“In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were abandoned; travelers took to winding paths. Villagers in Israel would not fight; they held back until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose, a mother in Israel.” (Judg. 5:6-7 NIV)
Deborah was a mature, prophetic voice, a judge in the nation of Israel, a wife and, almost certainly, a natural mother of children.
For 20 years, Jabin, the king of Canaan, had reigned with a tyrannical rule over Israel. The people of Israel lived in such fear of their oppressors that highways were abandoned, people feared to travel and the nation’s zeal diminished. However, the Spirit of the Lord stirred Deborah as a spiritual mother of Zion within the nation to help restore confidence and hope within a nation. Also, she stirred the people to “fight” for justice, equality, freedom and the promises of God!
Although now we are not engaged in physical battles, there is a great spiritual battle looming. More than ever, we need the mothers of Zion, like Deborah, to arise in the land.
Arise, Mothers of Zion
I shared the message below on one of my social media pages, and several seasoned women of God messaged me saying that it brought them to tears and helped to restore their hope that God still had a great purpose for them.
One very powerful, prophetic mother (who has traveled to over 30 nations preaching the gospel) said that when she read this word, it was as if a wind of God went into her spirit and the presence of God moved throughout her body. She felt that God was wiping away past disappointments, reassuring her, “Get ready! I’m going to use you again greatly to touch a generation!”
One evening, in the middle of the night, the Lord began speaking to me about the necessity and the “arising” of the “mothers of Zion.” There are many spiritual mothers, but few mothers of Zion. A spiritual mother may be a mother to someone, or multiple people, but a mother of Zion is a woman of God who has been tested in battle, proven and faithful; who has endured seasons of change, challenges and fiery darts of the enemy. Their experience with God in life/ministry and tenure has afforded them certain levels of wisdom, maturity and insight.
The Lord was speaking to me about how many women in ministry (when they connect with other women in ministry) often experience rivalry, jealousy, envy, backbiting, division, cattiness, etc. The women that they looked for to walk with them in divine sisterhood have become more of a stumbling block to their progress, and distraction to their heart, mind and focus. But I heard the Lord say that the mothers of Zion are of a different age, a different breed and a different season.
He said, “They are not here to compete with you; they are here to complete you!”
Books of Wisdom
In the middle of the night, God gave me the analogy in a vision of how many of these mothers in Zion are like books full of wisdom. But too many have been disregarded and downplayed because they are not flashy, self-promoting or within certain cliques; they do not hype themselves up. Instead, they have longevity, character, wisdom, endurance, prophetic insight and a motherly heart to help push and birth women into their purpose.
In my vision, I saw a book taken from a shelf and dusted off. It was as if the Lord was saying that, for some, they have been hidden and/or disregarded; but they will be the very resource needed in this season for certain women of God to be healed, realigned and coached in their heavenly purpose.
This Is Your Second-Wind Season
Mothers of Zion, God is breathing a new wind into your steps and stance. This will be like a second-wind season for many of you. This will be a season where spiritual sons, and especially daughters, will find you out. They will need your counsel and wisdom that once was devalued. In you, they will not find glitz and glamor, but rather a safety net, stability and gems of wisdom more priceless than a platform.
God had me up praying for this company of seasoned women of God. They are not the ones in their 20s, 30s and 40s. They are not the ones who are trying to make a name for themselves but rather lift up The Name! These are the ones who have endured and stood the test of time!
Your second wind, your help, your encouragement and a heart that’s reignited for this generation are on their way!
Prayer for the Body of Christ
Dear Lord, help us to identify the spiritual mothers in Zion and lift them up. We pray for divine healing over their physical bodies and minds so that they will be strong and undistracted from their God-given assignments. Father, wipe away the tears from past hurts and past disappointments!
Father, we come into agreement now that a fresh wind of the Spirit will blow upon these heavenly appointed angels, and that a fresh anointing will rest upon their heads to be able to impart wisdom and maturity to the next generation.
Father, we thank You that these women of God are torch bearers in their time and season! We celebrate them, in Jesus’ name!
Please ask God to show you those (the ones you know personally) whom He considers to be spiritual mothers in Zion. Today, send them this message and a personal prayer of encouragement.
Demontae Edmonds is the founder of Freedom 4 the Nations, host of “This is Freedom” podcast on Charisma Podcast Network, and host of Atlanta’s “Highways” TV program. He travels the nations preaching the gospel with notable signs, wonders and miracles. His heart is to share the reality of Jesus Christ with the world through demonstrations of the Holy Spirit’s power and presence. He has authored the books “Grab Hold of Your Miracle,” “Discerning of Spirits: 7 Dimensions of Revelation,” and “The Supernatural Gift of Faith.”
James Lasher 
Abby Trivett 
