Posted on 10/31/2004 6:31:18 PM PST by politicsfan
Call to Prayer for Upcoming Election
By Dutch Sheets Senior pastor, Springs Harvest Fellowship, Colorado Springs
EDITOR'S NOTE: Dutch Sheets has called for prayer in anticipation of the presidential election. What follows is a letter dated October 28, 2004.
Dear Friends,
Up until now the Holy Spirit has not led me to issue a call to prayer for this year’s elections, as I did in 2000 (others have done so and many are praying). That began to change this morning as I sensed clearly that the warfare over this election went to another level—big time! As it was in 2000, it is an all-out war in the spirit realm for the soul of this nation, and I sense in my spirit that we have not yet broken through into victory. If we lose this war—and make no mistake, we can lose it if at any point we yield to apathy, overconfidence, weariness, or anything else that might cause us to not finish well—the results will be devastating.
Do not make the fatal mistake of laying the results of this election solely on the will and sovereignty of God. As He did in 2000, God is requiring a partnership with the praying church in order for righteousness to prevail. We must not allow a faulty theology that simply says “we have asked God to intervene, the rest is up to Him” to give us a false sense of security. Sometimes asking is all that is necessary, sometimes not. In this battle it absolutely is not. Just as when Israel did not possess Canaan, and also when Jerusalem missed a visitation from Heaven in Christ’s day, God’s will alone will not decide this election (Hebrews 3:18-19; Luke 19:44). In 1963 we forfeited God’s will by removing His influence from our schools; in 1973 we missed God’s will by allowing abortion to be legalized. And make no mistake about it, our lack of action at this point in time can cause us to miss God’s will and send us spiraling downward again.
We must move into spiritual warfare now as never before. There is a persistence that must be exercised, striking the ground until complete victory is assured (2 Kings 13:14-19). By those who understand the principles of spiritual warfare, there is a kingdom force that must be employed in the spirit until the powers of darkness yield to the forces of light (Daniel 10:12-14; Matthew 11:12; Ephesians 6:12). There is a binding and loosing that must occur until confusion reigns in the enemy’s camp (Matthew 16:18-19). The kingdom rule and will of God must be released in intercession and declaration until Heaven’s desires prevail on earth (Matthew 6:10).
Don’t let up. Intensify! The next three days will determine the fate of America for decades—maybe forever. Also, I believe the purposes of God in many nations are at stake, not the least of which is a great harvest of souls around the world.
Take some radical steps. I am changing my schedule and going to Washington, D.C. for the next three days in order to pray in the way I believe the Lord is leading me. Though this is not practical for most of you, here are some suggestions for the final three days leading up to this election:
1. Fast. Some are already fasting; I am asking for thousands more to join them. Ask God to lead you as to what kind of fast, and use wisdom concerning medical factors.
2. Join together in prayer meetings and prayer services: the prayer of agreement is powerful—use it.
Turn Sunday school classes into prayer meetings. Take time in Sunday services this week for prayer. Have special prayer services Saturday, Sunday, or Monday nights. Move home/cell groups to Saturday, Sunday, or Monday nights and devote them to prayer. Do prayer “conference calls” with friends and prayer partners. 3. Get up earlier than usual and pray before beginning other activities.
4. If possible, do a night watch—get up through the night and pray; or pull an “all nighter” if you feel the strength to do so.
5. Pray Isaiah 22:22!
6. Send this prayer alert to every praying Christian that you know. Please give it to your pastor far enough in advance of Sunday’s services so that he can plan.
Finally, this is not a partisan issue; it is simply a righteousness issue. God must have a man in office who seeks His face. If all of us do our part, we will prevail in this election and see America take another turn toward righteousness and revival.
For His Cause,
Dutch Sheets
God Bless YOU!!!!!
Our church will be open all day tomorrow during election day for the faithful to come in and pray for God's will to be done in our choices of leaders. If yours is locked, find someone to open it so you can make this special effort to ask God for His favor.
Great to hear about your group prayer tonight!! Folks, this is where our power is!!!! It is GOD that will do what MAN cannot!! Keep up the praying.
I agree.
Prayers...
I sincerely apologize for what I now consider threadjacking this most important thread. I am in prayer with you all.
Prayed.
Praying!
I join in prayer for our country and for all of these!
singing.." We are one in the bond of the Lord, We are one in the bond of the Lord, We have joined our spirits with the SPIRIT OF GOD, we are one in the bond of the Lord."
Amen!
Thank you *so much* for including my concerns in your prayers. . . our poll workers are all playing an important role, and we don't know where or when the attacks or challenges will come. I told one we were praying for him, and he was genuinely touched, grateful, and thanks you all. :o) ... thanks, and hugs.
Lord, please lift up and reward your faithful servant, George W. Bush, and put a burden on many undecided hearts to do Your will on this day.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Father, as this day begins, we ask Your blessing and Your peace on us as we come before Your throne with our prayers and petitions and concerns. Thank you for being our Sovereign God and Father.
As final preparations are being made now to open the polls, please be present and give peace to Your children who are working in the polls and in other places today. May Your order and Your goodness prevail over man's evil ways and designs, so that even those who do not call on Your name will do right. Give each person working an unprecedented godly wisdom and need to do only what is right. May any harmful or evil plans be exposed and dealt with, both the small acts and any larger acts that might be planned. Please give comfort, wisdom, and discernment to the workers, and Your peace that passes all understanding in the face of any challenges. I pray this in each precinct of my city, and all cities and counties across Florida and the country today . . . that all is done for good for You.
I am grieved at the lies that have been allowed to stand unchallenged. Please tear down any strongholds of sin and lies! I am grieved at the attempts to divide our communities and our country -- and pray for healing in our land as we turn from our ways and to YOU. May we who love You, love You more -- and may those who do not yet know You, come to know You as a loving Father of peace and comfort in this lost and dying and hopeless world. Be with our President and his family -- keep them all safe and in Your care and always close to You as they seek Your ways and put You first.
We thank you for Your goodness, Your holiness, and the hope we have in You -- and only in You -- through Your precious Son. What a privilege to turn our lives, and this particular day in our lives, over to You! We thank You, we praise You, In Jesus Name, Amen.
O Lord,
Let your hand guide our nation
against the gathering tide of darkness,
especially today
when we choose new leaders.
May the persons chosen
be people after your own heart.
May the voters choose for life,
and goodness
and integrity,
over relativism,
hopelessness,
depravity.
If it is your will,
please bless George Bush's re-election,
and may your mighty hand
protect those who work the polls,
and block all who would disrupt this process.
In the name of Jesus,
Amen.
Amen and Amen ...
Dear Pegita and others -- what a blessing it was to join you all in prayer, which continued all through Tuesday night. I am thankful to report that things went well here. All were well behaved in the places I was hearing from; things went smoothly; the earlier mix-up was corrected. I am so thankful for that -- and I praise God.
Now -- I'm thinking (God forgive my cynicism) that they will work harder and relentlessly and (can it happen?) even dirtier in '08.
You are wise, cyn, to be skeptical of the enemy ... "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." Matthew 10:16. Praise His Name for this worldwide network of prayer ...
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