Here's a tender admonition from Pastor David Harwood on having a right posture before the Lord as we come to pray for the elections (and really at all times). I found this article to be so well written and theologically on target that I believe it should be mandatory reading for all of us as Papa's Children. Strong statement I know - but it's true. Of course, I am biased because it touches the roar in my heart for the priesthood of all believers to step into their identity and then, as we engage in that calling, for all of us to speak according to Our Father's Identity.
The article is really all about love and I want to steal a moment to update you on where we are at the House of Prayer so you will read this article with a clearer understanding of why I am endorsing it. (Not that my endorsement means anything, but I'm endorsing it none-the-less.)
At the House, we have been regularly praying that our leaders would know love. It is an overwhelming engagement of the heart and I can't shake it. In particular, we have been praying that our leaders would be surrounded by people who love them and are communicating love in every way. Most importantly, we are praying that they feel loved. I believe with all my heart that you think differently, speak differently and feel differently when you are deeply loved and you know it in your inner man. When you can't feel love, very little can contend with the emotional insecurity you are grappling with.
When President Obama, as a human being, is under a constant barrage of anger and criticism.... how much love do you suppose he feels? If he doesn't feel loved, how will his decisions reflect or model the God who IS love? So, we have been praying, "Love over you President Obama. We love you and honor you and we pray that there would be people all day long that tell you they love you and that help you feel loved." We're doing the same thing over The White House, his family, The Senate, The Supreme Court, etc.(As an FYI, we pray the same thing over YOU, Long Island, NYC, the State, The Nation, Israel and the Church)
At this last Tuesday's meeting, I shared that I was praying the evening before for the Holy Spirit to come pull us into more depth of encounter in our prayer meetings. I pointed out that in the middle of the night prior, I found myself (in my sleep) praying blessings over someone that I love dearly and have great brokenness in my heart over. I woke up doing that and then fell asleep and then woke up to an awareness that the Lord wanted to speak to me about that prayer time. He was letting me know with impressions, rather than words, that He was orchestrating the prayer I had prayed and that He was holding back the deeper encounter I had asked for regarding HIS depth of encounter at the House for Love's sake. I believe He wants us to understand the power of our love, our forgiveness and our tender prayers and words. He wants us to mature in them first before we pray for "power encounters". Not because one comes before the other but because one facilitates the values of His heart more than the other.
As I understand the impressions He left, if we are to respectfully honor the fire of His Presence we need to know that soft words over people's lives, meek and tender hearts, quick forgiveness and blessings are the only things that can live well in the environment of His "fire". We were cautioned to expose our hearts to the Lord's heart and light exhaustively in order to facilitate healing so we would not stumble with angry, critical or careless words regarding our brothers and sisters (i.e., humanity) or harbor cutting thoughts in our hearts that can often manifest in our attitudes toward others, regardless of how sweet our words may sound. If you don't want to be near someone, anyone, that's a pretty clear indicator that something needs to be resolved regardless of how your words come out (or don't but are still felt). Can you think of anyone's company that you are avoiding? That's the person the Lord will start with in your prayer life and the one that He will gladly walk through fire with you for .... so that you are reconciled in love.
People that are in a position of leadership are in extra need of this TLC - especially because they often are known of .....but not "known" with a commitment from others to be loved and I mean loved no matter how badly they screw up. It's so easy for us to criticize someone we don't know or love or commit to love... and that's the problem. However, the problem points to the solution... we grow in our Love as we hold them before the One who IS Love and we ask Him how we can pray for them. As soon as we enter His love and begin to pray, they are no longer a stranger and we care deeply about the outcome. That is at least one reason why Jesus admonished us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us... because once we do, they are no longer our enemies!
Anyway, we were gently warned that His desire is that we:
- diligently guard our hearts in and with love
- reconcile quickly
- not refer to people or churches or leaders with sharp tongues or critical hearts
- know that it will hurt us as much as it would hurt those we spoke about and it certainly would not serve to communicate the love we profess and believe in.
I could go on....
My point is that LOVE is very much at the forefront of Jesus' thoughts at all times and it is definitely on His lips in this hour. May it be on our hearts and lips as well. I care deeply about Father's dreams over all of you and I care about your true effectiveness in the arena of prayer.
