By: Cynthia Dunbar
GOD’S HAND IS ON OUR NATION:
The Effectual, Fervent Prayer of the Righteous Still Works
The enemy is a defeated foe. He holds no cards. The only way that he can hold any sway is to deceive. This has always been his strategy. Even with his first attack on humanity, his strategy was to convey to mankind that he held some coveted gift that God had not already bestowed. In short, his tactic is to try to influence the Bride that God is holding out on us and that there is still something that we must take from the enemy. Well, just like that was a lie then, mankind already was like God as we were created in the image of God, so too is it a lie now. Satan has nothing. All authority has been given to Christ Jesus, and we, as joint heirs, need to finally realize that and walk in the victory Christ purchased for us. We need to be living and moving and having our very being in the resurrected Christ, not anxiously pleading for God to still move on our behalf. This, I am convinced, is what it means for the bride of Christ to finally manifest as the sons of God for which all creation is groaning.
So, why the lengthy theological reminder? It is because I far too often see the enemy take our eyes off Christ and the completed works of the cross and place them onto the chaos of the circumstances that surround us. By shifting our gaze, he can begin to spin a narrative that is false. He is the father of lies, after all; that is what he does…lie. But, to quote a beautiful hymn, “the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of HIS glory and grace.” It is time for the bride to realize we are operating not to gain victory, but from a place of victory, victory in Jesus. And he watches over his word to perform it. In this testimony that I want to share with you, he is watching over the promise that the effectual, fervent prayer of the righteous does avail much. And the good news of the gospel is that we are righteous, as Christ took our filthy rags and replaced them with HIS righteousness. (II Corinthians 5:21)
On Saturday, October 21, I was sitting alone in prayer. I was praying very generically for the world and our nation. Out of nowhere, the Lord spoke very clearly to me the following: "Pray boldness over Congressman Michael Johnson in this season. Pray that he may walk in strength tempered in grace, that he may boldly speak forth truth, and that his words will be a beacon of hope to our nation."
I then called my friend, who is a District Director for another Congressman who is a solid Christian, and I told her what I had heard. She informed me that at that time Congressman Johnson’s name was not one that was even being bantered around for speaker. She wondered why I was praying this specifically over Congressman Johnson. I told her simply, “Because the Lord told me to pray for him.” She then agreed to pray with me as well.
Fast forward to today. I just received a call from the Congressional District Director with whom I had prayed on Saturday. She was in tears as she told me that the vote electing Congressman Michael Johnson as the next Speaker of the House had been UNANIMOUS within the party! She explained to me that few would understand that in the climate of the House right now, that was humanly impossible and nothing short of a miracle and an answer to prayer! She then thanked me for being obedient to send her the text, as that had prompted her to pray and to share my message with others on Capitol Hill. Congressman Johnson has even personally stated that he had been praying and that even though he had never considered running, on SATURDAY, the Lord made it clear to him that he was to run.
Only God knows whether the prophetic word I gave changed any hearts in the natural. But we can see that the effectual, fervent prayers of the righteous did avail much. We have witnessed firsthand the promise of Haggai 2 that God’s shaking serves as a blessing to remove those in power and replace them with those God has chosen who bear HIS signet ring of authority.
I pray this testimony encourages you. GOD IS STILL ANOINTING AND PLACING PEOPLE IN POSITIONS OF INFLUENCE FOR OUR GOOD! Undeniably, the power of intercession played an integral part in this entire situation. What seemed to be a situation of chaos and confusion was, in fact, an orchestrated means of God manifesting HIS sovereignty and authority on this earth.
Please share this testimony widely as an encouragement to all intercessors. Also, I want to encourage us all to continue to pray what God said to pray, as Congressman Johnson being elected speaker is not the end of the story. He will need to be bold, walk as strength tempered in grace, and be equipped to speak forth words of hope over our nation. By praying as God has directed us to pray, may we see this new Speaker of the House empowered by the Holy Spirit to stay the course.
I hope this blesses you as much as it has me. God is moving and we have a hope that does not need to be ashamed! Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men!!!
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