Creative Ways to Care for your Neighbors

12308310_1067353423327764_3381605346934440473_n“Prayer is the match that lights the fuse to release the explosive power of the Holy Spirit in the affairs of men.”

Invite Jesus into your Neighborhood

  • I  – Imitate Christ – “What would Jesus do?”He will give you creative ways to serve people you are praying for in order to display His love in a practical way.
  • N  Name individuals and their needs specifically in prayer.God wants us to be specific. Use the “bless’ method. He gives specific answers to specific prayer.
  • V  Voice your praise, concern and the Word of God over your neighborhood.Proclaiming praise over your neighborhood closes the door to darkness and opens wide the door to the Holy Spirit.
  • I  – Initiate friendship and identify with your neighbors.See with God’s eyes that people are lonely, lost and like sheep without a shepherd. Identify with the sorrows and wrongs in your neighborhood and city.
  • T – Tell others the good news.Look for open doors and share when God gives you the opportunity. Present the gospel in a sensitive way and in total dependence on Him.
  • E – Expect God to move in miraculous power.

“Prayer evangelism is highly specialized prayer for a miracle to come into the life of someone who doesn’t believe Jesus is God so that miracle will cause the person to believe Jesus is God and so come to the Father.” Ed Silvoso

By Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
IHOPKC

Prayers from the Book of Revelation

12346470_1067355386660901_2081963767527412930_n“When you pray the hymns of the Revelation, you pray with all of heaven, going before God as He sits on His throne and joining with Him in worship. You will hear and say some of the same words the angels and elders say to God. Try praying these hymns and get to know some of what is going on in heaven, what will happen when heaven comes here, and how all of heaven and earth talk to the One on the throne and to the Lamb.” Wesley and Stacey Campbell

Did you know that the book of Revelation is a prayer manual in the end times? Since these are the days we are presently living in, we should learn how to use this powerful prayer manual. It is God’s strategy for prayer in the end times. The Word of God must be at the very center of the prayer movement.

There are seventy to eighty direct or indirect references to prayer in the book of Revelation. Some of these references are hymns, declarations, worship, supplications, altars, incense, and others. These prayers reveal the end-time events and Jesus as the conquering King of kings. They also reveal intercession as the governmental center of the Kingdom of God.

Take some time to pray some of the hymns in the book of Revelation listed here. Ask God to show you things you have not seen before. Ask Him to speak to your heart and bring you into life-giving revela-tion. Ask Him to cause the Word of God to burn within you. We need to be like the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders in Revelation 4:8b-11 who continually marveled at the awesome holiness and glory of God:

“Day and night they never stop saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.’ Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.’”

  • Revelation 1:4-7 – A prayer to anticipate the second coming of Christ.
  • Revelation 2:7-8, 11-12, 17-18, 26-29; 3:5-7, 12, 21-22 – A prayer for overcomers.
  • Revelation 5:8-14 – A prayer to the Lamb.
  • Revelation 6:9-11 – A prayer for the persecuted.
  • Revelation 7:9-17 – A praise of the end-time harvest.
  • Revelation 11:15-18 – A prayer in expectation of the future reign of Christ.
  • Revelation 19:1-8 – The wedding song.
  • Revelation 22:12-17, 20 – A prayer asking Jesus to come.

Prayers to Strengthen Your Inner Being

946444_1077690778960695_8044411060511755856_n“And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19-20, Message Bible).

The following are prayers you can pray to strength your inner being. I will use the acrostic FELLOWSHIP, because it’s all about fellowship and intimacy with God. This is our highest calling in life. Take hold of this and apply these prayers to your personal life on a regular basis. Build your spiritual muscles that will last, not only for this life, but for all of eternity. These prayers, adapted from Mike Bickle and the International House of Prayer, will strengthen your inner being:

  • Fear of God – “Lord, release the spirit of the fear of the Lord into my heart. Strike my heart with Your majesty, Your power, Your glory, (name other attributes of God). Unite my heart to Your heart to fear Your name (Psalm 86:11). May my delight be in the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:3).”
  • Endurance – “Father, strengthen my spirit with endurance and patience so that I may do Your will and endure any test that I am facing with Your joy (name any trial that is tempting you to quit) (Colossians 1:11). Direct my heart into the patient endurance of Christ (2 Thessalonians 3:5). Impart to me Your zeal (John 2:17).
  • Love – “Lord, I want to experience Your love. Pour it into my heart and give me revelation of Your love for me. Let it overflow back to You. Direct my heart into Your love (2 Thessalonians 3:5, Romans 5:5), and set me as a seal on Your heart (Song 8:6-7). Help me to love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matthew 22:37). Teach me to abide in Your love, and help me to abound in love toward others (John 15:9, 1 Thessalonians 3:12).”
  • Light of Glory – “Lord, show me the light of Your glory. I want to encounter You on a deeper level. Lift up the light of Your countenance on me, and cause Your face to shine on me (Psalm 4:6, 80:3). Send out Your light and truth. Let them lead me and bring me to Your holy hill (Psalm 43:3). Open my eyes to see everything from Your perspective.”
  • One Thing Life Focus – “Lord, I choose to be a person of one thing. I choose to sit at Your feet. Align my life circumstances so that I can keep focused on You. Let me behold Your beauty (Psalm 27:4). Help me to pray Your Word and dialogue with You as I read it. Teach me to mediate and set You always before me (Psalm 16:8).
  • Worthy and faithful – “Lord, I want to be faithful to You all my life. Strengthen me to be faithful. Consider me worthy to walk in my highest calling in this age and the age to come (2 Thessalonians 1:11).”
  • Sanctify me – “Lord, sanctify me completely. May my spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless without compromise at the coming of our Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Establish my heart blameless in holiness (1 Thessalonians 3:13). Set a guard over my mouth and keep watch over the door of my lips (Psalm 141:3). Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You (Psalm 19:14).”
  • Humility – “Lord, I want to learn to walk in lowliness and humility of heart. Teach me humility in my attitudes, my speech, and my actions (Matthew 11:29). I want to consider others as more important than myself and look on their interests. Let Your attitude of humility be in me (Philippians 2:3-6). I thank You for Your wonderful example and bless Your holy name.”
  • Insight and wisdom – “Lord, I ask for insight into your Word, will, and ways. I want to partner with you in every area of my life including my finances, physical body, schedule, emotions, fears, circumstances, relationships, and future. I pray for the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of You (Ephesians 1:17). Fill me with the knowledge of your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding that I may have a walk worthy of the Lord (Colossians 1:9-10).
  • Peace and Joy – “Lord, I pray that you would strengthen me with supernatural peace and joy that overpowers fear and anxiety. May your peace guard my heart and mind through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). Fill me with all joy and hope in believing, that I may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).”

