Preparing the Way for God’s Presence

Developing a Dynamic Prayer Life in the Prayer Room“In every revival in history we read a similar testimony. When God responded to His people by sending His presence, He didn’t just work Himself into their routine religion—He overtook them by His power and glory! He left a trail of glorious chaos in His wake—weeping, repenting, rejoicing, reconciling, changing of habits, healing of families! Nobody wondered if Jesus was involved in these meetings. There was no doubt in their minds and no lack in their hearts.” Rhonda Hughey

God wants to invade our cities with His glorious and powerful presence. He wants to overtake our lives and change our plans and routines so that they are fully in line with His purposes. As we look at the Kingdom of God and preparing the way for God’s holy presence, the Sermon on the Mount is the greatest test to measure and evaluate our personal success.

  • How well do I live out the eight beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12 and all of Matthew 5-7?
  • Do I seek to obey God in every area of our life?
  • Do I declare war on all compromise?

This is the test. This is the great personal challenge we are all facing as we prepare for 24/7 prayer. We are made for personal holiness and to intimately know God. This is what is so fantastic about a House of Prayer. God begins to change you, and you begin to prioritize prayer in a way you have never done before—or even imagined possible. Prayer begins to take center stage in your life.

We experienced this at our House of Prayer in Spain. Prayer suddenly became a priority. God began to deal with our lives—our speech, our time, our money, our relationships, and everything else. There was an internal calling from God to love and follow Him with all of our heart. God wanted our hearts and a life of complete obedience so that we would be perfect and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:4).

We were challenged in our prayer lives as the Holy Spirit began to
reinforce the importance of personal prayer and the absolute necessity of corporate prayer for the region. There was a lying down of secondary priorities for many. We were becoming very hungry for Jesus and His presence (Matthew 5:6). Through prayer and praise we were welcoming God into the region. Many of us began to treasure the presence of God above all else, as we realized deep in our hearts the truth of John 15:5, “Without Me you can do nothing.”

That time, and now being based at the International House of Prayer, has personally challenged me to make quality decisions for holiness and to let God challenge my motives on a regular basis. I still have a long way to go, but at least I am on the road. It definitely is a life-long journey. You may be thinking:

“How do I even begin to think about a House of Prayer in my city?”

The first step is to PRAY! You start by praying about a House of Prayer in your city. Even if you are not the one to start it, you can pray for others who will. Pray that God raises up the right ones to begin it, and you can be the one who supports them in prayer. If one month seems too long for you to start with, begin with a one-week House of Prayer. In starting to plan towards a one-month House of Prayer and beyond, there are several initial steps to pray and work towards. Every city needs a House of Prayer, but there always needs to be a few who start it.

Think about some of the things you want to see accomplished. You want to create an unbroken string of focused intense prayer of entreaty to God. Now this may seem overwhelming at first, but you will be surprised at how God helps you. After all, it’s His idea and desire in the first place. You want to provide times and places for many to come together in prayer. You want to ask the Lord to visit your city with His presence. Ultimately, you want to roll out a red carpet for the King of kings, and invite Him to come and do His work.

In Biblical and church history, united prayer has proven to be the single lifesaver of a nation during times of danger and uncertainty. The Lord commands His people to seek His face (2 Chronicles 7:14). Noah was warned by God concerning the flood, even though there was no visible sign of it coming—not even a raindrop! He took heed and diligently constructed and prepared an ark for the deliverance of his family (Hebrews 11:7).

It is difficult to predict exact results in a one-month House of Prayer. The key is to be faithful in doing what God shows you to do in prayer. In our House of Prayer in Spain, I believe that many were radically changed in their prayer lives, but there were also those who went back to their previous lifestyles and life as usual.

We have to be willing to pay the price for God’s continual presence in our city. It’s up to the Church to decide long-term how much of God they really want. It is important that churches and intercessors continue to pray and anticipate the ongoing development of God’s plan and Kingdom purposes for their city while the discipline and blessing of united prayer is still fresh.

In Spain the glory of God was visible in one of the most spiritually needy areas in the world, but the churches needed to continue asking God to help them develop the prayer movement in their area. Outsiders who came to help could not do it. It had to be those who lived in that city. I believe the following results will happen when Christians do accept the challenge of continual united prayer in their city:

  • A united, praying church develops that is pleasing to the Lord.
  • There is a breaking of the spiritual darkness that is invading the nation.
  • The Church demonstrates an example of corporate prayer that challenges others in cities around the country to develop prayer in their region as well.
  • A movement of the Spirit occurs, bringing salvation to thousands of people.
  • A continued growing movement of prayer arises, sweeping thousands of tired Christians into a fresh new excitement and vitality in Christ.

