Informed Prophetic Intercession

Recently my friend Earl Ackley, sent a communique to his followers and he used the term, informed prophetic intercession.  That resonated so deeply with me.  I love that phrase!  It connotes that before someone speaks, they have heard first.  It sounds like our ‘business’ of prayer is maturing.

I believe that intercession is getting a brand new definition in this era.  To me, it used to mean ‘petition loud’… but it’s changing to: ‘declare AFTER hearing‘.

As we know, we can’t truly be prophetic unless we’ve been informed… because true Biblical faith only comes by being informed… “faith comes by hearing“.   And once we’ve heard, then we have a “substance of things hoped for and evidence of things not yet seen”.   We can speak with the assurance and confidence that our words are the same as Heaven’s words.  

I feel the pleasure and smile of our Father upon us all as we mature in our hearing first, and then in our capacity to prophesy as “oracles of God.” (I Pet 4:11)  His dreams are coming true in and through us.  Wow!!  He’s always wanted to “give you the Kingdom”, but we had to grow up first before He handed over the keys. 

Can’t you just see Father calling the angels and Saints around and pointing at us with righteous pride and saying something like, “Look!  Look!  They’re getting it.  My dream for them is coming to pass.  Let’s all throw a party in the Heavenlies!  It won’t be long, they’ll be as comfortable governing earth from Heaven as they used to be when praying beggar prayers from Earth.  They’re gonna love spending more time in their Heavenly realm than the earthly realm.”  (just like Jesus in Jn 3:13)

It’s empowering and transformative to enter into the delight that our Father is feeling about us as we discover and embrace our inheritance.  It gives new meaning to the verse, “Well done, enter into the joy of the Lord.”

And if I can take it a bit further, I’ll bet Father is notifying Creation, which has been groaning in eager expectation for the emerging of the Sons of God upon the earth.  He’s probably giving Creation a ‘heads-up’, “FYI Creation!  You’re eager expectations are about to be fulfilled.  My sons and daughters are on a good track to discovering their true identity and latent DNA.  And that will mean your liberation, also!” (Rms 8:19-23)

Can you feel the jubilation of our Father?

Earl, you’re onto some VERY GOOD!  We’re advancing in maturity.  We’re becoming ‘mature sons’.  That’s good news.

I declare over each of you; Much grace, easy hearing and powerful declarations… followed by many compelling testimonies!!!!

— MLH

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The Changing Face of Christianity

Shift happens!

It has always happened… and it’s happening now.  This current shift / change is not your average garden variety, though.  It is an epic change from one Biblical age to the next age.  Sound too grandiose?  Listen to what the Bible says about this:

“… that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” – Eph 2:7

According to this verse, there must be at least two more ages beyond the age in which the book of Ephesians was written.  And so, even if you don’t think it’s probable, it’s still possible to have an age shift in our day.

So what are the hallmarks at the transition of ages?

I believe a change of ages always involves a radical shift from what God was doing… to what His new order of things.  For example, take a look at the change of ages from OT to NT… from Law to Grace.  It wasn’t just a little tweak of how we do things, it was a major revamping of much that we knew and held on to as sacred in the Old Testament… laws, sacrifices, curses, religious orders, our relationship with God, etc.  ALL those and so much more were antiquated and trumped with the better, when the ages transitioned.  In fact, if you held onto the past norms, you became an enemy to God’s new way.  Hmmmm.  Serious business.

So, if old values and systems get put on the chopping block when an age ends, what could we expect to be forfeited and replaced in this current shift change?  And what will the new values and systems look like?

Would we be able to see it?

Do we think we would have recognized and embraced the monumental shift from BC to AD?  The very best religious scholars and leaders didn’t… but strangely, a few gnarly fishermen, tax collectors and fringe guys did.  They were invited, saw, believed and became forerunners of the new age.  But most other likely candidates missed it completely… and worse yet, became an enemy to the change of the ages.  So assuming that we’re in for another shift change, what makes us think we would recognize the shift and embrace it?  Would it be because we honor and go with the flow of popular opinion… or because we hold to the ‘old time religion’ tenets… or because that’s what I was taught as a child?  Yeh, that will guarantee it, for sure (jesting)!  Unfortunately, that didn’t work so well for the religious ‘scholars’ in Jesus’ day.  

Actually, a simple childlike heart has the most likely prospects to help us hear, embrace and being able to adapt to the changes.  You see, a child has the least to lose and may be more sensitive to Father’s overtures of love and guidance.  And maybe that is just one of the things Jesus meant when He said, 

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Matt 18:3

Are there any indicators of impending change?

