TURNING TO GOD FOR NOV. 4th
(See http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/fischer/081023)
Patrick Joshua is the Director of the National Prayer Network and a father figure to the prayer movement in India . Because of a special burden for our nation, he visited the United States twice in recent months, including a trip to Houston . Patrick believes the U.S. is at a very critical time in history, the impact of which will be felt around the world.
During his visits, Patrick told the story of God's intervention in India in 2004, in response to the fervent, united prayers of His people. At that time, political forces had mobilized with the intention of turning their nation in a direction that would make it almost impossible for Christians to share or practice their faith. Those forces had the momentum and the numbers as the Christian population in India is a minority by some estimates representing only 6% of the 1.1 billion people in the nation. The situation was desperate. Many thought it was impossible. So they turned to the God of the impossible and began to pray. In cities and states across their nation, a movement of united, fervent prayer arose, but with a unique focus. They weren't praying for particular candidates or political parties. Instead they were praying for the person of righteousness, the person of God's choosing, to be elected in every elected office.
Right up until the day of the election every poll and pundit predicted the election would be a landslide for those who were opposed to the gospel. When the votes were counted, however, the results revealed a different story. In district after district those candidates and political allies who opposed the gospel had been soundly defeated. At a national level they were out of power. Needless to say the press and the pundits were stunned. No one saw it coming.
So what happened? It seems God heard the cries of His people and touched the hearts of the voters as they went into the voting booths. Some believe a corporate conviction came upon the people and they indeed voted for the person of righteous, the person of God's choosing. This was seen most dramatically in the states and regions where prayer was the most concentrated and fervent. In one of those states, laws that restricted the advance of the gospel were immediately repealed.
While our situation is certainly different, Patrick believes we are at a critical crossroad. He has encouraged us to follow a similar pattern in prayer for our upcoming election. Here's the pattern for prayer as we approach our election. Come into God's Presence with Worship. Thank God for his great mercy and many blessings. Ask God to extend his mercy to us and to our nation. and then pray this way for:
1. Those running for office nationally: Instead of praying for specific candidates or political parties, pray that the person of righteousness, the person of God's choosing, would be selected in every congressional district, every senate race and for the office of President. Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a disgrace to any people. Proverbs 14:34
2. Those running for office at the state and local level: Pray that the person of righteousness, the person of God's choosing, would be selected in every elected office at the state and local levels. When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. Proverbs 29:2
3. Those voting: Pray that each person voting will be convicted to vote for the person of righteousness, the person of God's choosing, in each elected office and in each ballot initiative. Pray for God's Presence to overshadow each person as they make their decision. The Spirit of the Lord will be upon him the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; Isaiah 11:2-3
4. Those involved in the election process: Pray that every official involved in the election process would serve with honesty and integrity of heart. The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight. Proverbs 11:1
5. Those praying: Pray that God would empower intercessors and people across the nation and around the world to call out to Him day and night in extraordinary prayer during this season. And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a Spirit of grace and supplication. Zechariah 12:10
6. The Church: Pray that the Church would be fully awakened, engaged and empowered during this critical season. Pray that we would understand the urgency and importance of this election and the implications for the advancement of God's purposes in our nation and around the world. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:7
7. Our nation: Pray that God's plans and purposes for our nation would be established during this election season. Pray that we would be a nation who follows God and is a blessing to the nations of the earth. Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10
*******ADDENDUM: If you don't know where the Presidential candidates stand on the Supreme Court and the kind of Justices they would appoint, here's a USA Today article. It makes their positions very clear.
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