When you feel a sense of alarm because of all that is happening around you, it is not a time to panic. Simply get down on your knees, lay all your concerns before the Lord in an act of worship and surrender, and strengthen your inner man by praying these prayers. Arise strong in God’s Spirit! Out of His glorious riches He has strengthened you with power through the spirit in your inner being. Remember God can do anything!

“God can do anything, you know – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

A Prayer for Radical Faith

10313447_1073834089346364_4213347490518722363_nLord, I pray for a radical faith that does not waver in hard times. I know that without faith it is impossible to please You (Hebrews 11:6). The Bible says that the work of God is to believe (John 6:28-29). Help me to believe Your truth when I pray, even in the darkest of circum-stances. Make the foundation of my life firm and strong. Help me not to have an evil heart of unbelief (Hebrews 3:12). I pray what the disciples prayed, “Lord, increase my faith” (Luke 17:5). Help me to hold up the shield of faith when the enemy throws flaming arrows at me (Ephesians 6:16).

I choose to live a radical, faith-filled life for Your glory. I choose to stand on Your truth every day. I want to believe You and trust in Your Word. I want to have radical faith like Moses when He brought Your chosen people through the Red Sea. Help me not to try to figure everything out but trust in Your ability to carry me through the hard places. Teach me to read, meditate, study, and pray Your Word. I know that my faith grows by hearing Your Word (Romans 10:17). Help me to take action as You show me what to do in my life (James 2:17).

I worship and thank You, Lord, right in the midst of my present circumstances (name a difficulty you are right now facing). I know that You will answer and help me. I choose to praise You today and I know that thanksgiving and praise prepares the way for Your victory (Psalm 50:23). Thank You for building character in my life through the obstacles I face. I choose to count it all joy because this test of faith develops perseverance and maturity in my life (James 1:2-4). Because I trust in You, I can cross the Red Sea of my circumstances. You will provide a way through.

“I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works…” (Pray all of Psalm 145). In Jesus’ name, amen.

By Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
IHOPKC

Learning to Sing in the Desert

11083625_966469566749484_4867782459189578450_n“And the desert shall blossom like as a Rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing” (Isaiah 35:1, 2).

Have you ever been in the desert? I’ve been in many deserts, both physically and spiritually. My husband likes to minister in the desert where there are miles and miles of sand. There are huge sand dunes with nothing else that the eye can see. Miles and miles of sand everywhere. We’ve spent a lot of time in Australia as well where there are vast amounts of unpopulated areas throughout the country. Vast wastelands.

We were given a desert rose from North Africa that was forged under heat and pressure in that vast desert area. Even in the driest of situation, toughest of places, there is life. I cherish that special rose made out of rock and sand. It is so beautiful and so meaningful to me.

During those times in the desert you may feel like everything has shut down for you. You may not sense favor where you once did. You may feel that your relationships are more distant and that even feel God has abandoned you. But I want to say to you:

“Do not fear. God is in this. He is developing you into a rose.”

Sometimes God brings us into the desert in our spiritual life, often not because we are doing something wrong, but because He wants more of us. He wants our undivided attention. He may even take us out of a busy and fruitful time, and this may seem so inconvenient to the carnal mind. But always know this: your Father knows exactly what He is doing.

What are you leaning on for your support? Is it ministry, popularity, or money? God wants you to lean solely on Him. He will make you strong in days when everything else is shaking. He is always strategic and purposeful in all that He does. He has set you apart for Himself for this season for a purpose.

Learn to Sing

“I will allure her and bring her into the wilderness and speak comfortably to her, and she shall sing there” (Hosea 2:14).

In the desert we must learn to sing. Our natural tendency is to give up and slump down with a gloomy outlook, but this is exactly when we need to learn to sing with all our heart.