In my opinion there are MANY indicators… even beyond the multitude of Biblical eschatological passages that are used so prolifically.  (Sorry to say, those passages get re-applied in a different way about every 5 to 20 years when of another new epic global event is reported in the news.) One of the hugest indicators I know is something very obvious to us all, and one which has powerful historical precedent.  That is, the global prayer movement. 

Throughout all of Biblical history, when God’s people called out to Him, He answered.  Just think about the little phrase, “And they cried to the Lord.”  What happened in the very next phrase or verse?  It was, “And God heard their cries” and sent a deliverer, judge, prophet, king, etc to extract them out of their distress.  In keeping with this truth, consider this: There are more people praying publicly and privately on the earth right now than at any other time in all of history.  And what is God’s historical response? …HIS INTERVENTION!  In my opinion, this is a most compelling indicator and it isn’t even an ‘end-times’ prophecy Bible verse.  This is huge!

BTW – I think God may have a different perspective on the prayer movement than we’ve had.  We thought we were going to be more self-disciplined… more spiritual… help God out… and do Kingdom stuff.  But I wonder if God’s view was more on trying to get us to spend time with Him… so we would get to know His heart… so that we could hear His voice better… so we could move with Him when He makes the age shift.  Maybe the prayer movement was all about relationship versus working hard.  You see, if we were still steeped in our ‘religious man’ strength (E.g. religious dogmas, traditions and mindsets), we wouldn’t likely be able to turn the corner with Him when we have to lay some things down.  But since we’ve prayed long enough to know that we can’t force God, we’re beginning to settle down and just let Him be Father and God.  We’re beginning to just agree with His Word and heart of love for us.  We’re beginning to realize that it really isn’t “by our works of righteousness which we have done but according to His mercy He saved us.”  Wow, now that really is Good News!  To think… all the while He just wanted to spend time with us… so we wouldn’t miss the next step of the journey. 

A great prophecy

In 1982 in Cairo, Egypt, the Lord spoke to me about the end-time outpouring of the Spirit… The Spirit said, “I will change the understanding and expression of Christianity on earth in one generation.” – Mike Bickle (Founder of International House of Prayer – Kansas City)

I’m certain that we had no idea what was in store for us when we first heard this prophecy.  I now believe that it is exponentially larger and more impacting than we ever imagined.  Although the Word of God and the central tenets of the Gospel are unshakable, I wonder which pet peripheral sacred-cow doctrines and practices will get sacrificed upon the altar of the emerging new expression of true Godliness in a new age?  It’s inevitable, you know… it really is.  If we’re going to believe this prophecy and all other indicators, it will mean serious change for all of us.  And FYI – Historically, it’s usually traumatic for ‘settlers’ and scary exciting for the frontiersman.

Describe the current shiftThe moniker over this emerging age has yet to be determined.  Will it be called the Grace Age, the Kingdom Age, the Sonship Age, the Kingship Age, the Glory of God Age…?  We’ll have to wait and see.  But already there are a few overt evidences of change… and they’re obviously changes for the better.  I’ll leave you with just a few.

Big Picture
The goodness of God is being exalted as a supreme tenet
Many ‘old time religion’ tenets are being upgraded

Our Identity
Harried ‘orphan’ Christians are becoming happy beloved sons
Always-’do-good’ servants are becoming peace-filled bosom friends with God
Spiritual beggars are becoming spiritual kings
Belittling lies about our identity are being obliterated
An insecure salvation is now becoming an unshakable position in Christ
Fearful sin conscious saints are now secure in righteousness
Sin management is replaced with confident rest in Jesus’ righteousness
The Gospel is becoming the ‘unbelievably’ Good News

God’s Identity and Nature
Onerous lies about Father God are being exposed
An uncaring distant God becomes a loving committed Father
Working hard for His acceptance is being replaced with resting in His love
‘Sweat’ is now understood as the result of the curse
Rest in Jehovah Jireh’s provision is popping the anxiety and striving bubble

Now and the Future
Traditional eschatology is being trumped by fresh revelation
Imminent doom is replaced by victorious future
Fear and hiding are replaced with courage and anticipation
Little-remnant hide-out mentality is replaced by expectant kingly ruling
Darker and darker worldview is replaced with ever increasing Kingdom
Future theologies are becoming now theologies
Heaven realities postponed until after death are being realized now
Some ‘millennial’ Kingdom theologies are being experienced now

Our Position and Prayer Posture
Desperate beggarly intercession becomes confident kingly declaration
Praying from earth toward Heaven is trumped by praying from Heaven toward earth
Emphasis shifting from praying TO God… to praying WITH God
We’re not praying FOR victory… we’re praying FROM victory

How’s that for starters?  Now, you list the paradigm shifts that you’re experiencing:

As Mario Bros. says, “Here we gooooo!!!!!”

