Territorial Prayer

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.