Blog Archives

THE MINISTRY OF INTERCESSORY PRAYER

2/20/2015

“Stand in the Gap”
As “Watchman on the Wall”

“When You said , ‘Seek My face,’ my heart said to You , ‘ Your face LORD I will seek!’ ” Psalm 27:8   I have always loved seeking after God. And sometimes He plays hide and seek. He is then calling me to come up higher IN HIM.  And many times He takes me to a hidden place, under the Shelter of His Almighty Wings, where I spend glorious intimate time with Jesus, soaking and abiding in Him. Being a very gregarious outgoing people person, loving to teach, mentor, lead and serve the LORD in many different ways for over forty years in church ministry, I could not understand or fathom the changes that were about to take place in my life and personal ministry when God called me to lay everything down! I was totally undone! Soon I learned that out of my zeal and eagerness to serve the LORD, as a leader, I had become more purpose driven rather than passion driven!

Ten years ago the LORD called me apart UNTO HIM and He spoke to me and said, "Sandra, I love you for your faithful heartfelt ministry and how you love Me. And I love your heart and  love for people. But now I want you to lay it all down. I am going to teach you how to serve me more effectively in your ministry. I want you to minister out of My heart and My love. And I want you to minister from the passion of Christ! And Sandra, I want you to know that I LOVE YOU FOR JUST BEING YOU, NOT BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU DO!  This  up close and personal encounter with God, stirred up a renewed passion for Christ within me and I began an amazing journey to learn more about prophetic Intercessory Prayer. And through this time I established a stronger relationship and intimacy with Jesus than I have ever had in my entire life. I had spent two years of intense study on the prophetic gifts, and realized that God was directing and leading me to learn more about the true gift of powerful, prophetic Intercessory Prayer being led by His Holy Spirit.   God’s Word and His Holy Spirit are our strongest weapons. And He ask us to wrap ourselves in His whole armor to prepare for spiritual warfare and battle. (Ephesians 5) And PRAYER IS THE BATTLE!
God was calling me forth so I could face the enemy, know the enemy, and come boldly, courageously and confidently before God’s Throne of Grace in fervent prayer, as He tells us in His Word.
I then learned about different kinds of prayer. Confrontational. Breakthrough. Rearguard. Travail. Faith. “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit” Zechariah 4:6
I learned how God will empower us with His seven-fold Spirit when we need it. I learned to pray, praise and welcome the awesome Spirit of God! And instead of running from the enemy, in the sometimes paralyzing fear the enemy had used against me - I STOOD UP AGAINST THE ENEMY, with the Awe and Reverential Fear of our Holy God.  Wisdom. Knowledge. Understanding. Counsel and Might.  OUR GOD IS HOLY! HE IS A HOLY GOD!  HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD! Just take time and praise Him right now! NOW IS THE TIME!
“So they shall fear the name of the LORD from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.” Isaiah 59:19
Praise God! He takes a stand on our behalf! He displays Himself to overthrow the power of the enemy! So boldly we can STAND ON HIS PROMISES, STAND ON HIS WORD and speak and pray His prophetic Word back to Him- as we STAND IN THE GAP AS WATCHMEN ON THE WALL AT THE GATE  - interceding in faithful prayer for our families, churches, nation, other nations around the world, especially for Israel. God clearly tells us that He will bless those who pray for and bless His chosen people!

Intercessory Spiritual Warfare Prayer “The victory of the Cross is extended only as faithful intercessors “wrestle” against dark powers and win through the power of Jesus’ name and blood.” Dick Eastman
Too many Christians feel downtrodden and defeated by the enemy’s minions before the battle has even begun.    The result is that while we stand passively on the sidelines, the enemy runs completely amok. It is time for all Christians to do an abrupt about-face and start learning how to outwit the enemy of our souls. Scripture says that we are more than conquerors through Christ who strengthens us. Covered by the Blood of Christ we are given the supernatural power of God’s Holy Spirit to pray with authority, power and conviction, offering prayers of submission, repentance, confrontation, faith, wisdom, healing, deliverance and breakthrough and more to stop the enemy dead in his tracks!
Put on the full armor of God and arm yourself with Prayers That Outwit the Enemy!” The enemy cannot overcome God. The Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ have defeated Satan and the demonic forces. It is time for God’s people to rise up, move forward in these end time battles, and invade Satan’s territory, and take back our rich inheritance in Jesus, to further advance God’s Kingdom on Earth.  Yes ,we have a heart to win the lost to Jesus, to let people know that through Jesus, we have salvation, eternal life. But we need to ask God for forgiveness because we have not preached the full Gospel of Jesus! Jesus brings restoration, deliverance, freedom and fullness of God and the righteousness of Jesus for us to live a joyful life on this earth daily, a life full of God's mercy, blessings and promises. We need to fully understand the prayer Jesus prayed, "Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done. On Earth as it is in Heaven!" This is an amazing, empowering message, that I will write and share soon.
NOW IS THE TIME! It is time that we passionately pursue God and renew our lives and energize our prayer life. In order to be totally free we must die to ourselves. We must experience the death of the Cross. We must not fear this death in our flesh.  Such a fear will prevent us from entering into the Resurrection and crossing over into our next level of anointing, power and authority. Part of this death will entail suffering and trials. The truth is that whenever there is warfare in our lives that we will need to press through, there will also be an amount of suffering that we will encounter in overcoming. Through Christ we are more than conquerors! We are overcomers! And it is through this process of passionately pursuing God, that our godly passion originates and is completed. Via this overcoming in the midst of great difficulties, we are able to move into New Dimensions of God’s best for our lives.
(Inspired by Dr. Chuck Pierce’s and Rebecca Wagner Systema’s book, “Prayers That Outwit The Enemy - Making God’s Word Your First Line of Defense.” Also authors of “The Future War of the Church”.)