Prayers in Love and true conflict resolution really are vital issues for our generation to grapple with and then teach. I honestly know the challenge that it can be to be sure to bring the pain you carry before the Lord in order to pray for those who you have hurt or been hurt by. I know it is not an easy process to sit before the Lord and let Him speak into your heart - often uprooting your perceived "rights to be right". I also know that it is the only way forward in following Jesus and there is no better answer to our pain. It is also the only way to be effective in prayer.
Thank you so much, David...You ROCK!!! love, t
Effective Pre-Election Prayer by Pastor David Harwood
Called to Pray:
and from Jesus (the Messiah) the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father… (Revelation 1:5-6a)
In Revelation 1:5 the Messiah Jesus is identified according to His authority. He is the faithful, resurrected witness, the ruler of the governments of this world. This glorious king is also a priest, our “great priest.” (Hebrews 10:21) According to His inherent power and authority, He has made us to be a kingdom of priests. (Revelation 1:6)
Apparently, the believing community has forgotten this primary calling. Generally speaking it is not considered a good thing if someone wakes up and cannot remember where they work or what they do. It is important for every believer to recover and live in this aspect of our identities. We really are priests. (1 Peter 2:5,9)
The Spirit of God, through the Scriptures, shows us our identity and reveals the nature of our Creator. As spiritual priests we know, and freshly discover, Who we worship through the Scriptures. Let us know and rediscover our intercessory priestly priorities as well. For direction in prayer, the first place we go to receive our assignments are the Scriptures. Since we are submitted to God through His Scriptures, let us be attentive to enscriptured apostolic guidance.
Paul gives a doxology in 1 Timothy 1:17 - To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
In the light of the reality that the Messiah Jesus is king, (five verses later) Paul prioritized prayer for governments. First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
We are called to pray for the social and economic climate in which we find ourselves. We are called to pray for the structure of civil society to be amenable to the manifestation of the Kingdom of God through the church. To pray for the Kingdom’s purposes to advance in our nation we must identify with the King’s heart for those who govern. First, we must renounce wrath, rebellion and resentment.
Renounce Wrath, Rebellion and Resentment:
Here’s a principle offered by an apostle: Peter wrote that husbands must live “in an understanding way” with their wives “so that your prayers may not be hindered.” (1 Peter 3:7b) There is an analogy to be made concerning prayer for our government. We must make sure that our hearts are right with God before we can expect to be heard.
To wisely pray we must have hearts that are free from wrath and rebellion.
Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension. (1 Timothy 2:8)
“Wrath” in this context has to do with being angry at the repressive Roman regime. The dissension spoken of in this verse is not referring to rebellion within the church. It is speaking directly to the priestly call to pray for those who ruled a godless, amoral, idolatrous, tyrannical empire. This follows the instruction of the Messiah Jesus. He told us that if we are to effectively pray we must have hearts that are free from resentment.
And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25)
Anger, rebellion and rancor pollute the streams of our relationship with God and revelation from God. Let us rid ourselves of the deception that we will be enabled to maintain holy intercessory interaction while ignoring this important injunction.
Honoring God’s Heart:
We must diligently watch over our hearts.
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. (Proverbs 4:23)
Many who read this may view President Obama and this administration as adversaries of important godly priorities. I am not contending with that perspective. However, let me ask us a question - what is it about loving our adversaries that we don’t understand? Jesus shed His blood for those who were adverse to God’s righteousness. He loved His enemies. He died for sinners. He expects us to reflect this love, even in the light of serious political oppression.
The degree of despotism experienced by Israel under Roman occupation and what we are enduring in our nation is not worthy of comparison. Yet, Jesus said this, “And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” (Matthew 5:41) What a test this verse provides for many of us in this current political climate. Look at this section of Scripture that follows:
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48)
How serious is the oppression we are enduring? In comparison to what believers suffer throughout the world, we are not suffering. If we cannot walk in love during this season, how can we hope to do so in a time of serious tribulation?
Here’s something else to consider for those seeking to fulfill their role as priests: Can we come before God, through the blood of Jesus with an attitude which is antithetical to the motive which caused this blood to be offered? Dare we come with a different spirit? His blood speaks love and cries out for forgiveness. If we are to effectively pray for our nation’s leaders we must have a similar spirit.
To pray effectively there must be a thorough, heartfelt, renunciation of anger and rebellion. To be heard in heaven, we must honor the heart of God by embracing His love for His enemies.
During this time before the elections, let us consider our ways, return to the Lord and pray that righteousness would be exalted.
Effective Pre-Election Prayer
http://voiceofrevolution.askdrbrown.org/2010/09/10/effective-pre-election-prayer/
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