When this is the situation in our life, how can we get the most out of our desert experience? Here are some ways:

  • Fix your eyes on God. Walk in faith. This may not be an easy time. After all, you are in a desert where most things have dried up. But it’s you and God alone and this is most valuable to Him. He desires our intimacy. Jesus is your “Bread of Life”.
  • Resist the enemy. If you are in the desert and the enemy is telling you that there is no way out and that your situation is hopeless, resist him and stand firm in your faith. This is a time when the enemy comes in with his relentless lies. He did this with Jesus in the desert (Matthew 4).
  • Embrace the desert. Embrace it wholeheartedly by the grace of God. See the tremendous value of the desert in your life, and thank God for it.
  • Examine your heart, and invite God’s purifying fire. During this time God will show you areas that need change. Cooperate with His Spirit and invite Him to change you deeply on the inside. Ask Him to remove every barrier that keeps you from Him and His purposes with you.
  • Get a journal and write down what God is saying to you. He is always speaking, and now you have no distractions from hearing His voice. By faith believe that He wants to share His secrets with you during this time.
  • Study whole books of the Bible. Especially study the Song of Solomon that is all about intimacy with God.
  • Pray God’s Word out loud back to Him. This is God’s personal time with you. Personalize the Bible. Take a phrase and pray it. Listen to the right voice.
  • Learn to sing in the desert. Sing praises to God instead of complaining. Watch your tongue very carefully, and keep from negativity. Become an extravagant worshipper.
  • Study the attributes of God daily. Worship God for who He is, not just for what He gives you. Dwell and meditate on His attributes. Sing those attributes back to Him.

This is the time to learn to sing with all your heart. We must not only sing with our voice, but we must sing with our words, our eyes, our attitudes, our prayers, our writing, our praise, and everything else. We must come to the place where all that is within us gives praise to God.

“And the desert shall blossom like as a Rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing” (Isaiah 35:1, 2). 

Study the Song of Solomon

 “Set me as a seal upon your arm, as a seal upon your heart, for love is as strong as death, its jealousy as ardent as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord” (Song 8:6).

The desert is a wonderful place to study the Song of Solomon in the Bible. The Song of Solomon is an eight-chapter love song revealing the passionate desire of God for His Bride. If you want to understand how God sees you and feels about you, then this is a good book to study while in the desert. Nothing will empower your heart more than having a revelation of God’s affection for you personally. God will empower your heart to trust Him in this season of your life.

The Song of Solomon is Mike Bickle’s most popular teaching series here at the International House of Prayer. He studied it for 20 years. I recommend his teachings and am planning on writing more articles on it in the future. For a 24-part series by Mike Bickle, see http://mikebickle.org/resources/series/song-of-songs.

It’s time to shake off the lies and begin to enjoy the desert. Sing! Sing in your heart and thank Him for this time. It is time for you and Him without any distractions. Waters will break out in your desert, you will find streams that will water all those you come in contact with. Watch and see Don’ despise this time but learn to enjoy it. What looks like an endless desert with no life will turn into springs of water. God is preparing you now for what He has for you in the future. God brings forth flowers in your desert, and He has a plan for you. You are not forgotten but God wants to speak tenderly to you. You are His beloved and He cherishes every moment you are with Him in the desert. You are His desert rose.

“Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing. For in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water….” (Isaiah 35:6, 7).

By Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
IHOPKC

Comprendiendo las Fortalezas del Enemigo

12376411_1069630333100073_4744088413570753451_n“Aunque andamos en la carne,  no militamos según la carne, porque las armas de nuestra milicia no son carnales, sino poderosas en Dios para la destrucción de fortalezas, derribando argumentos y toda altivez que se levanta contra el conocimiento de Dios,  y llevando cautivo todo pensamiento a la obediencia a Cristo” (2 Corintios 10:3-5).

Existe una herramienta ponderosa con la que el enemigo te atacará de forma diaria. Es a través de fortalezas en la mente. La mira de Satanás es la de derrotarte en tu mente. Él intentará de hacer esto desde el momento en que te levantes por la mañana. Este es el motivo por el que debemos leer la Palabra de Dios temprano. La Palabra es la verdad de Dios y combate las mentiras del enemigo. Las fortalezas son puertas abiertas por las que el enemigo entra con una mentira potente que normalmente tiene que ver no nuestras personas – quienes somos – y nuestra identidad en Cristo. Necesitamos ver como las fortalezas dañan incluso nuestra vida de oración. Si queremos crecer en oración de Victoria y que libere vida, entonces necesitamos comprender las fortalezas del enemigo.

Puedes pensar,  “Quiero tener una vida de oración poderosa.” “Quiero ver victoria en mi vida.”  “¿Qué exactamente es una fortaleza?”

Una fortaleza es un pensamiento de derrota que adquiere fuerza a lo largo de nuestras vidas.  Todos tenemos fortalezas, y con frecuencia comienzan en los primeros cinco años de nuestras vidas. Las podemos adquirir de nuestros padres, maestros, o de cualquier cosa en nuestro ambiente como puedan ser experiencias traumáticas que han formado nuestros valores y han afectado la forma en la que pensamos y vivimos la vida. Puede ser un pensamiento simple. Piénsalo. ¿Has tenido alguna vez pensamientos como; “Nadie me ama” – “Soy un fracaso” – “Las cosas nunca cambiarán” – “Nunca veré la victoria” – “Todo el mundo me rechaza“ – ”Nunca tendré éxito”“No hay esperanza para mi situación”? Todos hemos tenido pensamientos como estos, si somos honestos. Son una forma practicada de pensar – son automáticos – No pensamos acerca de aquello en lo que pensamos. Estos pensamientos pueden parecer pequeños, pero ¿lo son en realidad? ¡En absoluto! Hacen estragos en nuestras vidas. Son poderosos para traer derrota, arruinar relaciones, destruir nuestra salud, y derrotar nuestra productividad para Dios. Las fortalezas – si no son tratadas – traerán daño a tu vida y te harán inefectivo/a. afectarán tu vida de oración.

