God is doing amazing things despite the drastic changes in our nation. I’m blessed to hear stories of God raising up people and sending them out with influence, and opening doors only He can open. Everyday people like stay-at-home moms, widows, retirees, and just about anyone who will answer His call are rising in this hour. This is an amazing story of how God is using an intercessor whose only prerequisite was her obedience.

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Whitney Thorn grew up in the Midwest, and moved to Boca Raton, Florida five years ago. She is a wife and mother of three. Whitney was brought up Lutheran and so was familiar with prayer; however, she admits her prayers were self-focused, and she sometimes struggled to read the Bible.

Ten months ago, Whitney’s life drastically changed. She began to read the Bible daily, coupled with fasting and prayer. It was then that the Lord began to unlock His word to her, and she shifted from praying to intercession. In case you don’t know the difference, prayer and intercession are both communicating with God. Most people pray, but intercession is when we identify with Christ the Intercessor. It is an act that puts others before self. It’s God’s agenda above our own.

Something’s Gotta Give

As Whitney participated in extended fasts, she was given her assignment. She felt an overwhelming burden for the unsaved. She also felt a burden to awaken the sleeping Church. As she continued to feel the burden of the Lord, she sought Him even more in prayer. Through a series of dreams, she felt God was asking her to step out in boldness and stand up for biblical truths. She responded to these dreams with even more intercession, fasting, and action. It was here that Whitney began to see the victory.

What Fruit Came From Her Prayers?

Whitney and her husband sent their children to a Christian school. This school was considering “incorporating culture change,” which meant inclusion of LGBTQ and critical race theory, along with evolution.

She called for a meeting with the pastor of the school and took a bold stand against this infiltration of perversion. With boldness and the love of God, she spoke the Truth from God’s word, that none of the above should be allowed in a Christian school. Whitney, who was serving on the school board at that time, eventually stepped down and opted to homeschool her children instead. She fervently prayed for this school, the parents, and the pastors to “wake up.”

So how did God answer, you may ask? Whitney shared, “Over the summer I overheard from friends that a multitude of families showed up in the principal’s office and took a stand against corrupt teachings that were in the school.”

“Another answer came when the principal would also reach out to the science department and ask them to remove everything from the curriculum that was against faith-based biblical truth of creation.” Whitney said, “Though I don’t know fully what is happening, I do know that God has started a movement there.”

Knock and the Door Will be Opened

As Whitney continued to walk in obedience, God opened more doors for her. She was granted an opportunity to serve at a dinner where Governor Ron DeSantis was the guest of honor.

Whitney has many affluent friends from the Christian school in Boca Raton. She learned from a friend that they were hosting a dinner for Gov. DeSantis at a private residence, with a price tag of $5,000 a plate, and an opportunity to eat at the table with him for $25,000. Whitney jokingly told her friend, “It’s too rich for me, but I’d love to help in any way. Only 5 days before the event I was asked to be a server. They needed two servers, so I invited my sister Kacy to serve with me.”

Whitney remembers the chef calling her to find out more about her experience. She was completely transparent, confessing that she had not served a table in 15 years. She also shared that she and her sister felt the need to be there to pray for the governor. The chef proceeded to confess to Whitney that he wanted to be there for the same reason!

Many people attended the dinner, many of which were Christians. Soon a line formed to take pictures. When it was Kacy’s turn, she looked Gov. DeSantis in the eyes and said, “We are praying for you.” To which he humbly replied, “Thank you so much.”

As Whitney was setting up the dining area, Gov. DeSantis entered with one other person. He spoke to Whitney and asked if she worked for the catering company. Whitney took this opportunity to share with the governor that she took the position to pray for him. She then thanked him for fighting for Florida’s freedoms and his great work. He expressed his thanks to Whitney.

What an amazing testimony of what God can do when we are obedient!

What Advice Can You Offer to Encourage Intercessors to Step Out?

