I Prayed have prayed
Lord, may Your goodness, power, and wisdom reign over our nation. Reveal Your redemptive plan to Your children and help us to be obedient to Your call.
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Every American citizen should be deeply grateful for God’s gift of this blessed nation and be willing to do whatever they can to ensure it stays true to the vision of the Founding Fathers.

I have just finished reading the book Rees Howells Intercessor, and was particularly encouraged and inspired by Chapters 33-36, detailing the prayers during World War II by Howells and the students and staff of the Bible College he founded in Wales.

 

Their prayer meetings affected the outcome of many battles, decisions by Hitler, and ultimately the war. It came at a significant cost to the people who committed themselves to pray. I saw several instances where their circumstances were similar to our current situation, and we can learn from them.

“This same principle of faith was to be seen in operation on many other occasions in his life. In pursuit of some great aim which the Lord had given him he would, en route, SEEK AND ASK AND BELIEVE FOR SOME PARTICULAR DELIVERANCE OR PROVISION, which he would obtain, but not in the exact form in which he asked for it. To those who were watching from the outside, this would often appear a failure or mistake, provoking much criticism. But the effect on him–and those on the inside with him in the battle of faith -–was just the opposite: it only strengthened him in the pursuit of the main objective of faith until he had obtained it. He would regard a temporary disappointment en route not as a failure but as a stepping stone–rather like a climber who scales a peak mistakenly thinking it is the summit, only to find higher ones beyond and to find his determination increased to reach it.” (p. 198)

This seems applicable to the Supreme Court’s decision to not hear the Texas case. The Ekklesia thought this would solve the election fraud and were praying into that outcome.

I believe we should continue wholeheartedly to pray for justice to be accomplished in the 2020 elections and the true winner inaugurated as President of the USA, but this rejection by the Supreme Court should be regarded as God showing He has a superior plan for victory.

“Mr. Howells explained like this: ‘You are always getting a death on a point that is not really essential, and then receiving a better thing for it.’ ” (p. 197)

In the battle for Ethiopia, the College was praying and fasting from April 24 – May 5 that Mussolini’s army would not enter the capital of Addis Ababa, but at 4pm on the fifth the Italians marched in.

“It was the first lesson for many in the College of what we have seen a number of times in Mr. Howells’s life, namely, the death in an intercession which has to precede the resurrection, and the test on the intercessors as to whether they can walk through their valley of humiliation, of apparent failure, with an unmoved faith. The very thing they believed for did not come to pass. . . .

The Director has more light on intercession to show us–that unless we had interceded for those in Ethiopia, we would never have suffered with them; and if our prayers were of faith we have only had a setback and not a failure as the result of unbelief.” (p. 212)

There were one hundred missionaries who fled Addis Ababa when it was captured, and it seemed the cause of the Gospel was stopped. The Emperor of Ethiopia was a refugee in London during the remainder of the war, but at one time he visited Rees Howells at the College because he had heard of their intense prayers on behalf of Ethiopia. His private chaplain and his son-in-law were students at the College for a period of time.

The final result of their prayers?

“God’s answer was perfect. The expansion of missionary work in the country since the expulsion of the Italians has been by far the greatest in its history. Just as it was to be later in the World War, so now the answer to the intercession could not have been complete until the aggressor had been so dealt with that he could not rise up and menace the country again: and when the missionaries returned, it was reported in the Walamo district that they could not account for the revival which had been actually going on during the Italian occupation when some 500 converts had increased to 20,000!” (p. 215)

I believe God has a great redemptive plan for America, and we must keep praying and building our faith in Him: His goodness, power, and wisdom to establish His Kingdom.

(Used with permission from Rochelle Smith. Photo Credit: Unsplash.)

Share your thoughts on this powerful word from this intercessor in the comments below!

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Patsy
December 31, 2020

I love the book by Rees Howells, Intercessor! My pastor lend me the book to read. Then I ordered one for me. This is one book that every believer should read. We believers think one way and God thinks another way. Rees was such an obedient Christian. I have learned so much from this book. I too am called to be an intercessor by God. The hardest thing for us believers is to allow God to have His way. God’s ways are so strange and different than ours. We can’t understand why God would allow us to suffer first in order to use us. Rees had to suffer many things in order to understand why God’s ways were better. Rees fasted a lot. God took Rees through many difficult trials to help him understand God’s ways. I am not sure if many Christians would want to walk that walk. We are too spoiled. Rees was already a humble man, but God brought him to his knees. Like I said I would encourage you to please read the book, “Intercessor”

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Lisa Watts
December 31, 2020

What an encouragement and thanks you for informing us all about this inspiring book I need to read, quickly.
God Keep us all as vigilant Intercessors for the Kingdom of God. Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God interceding between His believers on earth to His Father in heaven. Luke 22: 69

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Kim Quintana
December 30, 2020

Thank you so very much for your wisdom and insight and the wonderful encouraging words to continue. To Stand!!! Stand I will!