Imagine the future of your city when a House of Prayer is operating day and night. God will pour out His Spirit. There will be the manifest presence of the Lord scattering His enemies and ours. Signs, wonders, healing, and deliverance from demonic oppression will become the norm. There will be the revival of the Church, and it will grow. Sinners will come under conviction and will open their hearts to the message of the Gospel on a regular basis. But you must ask the Lord what you are to do.

What is the blueprint, the plan for building His Kingdom in your city? How can the Church in your city prepare the way for God’s presence?

By Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
IHOPKC

Eye Surgery for a Kingdom Focus

11692622_990323741030733_6732920235973030542_nWe went for a free vision exam. The advertisement made a lot of amazing claims, just as they so often do. It said the doctors were skilled with extensive experience in advanced diagnostic equipment, the procedure rooms were specially designed for optimal results, the technology used was the best, and they had complete follow-up care with affordable prices! We had thought we were going for a normal eye exam only to discover that the doctor was examining us for laser surgery. Because of the advertisement, the place was packed with people wanting to improve their vision through free laser surgery.

While we were waiting, I noticed a group of patients gathered around a big window intently watching something very interesting in the next room. I walked over, and to my surprise, they were watching a live laser surgery being done on one of the patients. It took only about ten minutes to complete this surgery that provided a vast improvement of one’s vision, even with those who had been wearing bifocal glasses for years and years.

I was fascinated as I watched the doctor wash the eye with a solution and know exactly how to do what seemed like a simple surgery on the eye. I am sure it was much more complex than I imagined. Then he would wash the eye again, and I would see magnified a beautifully colored and designed eye, so unique and carefully created by God. It was an amazing surgery that impressed me greatly.

God is doing eye surgery right now on the body of Christ. He wants us to see with His vision. He is a skilled physician with the very best equipment, and He has the greatest experience of anyone in the entire world. His technology is supernatural, and He provides daily follow-up and personal care. God wants to remove our short-sightedness and the cataracts that fog our vision. He wants us to see through eyes of faith what He can do in our cities. He wants to put His own eye salve on our eyes so we can see brilliantly what is before us and how to pray.

While on a prayer journey in the Biblical city of Laodicea in Turkey, I was reminded of God’s message to the Laodicean Church. God wants us to be willing to go through His refinement so that we are not lukewarm and naked like the Laodicean Church, but instead are on fire for Him. He wants us to buy salve to put on our eyes. He says to the Church of Laodicea in Revelation 3:18:

“I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.”

I didn’t qualify for laser surgery, but I am glad that I do qualify for God’s surgery that opens my eyes further to see from His glorious perspective. You qualify as well. I encourage you to begin to see your city from God’s Kingdom perspective. Think about starting 24/7 prayer in your city for a week or a month. Think about the Kingdom of God invading your city.

We have had one-month Houses of Prayer. When we do this in cities for a month, it changes so many of our lives. Time in God’s presence changes you dramatically. Perhaps you are thinking, “But you don’t know my nation—the church is too small and too divided!” God doesn’t need a large population of Christians in order to bring in His presence. He will work through a few churches that decide to unite in prayer in order to seek His presence for their city.

This is where He loves to show His presence; He longs to give us a Kingdom focus.

By Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
IHOPKC

Kingdom Vision Ignited

10989172_963507660379008_1774359157626250699_n“A city that becomes a “crown of glory” is a city that is consecrated or set apart to the Lord for His purposes, a city with an uncompro-mised church that is reflecting God’s glory. It’s a city where the church is victorious, the house of the Lord is established, and His presence is tangible in their midst, offering the protection of His presence. It’s a city where the priests are watching and guarding the city and contending for God’s presence, a place where the lost can look at the church and see Jesus and His power at work in life-changing ways.” Rhonda Hughey

Without question, cities begin to change through 24/7 prayer. When we pray in unity day and night, we begin to get a kingdom vision because we start to see everything from God’s perspective. Things that are not essential begin to fade into the distance. Our vision begins to sharpen as we see the city in a new way through eyes of faith.

What does it really means to have a Kingdom vision and perspective? We pray about it in the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:10, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” but what does this actually mean to us?