La palabra “fortalezas” en 2 Corintios 10:3-5 significa “hacer firme”. De la misma forma que una fortaleza militar se construye en un lugar firme, Satanás intenta establecer fuertes en nuestras mentes que mantienen cautiva nuestra vida de pensamiento. Estas fortalezas son cualquier creencia en nuestros pensamientos que sean contrarias a la verdad de Dios. Satanás desea evitar que veamos las cosas de la forma que Dios desea que las veamos. Intenta cegar nuestras mentes. Es como si una cortina de humo o una nube oscureciese el aire para que no podamos ver las cosas con claridad. Esto afecta nuestra vida de oración porque nuestra visión espiritual se oscurece, y nuestra fe disminuye. Entonces cuesta orar de forma efectiva. Puede que nos sintamos sin esperanza y que las dificultades nunca van a cambiar. Satanás también intenta oscurecer la mente de los no creyentes para que no puedan ver la luz del evangelio (2 Corintios 4:4).

El apóstol Pablo da tres descripciones de fortalezas en 2 Corintios 10:5. las llama argumentos, altivez y pensamientos que son contrarios al conocimiento de Dios. Argumentos (logismos) están en nuestras mentes a través del razonamiento humano que es contrario a la verdad de Dios. Altivez significa “cosa alta” (hupsoma) y habla acerca del orgullo cuando elevamos nuestro propio razonamiento humano por encima del de Dios. Esto ocurre cuando confiamos en nuestros razonamientos en lugar de en la Palabra de Dios. Pensamientos (noema) se refiere a “propósito” o “designio de la mente”. Cuando a nuestros razonamientos humanos se les permite convertirse en designios que son contrarios a la Palabra de Dios, hemos sido hechos cautivos de los designios de Satanás. De hecho pensamos que sus pensamientos son los nuestros.

Debemos ser conscientes de nuestros pensamientos y razonamientos que son contrarios a la verdad de Dios.
Piénsalo. ¿Qué situaciones en tu vida estás tratando de descifrar si mirar a Dios para que te guíe? ¿A qué conclusiones has llegado que son contrarias a la Palabra de Dios? ¿Que designios estás usando para manejar las situaciones de tu vida que son contrarias a los caminos de Dios? Debemos desarrollar un estilo de vida basado en alimentarnos en la Palabra de Dios a diario. Seamos conscientes de que nuestro enemigo es un mentiroso y que su intención siempre es la de destruirnos. Joyce Meyer en su libro “El campo de batalla de la mente” nos pone claro la forma en la que el diablo bombardea estratégicamente nuestras mentes con sus mentiras. Ella dice:

“El Diablo es un mentiroso, Jesús le llamó… el padre de toda mentira y de todo lo que es falso (Juan 8:44). Él nos miente a ti y a mi. Nos dice cosas acerca de nosotros, acerca de otras personas, y acerca de nuestras circunstancias que simplemente no son verdad. No obstante, no nos dice la mentira entera de una sola vez.

él comienza bombardeando nuestra mente con un patrón inteligentemente diseñando de pequeños y continuos pensamientos, sospechas, dudas, temores, preguntas, razonamientos y teorías. Se mueve despacio y con cuidado (después de todo, los planes bien establecidos requieren tiempo). Recuerda, él tiene una estrategia para la batalla. Nos ha estudiado durante mucho tiempo.

él sabe lo que nos gusta y lo que no nos gusta. Conoce nuestras inseguridades, nuestras debilidades y nuestros temores. Él sabe que es lo que más nos molesta. Él está dispuesto a invertir el tiempo que sea necesario para derrotarnos. Uno de los puntos fuertes del diablo es la paciencia.”

Si queremos crecer en la oración de Victoria, el enemigo luchará con ganas para desalentarnos a través de estas mentiras. Podemos vencerlas al conocer sus métodos. Sus dardos de fuego son fuertes. Él sabe que si puede llegar a nuestros pensamientos, entonces nos puede alcanzar en nuestras acciones y en nuestra vida de oración. Estas fortalezas afectan todas las áreas de nuestras vidas trayendo destrucción, a no ser que aprendamos a traer todo pensamiento cautivo a Cristo y a no escuchar las mentiras del enemigo.

Lo he visto una y otra vez. Enseñamos a las personas acerca de romper fortalezas. Vemos como las personas luchan en su vida de pensamientos con dudas, temores, y pensamientos persistentes. Vemos como han abrazado una mentira y ni siquiera lo saben. Miramos cuando el Espíritu Santo enciende de repente la luz, y las personas ven por primera vez una poderosa fortaleza en sus vidas. Un cuadro de mente de derrota es expuesto de repente como lo que realmente es, una mentira que se han creído año tras año y día tras día. Es maravilloso cuando esta victoria ocurre. Puede cambiar la dirección de nuestras vidas, y con frecuencia lo hace si practicamos el entrenamiento de nuestras mentes para creer la verdad de Dios acerca de nosotros y de nuestro mundo.

Veámoslo más de cerca en una situación de la vida. Toma nota de cómo las fortalezas afectan toda nuestra vida. ¿No es este el motivo de tanta guerra en matrimonios y relaciones? Yo pienso que sí. Las fortalezas se activan las unas a las otras y traen destrucción y confusión. Traen malos entendidos en nuestras relaciones. Afectan el como vemos a Dios y estorban nuestra relación con Él. Nuestro enemigo intenta mantenerlas escondidas y fuera de nuestra vista. Él sabe que si el cuerpo de Cristo comenzase a andar fuera de estas fortalezas y comenzase a creer la verdad, serían imparables para el Reino.

