers!

Cheryl Campbell
June 23, 2020

AMEN!

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Denise Lewis
June 22, 2020

AMEN!!!

Phoebe Jean Haigler
June 21, 2020

So grateful for those believers who are bold enough to stand for GOD in Heaven in these serious times.

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Nadine Lutrick
June 21, 2020

AMEN!!!!!

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Faye Bowden
June 21, 2020

Amen

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Donna Martin
June 21, 2020

AMEN AND AMEN!!

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Pam Heil
June 21, 2020

That is sooooo powerful!! I am praying that God will multiplay that prayer model to every start!! Amen, Thank you Jesus

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Leslie
June 20, 2020

Amen.

Thank you for sharing.

1
Lisa Williams
June 20, 2020

Amen.

1
Linn DeGennaro
June 20, 2020

Amen!

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Sue Sipe
June 20, 2020

Amen

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Mikell Calkin
June 19, 2020

Amen!!

1
Mary
June 19, 2020

Amen!! This is beautiful! We need to praying more for our nation, our president and those surrounding him. Our nation is under siege with violence and injustice. God is the WAY MAKER………

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LINDA
June 19, 2020

Amen!

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Jamie
June 18, 2020

Thank you Lord for this intersession! I pray for more all over our country!

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Janet Broling
June 18, 2020

YOU can cover our nation for a year, (365 days, 24 hours a day) with Rotational Fasting and Prayer for true repentance & revival:

1. ASK GOD TO HELP YOU ‘ORGANIZE A YEAR OF ROTATIONAL FASTING AND PRAYER’ FOR “HIS GLORY.” BE PRO-ACTIVE. (With social media, emails, etc. connect your family, church friends, neighbors, peers, prayer partners with this challenge)
2. Ask 31 people to select one date of the month (1-31) to fast and pray from midnight to midnight for 12 months so that every day of each month is covered by someone fasting and praying. Keep a calendar of who is praying each day.
3. Each month send encouragement & prayer petitions, based upon scripture, to each prayer & fasting prayer partner.
4. WATCH OUR LORD JESUS WORK! WHEN ONE WORKS, ONE WORKS – WHEN ONE PRAYS, GOD WORKS

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Patricia Trott
June 18, 2020

Praise God for these brothers and sisters doing the will of God. That we all should follow suits and take back our land the LORD has given us to possess.

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Elsie
June 17, 2020

Amen! And Praise the Lord that the church is praying again, seriously praying to God because there’s unity, humility and love among the brethren. Thank you for those who stepped up to start the prayer event and for everyone joining in to pray. Yes, this is a group (prayer & praise) walk and gathering we believers in Yeshua/Jesus can all start/participate in our respective cities.

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Marilyn Carlson
June 17, 2020

Amen!

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Fawn Evans
June 17, 2020

Amen!!

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virginia blakeman
June 17, 2020

Dutch Sheets recently spoke on Pentecost Sunday about a dream he had been given concerning Model, Tennessee – which he thought use to be a city in Tennessee. I felt in my heart that God was telling that person in the dream that Tennessee would be a model for the nation – a model of prayer and worship and Christ-likeness. After seeing what happened there Sunday and knowing your State is at the forefront of calling people to prayer assemblies by James Goll – I know that is true. God bless you for leading this nation in its efforts to recover it all!

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Karen Crutcher
June 17, 2020

AMEN! God watches over His Word to perform it!

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Karen Sholar
June 17, 2020

AMEN!

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katherine wickey
June 17, 2020

praying

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Lisa
June 17, 2020

Amen!

2
Emily
June 17, 2020

Amen!

2
Glynelle and Howard Hull
June 16, 2020

Amen
Thank you for this wonderful testimony too!

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Rev. Sophia Snyder
June 16, 2020

Amen

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Patti Bollinger
June 16, 2020

Amen and Amen!!!!!

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Susan H
June 16, 2020

AMEN!

2
Willa Jackson
June 16, 2020

Amen!

2
Kay Oaks
June 16, 2020

Amen!

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Brenda
June 16, 2020

AMEN! I wish all people knew that it is Satan who is causing all this disruption. I’m originally from the Nashville area and was thrilled to see what y’all have accomplished. Praise God!

