Another day, another prayer rally. That’s the sentiment of the naysayers who don’t believe intercession can turn the direction of a nation.
After all, they say, you’ve got IHOPs all over the world praying—some of them filling up the bowls 24/7. You’ve got TheCall. You’ve got TheCry. You’ve got the National Day of Prayer. You’ve got OneCry. You’ve got Cry Out America. You’ve got Broken Before the Throne. Indeed, there is a diversity of dedicated prayer warriors from coast to coast organizing solemn assemblies based on 2 Chronicles 7:14.
If all this prayer worked, the naysayers argue, why haven’t abortions ended? Why hasn’t revival come? Why hasn’t there been a long-prophesied Third Great Awakening? Why isn’t the prayer changing anything? I believe the prayers are making an impact, even though things often appear to be growing worse despite massive intercession.
Beware the Spirit of Unbelief
Still, some are skeptical. They don’t believe that God’s Word doesn’t return to Him void. They don’t believe it accomplishes what He sent it to do (see Is. 55:11). They don’t believe if two of us agree on earth as touching anything that we get what we ask for (see Matt. 18:19). Simply stated, they don’t believe.
That unbelief leads to questions, arguments and declarations. They ask, “Why even bother praying anymore?” They argue, “This nation is going to hell in a hand basket no matter what we do!” They declare, “It’s too late for America.”
They are skeptical. I’m skeptical too—skeptical of the skeptics’ mindset. Skeptical of mindsets that put more faith in the White House than they put in God. And skeptical of mindsets that so quickly ignore our nation’s spiritual heritage in favor of secularism, humanism, atheism, socialism and other -isms of the day.
I believe every prayer lifted to heaven in the name of Jesus makes a difference. I believe every intercessor’s Spirit-inspired utterance is making up a hedge of protection around this nation. I believe if the prayer stopped, the skeptics would start asking us to pray again.
America Belongs to Jesus
I’ve long believed this, but I got a new revelation of the power of prayer in Philadelphia this past weekend at the America for Jesus solemn assembly. Some estimate nearly 25,000 gathered in the name of Jesus over the two-day prayer rally.
America for Jesus was especially significant in many ways. This solemn assembly was held exactly 40 days before the presidential election. This solemn assembly gathered all races, parties and denominations in prayer for the healing of our nation and to call America back to God. This solemn assembly was set against a historical backdrop where our Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution. And this solemn assembly was launched by people whose prayer rallies sparked revival in the 1980s.
As I looked on at the gathering, the Holy Spirit told me the remnant is rising. It was indeed a solemn moment as I realized I was witnessing part of the remnant in action. I watched as people sobbed in repentance over our nation. I watched as people worshipped the Lord with all their might. I watched as people cried out to God in agreement with the prayers going forth.
Discerning the Spirit of Intercession
I watched and as I did I was struck by the power of prayer. A spirit of intercession fell on the gathering and prayers of the saints literally shifted something in the heavens. It was as if this gathering commanded heaven’s attention. Angels were surely posted round and about to stand guard over this solemn assembly. The atmosphere was charged with unity like I’ve rarely seen. The corporate anointing was strong. A spiritual work was accomplished and I believe we’ll see the fruit of those prayers manifest sooner than later.
Yes, America for Jesus was significant. But I believe all prayer rallies are significant. I believe they all make an impact. I believe where two or three gather in the name of Jesus, He is there in the midst (see Matt. 18:20). I believe if one puts a thousand to flight, two can put 10,000 to flight (see Deut. 32:30). And I believe when thousands gather despite race, culture, denomination or agenda, it touches the Father’s heart and He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions we have asked of Him (see 1 John 5:15).
Another day, another prayer rally? Hardly. That’s the sentiment of the naysayers who don’t believe prayer changes things. As for me and my house, we’ll keep praying and believing for a spiritual awakening. Amen.
Jennifer LeClaire is news editor at Charisma. She is also the author of several books, including Did the Spirit of God Say That? You can email Jennifer at [email protected] or visit her website here. You can also join Jennifer on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.
