I N   T H I S   U P D A T E       ...and for our prayers:

*       Pastor Phil's Prayer Letter

1.    UNCOMMON PRAYER
    Lessons From Ecclesiastes
2.    WASHINGTON , DC: PRAYER SUMMIT
3.    PRAY UNIVERSITY
4.    PRAY: CHANGE OR DIE OF IRRELEVANCE
5.    PRAYER FORMAT: THE STATE OF THE CHURCH
6.    COMMUNITY PRAYER SIREN
7.    SCRIPTURE BASED WARFARE PRAYER
8.    PRAYER ROOM STRATEGY & PROTOCOL
9.    THOUGHTS ABOUT REDEMPTIVE GIFTS
10.    PRAYER STRATEGY FOR 9/11/04...
??.    LINKED
 

1.    UNCOMMON PRAYER
    Lessons From Ecclesiastes
 

    --->NPPNote: Consider using these insightful reflections from the President of Mission America Coalition as the format (roadmap) for a future prayer gathering. Instruct participants to launch their prayers from the scripture verse.  Insert a song between a few of the "Lessons" as transitions to a new focus.  Give an example or two so they understand how this prayer format flows...

>From: Wpeders@aol.com

This weekend I did a personal study of Ecclesiastes.  The book of Ecclesiastes puzzles us.  It seems so "down", so empty and depressing.  But the wizened writer of Ecclesiastes has some important lessons for those looking for God's answers in a world that often doesn't make sense.

Lesson 1:  Life without God is meaningless and monotonous.  Man's life is full of grief; then he's soon forgotten.  "All things are wearisome.  What more can I say?"  Ecc. 1:8

Lesson 2:  Pleasure, wealth, wisdom and achievement are meaningless without God.  Both the wise and foolish experience the same fate.  "For without Him, who can eat or find enjoyment?"  Ecc. 2:25

Lesson 3: Life is full of change and transition.  But God controls the ultimate end.  Wickedness will eventually be judged.  To enjoy life and find satisfaction in one's work is a gift from God.   "He has made everything beautiful in its time."  Ecc. 3.11

Lesson 4:  Good friendships and partnerships are critical to success.  You need a good team to sustain your efforts.  "Two are better than one, because they have good return for their work."  Ecc. 4.9

Lesson 5:  Chose your words carefully.  Listen to God.  Don't come with quick answers.  Don't make hasty promises.  "Much dreaming and many words are meaningless."  Ecc. 5.7

Lesson 6:  Life is fleeting and fragile.  "For who knows what is good for a man in life curing the few and meaningless days he passes through like a shadow." Ecc. 6.12

Lesson 7:  In good times, be happy; in bad times, remember God made them both.  And the end of the matter is better than its beginning.   Find balance in life.  Don't be overly righteous or overly wise.  "The man who fears God will avoid all extremes."  Ecc. 7.18

Lesson 8:  The righteous often get what the wicked deserve; the wicked often get what the righteous deserve.  Life doesn't make sense.  "No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun.  Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it."  Ecc. 8:17

Lesson 9: But,  God controls the ultimate resolution.  So enjoy life and marriage.  Whatever you do, do with abandon.  "The righteous and the wise, and what they do, are in God's hands."  Ecc. 9.1

Lesson 10:  Skill is more important to success than strength.  So sharpen your skills.  Work smarter, not harder.  "If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success."  Ecc. 10.10

Lesson 11: Some ventures succeed.  Some fail.  But, keep investing, not knowing what will succeed. Your investment in life will return to you.  "Cast your bread upon the waters for after many days you will find it again."  Ecc. 11.1

Lesson 12: Here's the conclusion of all of life:  Respect God and live a life of obedience.  "Fear God and keep his commandment for this is the whole duty of man."  Ecc. 12.13
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2.    WASHINGTON , DC: PRAYER SUMMIT
 

3.    PRAY UNIVERSITY
 

>From: "Doug Small" <dougsmall@aliveministries.org>
>To subscribe: http://www.mailermailer.com/x?oid=07341a
http://www.projectpray.org/summits/scheduling/planning.html

ProjectPray

For a number of years, I have been a part of the pastor's prayer summit movement, meeting with pastors of all denominations. A consistent cry has been "I want my church to be a house of prayer. How do I accomplish that goal?"

While a growing number of prayer leadership seminars are available, what is lacking is consultation and coaching in the implementation process. Project Pray University has been created to link prayer leadership teams for the purpose of peer support as they discover, design and deploy prayer principles in the local church.

Currently, we are in the process of developing a curriculum with onsite seminars and on-line seminars to provide training in the area of prayer ministry leadership. And we are also creating a process to provide ongoing coaching and assistance as you put into practice prayer ministry options in your church.

Let's take a look at some of the campus options that will be available:

LIBRARY —What campus would be complete without a library? The ProjectPray University library gives you complete access to a variety of multimedia resources, including Audio, Video, eBooks, Articles and Web Links.
STUDENT CENTER —The ProjectPray University student center is the perfect place to shop for resources, chat with friends or simply relax with a cup of coffee while having a look around!
CONFERENCE CENTER —The conference center is the classroom building. Eventually, personal on-line courses in prayer will be available. But the true goal of the conference center is not in individualized learning, it is to bring together prayer leadership learning teams whose goals are learn with and from one another in order to transform their churches into houses of prayer.

We've created an introductory course titled "PPU Orientation" that will familiarize you with the ProjectPray University online learning model. Why not take a few minutes to explore this exciting new model of learning and interaction concerning effectual, fervent prayer strategies? We'd love to have your input!