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Janel
June 16, 2020

AMEN! AMEN! May the Mountains Move in other cities coast to coast! May they know the love and the power of our GREAT GOD!

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Sharon Smith
June 16, 2020

AMEN!

1
Donna Rasmussen
June 16, 2020

So encouraged to read this and I am also praying.

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Patricia Asmussen
June 16, 2020

Amen. Father in Heaven Thank you for these here United States of America. thank you that we come from every nation and tongue on the planet. Thank you that it is your values that make us strong. Father there are those who have crept in among us who do not love you and do not love our country. You know who they are and I ask that you find them a new home where they will be more happy. I pray that you would invite every who doesn’t like America to leave so that we can be back to attending to our Father’s business which is to be fruitful and multiply. Father thank you for sending Jesus. Jesus thank you for what you did and are still doing. Send these people back from whence they came. Thank you for these wonderful people who did a prayer vigil and help us all to be fervently praying for your return. In your precious name I pray Amen

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R. Leimer
June 16, 2020

What an encouragement to see that God is moving in a powerful way to bring reconciliation among the people in the midst of wild disorder.

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Linda weirich
June 16, 2020

AMEN

3
Susan McGowan
June 16, 2020

Susan in NC
Amen!!!

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Miriam Minnis
June 16, 2020

AMEN!

2
Elizabeth Lishen
June 16, 2020

AMEN

1
Kay
June 16, 2020

Amen 🙏🙏🙏

2
Vicky Coronado
June 16, 2020

AMEN Praise the Lord
God is working!!!

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Gerry
June 16, 2020

Amen!

2
Yvonne
June 16, 2020

Amen.

1
Nancy Binkley
June 16, 2020

Amen!

2
Joe Wolfe
June 16, 2020

Amen!

1
Bruni Ortiz
June 16, 2020

Amen,Amen, Amen!!

2
Kathleen Martin
June 16, 2020

Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen!!

3
Jane Flora-Swick
June 16, 2020

Amen!!

3
Daniel & Esther Lewis
June 16, 2020

AMEN and AMEN!

3
Joan
June 16, 2020

Amen!

3
Kevin Straight
June 16, 2020

Praise the Lord!!
I pray that movements like this can happen all across these United States. Prayer is the answer along with that repentance,God will hear a people who humble themselves before Him. May the Holy Spirit ignite the flame in His people to come together peacefully and seek His guidance. Thank you Jesus for starting to awaken Your people. Again I just Praise the Lord.

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MaryJo Coleman
June 16, 2020

Thank you do much Christians in Nashville!!!!

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April Brandes
June 16, 2020

AMEN!

3
Elva
June 16, 2020

Amen! Amen!

2
Ambria Kirby
June 16, 2020

AMEN !!!!

3
RHONDA REARDON
June 16, 2020

AMEN!!

2
Michael
June 16, 2020

Amen, Amen!

3
Larry
June 16, 2020

Having lived and worked in the capitol neighborhood a while back I am familiar with the area and the people. I was happy to see that the destruction that occurred in other cities did not happen in Nashville. Like you said, God can move and calm chaotic situations. We just need to ask and believe. Also, it is better to pray for the government rather than simply criticize – and this is a growth and learning process because it isn’t always easy to do.

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Danielle Hidalgo
June 16, 2020

Amen!

3
Cathy Stroud
June 16, 2020

Amen! Perfect stand! God bless these people and their families! God bless America! Praying for our President and all in authority over us. Always in need of prayer!

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Mary
June 16, 2020

Amen!

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Idona Majors
June 16, 2020

Amen! Our Church in the Capital City of Idaho, is praying throughout the week in multiple small gatherings as well as meeting at the Capital Building on Saturdays🙏🏻

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Gloria
June 16, 2020

AMEN!!

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Nicole
June 16, 2020

Amen this is the kind of protest I can support. PTL we are able to unite for a good cause!God is on the move!

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Lori Higgins
June 16, 2020

AMEN!