Imagínate este escenario y ponte en el lugar de Juan. Juan, un fotógrafo con una joven familia, está conduciendo por una carretera y ve a un niño en la calle delante de él. Conforme conduce, de repente oye un golpe fuerte y sabe que ha golpeado algo. Su corazón comienza a acelerarse, y el temor lo embarga. Los pensamientos comienzan a correr por su mente, “¡He matado al niño! “¡Me meterán en la cárcel!” “¡Perderé mi profesión!” “¿Que van a hacer mi mujer y mis hijos?” “¡Necesito huir!” Así que pone su pie en el acelerador y sale huyendo del pueblo. Después se va a casa y actúa como si nada hubiera ocurrido.

Pero se ha abierto una puerta para que el enemigo ataque a Juan en su vida de pensamiento.   

Durante los siguientes días, meses y años, Juan vive con este temor secreto en su vida. Y parece empeorar con el tiempo. Cada vez que suena la puerta, su corazón se acelera conforme imagina con claridad a un oficial de policía que viene a llevárselo. Se retrae en una esquina de su casa con frecuencia, perdiendo conexión y relación con su esposa e hijos. Ya no se reúne con sus amigos ni llama a nadie por teléfono. Su mente y corazón están preocupados con pensamientos negativos. Sus emociones están hundidas. Con frecuencia se siente deprimido. Su trabajo disminuye en calidad, y tiene fuertes dolores de cabeza. Ya no piensa que Dios le ama y con sentimientos de profunda culpa, tiene miedo de orar.

Pero si Juan hubiese vuelto al lugar en el que oyó el golpe, habría descubierto que solo se trataba de un tronco que había en la carretera. No había atropellado al niño. Pero durante años creyó una mentira que afectó toda su vida – sus relaciones con su familia y amigos, la calidad de su trabajo, su salud, sus emociones, sus amistades, y especialmente su relación con Dios. Todo en su vida fue dañado  porque el había creído que había atropellado a un niño. No sabía la verdad. La mentira había invadido cada parte de su vida. Escuchó la mentira, en lugar de investigar la verdad. Con frecuencia abrimos puertas a los ataques del enemigo en nuestras vidas cuando no escuchamos la verdad de la Palabra de Dios. Las fortalezas del enemigo intentan invadir las áreas débiles de nuestras vidas, aquellas en las que no creemos la verdad a nivel del corazón. Llevamos con nosotros mentiras acerca de nosotros mismos, acerca de Dios, y de los demás que no son verdad de acuerdo con la Palabra de Dios. Estas son puertas abiertas al ataque del enemigo.

¿Que puerta abierta tienes en tu vida ahora mismo? ¿Donde estás escuchando al enemigo y no a Dios?  

  • ¿Piensas que no hay esperanza para tu situación?
  • ¿Crees que nunca verás victoria en tus oraciones?
  • ¿Piensas que eres un fracaso?
  • ¿Piensas que las cosas nunca cambiarán?

Piensa acerca de tu propia vida de pensamientos. Toma un papel, y ponlo cerca de tu cama en un lugar conveniente. Cada vez que tus emociones se vuelvan negativas – desanimado, deprimido, airado, entristecido, etc. – escribe en esa hoja lo que estás pensando. Puede que tengas una larga lista, pero continua hacienda esto durante varios días. Cada vez que tus emociones caigan en un patrón negativo, escribe lo que estás pensando. Por ejemplo, pueden ser pensamientos como estos: “Todo lo hago mal” – “No tiene sentido” – “Soy un perdedor”, etc. Con el tiempo, comenzarás a ver un patrón, y comenzarás a identificar falsas creencias en tus pensamientos que son contrarios a la Palabra de Dios. Comenzarás a entender las fortalezas del enemigo en tu vida. En nuestra próxima enseñanza, estaremos viendo como hacer cautivos los pensamientos. Aprendamos a escuchar a Dios en lugar de al enemigo. Démonos cuenta de que no tenemos porqué permitirle a Satanás sacarnos ventaja porque no desconocemos sus maquinaciones (2 Corintios 2:11). Conocemos la verdad de Dios, ¡y la verdad nos hace libres!

“El pensar acerca de lo que estás pensando es de gran valor porque Satanás normalmente engaña a la gente haciéndoles pensar que la fuente de su miseria o problema es algo que realmente no lo es. Él quiere que ellos piensen que son infelices debido a lo que está ocurriendo a su alrededor (sus circunstancias), pero de hecho, su miseria es debida a no que está ocurriendo en su interior (sus pensamientos).” Joyce Meyer  

By Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
IHOPKC

Choosing to Reign with Christ

12373256_1069628439766929_8331322635533185901_n“We now walk in authority by faith, but when Christ returns, our authority and position will be evident to all. It is easy to become passive and lax in our present lives, because there seems to be no real accountability or certainty of our authority. That is, unless we choose to be accountable and to live with conviction.” Angie Weaver 

Choosing to walk in truth is extremely important in our Christian walk every single day. Understanding truth in our head is not enough! It is so important to stand strong in the end times. We must not only understand the authority we have in Christ, but we must choose to walk in it. Most of us are living far below our potential. But one day we will judge the whole earth. We are heirs with Christ and are called to rule the earth with Him (Revelation 1:6). We must not be apathetic but must activate our authority and live with conviction as God’s Kingdom people.

Are we willing to choose to take up this incredible call?

God will not do our work for us. He has provided everything we need. We have the authority. We can bring the message of restoration to mankind and break the dominion of Satan over society. God is not the one that is allowing the evil to continue on earth. We are when we do not recognize and use the authority he has given us. We are not to passively wait but to take action in prayer. He is waiting (Hebrews 10:12-13). We have to enforce his victory on earth (Romans 16:20, Colossians 2:13-15).