Did you know that the central message of Jesus and the apostles concerned the Kingdom of God?

Jesus is the King of kings, and He will one day rule every sphere of society worldwide. The Kingdom is already here in a limited way, but it will be fully here when Jesus returns. The centerpiece of God’s eternal purpose is for Jesus to come back to earth to establish His Kingdom rule on earth and join the heavenly and earthly realms (Ephesians 1:9-10). He will rule nations on earth during the thousand-year Millennium Kingdom, and there will be a global blessing of righteousness (Revelation 20:4-6). This will be a thousand years of peace, righteousness, prosperity, and blessing throughout the earth. It will be wonderful.

I lived on a ship. This was for over ten years with over three hundred people, mainly young, from about forty different nations. We sailed from country to country spreading the good news about Jesus. One of the songs we liked to sing in those early days was based on Habakkuk 2:14:

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”

I used to like to go out on deck and look at the ocean during many of our calm, or sometimes rough voyages. If you’ve never been on a ship, you must try it. Often from east to west and north to south, you couldn’t see anything but blue-green sea. There were no ships or land anywhere as far as your eyes could see. The sea was massive—it was impressive—it gave me a picture of how one day the whole earth would see the glory of God and would know about Him.

The heavenly and earthly dimensions will one day come together and fully express the glory of God.

You and I have the privilege to proclaim in our prayers—and through our lives—that Jesus is King and is coming to earth to establish His worldwide Kingdom. We can bring heaven to earth through our prayers. We can proclaim the knowledge of God and spread this Kingdom message with power everywhere we go
(1 Corinthians 4:20). He wants us to walk in His authority and power, even as we wait for His Kingdom to come in all its fullness (Acts 1:8). He is reconciling all things to Himself (Colossians 1:19-20). All the earth will be filled with His glory (Numbers 14:21; Psalm 72:19; Isaiah 6:3). Our lives should be filled with the knowledge of God.

This must be our focus. Houses of Prayer ignite a Kingdom vision and help us to live fully committed lives. As this happens, we shall experience supernatural boldness and authority.

Daniel prophesied of the Messianic Kingdom in Daniel 2 and 7. God’s Kingdom is any sphere of life where God rules over Satan. The Church is the community of the Kingdom, and we spread His Kingdom by living holy lives, praying for the sick, sharing our faith, etc. This is why it is important that we get a vision of the Kingdom of God for our church and the city we live in. Before Jesus returns, the Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached to the whole world (Matthew 24:14). And God will use us in this great task of making disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). We must have vision to see God’s great perspective of the Kingdom. When we see this, we see how important day and night prayer really is.

To understand the end-time scene, we must understand the book of Revelation. It is our prayer manual for the end-times. If we understand this book, we can live successful through the difficulties, and we can know how to pray strategically. We don’t have to be caught off guard. We don’t have to fear the tribulation. God will use the least severe judgments to reach the greatest amount of people at the deepest level of love. Jesus, our King, will judge everything that opposes love (Revelation 19:11-21). The measure that we develop love, meekness, and holiness determines our place and function in His government.

Let’s realize that Houses of Prayer will help us know how to live in this present seventy-year internship that prepares us for life in the age to come (Psalm 90:10). Let’s give God our all now! Let’s look at the future with positive optimism instead of morbid discourage-ment. Jesus is King of all, and He has already won the battle at the cross.

A Vienna born psychologist, Viktor Frankl (1905-1997), rejected Freud’s emphasis that the past is the primary force that forms us in the present. He was a survivor of several Nazi concentration camps. After the war he analyzed the holocaust survivors and categorized them in two categories: Those who were emotionally stable and those who weren’t. The predominant factor was not their experience before or doing the concentration camps. It was what they believed about their future.

Our hope and what we believe about the future matters greatly. We need to see it from God’s perspective and with the hopeful anticipation of Christ’s rule here on earth.

By Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
IHOPKC

Our Prayer for a Heart for the Nations

Prayers from the Book of RevelationLord, help us to see the big picture of what You are doing in the nations. Your Word says: “these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations” (Isaiah 56:7). Give us vision for this worldwide House of Prayer for all nations. Help us to build Your House in our city. You are orchestrating strategic shifts and realignments. Help us not to resist what you are doing but eagerly gain new Kingdom alliances. Help us to relinquish our personal rights and celebrate the victories of others. Teach us to pray Your Word over the nations.