– MLH

Quote: Pray Perfect Prayers in the Spirit

“Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” – Roms 8:27

Wouldn’t you like to pray effective prayers that are always in line with the will of God and which always hit the mark?  Well, when you pray in the Spirit, you can.

You see, when we pray in English or our known language, and according to our limited understanding, we can pray amiss.  Sometimes, our heads get in the way and we find ourselves asking, “Isn’t it selfish of me to pray like this?” or “Am I praying in line with God’s will?”

My friend, that is why God gives us the gift of praying in tongues.  When we pray in tongues or in the Holy Spirit, we can never pray out of God’s will because the Holy Spirit “makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God”.

In other words, we pray perfect prayers in line with God’s will when we pray in tongues.  And the Bible goes on to tell us that “if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him”. (1 John 5:14–15)

Isn’t it wonderful that God has put in you the Holy Spirit who prays perfectly?  He knows the heart of God and precisely what you need.  And He makes intercession for you because He loves you very much.

The Holy Spirit is like your lawyer or legal counselor.  He knows what belongs to you legally.  He knows what your blood-bought rights are in Christ.  Best of all, He knows exactly how to enforce them in your life!

Beloved, when you pray in tongues, you allow the Holy Spirit to pray perfect prayers through you.  He pleads your case before God.  He knows where you have gone wrong and what the root of the problem is.  He also has the wisdom, solution and power to win your case.  With the Holy Spirit on your side, you cannot but come out victorious!

From Joseph Prince – Daily Grace Inspirations  (8/6/13)

The Spirit’s Rest And Refreshing

“For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, to whom He said, “This is the rest with which you may cause the weary to rest,” and, “This is the refreshing”…” — Isa 28:11-12

To counter stress, many people resort to tobacco, alcohol or tranquilizers. These things, besides having harmful side effects, are costly and often lead to addictions.

God has something better for us. It is powerful, costs us nothing and has no harmful side effects. He calls it “the rest” and “the refreshing”. What is He referring to? Speaking in tongues—“For with stammering lips and another tongue…”

My friend, this is the rest and the refreshing which God has promised us. So start praying in tongues regularly, and let His rest and peace saturate your entire being!

From Joseph Prince – Daily Grace Inspirations  (8/25/13)

Pray Up Your Immune System!

“He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself…”  I Cor 14:4

Many Charismatics believe that when you speak in tongues, you edify or build up your spirit man.  Well, that is only one-third true.  The Bible does not say that the speaker edifies his spirit. No, it says that the speaker “edifies himself”.  This means his entire self—spirit, soul and body.  So he who speaks in tongues builds up his spirit, soul and body.

Does this include building up your immune system?  Yes, it does!  Brain specialists at Oral Roberts University’s hospital found out through research and testing that when a person prays in tongues, his brain releases two chemicals that are directed to his immune system, giving it a 35 to 40 per cent boost.  Interestingly, these secretions are triggered by a part of our brain that has no other apparent activity and which is activated only when we pray in tongues.

Now, your immune system is your first line of defense against diseases.  During the SARS outbreak in Singapore in 2003, not everyone who had the disease died.  Only those whose immune systems were weak succumbed to the disease and died.  Therefore, many people resorted to vitamins and herbs to boost their immune systems.

A 74-year-old church member decided to build up his immune system against more heart problems.  Two of his arteries were 70 per cent blocked and five smaller vessels were 80 per cent blocked.  So during a church service, when I asked those who wanted to be healed of heart problems to stand up, he stood up, placed his hand over his heart and prayed in tongues.

He shared that at that moment, he believed that the Holy Spirit touched him and he became a different person.  When he went for his medical check-up, his surgeon found that all the blockages in his blood vessels were gone!  Even a scheduled heart-related operation was cancelled as there was no longer any necessity for it.  Indeed, he was a different person. He literally had a change of heart, a new heart from God!

Beloved, you may not have a heart condition, but you can still pray in tongues and pray up your immune system!

From Joseph Prince – Daily Grace Inspirations  (12/13/13)

Pray Perfect In The Spirit

Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. – Romans 8:27

Wouldn’t you like to pray effective prayers that are always in line with the will of God and which always hit the mark?  Well, when you pray in the Spirit, you can.

