In 2017 I was given a word by my good friend, Bill Yount, a nationally-recognized prophetic voice to the Church. His word greatly encouraged me as an intercessor. I soon realized it was not just a word for me, but for all the intercessors who have been praying for our nation and wondering if their prayers were truly making any difference.

Bill said, “I kept seeing you as a small rudder on a huge ship. Hidden, but giving guidance. Although it seemed slow, it was turning the whole ship. Patience was needed to see the impact. I sense the Lord saying, ‘Don’t jump ship! I’ve made you the rudder!’ “I was immediately touched in my spirit by this encouragement knowing that, as intercessors, our seemingly small place in prayer is having a great impact.

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James 3:4 talks about the power of a small rudder to steer a large ship. In this Scripture about the power of our tongue, consider the power of prophetic intercession. In the Forerunner Commentary on this verse we read, “…rudders manipulate the course of immense ocean vessels with a slight movement of a pilot’s hand. Since it is underwater and aft, the rudder of a ship does its work unseen. A passenger is ignorant of its movements most of the time. Yet, when it is in proper working order, the rudder holds more power over the ship than the wind. The wind will blow, toss, even destroy the ship’s rigging, but the rudder guides the ship exactly where it directs.”

This is God’s promise to the intercessors during times of national turbulence. Don’t stop praying! Your prayers have great power to turn the ship! Continue praying, interceding, and discerning the workings and movements of the Holy Spirit, being faithful to God’s commands. As we come together to declare God’s faithfulness, this nation will head in the direction that God intends. Don’t give up and don’t give in.

Regardless of the winds of adversity and the fires of the enemy, God’s people have a power that cannot be matched. Let us join in faith and continue to pray and speak of God’s faithfulness in order to bring God’s people and this nation into the fullness of God’s plans.

Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere Him. For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations. (Psalm 33:8-11)