As we seek to start day and night intercession, we ask you to give us your heart for the world. Help us to feel as you feel for the lost and the dying. In the midst of our prayer meetings, transform us into your likeness. Give us Your perspective on the world and all that is happening internationally. Empower us, and give us faith so that as we leave the prayer room, we will be a blessing to all those we encounter in our lives. We want to see Your mighty power to save, to set free, and to heal everywhere we go.

Arrest our attention. Revive us, and free us from ourselves so that we may represent You to a lost world. Give us Your heartbeat. Help us to cry out for souls as Praying Hyde did. Help us to catch the vision for prayer in our city. Increase the vision for prayer in our churches. Clothe us with Your presence, and use us for Your glory in the prayer movement. We sing to You Lord. We praise Your name. We proclaim Your salvation day after day. We declare Your glory among the nations, Your marvelous deeds among all peoples (Psalm 96:2-3). In Jesus’ name, amen.

Verses to Memorize

“And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenantthese I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations” (Isaiah 56:6-7).

By Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
IHOP-KC

Nations Prayer – Taking it into the Prayer Room

11118493_968330533230054_6006565640006291955_nTaking it into the Prayer Room

Complete the application assignment individually before meeting in a group. This will help each person to become familiar with verses to use in praying for the nations. It also helps each one think about what a House of Prayer for all nations really means, as well as how to apply it personally. Then get together in a group and discuss your answers together. Especially discuss what a House of Prayer would mean for your city and how you, as a group, can spread the vision to others in your city.

Then with Bible and instruments, take it into the prayer room. Have a good time of worship and thanksgiving before praying for the nations. In your prayers use many of the recommended Scriptures. Encourage each one to pray for the nations that God lays on their heart. Blend in your prayer requests for your particular city regarding a House of Prayer and spreading the vision. Thank God for what He is going to do. End with praying “Our Prayer for a Heart for the Nations.”

How to Pray for the Nations

11017668_964162400313534_4613183786382334611_nPray for the Nations Life Application

We looked at the need for a House of Prayer for all nations. You’ve learned about how to pray for the nations and how to spread the vision of prayer world-wide. Carefully review before answering the following:

  • A House of Prayer for all nations – In your own words, write down what a House of Prayer for all nations means to you and to your city. See Isaiah 56:7 and Mark 11:17.
  • In what way do you see God realigning and bringing a divine connection in the prayer movement – Explain your answer. How does God want you involved in uniting with the worldwide prayer movement and prayer in your city?
  • Pray some of the following Biblical prayers over your country every day this week – They are found in Ezekiel 37:1-14; Daniel 9:1-8, 11-19; Acts 4:24-31; Ephesians 1:15-20; 3:14-21; 6:18-20; Philippians 1:3-4, 9-11; Colossians 1:2-4, 9-12; Revelation 5:8-14; and 11:5-18. Journal regarding any insight God may have given you as you prayed for your country.
  • Pray several of the general prayer requests for nations – Pray them a few times this week. This will help you become familiar with Biblical ways to pray for nations. They are prayers for unity, spiritual awakening, revival, leaders, holiness, obedience, the fear of the Lord, reaching the harvest, the poor and the needy, just laws, united intercession, the Bible, and revival among children and youth. They can be found in Psalm 81:11-12; 85:6; 119:126; Proverbs 8:13; 21:13; Isaiah 64:1-3; Matthew 12:25; 28:19-20; John 14:13-14; 16:24; 17:23; 2 Corinthians 7:1b; Ephesians 4:11; 6:10-18; Philippians 4:6; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; Hebrews 13:3; and 2 Peter 3:9. Review  “Prayer Requests for the Nations” to get the best layout for prayer.
  • Write a paragraph commenting on the spread of Houses of Prayer worldwide – Look carefully at the examples. How do you plan to catch the vision and spread it in your own sphere of influence? Write down action steps that you plan to make in your own life.

By Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
IHOPKC

Catch and Spread the Vision for 24/7 Prayer

Prayer is the key to reaching the world with the Gospel of Jesus. The greatest forces of power in the universe are mobilized, and history is made when we pray. God is looking for men who will stand in the gap on behalf of the land. Ezekiel 22:30; Isaiah 59:16; 63:5″

Houses of Prayer are spreading all over the world. Prayer rooms are also being established in churches throughout the world. Not only are churches starting them, denominations and Christian organi-zations have started prayer watches.

