In yesterday’s
blog, “Life instead of Death,” in the aftermath of the recent terrible loss of
life and tragedy in Nova Scotia, I talked about praying over your
neighbourhood, town or city, and giving it a “faith-filled” prayer cover. This
is an effective way to bring in and invite the kingdom of God, and also pray
out any evil that may be lurking there or about to descend. Trust me, I’ve seen
it work after persistent prayer in my own neighbourhood, and I’ve seen my
neighbourhood and town transform. I could likely write a book to share all the
prayer walks that have made a huge difference, from walking around schools
where I worked, town offices, cult establishments, bars, and so on. Prayer
works because God works on our behalf when we pray. He honours our sincere
efforts to pray because He promised to.
James
5:16: (b)The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Prayer
brings God into every situation. With the schools currently closed, we should
make a commitment to drive by or walk by the school grounds and pray for the
schools, the students, staff, parents and families. Pray for the educational
institutions as well, colleges and universities, many of them atheistic and
godless. Pray over the sports complexes and stadiums that God be glorified
there and the salvation of the athletes and fans, and to put God first, and not
the sport. Pray over the legislative buildings and wherever there is
government. Our leaders need wisdom now
more than ever. Criticism will not change things, only prayer will. Let’s not
be lax in our prayer life. God promises good results when we pray for our
leaders.
1Ti
2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1Ti
2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a
quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
1Ti
2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1Ti
2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the
knowledge of the truth.
God
does not lie, and everything good that happens likely had prayer behind it. But
you have to be committed and vigilant, and keep praying because the devil never
seems to sleep. He is relentless and attacks especially when we’ve left areas
wide open with no prayer cover at all.
I
first became aware of praying for territories and the physical outlay of where
we live, several years ago when I heard the testimonies of a group of
intercessors in Alaska. They explained that the town in which they lived the
prisons were full of men who had committed horrible crimes, many of them drug
and alcohol related. Sometimes in remote communities, alcohol becomes the drug
that people turn to when they’re in a state of isolation, loneliness,
joblessness, without purpose, and so on. They drink, then fights erupt, someone
gets hurt or killed, marriages dissolve, and families break up. The cycle
continues unless someone steps in through prayer and changes things. In this
particular community, they kept praying, and eventually the inmates became
believers, saved, and gave their lives to Christ, according to the Bible way.
Revival broke out in the prison, and soon the whole town was transformed.
That’s what Jesus does! He brings restoration, deliverance, life and joy into
our lives! All praise goes to Him! God hears and He does answer prayer, and He
wants to! Let’s keep the angels busy with our many heartfelt prayers, and send
the devil and his demons scurrying because they can’t take the heat!!
So
how do you go about praying for your neighbourhood? I’d like to offer a very
important Biblical model of praying, what you could call a “warfare prayer”
strategy. There are others, but I’ll just share one.
Taken
from the Old Testament, it’s the account of the children of Israel going into
the land of Canaan to overtake it since this was the Promised Land that God had
promised them. The walls of Jericho were so strong that it would take a much
bigger army than Israel had. So instead of using brute force to bring it down,
they were instructed to march around the walls seven times, and the priests
would sound the trumpets. God would deliver them. And so, they did as they were
told, and at the seventh march, the walls came down much to the surprise of the
Canaanites. Israel went in and took out the inhabitants. It is found in the
Book of Joshua 6:1-26. Here it is in part.
Jos
6:1 Now
Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out,
and none came in.
Jos
6:2 And
the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the
king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.
Jos
6:3 And
ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about
the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.
Jos
6:4 And
seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the
seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow
with the trumpets.
Jos
6:5 And
it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's
horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall
shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and
the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.
Jos
6:6 And
Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark
of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns
before the ark of the LORD.
Jos
6:7 And
he said unto the people, Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is
armed pass on before the ark of the LORD.
Jos
6:8 And
it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests
bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns passed on before the LORD, and blew
with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.
Jos
6:9 And
the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the
rereward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the
trumpets.
Jos
6:10 And
Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise
with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until
the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout.
Jos
6:11 So
the ark of the LORD compassed the city, going about it once: and they
came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.
Jos
6:12 And
Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD.
Jos
6:13 And
seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD
went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before
them; but the rereward came after the ark of the LORD, the priests going
on, and blowing with the trumpets.
Jos
6:14 And
the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so
they did six days.
Jos
6:15 And
it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of
the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that
day they compassed the city seven times.
Jos
6:16 And
it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets,
Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.
About
the Promised Land: It was very important for the children of Israel to have
their own land (as it is to this very day), because without a homeland, it left
the Israelites vulnerable, as it does refugees in modern times. God wanted to
establish His own people in their own land. He wanted a people He could call
His own, and bless them as His special chosen ones. Interesting that Israel has
to fight to this very day for their own land which God promised them, but that
is a topic for another blog. What is your promised land? I have had mine
threatened where I almost had to move away from where I’ve been called to live.
I had to prayer walk many times around my neighbourhood for things to change.
And in short order, things changed and we didn’t have to move, so prayer does
work!
It’s
always wise that before going out to pray, ask God to guide you and arm you and
go before you. Stay focused, and if possible, bring a friend or two with you.
God will instruct you as He did the Israelites on how to pray, and who to pray
for. This is strategic praying and not general praying. Let the Holy Spirit
guide you to what is most needed, and be willing to do what He impresses on you
to do.
If
you do decide to make it a regular habit to prayer walk, or even if you can’t
leave your house, pray at home for people, places, and situations. Please keep
in touch with me via our website contact info: www.creativefocus.ca. I would love some
feedback on how your strategic prayers have been answered.
