During prayer I saw an image of a staff…it was thick and wooden, aged and worn but also had great strength. As I focused on the staff, I saw it raise and lower to the ground. Then I saw the hand that held it and the person holding it. I wondered and asked the Lord if it was Moses. Instead of a specific response to my question, my focus moved out from the staff and I noticed that the raising and lowering of the staff hitting the ground created a pattern that was more like a rhythm. I realized it was a form of worship. Immediately as I came to this realization my focus moved out again and I saw many more figures, also with staves. They banged these on the ground in response to the main figure, more prominently out in front. It was a beautiful sound that was more like drums or music. It created a sound I’ve never heard before.
As I watched, I felt they were preparing themselves for something. The rhythmic sound seemed like a battle charge…like a chant that a sports team would repeat in a locker room prior to a big game to “amp up” and get ready. There was excitement and joy in the atmosphere. My focus moved out again and I realized the figures were more in number than I initially thought. They completely filled my field of vision as far back as I could see.
Then suddenly my attention was brought back to the front of the line where the initial figure was pounding his staff. Something arrived. He received it and immediately one of the figures from the larger company behind him came forward. I realized at this point that the figures were angels of every kind. As the angel approached the front of the line it was almost as if there was an invisible barrier he was not able to cross until given permission to “go!”. I asked the Lord where they were going and what allowed them to go. Then I realized the “thing” that arrived at the front of the line, the invisible barrier, was a prayer. The angel that came forward received instructions and zoomed off faster than I thought possible, with excitement and energy and a steely determination. The angel knew he was going into battle over, or for, this specific prayer and it wouldn’t be easy but he was resolute and steadfast and I was struck by his confidence!
I suddenly thought of a human army from 2,000 years ago preparing and bravely departing for battle. The humans going into battle knew it was possible, and sometimes even likely, that they would not survive the battle. They were still willing to make the sacrifice because they knew it was ultimately for the good of their families, and their communities. Their confidence and strength came from within and also from something outside of themselves that called them to great things. For some it was the Lord...
The Lord contrasted the human army of angels to His heavenly company of angels. The Lord’s army departed for their battle with confidence, also willing to sacrifice. Their confidence was also in the Lord: God, the Father, Jesus, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. BUT. their confidence was far, far greater in comparison to what I would measure as a huge amount of confidence in the human army. It was profound and amazing.
At this point I also realized the great joy the angels experienced in fulfilling the call they were given. As they departed, still struck by their confidence, I realized their confidence came in knowing the outcome: God was victorious!! He had already won and would win the battle! Even though the enemy thought he had the upper hand, it seemed the angels did know something that the enemy they were fighting did not know. The angels in God's army could not lose. Then the scene sped up as I saw more prayers reach the invisible barrier and more angels depart on their mission. Some released one by one and others in groups. The one thing in common with each departure was that none were released until a prayer reached the threshold! What an amazing picture! God’s angel army, waiting in preparation for battle, was being released by the prayers of His people on earth.
Written by: Jen Burlingame
As we collectively join together for our monthly 3-day fast November 1st-3rd, this is a huge encouragement to pray! Your prayers release God’s heavenly host of warring angels. Your prayers bring excitement to heaven. Your prayers bring heaven to earth!
Join us in prayer and fasting, as we sense an urgency to "present our requests to God" on behalf of our nation in these final days before the election! Pray that many will vote in support of Biblical values and that eyes will be open to the truth. Pray the plans of the enemy will be confused and justice will prevail. Pray that our nation will persevere as a beacon of light for the world.
7 PRAYER POINTS FOR OUR NATION
From Crosswalk.com
1. That our nation would turn back to God.
May God help us. We need him desperately to renew our hope and restore our land. We need his forgiveness and healing. May His Spirit sweep across our nation and draw many out of darkness. May believers everywhere draw close to Him and seek his face like never before.
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chron. 7:14
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…” Ps. 33:12
2. That we would be faithful in praying for leaders and those in authority, knowing that their decisions directly affect us too. May God give them wisdom and courage as they lead our nation. May He give them a desire to listen for his voice and follow his ways. May God in His mercy, appoint principled, godly men and women into positions of authority in our nation.
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Tim. 2:1-2
“When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.” Prov. 29:2
3. That we would recognize God’s Sovereignty over all.
His word reminds us that He is the One who ultimately has the power to position all those in leadership, and to remove them. Some may ask, “If God’s going to do whatever He chooses, then why even pray?” More than anything, God desires our hearts to be set on Him. And He chooses to work on behalf of His people. His word reminds us there is great power in prayer as we join together in unity and seek to follow after Him.
It is “God who changes the times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” Dan. 2:21
“But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” Ps. 33:11
4. That we would recognize the real battle is not fought against what is seen, but what is unseen.
The real enemy is not a person or political party, but is Satan himself, and the forces that oppose God and fight against Truth. The enemy’s goal is to steal, kill, and destroy, and he wants nothing more than to see us waste our energy and time just battling one another. Let’s stay aware of his evil plans and stand against his attacks through the power of Christ and His Word.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Eph. 6:12
“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” 2 Cor. 10:4
5. That we would not succumb to worry, fear, or defeat.
That we wouldn’t grow so weary that we just give up, and tune out. Our voices are important. Now, more than ever before. Headline news stories can often incite fear and worry as we think about the future. We don’t have all the answers. We feel powerless to change what we believe needs to be changed. We look around us and see dark days and evil often seems to be winning. But God’s words still remain true in it all. He is the Answer. He’s the Light that breaks through the darkness. He’s the One who sets free and has the power to restore our nation.
"They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord." Ps. 112:7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:6-7
6. That we would pray for those in authority who are unjustly attacked and accused. That God’s protection would cover His people, that He would surround them with favor as a shield. That the plans of the enemy would be thwarted and truth would be made known. That as believers, we would be discerning and quickly recognize what is real and what is a lie.
“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn…” Is. 54:17
“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” Psalm 125:1-2
7. That our hope would remain in the Lord.
That we would recognize His great Power. That we would trust Him and believe that He is Able, and nothing is impossible with Him. He alone is where our real hope is found, not in our leaders, not in the economy, not in the condition of our nation today, or even in the future of tomorrows.
“Look at the nations and watch-- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” Hab. 1:5
“Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.” Hab. 3:2
One of The Collective's core values is fasting. We fast corporately the first three days of each month to pursue God’s plans for us and to pursue intimacy with Him.
HOW WILL YOU FAST?
Partial fast – give up chosen foods or drinks for determined time
Water fast – water only
Non-food fast – unholy things such as foods, items, people, places, practices, idols (Joshua 3:5)
Something else – skip a meal, don’t eat after 6pm or before 6am, etc.
STRATEGIES FOR FASTING:
Pray during meal times to increase intimacy with God
Spend time in the Word
Meditate on Scripture for encouragement in this season. Speak it over yourself and others!
Worship
Find an accountability partner
If you have a moment of weakness, don’t give up! Start again!