Our inheritance is the nations but we must fight for it (Psalm 2:7).

“This authority is invested in Jesus Christ, and we initially access it through the simplest, weakest way that man could ever imagine – prayer. We sit with God, and sitting in His Son, we ask God to move by His Spirit. Whatever we ask, while abiding in God, He will do for us (John 15:7-8)… Prayer is not the only work, but it is the first work of the church. Until we have prayed, there is nothing more we can do. After we have prayed and our intercession is accomplished, we must move forth into obedience, doing what God has shown us to do.” Steve Thompson

We wield our authority as we abide in Christ. We have the keys of the Kingdom of heaven. We need to begin to exercise a sense of ownership for our cities. We are called to bring into subjection demonic powers and disciple the nations. We are called to subdue the earth spiritually, affecting change through Christ’s authority. As we seek to have a deep relationship with God, we are able to stand strong in His peace and authority.

There was a submarine that was being tested and had to remain submerged, deep underwater for many hours through the night. A ferocious storm hit the area during the night. The next day the submarine resurfaced and returned to harbor. A man asked the captain, “How did the terrible storm last night affect you?” The officer looked at him with surprise on his face and exclaimed, “Storm? We didn’t realize there was a storm!” The submarine was so far below the surface of the water that the storm wasn’t even felt by those down below. To sailors, this area is known as the “cushion of the sea.” The ocean had huge waves and high winds on the surface, but the water deep below was very still.

The Christian life should be like that submarine. We should be so close to God, so deep in seeking and knowing Him and His authority, that even the storms of everyday life on earth won’t shake our confidence and trust in Him. We can rest completely in His care and His Kingdom purposes even in the midst of spiritual warfare and the turbulent days we live in.

We are taking ground in heavenly places when we pray, even if we do not see it. 

We must choose to reign with Christ. We must not relax our vigilance.  We are not frantic, nervous and anxious.  No, we are like that submarine. We walk in that supernatural perfect peace and faith that is possible as we abide in Christ (John 15). We are living a life that is not in our own strength. We are depending on God as we stand firmly on His Word, pray fervently, and walk in His authority. Jesus already won the battle at the cross and we are here to enforce it.

We must pray for God’s Kingdom to come to earth. Jesus taught His disciples to pray for the Kingdom in the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. We need to pray His will on earth. We need to bombard heaven for earth’s needed resources. God wants to give us the Kingdom (Luke 12:32). Jesus preached that the Kingdom of heaven was at hand. It was presently available (Matthew 4:17).

Jesus’ success on earth came from living from heaven’s viewpoint. He knew how to live a heavenly life while facing demonic warfare on earth. Perhaps you have heard people say that some people are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good. But could it not be said that some people are so earthly minded that they are no heavenly good? I believe so. Jesus knew how to function in both spheres at once.

Is it not true that we can function on earth through the power of heaven? Jesus instructed the disciples to preach the Kingdom of heaven and to heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out demons (Matthew 10:7-8). He believed in the release of divine power in response to Kingdom oriented prayer. Proclaiming the Kingdom of heaven should lead to demonstrations of power such as the healing of the sick and casting out demons. We are seeing this to some extent in the world, but we haven’t seen anything in comparison to what God will do in the future. We must believe that this miraculous power is available to us. We must walk in a new level of Kingdom faith.

“In no uncertain terms the apostle Paul describes our limitless wealth in Christ Jesus. Everything we will ever need has already been created for us and is stored in heaven, waiting for us to exercise faith to receive it or activate it for others. If we can but learn to live out of that place, we will consistently access the wealth of heaven.” Robin McMillan

This is our God-given privilege and responsibility. We must be strong in our authority and learn to abide and stand on God’s promises. It takes faith to choose to reign with Christ. We can’t trust in the flesh to accomplish only what the Spirit can do. We must look to Jesus as our example. He knew how to tap into the resources of heaven, and we are seated with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). We must faithfully work with the Lord to bring consistent change to society. God is teaching us to reign. He is teaching us to walk as kings on earth. We must accept this call. We are bringing heaven to earth through our prayers and our lives.

Dear Lord, I choose to reign with You. Help me to wield my authority as I abide in You (John 15:7-8). Help me not to relax my vigilence in prayer but to stand my ground when evil comes (Ephesians 6:10-13). Teach me to fight for Your Kingdom in prayer. I choose to stand on Your promises for my family, neighborhood, city, and nation. Teach me to pray Your Word and focus on You during times of warfare. I choose to worship every day. I want to be like that submarine and rest in Your perfect peace even during warfare. I want to access heaven as I live here on earth. Teach me to walk as a King on earth as I exercise my authority in prayer. Thank You for raising me up and seating me with You in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6). In Jesus’ name, amen.”  

“Having been born of God, we are called to walk as kings on the earth. However, the Bible says that many are called but few are chosen (see Matthew 20:16). If we draw near to God, He will draw near to us (see James 4:8). We enter into our inheritance by choosing to accept God’s call. We activate and grow in our authority on the earth through intimacy with God and living our lives filled with the Holy Spirit. By being filled and walking in the conviction of the Holy Spirit, we are bridging heaven and earth and hastening the day of Christ’s return to rule and reign over the earth!” Angie Weaver

 By Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
IHOPKC

Prayer Requests for the Nations

12373256_1069628439766929_8331322635533185901_nThe Spirit of God is arresting our attention and focusing us upon His agenda which is the very heartbeat of God. He is a God who has definite strategies and works according to a fixed set of plans. Nothing, absolutely nothing is a happenstance with the Lord for He is a God of order. He has a plan concerning the nations. His agenda is far more serious than anything man can comprehend, for He always deals with eternal issues and the eternity of entire nations is at stake.” Adapted from Michael Howard

The following are general prayer requests for all nations. It is good to incorporate them into your prayer meetings on a regular basis. In some of the Houses of Prayer I have been involved in, I’ve printed them out and kept them in the prayer room. I have taped prayer requests for the lost, for the city, for the nation, and for the world on the walls for everyone to see. I also have brought several copies of each one, leaving them on the table for others to take and use in prayer. Have prayer fuel for the city and nation always available in the prayer room. Pray for the nations that God lays on your heart individually and as a group. Mix intercession, worship, and singing together—and always expect God to answer.

