Ephesians 6:10-13 (NKJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
It is obvious from Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus that the many issues that face mankind are from a dark spiritual origin. Yet I see many believers treat their walk as though everything else was the problem. I am not saying that we don’t contribute to our troubles or that others cannot have a hand in the debacles of life, but what I am saying is, don’t underestimate your real enemy even if he is a defeated foe.
FORTIFYING THE CHURCH
Over the last several weeks, I have taken you through the process in a new (new to me) church that is hungry for the Holy Spirit to move among them. They are hungry to grow because growth is synonymous with health. Is it possible for these two things to occur? Absolutely!
THIS PROCESS OF PRAYER WILL WORK FOR ANY SIZE CHURCH
I can’t remember the exact number but a great amount of churches in the United States are under 100 people. Being small doesn’t mean you aren’t spiritual or effective in Christ any more that being large proves you are spiritual and healthy. So, it’s not just about numbers, it is about spiritual health and spiritual health can increase numbers.
In order for a church of any size to have spiritual health, where Jesus is Lord of the house, there has to be prayer. Prayer will help strengthen the church and fortify her for the battle that is coming, ready or not.
THE CORPORATE PRAYER EXPRESSION
The wonderful thing about being in the same room with others as we pray together, is the great partnership, we have with each other and with Jesus as the “boss of us”! We pray the Word of God and come into agreement and the church gets stronger. We are literally armoring up. We are fortifying for the good and health of the church (people).
DOES THE DEVIL TAKE IT LYING DOWN?
I personally believe the word of God is clear that the devil opposes God’s people, trying to confuse and thwart the plan of God in the earth. The church (that is us) was designed as a point of great light and wisdom in the world that was to advance God’s eternal purpose.
Ephesians 3:10-11 (NKJV)
10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS ENFORCE WHAT JESUS ALREADY SECURED!
The church (us) makes trouble for the enemy. Prayer is at the basis of the church doing the supernatural and advancing the Kingdom of God. Prayer as the church, causes our activity to have a “kiss” on it.
THE TOPIC FOR THIS EVENING…
The Holy Spirit had talked to me about preparing the way of the Lord. We used some of the scripture out of the Book of Isaiah.
Isaiah 40:3-5 (NKJV)
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth; 5 The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
THIS USES THE IDEA….
If a monarch was visiting a region, there would be those that went ahead of him and made a level road for easier passage leading to the city he was to visit. So literally, mountains level and valleys brought up. Crooked places were straightened and rough places were smoothed out. There would be a “King’s Highway”. The way was to be “prepared”.
THE CHURCH PRAYS AND PREPARES THE WAY OF THE LORD
We know that Jesus lives in us by the Holy Spirit. At the same time, if we have attended church much at all, we have endured powerless and lifeless services, watch our clocks and listened to our stomachs growl! Obviously, power and life doesn’t just automatically happen or it would be happening everywhere that is called “church”. So, what are we to do? We are to prepare the way (our Hearts) to hear and receive Him together.
HOW CAN WE PREPARE IN PRAYER?
Some of the ways to prepare the church for a visitation of power is to pray about repentance. It is part of this familiar verse…
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)
14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
There are several others you will pray about with me.
AS YOU PRAY THOUGH THIS VIDEO WITH ME
If you decide to pray through this video with me, you will hear what I call a teaching moment. We were maybe 15-20 minutes in when I stop and talk about it.
SOMETHING DARK CAME INTO THE PRAYER MEETING
I don’t know if you will feel it through the video, but a number of minutes into the prayer meeting, things got distracting. Everything starts feeling weird or awkward. I felt it when it happened. Many times, people in the prayer meeting may not realize what is happening. Everything that is demonic doesn’t always snarl and growl. Sometimes they come in what sounds like your own voice and try to distract. They may say things like “She doesn’t know how to lead” or “You don’t know how to pray!” The thoughts of “Why did I come to prayer?” goes through your mind and the atmosphere feels off.
You will hear me talk to the intercessors and tell them what was happening. I showed them what to do. I think it will help you if you decide to pray along.
YOU ARE DANGEROUS!
When you walk with Jesus, you are dangerous. You are even more dangerous when you walk with each other. No wonder the devil works so hard to divide and conquer. When we pray together and agree with God’s Word supernatural help comes to us. We walk taller, stronger, more efficient and fall in love with each other.
The devil is defeated but he is out for damage in the short time he has left before being put in a pit. Most people are content in their walk to do damage control. We cannot do damage control alone. Why not catch damage before it happens. To do that we need to take up the spiritual weapons that have been given to us and use the authority Jesus gave us. Jesus won the victory and we are called to partner with Jesus and enforce His victory in the earth.
As we pray on the video, you will hear the exercising of some of the spiritual weapons that helps us do this. Put the name of your church or family in those prayers. You will be fortifying your family and church in the area of “preparing the way of the Lord”. Pray with me an hour. You can do this!!
Blessings!
lisa
© Copyright Lisa Swayze 2019