When Cheryl and I were involved in leading city-wide events back in the 90’s, we began to understand the power of effective targeted prayer. We learned a tremendous amount through Arthur Burke and Ed Silvoso about “spiritual mapping” and specifically praying through generational curses and iniquities. During those days, I was also station manager of WJTM radio. We sponsored a 30–60-minute program called “Prayer Line”. One of our regular prayers was Pastor Richard Dyson who was pastor of the AME church in Brunswick, Md. He became one of my best friends in the city and he was the consummate prayer “warrior”. In fact, we were on prayer-line together the morning of 9/11! Prayer line that day lasted for about 5 hours. Pastor Dyson’s favorite motto was “Much prayer – much power, little prayer – little power and no prayer – no power!”
Jesus gave us this mandate as recorded in Mark 11:17 (ESV),
“And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.”
It is frankly shocking to me the number of churches that no longer have prayer meetings nor see the need for it. Have we become that “lukewarm” in the western culture that we see no need for prayer?
Prayer was vital in the early church. We read in the Book of James that the effective, fervent prayers of a righteous person accomplishes much (James 5:6). James then gives the example of Elijah in James 5:17-18 (ESV).
“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
God used Elijah as an example of how to take down wicked national leadership through the power of prayer. In fact, King Ahab called Elijah “the troubler of Israel”. He confronted both Jezebel and Baal. The story is a classic which can be found in 1 Kings 18:20-40. I will never forget going to Mount Carmel in 2018 when Cheryl and I visited Israel. It sits to the west of Megiddo which will be the staging ground for the armies of the world as they gather to war against Jerusalem according to the book of Revelation 16:16. Imagine the defeat and slaughter of 400 prophets of Baal in the wake of seeing fire falling from heaven and consuming the sacrifice, the water, and the stones of the altar. What an incredible God we have.
If Jesus needed pray to be victorious in all He faced, shouldn’t His example show how important prayer is for us? The scripture tells us that Jesus often went to a solitary place to pray, Luke 5:16 (ESV)
“But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.”
Finally, the Apostle Paul teaches the importance of prayer to the church of Ephesus in Ephesians 6:10-18 (ESV)
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil 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 firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints”
The armor we wear is all about defense, protecting our vital organs from destruction, our minds and hearts pure through truth and faith. We must stand in this evil day against all the schemes of Satan. Double mindedness is deadly so must not be tolerated. The shield of Faith quenches all the fiery arrows of Satan.
The only offensive weapon mentioned is the use of prayer and especially praying the words of the Lord. Afterall, Jesus used scripture to defeat Satan after his 40 day fast.
This is certainly important especially when you understand the history of Ephesus. The principality of Jezebel through the Temple of Diana was destroyed and rendered powerless for over 200 years after Paul taught the church for 2 years. The Temple had 1000’s of temple prostitutes and this structure represented the 3rd of 7 wonders of the ancient world. The temple was weakened by earthquakes and burned by the Goths in 262 AD. It is no coincidence that prayer and the destruction are linked.
One of the most effective intercessors of the 20th Century was Rees Howells. He only wrote and published one book in 1939 entitled “God Challenges Dictators”. Like Elijah had done hundreds of years earlier, Rees predicted the fall of the 3rd Reich. He was the founder of the “Bible College of Wales” which was founded and maintain by faith and was steeped in intercession. Pray warriors headed up by Rees maintained continual effective prayer until the 1000 years Reich fell in just a few years after its beginning.
I am convinced that it will be the power of effective prayer that will destroy the influence that the Cabal has had in our nation. Will you join us as we continue to pray for our nation? I conclude with Psalm 68:1-3 (ESV)
“God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered;
and those who hate him shall flee before him!
2 As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away;
as wax melts before fire,
so the wicked shall perish before God!
3 But the righteous shall be glad;
they shall exult before God;
they shall be jubilant with joy!