Notes from Spirit Filled Life Bible that my beloved daughter gave to me.

Intercessors (those ‘Standing in the Gap, Watching and Guarding the Gate)link God’s mercy with human need. God is looking for intercessors to stand in the gap and usher in God’s mercy. Fasting and prayer birth signs and wonders, (Acts 13:1-14:28) as God confirms in His Word. Prayer is the proving ground of our faith.
Unceasing Prayer is the key to Deliverance.  (Acts 12:1-17) Great deliverance comes through prayer, sometimes so surprisingly we may find it difficult to believe it ourselves! A prayerful quest for God leads to our finding renewed, restored spiritual strength.
The Weapon of the Sacred Blood of Christ. The blood of Christ provides every believer with the necessary provision to defeat Satan. Praise God! Life, salvation, redemption, restoration, regeneration, reformation, is in the Blood of Jesus.  The issue of Blood is right relationship, and our ultimate goal of God’s Covenant. Christ’s Blood is the only God-ordained covering for sin. The Blood of Jesus is forever the only means of right relationship with our holy God. And we must learn to covenant with our God!
Seeing into the invisible discerning the spiritual issues and God’s perspective is a key to victorious praying.  Prayer brings revelational insight necessary for spiritual warfare. Intimacy with God in prayer births blessings and victories for breakthroughs. Faithfulness in continuous prayer is needed because spiritual warfare is continuous.   Consistency and order in daily prayers are needed for spiritual breakthroughs. Prayer births supernatural boldness, unity, fruitfulness and fullness.
A righteous man’s praying is energized by the Holy Spirit and amazing things happen. Earnestness, intensity and diligence are part of God’s emphasis for prayer. Fasting is referred to as a sacrificial form of prayer and produces results.   God may use angels to administer the victory for saints engaged in prayer warfare. It is necessary to take authority in the spiritual realm to impact the natural realm. Trumpets (shofars) have a unique place of sounding spiritual authority. (Numbers 10:1-10) Tears of sorrow, joy, compassion, travail and repentance all have a place in warfare.

THROUGH FAITHFUL, FERVENT INTERCESSORY PRAYER GET READY! GET READY! GET READY! Wrap yourselves in God’s glorious garment of praise!  In obedience, thank  Him throughout all circumstances, no matter how you feel.  This releases the supernatural power of God’s Holy Spirit to work on your behalf and others!  Then get ready! Get ready for the suddenlies of God and expect the unexpected! Get ready for not only a breakthrough!  Our loving, merciful God answers prayers!  He will bring breakthrough, breakup and break out for individuals, and through this He will change people's hearts, lives, churches and nations! NOW IS THE TIME!

Freedom In Christ

2/10/2015

FREEDOM IN CHRIST

GET READY! GET READY! GET READY!

I BELIEVE WE ARE LIVING IN THE MOST EXCITING TIME IN THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH!

My husband, Alex told me yesterday that our hometown,  Chattanooga, Tennessee  is listed NUMBER ONE in the top TEN Bible-minded Cities!   Yet there are so many in Chattanooga and the surrounding area that do not know Jesus, that do not attend church, and do not know how to live the abundant life and the fullness of God. There are so many hurting, wounded people who need FREEDOM, HEALING AND DELIVERANCE that God intended His Children to have!

As Christians we have the opportunity and it is our God ordained purpose to reach out with the LOVE OF JESUS and carry out the Great Commission in Isaiah 61 and Luke 4:18 to change lives.

In this hour there is a New Sound from Heaven that has been released.  It is driving those with open hearts, eyes and ears to hear to encounter JESUS afresh in unprecedented measures!