The Salvation Army in Australia and in England started praying 24/7 for a week in 52 of their branches with immediate results. YWAM, with sixteen bases in Western Europe, set aside an entire year where each base took responsibility for a week, filling the whole year with day and night prayer. In 2005, thirteen denominations and Christian organizations in England alone started filling the whole year with 24/7 prayer.

Several prisons in Argentina have established 24/7, 365-day prayer watches where the inmates pray for their families, communities, their country, fellow inmates, and the world. Inmates are converted and change their lifestyle. Breakthroughs are happening in the prisons. Here’s how you can catch and spread the vision:

  • Daily pray that a House of Prayer starts in every city in every nation – Keep on praying for your own city to catch the vision for Houses of Prayer.
  • Rejoice that God is awakening the watchmen – Watch the Awaken the Watchmen DVD and others to find out how the 24/7 prayer movement is spreading worldwide. Visit the Jericho Walls website.
  • Register your prayer watch – The purpose of this website, Global 24-7, is to register and encourage prayer watches all over the world. This will support what God is doing worldwide and help to link 24/7 prayer in different regions of the world.
  • Start a one-month House of Prayer in your city – Use the practical guidelines found in the next chapter as your training manual. Write to us at: intercessorsarise.org, and let us know how God is working in your House of Prayer.
  • Start a one-week House of Prayer in your church – You may want to use one my books on prayer to help encourage your church in intercession. See the recommended book list for an extensive list of recommended books on prayer, intercession, revival, fasting, evangelism, intimacy, spiritual warfare, and how to reach cities and nations.
  • Learn from other Houses of Prayer. Notice how they are function-ing, and what they teach and emphasize. Observe the creativity in each one. Here are a few House of Prayer websites to encourage your heart in how the 24/7 prayer movement is spreading worldwide, but there are dozens of other websites.
    IHOPKC – 24/7 prayer internationally.
     Succathallel – 24/7 prayer in Israel.
    Justice House of Prayer – 24/7 prayer in Washington D.C. for justice.
    24-7 Prayer – 24/7 prayer internationally among the youth.
    Hollywood Prayer Network  – 24/7 prayer in Hollywood for the media.
    National House of Prayer – 24/7 Prayer in Canada.

I highly recommend the book, Red Moon Rising, by Pete Greig and Dave Roberts. This book gives the amazing story of how the prayer movement is spreading worldwide among the youth. They have 24/7 prayer rooms that have grown into 24/7 prayer houses called “Boiler Rooms” that are modeled after the ancient Celtic monasteries.

These Boiler Rooms are mission-focused and are places of disciplined prayer and outreach to the poor. They pursue missions, justice, hospitality, and prayer. As the world gets darker, they are spreading all over the world at an incredible rate. The vision is catching fire! Here is their incredible testimony:

“A movement to encourage churches to make room for nonstop prayer has spread to 63 nations in the last seven years and is especially multiplying in the United Kingdom, the United States and South Africa. ‘We don’t have a fixed number of prayer rooms because they can take off so quickly,’ said Pete Greig, 37, who founded the 24/7 prayer movement in 1999 in Chichester, England. Named for its nonstop concert of prayer, 24/7 has meeting places as diverse as a bus in the slums of Delhi, India, and a brewery in Missouri. Volunteers pray, usually alone, in one-hour shifts, round the clock, seven days a week for global issues and requests they receive from their international website or from their local communities. Visitors are free to drop in, pray and talk. 24/7 also has planted itself in places where there is a crisis, such as Lebanon during the recent war between Israel and Hezbollah, and in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Teams also live long-term in needy communities in Mexico, where intercessors can be found ministering among pimps and prostitutes.

‘In a squatter’s camp in Soweto, South Africa, we’ve seen 64 prayer tents spring up in just two years,’ Greig said. ‘The local man who spearheads them said 80 percent of new converts in the camp are maintaining their salvation, and the local police chief says crime has dropped by 20 percent.’ Greig said the movement is being fueled by young people who are passionate about prayer, justice and missions.” Josie Newman

This is only a small taste of what is happening worldwide in the area of prayer. Our God is creative, and we see the unique ways he initiates 24/7 prayer in different nations. Day and night prayer will lead to the final gathering of the worldwide harvest. Let’s jump on board and prepare for this harvest and the salvation of millions of souls. As we pray, let’s expect to see many souls saved. It is time for the Gospel to advance.