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Sharon
June 16, 2020

Amen. PRAISE THE LORD! He is at work! Awesome! Thank you, Nashville, for leading the way in showing how to unify believers of all races through uniting in prayer. God bless you all!

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Cheryl
June 16, 2020

Amen and Amen.

3
Joni Rafnson
June 16, 2020

Father,
Help your people in other cities across this nation that when we Praise and Worship and have the faith of a grain of a mustard seed we can speak to this mountain of dissention and division and it will be cast into the sea. Also as we open our mouths glorifying you and your wonderous works just as when the Egyptians had the Israelites up against the Red sea. The mighty God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob opened a way and they crossed over to safety and their enemies were drown never to be seen again! Thank you that You are greater than any principality trying to destroy Your plan for this nation. You are stronger than any demonic source trying to influence this nation. You are our only source and help in these troubled times. Give us the courage to believe what You have said You are able to do. Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above anything we can ask think or imagine according to His power that is at work within us. To do His excellent and mighty work. Arise Bride and display the Glory of Your Fathers house! This is the time this is the hour! In Yeshuas name Amen

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Joyce
June 16, 2020

Amen!! I am praying.
Our God is at work in all of this.
Praise Him!!

5
Tim
June 16, 2020

Amen!!!

4
Patrice
June 16, 2020

Fabulous example of Jesus with skin on. People expressing Jesus love for all.

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Jerry E Sauls
June 16, 2020

Our only hope is in God Almighty, not the Supreme Court, not in money; but in the hearts and people of our land that put their trust in God. All things are found in Him and it is in Him that a proper conclusion is found for each and every problem that crosses our path. So, we as the believers in Him must continue to put our lives and our future into His love and care and let Him control the outcome. Father, there probably has never been a time in the history of this nation that warrants and intervention by Your Spirit, so we as You to come and intervene for our sake and for Your Glory. Amen!

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Patricia Mack
June 16, 2020

The lyrics read “red and yellow, black and white” …not pretty yellow…

2
Lois Taritas
June 16, 2020

Amen father
Let it spread in every city and state. Unity as one! Hallelujah!

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Terry Ann McHan
June 16, 2020

Amen..so be it,Lord.

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Sylvia Neptune
June 16, 2020

Amen!

4
Lori Meed
June 16, 2020

We had a similar event in Harrisbug, Pa. Church leaders, both black and white, assembled on the steps of the Capitol building for a time of repentance, worship and prayer on June 6. Then, this Friday, June 19, there will be a Juneteenth Freedom and Unity March led by Apostle Joseph Green and Messianic Rabbi David Rosen that will cross the bridge in Harrisburg which historically divided the black and white communities on either side of the river. Father is calling His remnant church more than ever to lay down their lives – and their agnedas – to walk with one another in love. May God arise and His enemies be scattered!

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Mary Johnson
June 16, 2020

Thank you Mr. Tomczakfor this marvelous article. This is the most encouraging news l have heard in a long time. To see the church really being the church is a glorious thing !!
Praise our wonderful Lord.

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Bonnie Simpson
June 16, 2020

Amen! GOD’s pattern is so clear for such a time as this. Let’s rise up, followers of CHRIST and watch GOD do the battle as we humbly obey!
What a model for those who want to truly impact this crisis.

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Helen
June 16, 2020

Amen! Lord, may it happen again in my area. Pastors, congregations in unity of Holy Spirit

6
Regina
June 16, 2020

Amen

5
Beth Jordan
June 16, 2020

Amen

4
Charlotte Tennant
June 16, 2020

Amen

5
Diane Cyr
June 16, 2020

Wonderful for Tenn. !!
Praise God!!
How do we do this in Ct and all the states?
How did they get together?

4
Joan Bartruff
June 16, 2020

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the wonderful witness and prayers offered in the City of Nashville in response to the horrific things happening around our nation in the past weeks and months. Let the truth that there is neither yellow, white, black, red be planted in the hearts and minds of all Americans, and around the world.
We are meant to be “One” in Christ Jesus, forever. Bless those in Nashville who joined hands and hearts to show the world this truth. Very inspiring, Lord. I pray many more demonstrations like this will occur around our country, and the world. Amen.

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