May the Lord Bless You and keep you and shine His face upon you!

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Mary
December 30, 2020

Psalm 60: 11 & 12: O give us help against the adversary, for deliverance by man is in vain. Through God, we shall do valiantly, and it is He who will tread down our adversaries.

I believe the Lord was showing me that President Trump is only a man and deliverance from the enemy won’t be by him. Only God can deliver us from our enemies.

I have not read the book by Rees Howell, but it is now on my reading list. Thank you for your article, very encouraging.

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Nancy Maloney
December 29, 2020

So very encouraging . Thank you for sharing this with us. Was just remembering today a circumstance I was so disappointed about, and sometime later, awhile later, I could see it worked out so much better than what I was holding on to.
If we could just TRUST COMPLETELY,, in every situation.

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Kate Priere
December 29, 2020

Sometime.in October I felt the Lord asking why I haven’t been praying for revival with the same urgency as I was praying for the election. I earnestly desire to see America return to seeking the Lord. I continue to pray that justice and righteousness will prevail, but more importantly, that God’s glory will be seen and sinners will be saved.

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Diane Anderson
December 29, 2020

This is a wonderful reminder to continue to be fervent in prayer in spite of seeming setbacks. I had a professor in Bible College who once told us “Nothing weakens faith more than to look at circumstances.” So I continue in prayer that the Lord will bring to light all wrongdoing in the election, and ultimately the true winner will be inaugerated.In His time,in His way.

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    Rochelle
    December 29, 2020

    Diane, Thank you so much‼️ You have succinctly summarized the point I was making in this article.

    3
Rich S
December 29, 2020

I visited the Wales Bible College in 2000 while the son of Rees Howells was president emeritus. The students were still praying big prayers, like for the fall of Islam!

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Toni Kushner
December 29, 2020

I also read The Intercessor, and found it to be a great tool and encouragement for prayer. scripture tells us ” We always carry around in our bodies the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.”The life of a prayer or an intercessor will always experience this process going on, but always being encouraged that the focus of our prayer is that an eternal work of glory goes on for the praise, honor and glory of His Name. Our part is to ask and rest in is sovereignty.

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    Catherine
    December 29, 2020

    The LORD put this book into my hands back in 1982 and challenged me to a life of intercession similar to “Rees Howells Intercessor”. I must say, it has been an interesting adventure! It’s all about our relationship with Him. Our fellowship with Him becomes more intense when we put our desires aside for His desires. The more we empty ourselves of self, the more of His presence will be manifested in us and through us. This truly is the only way to live.

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Naomi
December 29, 2020

Rees Howells Intercessor has long been a living demonstration of the power of prayer and intercession. Had the blessing of speaking with his son before he passed on to glory. It was abundantly clear the dedication to the truths of the Holy Bible and the understanding of seeking God for His will, the dependence upon God both he and his Father and those who prayed with them and those who prayed with them. All knew the need for God who alone could intervene during their lifetimes. May more of these saints of the Most High God be raised up in this hour in true prayer,seeking God and looking unto Him for the answers as well as crying out for the move of His divine power. God alone can move to bring those in darkness into the light and change hearts to serve Him rather than worldly self serving. We all ( church included ) need to seek God to receive and experience “Godly Sorrow ” unto repentance so God can be faithful to heal our land.(II Chronicles 7:14)If we meet God’s desires in obedience and line up with the righteousness of His spoken Word, He will meet ours.

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    Ruth Brown
    December 29, 2020

    Rees Howell is a great book, and not an easy read in our day. Put it on your future reading list, and you will be blessed and enlarged !

    3
Maredu
December 29, 2020

Submission to God in Christ is more important than our human egos often want to believe!

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Cynthia M. Krueger
December 29, 2020

Thank-you for this biblical truth that God’s timing is perfect and HIS answers not what we may be looking for. Oh, that we might have eyes to see HIS answers and patience for HIS perfect timing!

