The earnest, heartfelt, continued prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available, dynamic in it's working. James 5:16 (Amplified Bible)
We have just been through 3 days of intense debate and turmoil in our government.
Those who live in Britain will know what I am referring to, but for those who live elsewhere, the issue that has caused this is Brexit ( the term coined by the media, a shortened version of 'Britain Exits'). Our political leaders are in conflict over the terms and conditions by which we exit the European Union. This is a huge issue and very important for the citizens of Great Britain. The details agreed on will affect us for the next 2 generations.
I have heard and read so many people give their opinions on Brexit over the past year. But I wonder how many are actually doing anything about it?
It is pretty easy to put a signature on a petition. It is relatively easy to go on a march. But who is willing to pay the price of hours on their knees? Where are the real history makers?
Pointing fingers and shouting out our opinions are no good if we are not directly involved in the negotiations.
This week on Tuesday night I realised that we were at crisis point and it was time to get directly involved. I wanted to make a difference to the future of my nephews and niece and their children. I understood how dangerous our situation is and how important it was to not sit back and watch the situation unfold without my input.
I set aside the past 3 days to pray and fast and intercede for our government. It has cost me time and comfort but has also been such a richly rewarding and beautiful time.
I know that most people struggle with prayer. They find it boring. They feel like they are speaking to a brick wall. They get bored quickly. They find their minds being distracted with other stuff. Spending time in prayer is not an attractive concept. I think many people also doubt it has much effect. They don't value it because they think they are wasting their time.
This usually comes from a misunderstanding of who we are praying to and His incredible love for us and never ending involvement in our lives. So many doubt His concern for everything that matters to us. So many think His hands are tied and He does not intervene.
I think many people are unaware of the tremendous power of prayer. It is one of the most undervalued and under used elements of Christianity. Not many have understood its key role in WW2. It was the church on its knees that had a huge impact on Dunkirk. Among many others, it was Rees Howell and his students in Wales who possibly swung the outcome.
May 30, 7.30 p.m. “ From a worldly standpoint there is no hope of victory; but God has said it. I could not come tonight and ask Him to intervene, because we have already said that He is going to intervene. Instead of bad news about our soldiers, if He is on the field of battle, He can change that and make it very good news. Oh, for God to lift us up tonight! We are not to run into any panic thinking the Nazis are going to win: Germany must be delivered as well as England and France. We may have to go through far greater sufferings yet, but I am not going to doubt the final issue. We state in plainest terms: The enemy will not invade Christian England.” Rees Howell
Look up Rees Howell for more information.
Recently North Korea had a complete change in it's stance towards nuclear weapons and the rest of the world. It was an incredible about turn. It was almost overlooked by the media who wanted a bigger dog fight and were champing at the bit for a full on war between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un . No-one reported on the hours that were directed at praying for Donald Trump & North Korea's leader by the intercessors. No-one gave credit to those who had changed the outcome. But that is no surprise. The world will rarely acknowledge or applaud us.
Prayer is not weak, boring or unimportant. It changes history and I have played my part in changing the way the Brexit deal is written. And I am no-one special. Just a girl who understands her authority and the part she has to play in the big picture.
Anyone can pray. Don't be left on the sidelines posting your comments and making no difference to the outcome. Set aside some time to pray at this critical time in Britain's history.
Do you not know that the saints ( the believers ) will ( one day ) judge and govern the world? And if the world ( itself ) is to be judged by you, are you unworthy and incompetent to try
( such petty matters ) of the smallest courts of justice?
Do you know that we ( Christians ) are to judge the ( very ) angels and pronounce opinion between right and wrong ( for them) ?
How much more then ( as to ) matters pertaining to this world and of this life only?
1 Corinthians 6 : 2 & 3 ( The Amplified Bible)
Don't see prayer as a boring mundane task. Enjoy the intimacy of getting really close to the Father's heart. Let prayer change you from the inside out. You will find that you change as you pray. Any self righteous judgements will fall away. You will be humbled and lifted up. You will feel the Father's compassion for those you are praying for. I love this prayer written by John Donne.
Take me to you, imprison me, for I,
Except you enthral me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.
John Donne - ' Batter my heart ' A prayer.
It is time to be courageous, hopeful and wise in the way we handle the next couple of weeks. And if you decide to join me in the work of intercession ....
May God ravish you with His love for you, His love for Europe and His love for Great Britain.