You see, when we pray in English or our known language, and according to our limited understanding, we can pray amiss. Sometimes, our heads get in the way and we find ourselves asking, “Isn’t it selfish of me to pray like this?” or “Am I praying in line with God’s will?

My friend, that is why God gives us the gift of praying in tongues.  When we pray in tongues or in the Holy Spirit, we can never pray out of God’s will because the Holy Spirit “makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God”.

In other words, we pray perfect prayers in line with God’s will when we pray in tongues.  And the Bible goes on to tell us that “if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him”. (1 John 5:14–15)

Isn’t it wonderful that God has put in you the Holy Spirit who prays perfectly?  He knows the heart of God and precisely what you need.  And He makes intercession for you because He loves you very much.

The Holy Spirit is like your lawyer or legal counselor.  He knows what belongs to you legally.  He knows what your blood-bought rights are in Christ.  Best of all, He knows exactly how to enforce them in your life!

Beloved, when you pray in tongues, you allow the Holy Spirit to pray perfect prayers through you.  He pleads your case before God.  He knows where you have gone wrong and what the root of the problem is. He also has the wisdom, solution and power to win your case. With the Holy Spirit on your side, you cannot but come out victorious.

From Joseph Prince – Daily Grace Inspirations  (8/7/14)

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Intercession: From faithless beggar petitions to confident kingly prophetic declarations

I believe that what we have always called intercessory type prayer is beginning to change from plaintiff prayer to kingly prayer… from beggar posture to royal posture.  From earth originated prayer to Heaven originated prayer (where we’re seated).  From a faithless desperate petition to a confident faith-filled prophetic declaration. 

For several years, I’ve asked my mind to notify me whenever I find myself asking for something in prayer.  I then determine whether I already know God’s heart on this matter.  If I don’t, then I continue to ask e.g. “if any man lacks wisdom let him ask of God who gives….”   But if I already know what God’s heart is on the matter then (for me) it isn’t appropriate to ask, I must now assume my kingly role of co-ruling with Jesus.  I must speak (from Heaven) to earth… prophesying Father’s heart into the matter.

One doesn’t need to assume any responsibility when we just ‘throw up’ a beggar petition before Heaven… we’ll just let God sort it out… no need for maturity here.  Babies ask for anything and everything… mommies and daddies sort it all out.  But as we mature, we must assume more and more responsibility about what kind of prayer we’re praying.  Jesus said it this way, “I can do nothing apart from my Father”.  He didn’t pray anything without finding Father’s will first… He then assumed His kingly role of releasing Father’s will… “Be healed”; “Rise up”; “Storm be still”, etc.  No plaintiff / beggar prayers here.

Yes, there are a few occasions where Jesus prayed ‘asking prayers’… in the Garden “Father, if it be Thy will… never-the-less Thy will be done”… He needed to know for sure.  And at Lazarus’ tomb (John 11:41-44) he prayed our old type of prayers ONLY so that people would know by who’s power he raised Lazarus from the dead… “Father I thank you that You hear me….” But after he prayed a prayer to get everyone ‘on page’ with Him, He then prayed a Jesus prayer, commanding with a “loud voice”, “Lazarus come forth!”  The reality is that once we know Father’s will, then we’re invited to assume our co-heir position of co-ruling with Jesus from Heaven to earth.

Disclaimer:  This growth process into our kingly role has nothing to do with grasping to be a ‘big dog’; it has nothing to do with being arrogant, pompous or presumptuous; it has nothing to do with just spouting out memorized Scripture; it has nothing to do with ‘grunting’ harder to get more righteous and more spiritual.  NO!  A thousand times, No.

It has to do with simply believing the truth about who we are… kings and priests unto our God, and co-heirs with Jesus… whatever is true of Him is true of us… and whatever He’s been called to do is what we’ve been called to do.  It has to do with debunking the devil’s lies and myths that we were poor mortals waiting for death to set us free, make us righteous, glorify us, etc…    The devil would love to keep us in a powerless state until death, which would in effect make death our savior.  Many of us have believed that Jesus couldn’t make us righteous in this life.  We would need Jesus plus our death, then we could be righteous.  Wow, when we put it like this, it just sounds awful, doesn’t it?

I imagine this is going to take several years for the body of Christ to catch on, but the fact is, it has already started… we’ve already begun to enter the Kingdom Age and it’s a great time for us kings to assume our roles.

Liberation revelation is coming… it’s here.  We’re embracing and learning.  More, Lord!!!!

— MLH