  • Thank God for how He is working in the nations – Philippians 4:6.
  • Pray for unity in the body of Christ – Matthew 12:25; John 17:23.
  • Pray for a spiritual awakening among the lost – John 14:13-14; 16:24; 2 Peter 3:9.
  • Pray for leaders – Ephesians 4:11; 1 Timothy 2:1-3.
  • Pray for an outpouring of God’s Spirit of revival on His people – Psalm 85:6; Isaiah 64:1-3.
  • Pray that God’s people will walk in holiness and obedience – Psalm 81:11-12.
  • Pray for the fear of the Lord to touch all Christians so they hate evil – Proverbs 8:13; 2 Corinthians 7:1.
  • Pray for God to send His workers into the harvest field – Matthew 28:19-20.
  • Pray that the body of Christ will reach out to the poor and needy – Proverbs 21:13; Hebrews 13:3.
  • Pray for revival among children and youth and that God will use them mightily for His glory – Mark 9: 37; 10:13-14.
  • Pray for just laws and righteous moral standards – 1 Tim. 2:1-4.
  • Pray that the Word of God will be given its rightful place – Psalm 119:126.
  • Pray that there will be united intercession in cities and regions with the ability to pray against the major principalities over those areas – Ephesians 6:12-13.
  • Pray that God’s people will wage spiritual warfare as directed by the Holy Spirit – Ephesians 6:10-18.

“The key to the authority of the intercessor is when his heartbeat aligns with the heartbeat of Almighty God. Nothing is more pressing than that the nations and multitudes who are marching to a Christless eternity should be saved. How I saw the agendas of men: so many and varied and all of such vital importance to them, but there was only one paramount agenda to God: THE NATIONS. I instantly realized that the entire task of the glorious triune God was completely and utterly devoted to this one supreme purpose for which Jesus had so freely given His life. All else was rather trivial in comparison and we all had majored on the trivial.” Michael Howard

God’s Foundational Purpose for America

12274474_1059837174079389_2259098459216603194_n“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.” 
Habakkuk 2:14

God is very purposeful. He has foundational purposes for America. Our forefathers stepped onto these shores with a Godly purpose.

We can pray for their fulfillment in these days. We have God’s authority to pray His purposes over America. May we pray in unity for God’s plan for this nation to come to pass. It is time to enlarge our vision and see His heart to touch the nations with His light and His glory. It is time to see with the eyes of our heart the reality that the earth will be filled with His knowledge and His glory as the waters cover the sea.

I lived on a missionary ship for years and when we were at sea, we saw how vast and endless the ocean was. God’s light and truth and power will reach the world to that extent. May God give us revelation of this truth so that we may pray it into fulfillment. It will happen as the intercessors arise in holy determination and fiery intercession until the breakthrough comes.

The Foundations of America

The following are the foundational purposes of America as expressed through the U.S. presidents and the godly leaders of this nation.

George Washington (Founder of our country) – “Bless O Lord the whole race of mankind, and let the world be filled with the knowledge of Thee and Thy son, Jesus Christ.”

Patrick Henry – “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Abraham Lincoln (16th president) – “It is the duty of nations as well as of men to won their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history: that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.”

56 men signed the Declaration of Independence and each one knew, when they signed their name, that they were risking everything, including their lives. Will we not stand for truth that it might prevail and that God may become King and Ruler of America?

Bill Bright says, “From the days of Columbus on, God used great care in forming the United States of America, creating us to be a worldwide influence.” The New England Confederation proclaimed in 1643 said:

“We all came to these parts of America with the same end and aim, namely, to advance the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

When the Jamestown settlers stepped ashore, they immediately planted a cross and claimed the land for Christ. Governor William Bradfore in referring to the pilgrims’ mission in the new world said this:

“They cherished a great hope and inward zeal of laying good founda-tions, or at least making some ways toward it, for the propagation and advance of the Gospel of the Kingdom of Christ in the remote parts of the world, even though they should be but stepping stones to others in the performance of so great a work.”

The Mayflower Compact of 1620 declares that the Pilgrims came to advance the Christian faith for the glory of God. They believed they were part of God’s plan to raise up a nation from which they and their descendants would not only enjoy the blessings of a new land with religious and political freedom, but also touch the world with the Gospel.

The Puritans had made a covenant with God and understood the powerful significance of this. Winthrop said, “Thus stands the cause between God and us. We are entered into covenant with Him for this work. We have taken out a commission . . . But if we neglect to observe those articles, and dissembling with our God shall embrace the present world and prosecute our carnal intentions, seeking great things for ourselves and our prosperity, then the Lord will surely break out in wrath against us, and be avenged of a perjured people, and He will make us know the price of such a breach of such a covenant.”

