Time to Shout: Prayer Note #63

   

  
Dutch Sheets tells us, "Truly, there is a time for aggressive, violent spiritual warfare in intercession.

I realize many would shrink from such extreme action in prayer - running and shouting at the enemy.

There is, however, a time for such spiritual intensity. More than once I have found myself shouting at spiritual powers or mountains of adversity while in intercession.

 I'm not spiritually ignorant enough to believe a certain volume level is required to rebuke evil forces, but the Scriptures do allow for it and even suggest that, at times, it unleashes something in the Spirit.

 

 

• Zerubbabel shouted grace to a mountain Zech. 4:7
• Israel shouted at Jericho Josh. 6:16
• Gideon's army shouted before the battle Judg. 7:20
• Jesus shouted on the cross Matt. 27:50
• Israel shouted when the Ark of the Covenant would lead them to a new place; "Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered" Num. 10:35; Ps. 68:1  

At other times, the strategy of the Lord may be to simply speak the Word as a sword or make biblically based declarations into the situation.

When led by the holy Spirit, this strategy is devastating to the enemy. 

One one occasion I was trying to mediate a peace between three parties. The circumstance had reached a potentially violent point, and I had been assured by one party that on the following morning he was going to get physical.

I knew he meant it and that someone would be hurt and others would be in jail.

I was up around 2:00 A.M., the Lord shocked me with these words: Why are you begging Me to do this? You know My will in this situation. And the problem is being caused by a spirit of anger and violence. Bind it! Declare My Word and will into the situation.

I did and went to bed. The next morning, for some 'unexplainable' reason, without any discussion, everyone had a change of heart. Peace and harmony ruled where the night before violence and anger had reigned. What had happened?

Paga happened.

Calvary happened.

Psalm 110:2 happened: "The Lord will stretch forth Thy strong scepter from Zion, saying, 'Rule in the midst of Thine enemies.' "

Let’s pray: “Thank You, Father, for the gift of Your Word. Please forgive us for the times when we’ve rushed through reading without taking the time to savor the richness of its meaning. Help us to listen to Your voice. God’s Word provides the ingredients we need to thrive spiritually. Our Daily Bread  6/11/13