Prayer movement

On Sunday, the United States Congress passed a bill that allows federal funds to be used for abortions. President Obama will sign that bill into law today. Many look at this new reform as a severe blow to the long-time efforts of lobbyists, activists, and the pro-life movement in America. Some in the church of Jesus are also very discouraged, as many have been contending in prayer for righteous leaders, the ending of abortion, and the reversal of the “death decree” to babies in the womb for years.

While this is certainly disappointing news to me, it is not surprising nor does it come unexpectedly to me. In fact, it should never surprise us that the unredeemed behave wickedly and unrighteously. It’s so easy to look at the world’s unrighteousness, assume that it is the church’s mandate to “fix it” through prayer, intercession, and dominion, and then end up disillusioned, discouraged, and unhopeful when these things we contend so earnestly for do not come to pass as we pray.

But the Bible is so clear - Jesus the Messiah alone is the only one qualified, capable, and worthy to drive darkness off the face of the planet. No matter how many signs and wonders we see, how many laws change or don't change, how many cities experience revival or transformation, or how many new converts to Christianity we see in the coming years, I want to make it clear - things will never be okay here until He returns.

In times of discouragement (and even in times when things seem to be going “well”), it’s critical for us to set our minds on the “hope to which we have been called” (Eph. 1:18), and to once again “rest our hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to [us] at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13), lest we become “weary and discouraged in [our] souls” (Heb. 12:3). Our hope lies in the age to come, not in this age in any way.

Many people across our nation are entering into a 40-day "Daniel" fast starting today, eating no meats or "pleasant food" from March 1st to April 9th. The Lord has given us an invitation to focus our prayers on Matthew 9:38, asking the "Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest", specifically to the college campuses of our nation.

I've been examining my own motives for entering into this fast, specifically related to the posture of my heart and the expectation I have for it. I've come to this major conclusion:

Fasting itself is not what moves God's heart. Our humility in fasting is what does.

The difference is subtle but very significant, and the way we respond to that statement sets us up for either great gratitude or great offense towards the Lord. I feel like I've always approached fasting as a "tool in the spiritual warfare toolbelt" to affect change on the earth. With this mindset, I slowly and subtly became religious about my fasting much like the Pharisees were, believing that if I broke a fast that I was letting God or my fellow intercessors down. He wouldn't move with as much power because I had "failed". The accusation about not fasting as "intensely" as others also was a constant condemnation. The lie I heard from the enemy was: "you're more spiritual and you shift more things in the heavens if you do a water fast instead of a Daniel fast". But I am slowly beginning to realize why fasting is so important to the life of a believer. It all boils down to one word alone:

Humility.

This past weekend, I was invited to minister at the Orlando House of Prayer (www.orlandohop.org) with Justin Rizzo. Every month, OHOP hosts a special weekend of worship, prayer, and teaching. This month was extra special because Mike Bickle, the leader of our missions base here in Kansas City, was invited to attend and speak. Mike and his wife Diane take a yearly vacation to Florida, and although Mike rarely travels and speaks, he took time out of his vacation to speak at the event to encourage the body of Christ in Orlando and all over Florida. Over the weekend, Justin also spoke to the staff of the Orlando house of prayer on the “big picture” and ultimate goal of the prayer movement - the perpetual, incessant adoration of Jesus on the earth as it is in heaven.

December always turns out to be a busy month for us at IHOP because we host our annual onething conference on December 28-31. This year, we’re expecting perhaps close to 20,000 young adults to gather in downtown KC’s Bartle Hall for 4 days of worship, prayer, teaching, and ministry. As usual, I’ll be playing keyboard for several sessions – as of right now, once on the main stage, and 3 times in the prayer room (which moves from our south KC location to the downtown area for the 4 days).

The theme for this year’s onething conference is “what is the Holy Spirit saying to the church?” The emphasis of the teaching will be centered on the deception that is creeping into the church regarding holiness, God’s grace, and the person of Jesus. Mike Bickle and several of the other key IHOP leaders and teachers will be sharing at the sessions. Check out this letter from Lou Engle and Mike Bickle for more information on the conference.