“If men would pray as they ought to pray, the marvels of the past would be more than reproduced. The Gospel would advance with a facility and power it has never known. Doors would be thrown open to the Gospel, and the Word of God would have a conquering force rarely if ever known before.” E. M. Bounds

By Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
IHOPKC

Spreading Prayer Worldwide

The Apostolic Prayers of Paul“If Christians prayed as Christians ought—with strong commanding faith, with earnestness and sincerity—men, God-called men, God-empowered men everywhere, would be burning to go and spread the Gospel worldwide. The Word of the Lord would run and be glorified as never known heretofore. The God-influenced men, the God-inspired men, the God-commissioned men, would go and kindle the flame of sacred fire for Christ, salvation, and heaven, everywhere in all nations. Soon all men would hear the glad tidings of salvation and have an opportunity to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.”
E. M. Bounds

Day and night prayer ignites the power of God to release the fire of the Gospel throughout the earth. Every nation, every city, every people group, and every neighborhood cannot miss the tremendous influence of the atmosphere of prayer released from the prayer room. There is something deep and far-reaching that happens when God’s people give themselves to 24/7 prayer and intercession in a given location. It cannot be measured by human means, but its dynamic power can set the fire of God loose in a nation in a way that is beyond comprehension.

I have heard of evangelists going to a region, locking themselves in a hotel room, praying unceasingly for days, and then going out and sharing the Gospel with incredible results. If one man can see that happen, imagine the effect when the Church worldwide gives itself to prayer and actually makes prayer its primary business. Then we shall surely see things happen. None of us have gotten there yet, but it certainly should be our highest ambition and shall take a primary role as we see the end-time scenario unfold before us.

Perhaps one of the greatest prayer warriors in all of history was Praying Hyde of northern India who lived from 1865-1912. He would miss meals and would bow or lie down on the ground because of intense travail, and cry out to the Lord daily for souls. He was burning within for the salvation of the lost.

Finally, with an agonizing passion for those without Christ, he began to pray that God would let him win a soul to Jesus every day that year. At the end of the year, four hundred souls had been won through his daily witness. The next year Hyde cried out to the Lord for two souls a day. That year about eight hundred had responded to Christ through Hyde. But his heart grew in intense desperation, and he began to plead to God for four souls a day. That year he led four souls a day to Christ.

He would first travail for the lost, and then he would go out and speak to men and women about how to find eternal life through Christ. He first prayed, and then he witnessed. After praying, the Holy Spirit would lead him to the right individuals.

Multitudes came to Christ through this praying man. What a fantastic method of evangelism!

The ministry of Anna in the Bible is increasing across the earth—individuals who give themselves to day and night prayer as she and Praying Hyde did. Anna, even though extremely old, worshiped God night and day almost all her life. We read in Luke 2:36b-37:

“She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.”

God is raising up intercessory missionaries who pray night and day. The urgency of the hour and the present emphasis on prayer makes 24/7 prayer a possibility in this generation. We cannot do without intercession and individuals who give themselves to prayer like Anna. The need is too great. Here at IHOP there are several hundred intercessory missionaries. Multitudes of intercessors visit this mission base annually to learn about day and night prayer.

God will release finances for the harvest and for this great worldwide prayer movement. He will shake all things as He does this (Haggai 2:6-8). He will open up the financial windows of heaven supernaturally, if we will be faithful to obey Him with our money (Malachi 3:10-11). The release of finances will bring great blessing, but there certainly will be pressures as God deals with our heart issues.

Already there is a spirit of fear throughout the world regarding finances, and Satan greatly opposes and hinders the release of finances for God’s work. Giving forces us to wrestle with covetousness and the spirit of fear. Economic prosperity gives us an increased ability to help others, to grow in righteousness, and to increase our position in the Millennial Kingdom.

More money in our pockets is not for a bigger house or a nicer car, as many of us may think. It’s for God’s Kingdom purposes. The struggle will be great for many of us until we see everything in light of God’s Kingdom. He will return to us in proportion to the measure of our giving (Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:5-6). We must have money to eat, but God also gives us money to sow. In the midst of all that is happening in the end times, we must refuse the spirit of poverty and the mentality of lack.

Norm and I have been involved in missions and the prayer movement since 1978. We have not had a regular paycheck, but have had to trust God for our finances all these years. That’s over 37 years. I can testify that God has provided for us all these years, and we never lacked anything. He has been faithful.

By Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
IHOPKC 

Prayer for Israel

11214163_990325321030575_6399602475697441857_nGod desires that the whole Church would partner with His heart and pray for Israel. His sovereign election is this nation, and His heart is jealous for Jerusalem (Zechariah 1:14-16). He will fulfill His promises towards this city (Isaiah 62:1). Jesus is coming to earth to rule from a throne in Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:4; Joel 3:17; Psalm 110:2; 132:13-14; Acts 1:11-12).

Israel will one day accept their Messiah Jesus (Matthew 23:29). God is committed to Israel’s salvation for the sake of His own glory in the world. His strategy to redeem the earth is the redeemed and restored nation of Israel under the leadership of Jesus (Ezekiel 36:22-23). Jesus will rule over David’s Kingdom (Israel), and he will sit on David’s throne (in Jerusalem). This will be His global headquarters on the earth during the Millennium (Isaiah 9:6-7). Israel will be God’s vehicle of salvation (Genesis 22:18; John 4:22).

God wants us to stand with Israel in prayer.

Praying for Jerusalem is God’s strategy to release fullness to the Gentile and mercy to the Jew. Our response to Israel is a test, and we will be judged according to our stance towards Israel. We must cultivate a passion in our heart for the Jews. We must contend in prayer for Israel and give God no rest till He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth (Isaiah 62:7).

The prayer movement will culminate in the return of Jesus, the salvation of Israel, and the consummation of God’s Kingdom on earth (Psalm 122:6-9). The Holy Spirit is establishing global intercession for Israel (Ezekiel 13:3-5; 22:30; Lamentations 2:18; Zechariah 2:5). Jerusalem is one of the last battlefronts spiritually, politically, and militarily (Zechariah 14:1-3). There is a war between two Houses of Prayer—Jesus’ and the antichrist’s (Psalm 122:6; Revelation 13: 8, 12).13

Some Biblical intercessors who left great examples of prayers for Israel are: Moses (Exodus 32:11-13; Numbers 14:13-19; Deuteronomy 9:18-19, 25-29; 30:1-10), Solomon (1 Kings 8:46-53), Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:4-11), Asaph and the sons of Korah (Psalm 44; 74; 79; 80; 83; 85), Isaiah (Isaiah 6; 58:1; 62:1; 63:15-19; 64), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 9:1; 14:7-9, 17-22; 15:5; Lamentations 3:43-51; 5:19-22), Daniel (Daniel 9:1-19), and Joel (Joel 1:8, 13-14; 2:12-17).14 You may want to use these prayers as you intercede for Israel. You may be asking:

“What are some specific prayers that I can pray for Israel and the believers living there? What are some strategic ways that I can pray?”

Here are some ways recommended by our friends at Revive Israel Ministries in Jerusalem:

  • Pray for believing Israeli, especially the youth – Pray that they would be strengthened in their faith and connected to other believers in Yeshua. Pray that believing youth will connect through national camps that provide a place to be strengthened in faith and connected in deeper ways. Strong young followers of the faith are the future of the body of believers in Israel
    (Romans 11:5).
  • Pray for unity in the body of believers in Israel – Pray for humility and cooperation among believers throughout the entire spectrum of faith. There are many forms of expression and variations in theological orientation. Pray John 17:20-23.
  • Pray for effective personal evangelism – Pray for an increase in effectiveness as Yeshua is shared with the lost sheep of
    Israel, especially through personal relationships. Pray for
    Israeli believers to become key leaders in Israeli society so that
    many may hear and see the love of Yeshua (Matthew 10:5-7;
    Romans 10:14-15).
  • Pray for effective discipleship of native believers – Pray for the development of discipleship programs to fit the needs of new Israeli believers from all walks of life. Pray that many
    more Israelis would come to know Yeshua, and that they would
    be effectively discipled into His likeness (Matthew 4:18-22,
    Luke 9:1-6).
  • Pray for hope found only in Yeshua (Jesus) – Israeli society suffers severe economic and natural resource limits together with international political pressure and the increased cost of daily housing, fuel, and food beyond the resources of the average Israeli. Because of these pressures, Israelis are often in a hopeless day-to-day disposition. Pray for Israelis to have hope found in Yeshua the Messiah (Luke 24:21; Romans 10:1).
  • Pray for national security – Israel is under constant threat for her continued existence as a nation. Pray for wisdom for the Israeli governmental leaders. Pray that those protecting her borders would have eyes like eagles to uncover evil plans against her (Isaiah 54:17; Zechariah 2:4-6; Luke 19:41-44).
  • Pray for the believers in Israel to possess the land – Because of high housing costs and persecution as believers of Yeshua, it is a great challenge for believers in Israel to own homes and businesses. As the believers become more recognized as a legitimate part of Israeli society, it is important as part of their witness to the wider society. Pray for Messianic Jewish businesses and families to possess the land (Isaiah 61:1-7; Luke 4:17-20).