This is the clear, clarion trumpet call for the groundswell of the THIRD GREAT AWAKENING in our land to bring  HEALING, DELIVERANCE AND RESTORATION!

These are the days of GOD’S GLORY and LIVING and WALKING in the LIFE AND POWER OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN!

NOW IS THE TIME FOR the blessing from Isaiah 60:1…..“Arise! Shine! For your Light has come.  And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you!”

Let’s declare now!

There is going to be HEALING IN THE HOUSE OF GOD!

“Where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is liberty!” 2 Corinthians 3:17

“Where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is freedom!”

“Where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is deliverance!”

“Where the Spirit of the LORD is, there are supernatural signs, miracles, wonders and healing!”

God’s perfect timing is awesome!  We are now going into this New Season, the year 2015 -The number 20 means “Revelation.” 15 means “Reprieve and Mercy” We all need a fresh new anointing for DOING KINGDOM BUSINESS!

WE ARE BEING CALLED TO ADVANCE THE KINGDOM OF GOD, “For such a time as this!” THE TIME IS NOW!   THE TIME IS URGENT FOR US TO REACH OUT WITH THE LOVE OF JESUS AND THE COMPLETE GOOD NEWS GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD AND SAVIOR!   I SO LOOK FORWARD TO WALKING THROUGH THE NEW OPEN DOORS GOD IS SHOWING TO US ! HE HAS GIVEN US THE KEYS TO HIS KINGDOM! What an ADVENTURE lies ahead! And what infinite possibilities are awaiting as in obedience we follow God’s divine guidance.

My prayer is to lead others to know Jesus’s Saving Grace, so they may receive freedom in Christ.  God wants His people to be FREE! TO GROW AND FLORISH IN HIS LOVE AND AMAZING GRACE! TO FLOW IN THE UNFORCED SUPERNATURAL RHYTHM OF HIS HOLY SPIRIT!

Let us join together and ask God for  Vision. Revelation. And HIS Seven-Fold Spirit – Wisdom. Knowledge. Understanding. Counsel. Might. The awe and reverential Fear of our Holy God. Let us understand our position with Jesus who is seated at the right hand of God. We are seated with Him and have His power and authority! Think of it as CPR!

Christ Power Through His Resurrection!

Position -  Letting people know their Position IN Christ alone!

Provision - He will provide all we need!

Personality - Christ’s Character & Nature- It is not about us!  It is ALL ABOUT HIM! He uses us no matter what our personality!

Promise - All God’s Promises in His Holy Word. He will do what He says He will do! His Word will not return void. But will do all that He plans and purposes it to do!

Restoration - Jesus will restore all of us, as He transforms us from Glory to Glory!

Praying for people to have freedom in Christ is  such an honoring, gentle and effective inner healing and deliverance ministry, where we can take bits of God’s Amazing Grace and reach out to people with the Love of Jesus, to help them to have the promised life – the abundant life – HERE AND NOW!  It can bring our families, friends, communities, and people to a place of healing, spirit, soul and body!

Bill Johnson wrote in a “In the heart of every believer burns a God-born passion to see people get completely free.”

As Christians we need to learn how to give others the TRUTH AND SPIRIT in GOD’S WORD,  rather than just quickly ‘putting a band-aide’ on issues, and saying “I’m sorry! I will pray for you!”   Because truly some people just don’t know what to say or do. OR HOW TO PRAY!  Through learning more about effective intercessory prayer and the gifts of God’s Holy Spirit, EACH OF  YOU CAN LEAD YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND OTHERS TO FIND JOY AND FREEDOM THROUGH THE HEALING BLOOD OF JESUS!

And rather than saying when I speak, “GET READY! GET READY! GET READY!” as God laid on my heart many years ago, I am now saying, “LORD we are ready!   THE TIME IS NOW! As Christians we  ALL NEED TO BE EXCITED, ENCOURAGED, EQUIPPED AND EMPOWERED, FILLED UP AND OVERFLOWING WITH RIVERS OF LIVING WATER TO HELP HEAL OTHERS SPIRITUALLY, EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY!  Our heart cry is “WE ARE READY LORD TO DO GOD’S KINGDOM BUISNESS! “ Hallelujah!

We know that GOD HEALS US ALL FROM THE  INSIDE OUT!

THANK YOU LORD, FOR THE RESURRECTED POWER OF CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD AND SAVIOR.  YOU ARE OUR LIFE BLOOD. THANK YOU FOR HEALING!

God is calling us to have a closer relationship with Jesus. True relational ministry is reaching out to the community and city and our spheres of influence, no matter who we are, no matter where we are, with the love and healing power of Jesus. The foundation is built on honor and integrity. Honoring one another in all ways.