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Dianna Miller
December 29, 2020

This was a tough read. It showed me what our prayers must witness in order to see the true outcome on the other side. Though we don’t often seem to understand, we must realize God’s timing and His plan will always come together in perfection. We must keep this in mind when praying and not get discouraged so quickly. We have to continue to pray and walk it through to the end. I’ve been out of breath a lot lately because I’m in a hurry to get to the end of the walk. God is saying “slow down and see my hand at work as we walk through this together.” Thank you Jesus for this eye opening article🙏❤️🙌

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    Ruth Brown
    December 29, 2020

    A great article!

    2
      Rochelle
      December 29, 2020

      I love how my pastor receives a compliment, “I’ll give the glory to God, but thank you so much for the encouragement!”

      2
Carol McClain Bassett
December 29, 2020

Reese Howell’s book, Intercessor, was in my dad‘s library as a missionary. I first read it as a teenage girl. But in the last 10 years, I have read it over and over. My copy fell apart and I’ve had to order an updated one. I find myself constantly thinking of his expression, that we should intercede and persevere in prayer until we have “gained the position” before the throne. And then we should rest in that, knowing it has been granted in the heavenly‘s even if we see no sign of it on earth! I was also impressed by his word to Winston Churchill, that he had “gained the position” ( after months of mighty prayer with his band of intercessors) on behalf of England and there was no need for fear.

GOD HAS NEVER ONCE DECREED DEFEAT FOR HIS FAITHFUL ONES WHO BATTLE FOR HIS KINGDOM! There may be a parent defeat in the political and social realm, but that has nothing to do with defeat in the spirit!

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Lori the Avon Lady
December 29, 2020

Amen! I am feeling the same way!

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Kathleen Palmer
December 29, 2020

We know we must not rely on our own understanding. God’s timing is perfect and He has heard our intercession. When we have no more control and give up on our intervention, we have to trust Our God. The glory then goes to the Lord alone when He acts ‼️‼️‼️‼️

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    Valeta Jean Bush
    December 29, 2020

    “When we pray according to His will, He hears us; and we know if He hears us, we have whatever we ask.”

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Joan Diane Bartruff
December 29, 2020

Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name, thank You for granting us to privilege to live through these historical times, and be observers of Your miracles abounding around us. Reveal the miracles to us which far outweigh all concerns and negatives.

You have prepared Your people for this time, and because we are Your people, Your plan will not fail. Help us to look for opportunities to serve Your Kingdom and others. Help us to be encouragers.

Thank You for encouragement through those who have gone on before us, like Rees Howell, students, and staff,
at the college in Wales, who remained steadfast in prayer during WWII. Remind me, the prayers of those who wear Christ’s robe of righteousness avail much. I should not weary in praying, or “well doing” no matter what
is happening in world events.
Christ’s robe of righteousness

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Carole
December 29, 2020

I agree we know Gods ways and thoughts are higher than our ways and thoughts. We have to know His promises are good for us and trust Him.

It reminds me of story Martha and Mary was weeping telling Jesus if you would of came Lazarus wouldn’t of died. But Jesus didn’t want just a healing He wanted a Resurrection!
So let’s continue to pray and trust Him for the results.
There is a Miracle on the way however the Lord desires that to look like.
Romans8:28

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Rebecca Reid
December 29, 2020

We must press in and not stop believing God for the victory over our Nation! We will see His wave of glory sweep across this Nation and a true church birthed like we have never seen before!

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    Delilah bruch
    December 29, 2020

    Amen. All promises of God are Yes and Amen in Christ Jesus.

    15
nancy jesudass
December 29, 2020

I agree 100% with Rees Howell .We need to know the book of Habakkuk more deeply . Habakkuk had changed the way of his prayer for the nation . He agreed with God and ended up with REJOICING in the dark outside looking like a failure yet bright hope in waling with God by faith not by sights go on en route in the heights of the battle with a song of victory without seeing anything but his eyes of faith was on The Lord of the battle ‘REJOICNG IN GOD MY SAVIOR “

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Jeanne Nazzal
December 29, 2020

Let us never forget that God is in control and no other force can touch the soul of our country…I believe that is the truth because He told us that He will never leave us nor forsake us. 🙏

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Carmela Atwood
December 29, 2020

I agree with this article. Many times I have realized through prayer and outcomes of situations, that good is the enemy of God’s best. Embracing a NO from God is a safe place to be.
Lord help me and our nation be still and know that you are God.

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