For weekly updates, current events, and additional information on how you can pray for Israel, visit Revive IsraelRevive Israel Ministries believe that it is impossible for Israel to fulfill her national destiny to invite Messiah Yeshua back to earth (Matthew 23:39) without the informed and effective prayers of Christian friends from around the world. I encourage you to print out these prayer requests and pray for Israel regularly.

You will experience God’s blessing when you do.

God is arresting our attention because He wants to give us His heartbeat for Israel and the nations. He wants us to see the world through His eyes and realize that the eternity of nations are at stake.

“His agenda is far more serious than anything man can comprehend, for He always deals with eternal issues and the eternity of entire nations is at stake… The longer that I walk with the Lord, the more I know that He is a God who has definite strategies and works according to a fixed set of plans. Nothing, absolutely nothing is a happenstance with the Lord for He is a God of order. Consequently, He has a plan concerning the nations and it is for this reason, too, that there is a judgment of the nations.” Michael Howard

By Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
IHOPKC 

Prayer Requests for the Nations

11230031_994913747238399_3289985085759092424_n“The Spirit of God is arresting our attention and focusing us upon His agenda which is the very heartbeat of God.  He is a God who has definite strategies and works according to a fixed set of plans.  Nothing, absolutely nothing is a happenstance with the Lord for He is a God of order.  He has a plan concerning the nations.  His agenda is far more serious than anything man can comprehend, for He always deals with eternal issues and the eternity of entire nations is at stake.”  Adapted from Michael Howard

The following are general prayer requests for all nations. It is good to incorporate them into your prayer meetings on a regular basis. In some of the Houses of Prayer I have been involved in, I’ve printed them out and kept them in the prayer room. I have taped prayer requests for the lost, for the city, for the nation, and for the world on the walls for everyone to see. I also have brought several copies of each one, leaving them on the table for others to take and use in prayer.

Have prayer fuel for the city and nation always available in the prayer room. Pray for the nations that God lays on your heart individually and as a group. Mix intercession, worship, and singing together—and always expect God to answer.

  • Thank God for how He is working in the nations – Philippians 4:6.
  • Pray for unity in the body of Christ – Matthew 12:25; John 17:23.
  • Pray for a spiritual awakening among the lost – John 14:13-14; 16:24; 2 Peter 3:9.
  • Pray for leaders – Ephesians 4:11; 1 Timothy 2:1-3.
  • Pray for an outpouring of God’s Spirit of revival on His people – Psalm 85:6; Isaiah 64:1-3.
  • Pray that God’s people will walk in holiness and obedience – Psalm 81:11-12.
  • Pray for the fear of the Lord to touch all Christians so they hate evil – Proverbs 8:13; 2 Corinthians 7:1.
  • Pray for God to send His workers into the harvest field – Matthew 28:19-20.
  • Pray that the body of Christ will reach out to the poor and needy – Proverbs 21:13; Hebrews 13:3.
  • Pray for revival among children and youth and that God will use them mightily for His glory – Mark 9: 37; 10:13-14.
  • Pray for just laws and righteous moral standards – 1 Tim. 2:1-4.
  • Pray that the Word of God will be given its rightful place – Psalm 119:126.
  • Pray that there will be united intercession in cities and regions with the ability to pray against the major principalities over those areas – Ephesians 6:12-13.
  • Pray that God’s people will wage spiritual warfare as directed by the Holy Spirit – Ephesians 6:10-18.

“The key to the authority of the intercessor is when his heartbeat aligns with the heartbeat of Almighty God.  Nothing is more pressing than that the nations and multitudes who are marching to a Christless eternity should be saved.  How I saw the agendas of men: so many and varied and all of such vital importance to them, but there was only one paramount agenda to God:  THE NATIONS.  I instantly realized that the entire task of the glorious triune God was completely and utterly devoted to this one supreme purpose for which Jesus had so freely given His life.  All else was rather trivial in comparison and we all had majored on the trivial.” Michael Howard