This should fill our hearts with JOY!  In Hebrews we are “called to TRAIN FOR THE RACE. Overcome hindrances.  And run with JOY AND ENDURANCE.” From a biblical perspective we are training and building disciples through LOVE, GRACE, SPIRIT AND TRUTH, AFFIRMATION AND SUPPORT to carry out the Great Commission in Isaiah 61 bringing 'beauty from ashes.'

As a prophetic prayer warrior, visionary and writer, many years ago the LORD gave me the Scripture in Habakkuk 2:1-2. “I will stand my watch. And set myself on the rampart. And watch to see what He will say to me. And the LORD said, ‘Write the vision. Make it plain on tablets. That he may run who reads it. The vision is for an appointed time. It will surely come and it will not tarry.”

I PRAY THAT ALL OF YOU READING THIS WILL “HEAR AND SEE “THE VISION GOD HAS FOR EACH OF US,  SO YOU MAY RUN WITH IT!

I don’t know about all of you, BUT I WANT TO FINISH THE RACE WELL!  TO DO SO WITH THE LOVE OF GOD, THE COMPASSION AND PASSION OF CHRIST!   We need to not only tell everyone we meet about THE UNCONDITIONAL, EVERLASTING, PERFECT LOVE OF GOD, BUT TO COME UP ALONG SIDE OF THEM, AND HELP THEM TRULY EXPERIENCE GOD’SLOVE.

Through our ministry from the very HEART OF GOD, we can win the lost to Jesus. And we can help others to take back their rich inheritance in Jesus, that the enemy has tried to steal from them.  So they can take back their dreams!  And  know the truth and truly live by the Acts 17:28 , “In Him I live and move and have my being!”  ………daily living and walking  in FREEDOM.

A very vital part of our calling and commission is Isaiah 61.  God will give you confidence and fresh new anointing to give “The Good News of Salvation……..”  “To preach good tidings to the poor. To heal the brokenhearted. To proclaim liberty to the captives. And the opening of prison to those who are bound. To comfort those who mourn.  To give them beauty for ashes. The Oil of JOY for mourning.  The garment of PRAISE for the spirit of heaviness.  That they may be called trees of righteousness.  The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified."

As writers for LIGHTBEARERS INTERNATIONAL,  we pray to be ‘facilitators’ with the LORD, asking for God's Holy Spirit to lead, guide and direct us in all our ways. God's will, ways and Word are inseparable.  And pray to speak LIGHT, LIFE AND LOVE to people!

So many people have allowed hurt, anger, unforgiveness, or whatever the issues may be –  and have ultimately, sometimes unknowingly,  created their own problems.   BUT PRAISE GOD!  THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT REVEALS ALL TRUTH!  AND GOD WANTS TO SET THEM FREE! BECAUSE WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS, THERE IS FREEDOM! THROUGH THE CLEANSING BLOOD OF JESUS THERE IS HEALING, SPIRITUALLY, EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY.

We are GOD CHASERS! Passionate, intimate love from and for God is the main thing. Finding freedom from our emotional  constraints and being rid of demonic influence is an OUTCOME OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, NOT THE FOCUS OF IT. We all should pray for true and honest Relationships with the Triune, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
When we spend intimate time with Jesus and Papa God in terms of a loving relationship, there is healing, memories explained, fears calmed and our DIVINE DESTINY IN JESUS ASSURED!

We do know that in ALL our Sins the enemy has hidden ways that specifically target our DIVINE DESIGN AND DESTINY CALLING FROM GOD!

But I will tell you that in all the years I have ministered in Healing and Deliverance Ministry, I have seen only 3 people who were truly Demon Possessed!  So no matter if we think at times that it the enemy, or that is our spouse, or in-laws I can assure you that many times this is NOT THE ISSUE!  We might just be surprised to realize it is US, being unforgiving, unloving, judgmental and critical of them!   SO we need to REPENT OF THAT RIGHT NOW! JJJJ (Don’t you feel much better? PRAISE GOD!  “THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE. AND WHOM CHRIST HAS SET FREE IS FREE INDEED!”)    Our fervent prayer in all we do is first of all to love others as Jesus loves us, and to spread the complete good news of the Gospel of Christ, in our calling to further advance the Kingdom of God, 'for such a time as this.' " We praise You, Father God! You are holy! Holy! Holy! Merciful and mighty!   May Your will be done in each and every one of our lives here on earth as it is in heaven! We give You all glory, honor and praise! Forever and ever! Amen."

THE MINISTRY OF INTERCESSORY PRAYER

Freedom In Christ

Authors

Archives

Categories