“I remember praying a dangerous prayer.” Whitney said, “God, there is so much deception. Will you please use me?” Whitney made the point that sometimes we say prayers like this…but do we really mean it?

She had a deep desire to do something. If you feel this desire from God to step out in faith, do it! We are encouraged by Jesus to ask God for His help.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (Matt. 7:7)

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. (1 Jn. 5:14)

Whitney stressed the importance of obedience: “if you truly mean it when you pray for God to use you, He will answer. God will open the door, but you must obey.”

Nothing is Wasted

When God sends you on assignment and it looks like the door is closed, it doesn’t mean God is not at work. He is preparing you. Here’s another great example in Whitney’s life:

Whitney joined the Classical Conversations community, which is a very large homeschooling group. She was soon asked to be a director. She had no formal training in this area at all but took the job. She went through training, set up business insurance, set up an LLC, and started a community from scratch.

Whitney was bothered by seeing how manmade rules and traditions were disqualifying Spirit- filled believers from serving. She stood up against unbiblical precepts and shared that the qualifications should be based on Jesus’ standards and not man’s. She was immediately fired. However, this was not wasted time; this was God’s preparation for the next phase in Whitney’s life. Though she was no longer a director, all the training equipped her for next steps.

She then started her own homeschool group called God’s Rainbow Road. “We have a small group of women who are Christ-centered. The mission of GRR is not only to make Jesus known, but to raise up our children to be strong disciples. We are teaching our children to be proud Americans, teaching the Constitution, and basically the opposite of what public schools are teaching.”

What an encouragement and reminder that when it looks like a door slam, God’s hand is still on you. Even man’s rejection cannot negate God’s protection or provision. God is so good!

What Scriptures/Promises are You Clinging to and Praying For the Nation?

Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. (HEB. 10:36)

This is an encouragement for every Believer. If you patiently endure, you will receive what God has promised.

Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The LORD has spoken! (Is. 40:5)

The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing! Come out from it and be pure, you who carry the articles of the LORD’s house. But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard. (Is. 52:10-12)

Isaiah is called the Prophet of Hope. It’s no wonder the Lord is laying these verses on Whitney’s heart. As dark as things may get, the glory of the Lord will be revealed.

Christ is the hope of glory! If we have Jesus, we have hope!

But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” (Ex. 14:13,14)

This is a verse in which God promises to fight for and deliver His people. Won’t He do it again?

This is only one intercessor’s story of how God is moving. There are so many more still unwritten. Will your story be written? Will you step out in faith? If you are willing to ask, seek, and knock, then the next step is to move in obedience and trust that God will open the doors for you. Trust that He will connect you to the right people. Trust that He is training you as you step out in obedience, and nothing will be wasted.

If you have been moved by Whitney’s story, let’s pray:

Father, my heart is moved reading this story. I know that what You are not a respecter of persons, what You’ve done for her, You can also do in me and through me.

Lord, awaken Your people. Awaken Your leaders, awaken Your churches. Move us with compassion for the lost. Move us with holy boldness to take a stand for righteousness. Let us unashamedly speak the Truth in love. We know that You will never leave us nor forsake us.

Like Isaiah let my heart’s cry be, “Here I am Lord, send me.” Send me where You need me. Send me into the marketplace. Send me to the schools. Send me to the churches, even into the governmental arena. Send me where I can make the most impact for Your kingdom.

Whether I am in a classroom or waiting tables, I will be obedient. Don’t place me where I want to be, place me where You want me and where people need me. I will not waste another opportunity to present Jesus to those who need Him. Let my obedience bring glory and honor to Your name. In Jesus name, amen.

Does this encourage you to follow God’s lead on the adventure He has for you? Share in the comments below!

Author Gloria Robles is a passionate intercessor with a prophetic voice for today. For more from Gloria, go to Spotify or Anchor to listen to her podcast Something To Share.

(Photo Credit: Jan Tinneberg/Unsplash).