Jan  2004

Dear Pastor Phil:
 
I am forwarding our weekly prayer focus for New Jersey (Jan 18-24).  John and Sheryl Price, our USSPN State Coordinators for New Jersey, submitted the following focus.  To better assist you and your state network in praying for this state, we have also included a brief overview of state history.
 
Blessings,
Christy Minger, ISPN Coordinator
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New Jersey, or “New Joy See”, as we daily declare here, is beginning to see the government of God arise in its midst. Many anointed apostolic networks are developing with strong, Godly leaders. The prayer movement is coming into greater maturity. An increase is taking place in the prophetic gift to understand the times and seasons. We are learning how to legislate in the heavenlies through apostolic declaration. Many if not all of the statewide prayer networks co-labor on a continual basis in a spirit of humility, unity and power. God is on the move and we are fanatically pursuing His presence.



History tells us that five men from NJ signed the Declaration of Independence. Five is the number of God’s grace. This is a prophetic picture for us today that even at the very birth of our nation, New Jersey was graced to DECLARE FREEDOM. Chuck Pierce spoke a word to us at the 50 State Tour meeting that the very ground of NJ was crying FREEDOM. NJ is also known for its superb militia during the Revolutionary War. This militia was made up of hardworking men and boys who would drop everything at the sound of the trumpet and fight for freedom. Like the men of Nehemiah’s time, they were able to both build the wall and wield the sword. The Saints of NJ are a people who carry within them this awesome DNA. Dutch Sheets called us, “The Watchman State”, during the 50 State Tour. He said that we were called to be a prophetic, intercessory army, not only for our state, but for the nation. This history, along with today’s prophetic utterances, enables us to stand in faith, declaring God’s will and purposes across our region. We are a warring, worshipping militia posted at the wall to both build and watch!!
 
Declare with us:
*The intercessory force of NJ will grow in number and prophetic insight, and those called to be watchmen, positioned on the wall, will come forth in this season and be established (1 Thess.5:6).
 
*NJ will be a house of prayer for all nations (Isa.56:7).
 
*We in NJ will run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. NJ will be anointed with JOY during this warfare season (Heb.12:1&2).
 
*That we will be able to successfully navigate the apostolic/prophetic waters ahead of us.
 
*That signs and wonders will spring forth in our midst.
 
The advance of God’s government here is right on time. Our state government is in the worst condition it has been in for many years. Chuck Pierce prophesied during the 50 State Tour assembly that in Trenton, our state capitol, a voice of deception had arisen which has caused the city to be blocked off. This blocking off in the spirit is keeping our government from making a full shift towards righteousness. Teachings released in Trenton against territorial warfare have shut down the prophetic & apostolic declarations needed to open the heavens over that city. This needs to be repented of so the block will be removed. Our Governor, James McGreevy, just signed a legislative bill into law that could allow the incubation of human embryos, up to nine months gestation, within a host mother’s uterus. The unborn child can then be “harvested”, aborted, and used for scientific experimentation, particularly embryonic stem cell research, lobbied for by celebrity Christopher Reeves. This actor’s influence, together with the finances from New Jersey’s huge drug industry, has moved us into a precarious position. Our state government has entered into a covenant with death. We have sinned. Many of our extremely liberal, agnostic and spiritually lukewarm governmental leaders have chosen the wrong path, motivated by the spirit of mammon. We will now have to wait to see what the Lord will say on this matter. We are very burdened over this situation.
 
Declare with us:
*That NJ’s covenant with death will be annulled, and our agreement with hell shall not stand! (Isaiah 28:18).
 
*Bind the spirit of mammon and loose favor and increase into the finances of the Kingdom of God (Matt. 12:29).
 
*Cry out that Governor James McGreevy, our legislators and Christopher Reeves will be born again (John 3:17).
 
*Bind the spirit of deception in Trenton.
 
*Loose the Spirit of Truth throughout Trenton.
 
Chuck Pierce prophesied that vipers wanting to become snipers were resident in Jersey City and Newark. To date, none of the statewide intercessory networks have solid prayer teams in place within these cities.  
 
Declare with us that:
*Those called to open the door to the apostolic prayer teams will arise in Jersey City and Newark (Rev.3:20).
 
*They will respond in faith like Rahab did, bringing in the two spies. Because she moved in faith, she and her entire family were saved alive.
 
*Bind the spirit of unbelief that wants to prevent people from receiving God’s provision for their future in these cities. This spirit is the very one that caused the governmental counselor, who kept the gate, to be trampled by the people going out to receive the provision God had sent to their city (2 Kings 7).
 
On Tuesday, January 20, we will be traveling as part of an apostolic prayer team, in cooperation with several NJ ministries. We will be dealing with the root of “the separation of church and state”. This scourge on our nation had its beginnings here in NJ in 1943 when a court case was filed, with the help of the ACLU, against the township of Ewing, NJ, for using public school buses to transport children to Christian school. Even though it was eventually overturned, since that time this false concept has been used to take God out of public institutions and everyday American life. We will repent and seek to turn this path on that day.
 
 

New Jersey's first residents were the Lenni Lenape Indians who inhabited the territory before the first European arrived on its shores. Today they number about 2500.

The first European to explore New Jersey was Giovanni de Verrazano, from Florence, Italy, who sailed along the Jersey coast and anchored off Sandy Hook in 1524. Nearly a century later, in 1609, Henry Hudson arrived and New  Netherland, a Dutch colony, was established in 1624 in what was then called 'the northeast territory'. Over 150 years later, NJ became the third state in the Union in 1787.

More than 100 battles took place on New Jersey soil during the Revolutionary War. In 1776, Washington crossed the Delaware, surprising and defeating the Hessian garrison at Trenton. The Hessions were a greatly feared band of German mercenaries. Up until that time they were undefeated. This battle was the turning point of the Revolution. A few days after the new year, the British force was defeated at Princeton. During this time, NJ produced much of the war's cannons and cannon balls at iron works located within the dense pine forests between Philadelphia and the NJ coast line. We were also known as the bread basket of the Revolution, supplying Washington's armies with much food during the growing season.

During World War II, New Jersey's economy expanded greatly. The state became the site of important training centers, as well as a major seaport. Again, New Jersey produced an enormous amount of war material. Twenty-five percent of U.S. Navy destroyers were constructed in the state, along with battleships, heavy cruisers and many aircraft engines. More than 500,000 New Jersey residents served in the armed forces.

One of New Jersey's premier landmarks, the Statue of Liberty, is America's greatest symbol of freedom. The freshly restored Ellis Island was a port to many in search of the American dream. We are the only state to exactly mirror the national percentage of ethnic people groups, according to the US Census Bureau.

The abundance of flowers, fruits and vegetables has given New Jersey its well-deserved nickname, the Garden State. New Jersey's tourism industry is currently ranked seventh in the United  States.

Thank you for your prayers and willingness to stand with the team nationwide.