Guest Post from Dutch Sheets
The question of who’s in control is a governmental issue. We often think of government only in its civil sense, but Webster’s defines govern as “to direct and control; to regulate by authority; to influence; to direct; to restrain; to steer or to regulate the course of; to exercise authority to maintain the superiority.” To exercise authority is to govern. Praying with authority, therefore, is “governmental intercession.” So in essence, this is an issue of government—not politics, but prayer! Politicians and government officials legislate through man-made laws and rulings. We legislate through spiritual laws, principles, and activities. We legislate through prayer!
One of Scripture’s primary themes is governmental authority. You were actually created with a nature to rule, to govern, to exercise authority. Using Webster’s definition of governing, you were created “to direct and control; to maintain the superiority,” not be lorded over by other people, evil forces, or even unfortunate circumstances. You’re an overcomer, a conqueror. When Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden, God’s instruction to him—which remains the same for us today— was to subdue, have dominion and multiply. Though this God-given propensity lost most of it’s purity at the fall, becoming infected with pride and selfish ambition (Genesis 3), nonetheless, the desire in humankind to govern its world was placed there by God.
This drive to govern and this call to legislate, is “for such a time as this.” In scripture this phrase was used to describe a season in which the life of a nation was at stake (Esther 4:14). Esther and Mordacai, of course, were used by God to thwart wicked Haman’s attempt to eradicate the Jews.
It is appropriate to use this phrase precisely at this time in history: “for such a time as this.” There are those who do not want the America God raised up to continue its existence. Their vision for this nation is different than that of our forefathers—and even our grandparents. They have gained much ground and in many ways, seem to have gained control of America. They rule the White House and much of the Supreme Court and Congress. They preach their agenda from media pulpits, indoctrinate from their education bastions, and defile from their entertainment platforms. They are “Hamans,” warring for the destruction of a nation God raised up, empowered by a devil whose existence they deny.
I believe, however, that God has a response to America’s Hamans, just as He did the Jews’ destroyer. An apostolic, praying church is arising, one that will soon be offered the momentum of a third great awakening. Born for such a time as this, these kingdom warriors will be used to turn a nation back to its righteous roots and heavenly purpose.
As surprising as it may sound, another part of this “army,” will be from government roles. We must take back this part of our culture, for a righteous government alongside a kingdom-minded and spirit-empowered church, is the vehicle through which God’s righteous authority enters the earth. “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn,” (Proverbs 29:2).
Church, it’s time to arise in God’s governmental authority—to direct, control, regulate, influence, restrain, steer, and regulate the future course of this great nation—to maintain the status of superiority that God has given to us.”
Our mandate is nothing less than this: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have appointed you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms, To pluck up and to break down, To destroy and to overthrow, To build and to plant.” (Jeremiah 1:9b-10)
We must shift from petition prayer to declarative prayer. We must engage in authoritative governmental intercession, laying hold of God’s Word and making it the sword that divides what is permissible, from what cannot be!
We must come alongside and fervently support those in seats of government whose goal is to set God’s Word as the plumbline and use spiritual laws, principles, and activities to affect political decisions.
Many prophets have voiced God’s desire to infuse a second wind of new life, strength and strategy into the intercessory prayer movement, into churches, ministries, and even businesses. There are personal and corporate breakthroughs hanging from heaven for those who will lay hold of them.
Ekklesia, through authoritative prayer and bold biblical action, it’s time for heaven’s legislative session to begin!
One of Scripture’s primary themes is governmental authority. You were actually created with a nature to rule, to govern, to exercise authority. Using Webster’s definition of governing, you were created “to direct and control; to maintain the superiority,” not be lorded over by other people, evil forces, or even unfortunate circumstances. You’re an overcomer, a conqueror. When Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden, God’s instruction to him—which remains the same for us today— was to subdue, have dominion and multiply. Though this God-given propensity lost most of it’s purity at the fall, becoming infected with pride and selfish ambition (Genesis 3), nonetheless, the desire in humankind to govern its world was placed there by God.
This drive to govern and this call to legislate, is “for such a time as this.” In scripture this phrase was used to describe a season in which the life of a nation was at stake (Esther 4:14). Esther and Mordacai, of course, were used by God to thwart wicked Haman’s attempt to eradicate the Jews.
It is appropriate to use this phrase precisely at this time in history: “for such a time as this.” There are those who do not want the America God raised up to continue its existence. Their vision for this nation is different than that of our forefathers—and even our grandparents. They have gained much ground and in many ways, seem to have gained control of America. They rule the White House and much of the Supreme Court and Congress. They preach their agenda from media pulpits, indoctrinate from their education bastions, and defile from their entertainment platforms. They are “Hamans,” warring for the destruction of a nation God raised up, empowered by a devil whose existence they deny.
I believe, however, that God has a response to America’s Hamans, just as He did the Jews’ destroyer. An apostolic, praying church is arising, one that will soon be offered the momentum of a third great awakening. Born for such a time as this, these kingdom warriors will be used to turn a nation back to its righteous roots and heavenly purpose.
As surprising as it may sound, another part of this “army,” will be from government roles. We must take back this part of our culture, for a righteous government alongside a kingdom-minded and spirit-empowered church, is the vehicle through which God’s righteous authority enters the earth. “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn,” (Proverbs 29:2).
Church, it’s time to arise in God’s governmental authority—to direct, control, regulate, influence, restrain, steer, and regulate the future course of this great nation—to maintain the status of superiority that God has given to us.”
Our mandate is nothing less than this: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have appointed you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms, To pluck up and to break down, To destroy and to overthrow, To build and to plant.” (Jeremiah 1:9b-10)
We must shift from petition prayer to declarative prayer. We must engage in authoritative governmental intercession, laying hold of God’s Word and making it the sword that divides what is permissible, from what cannot be!
We must come alongside and fervently support those in seats of government whose goal is to set God’s Word as the plumbline and use spiritual laws, principles, and activities to affect political decisions.
Many prophets have voiced God’s desire to infuse a second wind of new life, strength and strategy into the intercessory prayer movement, into churches, ministries, and even businesses. There are personal and corporate breakthroughs hanging from heaven for those who will lay hold of them.
Ekklesia, through authoritative prayer and bold biblical action, it’s time for heaven’s legislative session to begin!
- Dutch Sheets
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