Dear BCOC Family:
Romans 8:26-27
In the same way the Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words. And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes [before God] on behalf of God’s people in accordance with God’s will.
The apostle Paul tells us that sometimes we don’t know how to pray but that in those times we should rely and lean upon the Holy Spirit to help us pray. I’m encouraging the prayer team and the body of Christ right now to pray in the spirit. While praying over this nation, America, (God’s dream), in my mind’s eye, I saw a map of the United States. I became aware of the current events and natural disasters taking place such as the West coast fires and the Colorado fires. Although fires are common to these areas, there appeared to be extreme fierceness coming out of them of destruction. Following the coastline north, I began to see men and women violently fighting in the streets of Oregon and Washington. Although protests are a good way to show one’s approval or disapproval of regulations and policies laid down by leaders of cities, states, and nations, this was so demonic. It was impossible for me to ignore what was happening in the spirit realm.
I moved in my mind’s eye to the Southern coast line with hurricane force winds hitting against those states. It wasn’t content to just to stay at the coastal cities but made a destructive line all the way through at least ten states. I saw riots on the East coast and through middle America; anger and hatred being displayed by people who do not understand the sovereign loving hand of God our Father. I saw the pandemic virus like a blanket covering the nation. We’ve watched it shut down businesses and churches, steal income from people, turn children’s lives upside down, instill fear of death and stir up separation and division throughout the nation.
Who could have seen? Only the Holy Spirit! Last year, He began by putting on my heart the scripture in Daniel 7:25 about the enemy, “wearing down the saints.” What are we to do in these times? All the more we are to encourage one other to continue to fight and stay on the wall as intercessors.
We are assured of the victory. I saw us standing all together holding a huge pole with a banner that read, ” FOR THE GLORY OF THE LAMB WE STAND”!
My love to you all as we continue our mission for this season.
Pastor Mary Jackson
Bastrop, Texas
Scripture References:
Isaiah 62:6
On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest
Nehemiah 4:7-9
Now when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repair of the walls of Jerusalem went on, and that the breaches began to be closed, they were very angry. All of them conspired together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause a disturbance in it. But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night.
Nehemiah 4:9
Nevertheless, we prayed to our God, and, because of them, we set up a watch for them day and night.
But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Psalms 3:8
Victory belongs to the Lord
Ephesians 6:12-18
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.