Stay Focused
Proverbs 29:18 is a fairly well-known verse of scripture: “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” (KJV). This is an accurate translation, but incomplete. Like many Old Testament verses, it is impossible to glean the full meaning of this passage without a more complete understanding of the Hebrew words used. A good expanded translation could be, “Where there is no [chazown] prophetic revelation, regardless of the manner in which it is received - a dream, vision, revelation, prophecy, mental impression and more - people [para] become unrestrained, uninformed, uncovered (naked, exposed), unmotivated, disunited; they miss opportunities and can even perish.” Wow!
As you can see, “vision” is a very limited meaning of the word, chazown; and if “vision” is used to translate it, it should definitely be “prophetic vision.” Please do not limit this verse to saying we need a plan or dream regarding our future. We certainly do need this, but vision must be influenced by Holy Spirit, making it a “prophetic” dream or plan.
The prophetic - hearing from and being led by Holy Spirit - is crucial. If the prophetic is new to you, don’t be intimidated or confused by the subject. Of course, there is a perversion of the prophetic (witchcraft, fortune-telling, etc.), but where our relationship with God is concerned, being prophetic simply means receiving communication from Holy Spirit. This occurs in many ways, several of which I included in the amplification of the above verse: revelation, discernment, thoughts and impressions to our hearts and minds, dreams, visions, prophecy, and more. One does not have to be a prophet to be prophetic, any more than he or she has to be an evangelist to evangelize. All believers can and should be prophetic. Holy Spirit is our Helper, and He is a good communicator.
Our intercession should always be laced with prophetic influence. We should always be asking Holy Spirit to help us pray. Of course, we look to scripture in order to discern God’s will, but even this usually requires Holy Spirit’s input. For example, we are told to pray for our government (1 Timothy 2:1-3). However, hearing from Holy Spirit regarding what issues need prayer the most is still required, and HOW to pray for them also requires His leading. I do not need a revelation to tell me to pray against abortion. God’s Word makes clear His position on this. But I do need Him to guide me as I pray, giving me insights on what needs to occur in order for this evil to end. Clearly, being led by the Spirit is crucial to spiritual success.
Therefore, the beginning of my prayers regarding any matter is usually a series of questions, “Holy Spirit, how do I need to pray about this? Is there a verse of Scripture (or verses) I need to pray? Is this situation caused by demons or by natural circumstances? Do I need to petition You, Father, or use the “sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17) against demonic activity? Do I need the power of agreement in order to break through this in this situation? Is there something standing in the way of the answer to this prayer which needs to be revealed to me?” Etc.
I was given a very strong prophetic word from my friend, Chuck Pierce, at the end of 2021 regarding prayer for our nation. I have alluded to it in other posts but want to state it very clearly here. He told me the first three months of 2022 are very, very critical…that we must rally those who follow us, making certain we press in diligently during this first quarter of the year. He feels that whether or not we do this will determine the future of our nation. I am taking this word very seriously, spending much time writing these posts and asking Holy Spirit what we need to pray. I am asking you to pray for me and other leaders that we hear clearly, and also to help spread the word regarding this admonition. And please pray diligently during this season.
This word does not mean we haven’t already accomplished great breakthroughs in the spiritual realm. It doesn’t mean we aren’t hearing correctly when we say we are close to breakthrough and turnaround. It simply means we must not stumble before we reach the finish line; we must not let down our guard even though we are winning the fight. In the World Seers Series dream I shared a couple of weeks ago regarding defeating the spirit of Baal in our nation, it was the eighth inning of the final game and we were ahead - but the game was not over and the enemy had not given up. We had to hear from Holy Spirit for the strategy to implement, and persevere in doing so.
We must finish well! Do not become distracted. One of satan‘s greatest skills is to distract us from what we should be focused on. Praying for the turning of our nation back to God should be at the top of our list right now. Obviously, a serious llness, the need for a job, or a family crisis would also be at the top of the list. But generally speaking, there is NOTHING more important right now than praying for America’s turnaround and great awakening, including prayer for our government.
Don’t fall prey to the deception that says, “politics/government are evil and unspiritual, so leave them alone.” Yes, the political spirit is evil; but government is of God. In fact, He IS government (Isaiah 33:22). The only institution more important on earth than government is the family (both natural and spiritual). The two mandates God gave Adam and Eve in Genesis 1.26-28 were family (be fruitful and multiply) and government (rule, manage the earth). Any church that does not emphasize both is failing. EVERY church should evangelize and build strong families, of course. But EVERY church should also be teaching on and encouraging involvement in righteous government. To do otherwise is to ignore the Genesis mandate and invite evil to rule. Congregations and individual believers who do not involve themselves in this second commission have no right to complain about ANYTHING government does.
Everything about our future well-being - and the well-being of our kids and grandkids - hinges on America's turnaround and a third great awakening taking place. Worldwide harvest, liberty and freedom, economic provision, social causes (such as human trafficking, poverty, hunger, racism, etc), disease, famine, and more, all hinge on what happens in America. If we collapse - and we will do so without the spiritual breakthrough we’re seeking - evil dictators under the control of wicked spirits, and evil regimes seeking world domination will take over. America is the tool God intends to use for the preservation of freedom around the world and to reap the great harvest He intends to bring in. Winning the spiritual war we are in currently, is no less critical than defeating the Nazis in the Second World War. We must win!
I believe we will.
Pray with me:
Father, please bring revelation to the church of our responsibility to pray for Your turnaround in America. May the spirit of intercession come afresh and anew on us. May we see clearly where we are in history. And may we see just as clearly that we have what is needed to turn the tide. Awaken us, please!
Speak to pastors and leaders, revealing where we are in our nation and also throughout the earth. Remove distractions from us, and veils of deception that cause us to feel everything is fine. Make it clear that we are in one of the most critical times in history. Help us to see that our individual congregations, our careers, our personal plans and dreams are not what is most important at this point in time. Please bring prophetic revelation, lest we miss our moment in history. In Your name we pray, Amen.
Our decree:
We decree that the 21st-century church will not miss her opportunity to help Yahweh save the world.
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