God’s blessing comes with a purpose. “We as a nation seem to have forgotten that life is more than a series of causes and effects. Just as there is a goal, a destination to which God is ultimately leading each individual, God also has a specific and definite goal for each nation. Throughout American history, we see dramatic evidence of God’s hand molding and shaping this nation into a vessel He can use.”

Like our forefathers, we must fight for our nation and claim it for God. We can no longer let the devil take our country. It is time for intercessors to arise in believing prayer and take back this nation for God. We need to cry out that His destiny for America will come to pass. We need to pray that we will be a blessing to the nations of the world.

A Prayer for National Revival

“Father, in the name of Jesus, we pray for the great sleeping giant, the church, who even now has begun to shake herself from her sleep. We pray she would awake to righteousness and holiness in every denomination, in every body of believers, and slumber no longer. We pray we would begin to unify under the blood-stained banner of the Cross and preach the gospel of the kingdom clearly and boldly in every highway and byway of our nation. We pray that we will not only stand up and speak up but that we will begin to reap a great harvest in our nation, bringing multitudes to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. May the revival of the saints be so all-encompassing that it affects the spiritual complexion of our entire nation and influences our politics, our economy, our media and our entire society.”  Acts 3:9, Eph. 1:15-23, 3:14-21.  From Pray For Our Nation

“From its beginning America was a nation of vision and destiny. We were created with a mission grounded in a specific covenant between God and the people of this nation – a sacred contract that would form the core of what we were to become. The history of America is the story of God’s preparation of a people to touch the world with the love of Christ. In a drama that began many years ago, we have been carefully molded, disciplined, and guided by God as a nation set apart for a special mission. Although America has changed in many ways and though we often struggle against great darkness, our mission has not changed.” Bill Bright

By Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
IHOPKC

Silent Contemplation in Prayer

12289700_1061498247246615_393757766484629366_n“Silence in prayer is often not something we orchestrate; rather, it is a gift that can come upon us quite unexpectedly. Instead of rushing to fill the gap, we learn to embrace the gift as the better part of our time of prayer.” Quotes by Wesley and Stacey Campbell 

In learning about prayer, silence and contemplation is a special dimension that very few of us have grasped. One of the reasons for this is because we have been influenced by the noise and busyness of our present-day life style. And in the midst of a whirlwind of activity that we have so often misunderstood as important or necessary, we have missed the beauty and necessity of learning the discipline of silence. We so often miss out on the life of contem-plation.

Recently as I sat silently looking out of the window watching the snowflakes fall, I realized afresh how wonderful it is to be quiet before God in silent meditation. Take time to be silent before God. I do this on a regular basis, and find that it adds a wonderful dimension to my prayer life.

The Bible says that we must be still in order to know God. Silence is a necessary art if we want to really know God. It is a gift from God. So if God is quieting down your activity or stopping you in some way right now, perhaps He wants you to learn this most important discipline. God is wooing you to Himself. He is removing all the barriers of true communion with His spirit. This is a gift to you, so embrace it with all your heart. The Bible says in Psalm 46:10a:

“Be still, and know that I am God.” 

“In silent contemplation, a supernatural drawing occurs. Having come to the end of words, we simply stare in silence at the person of God. One of the most apt, and most beautiful, descriptions of the essence of contemplation that I have heard comes from a simple farmer: ‘Think of the wonderful description given by that unlettered farm laborer at Ars who used to remain for hours in stillness and silence gazing at the tabernacle and when the Cure d’Ars asked him what he did there, simply replied: I LOOK AT HIM, AND HE LOOKS AT ME.’”

The Benefits of Silence Contemplation in Prayer

  • God fights on our behalf when we are silent – You and I are very weak. If you, in your weakness, attempt to attack your enemies, you will often find yourself wounded. There is another way. In times of temptation and distraction, remain by faith in the simple presence of Jesus Christ. You will find an immediate supply of strength.”
    “The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent” (Exodus 14:14).
  • We find God in a deeper dimension – In silent prayer, we develop the art of looking at God.
    “’You will seek me and find me when you seek for me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 29:13-14).
  • We grow in the art of meditating on Scripture – Exodus 34:6-7 is filled with the divine attributes of God.  Meditate on these two verses for a long period of time.
    ”And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin” (Exodus 34:6-7a).
  • We learn to shut out external activity – We discover the art of external simplicity and inwardly learn to dwell in God’s presence. “One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to meditate in His temple (Psalm 27:4).
  • We learn to meditate on God’s nature – It is good to start with meditating on one aspect of God’s nature in a single verse of Scripture. For example, meditate on God’s holiness adorning His house for endless days as found in the following verse:
    “Your statutes stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days, O Lord” (Psalm 93:5).
  • We grow in our love relationship with God – “What we are really after is the ability to live out the first commandment – namely to love the God who loved us first, with all the passion and strength we possess. Therefore, words become unnecessary when their purpose has been fulfilled.
    ”At the deepest personal level possible, an interchange of love is occurring. And although contemplation usually starts with a person pouring out his or her emotions for God, often one is swept up into a realm where one is overtaken by feelings from God.”

I pray that each one of us will learn the secret of silent contemplation. This is where we take the time to commune with God heart to heart and spirit to spirit. It will not happen by chance, but we must give time for this and understand its’ value. I am challenged by St. Francis and his example of silent contemplation before God.

“With face turned to heaven, and hands and eyes lifted to God, in complete surrender and with the warmest of devotion, he prayed, saying: ‘My god, my All’ These words he groaned out to God, with copious tears again and again with solemn devotion until dawn: ‘My God, my All’ – and no more.”

“Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him . . . when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord . . . Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abounds”
Psalm 4:3-7.

By Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
IHOPKC