Blessings!      Doug

ProjectPray Message Board
Did you know that ProjectPray has created a forum in which you can meet with others around the globe who are passionate about prayer? Click here to go to the Message Board main page.
http://projectpray.org/bboard/

Prayer Links
ProjectPray has created one of the most exhaustive list of web links to Prayer organizations on the Net! Click here to see the list and visit some of the sites listed.
http://www.projectpray.org/home/prayer_links.html
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4.    PRAY: CHANGE OR DIE OF IRRELEVANCE
 

5.    PRAYER FORMAT: THE STATE OF THE CHURCH

 

   --->NPPNote: Use the following points to focus prayers at your next gathering. Use scripture, song, and/or story (brief testimony) as a transition from one point to the next.
 Utilize a variety of configurations (pairs, small groups, solo, entire group).
 

Center for Spiritual Renewal
Ten Observations Concerning the State of the Church
 

Since the beginning of this ministry, three years ago, we have observed certain trends developing in the Church. We have condensed these trends into ten statements which summarize what we see taking place. It needs to be noted again that these observations pick up on the positive direction of the Church. There are definite indications, on the other hand, that some in the Church are moving in a very different direction. This paradox demonstrates the shaking, sifting, and separation that the Church is beginning to experience.

 

Prayer is a growing force in the Church.
 
Humility is characterizing more attitudes.
 
Repentance is accepted as a necessity for Christians.
 
Personal purity is recognized as of primary importance.
 
Proper relationship with God and others is receiving greater emphasis.
 
Spiritual integrity is becoming the aim of more Christians.
 

Scriptural unity is gaining momentum.
 

Social responsibility is taking on new importance.
 

Human personalities are being de-emphasized.
 

      
Anointing for ministry is touching a broader spectrum of believers.

What is your perspective on what God is doing in the Church today? Do you identify with these observations or do you see things differently? We would like to hear from you. Please take a few minutes to respond.
    Center for Spiritual Renewal, PO Box 3986, Cleveland,TN 37320
    (423) 478-7078, E-mail: cfsr123@aol.com
    <mailto:cfsr123@aol.com> Robert E. Fisher, Executive Director
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>From: "Neil Cox" <coach@goal-partners.com>

"Community Prayer  Siren"

Imagine...
    Christ-followers everywhere within the sound of the siren,
    praying together ... at the same time ... for their community.

"Transform Indiana" is actively promoting a practice of "Community Prayer" each week -- when your community's warning sirens sound.

For instance, several communities around Indiana typically test their community sirens every Friday at 11:00 a.m.

(If your city doesn't test their warning system regularly, then perhaps set an alarm to pray with others on Fridays.)

Wouldn't this be an excellent time for us to collectively 'gather'  in prayer for the spiritual, social, educational, and physical needs of those in your own Sphere of Interaction - your family, neighbors, church people, fellow workers, and others that you  'rub shoulders with'  on a regular basis.

If each of us prays for those close to us, and we encourage others to pray for those close to them, we can... eventually... build a prayer-net that supports everyone in Indiana.

Let's pray for transformation of our state, one 'neighbor' at a time!

We need your help in getting the word out.  Please forward this notice (or this link... http://IndyChristian.com/prayer.htm) to those on your email list who would be interested in promoting this 'call to community prayer'.

Yours for Transformation thru Jesus Christ,
Eldon Kibbey, Moderator
Mike Wildey, Team Member
Neil Cox, Facilitator

Transform Indiana   -   "Networking Ministries... To Change Lives & Communities"    
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>From: "Pastor Mike Dixon" <pastormiked@ameritech.net>

Warfare Prayer

Heavenly Father, I bow in worship before you. I cover myself with the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ as my protection during this time of prayer.

I surrender myself unreservedly, every area of my life, to you. I take a stand against all the workings of Satan that would hinder me in this time of prayer. I address myself only to you, the one true and living God, and refuse any involvement of Satan in my prayer. I resist the Devil. I reject all his evil works and ways. {Satan, I command you and all of your demons, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to leave my presence. I bring the blood of the Victor, Jesus Christ, between us.}

Abba Father, I worship you and give you praise. I recognize that you are worthy to receive all glory and honor and praise. I renew my allegiance to you and pray that the blessed Holy Sprit would fill me in this time of prayer. I am thankful, Father, that you have loved me from past eternity and that you sent the Lord Jesus into the world to die as my substitute that I would be redeemed. I am thankful that the Lord Jesus Christ came as my representative, and that through Him you have completely forgiven me; you have adopted me into your family; you have assumed all responsibility for me; you have given me eternal life; you have given me the perfect righteousness of the Master Jesus Christ so I am now justified. I am thankful that, in Him, you have made me complete, and that you have offered yourself to me to be my daily help and strength.

Heavenly Father, come and open the eyes of my heart that I might see how great You are, and how complete your provision is for this new day. I do, in the name of the Lord Jesus, take my place in Him and I cover myself with the shelter of His Blood. I take my place with Christ in the heavenly realms with all evil powers and wicked spirits under my feet. I am thankful that the victory the Lord Jesus Christ won for me on the cross and in His resurrection has been given to me and that I am seated with the Lord Jesus Christ in the heavenly realms; therefore, I declare that all principalities and powers and spirits are subject to me in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am thankful for the armor you have provided and I put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the boots of peace and the helmet of salvation. I lift up the shield of faith against all the flaming arrows of the enemy, and I take in my hand the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. I will use your Word against all the forces of evil working against my life. I put on this armor and live and pray in complete dependence upon You, blessed Holy Spirit.

I am grateful, Heavenly Abba God, that Christ defeated all evil spirits and made a show of them openly and triumphed over them in Himself. I claim all that victory for my life today. I reject out of my life all the insinuations, accusations and temptations of Satan. I affirm that the Word of God is true and I choose to live today in the light of God’s Word. I choose, Father, to live in obedience to you and in fellowship with you. Open my spiritual eyes that there be no ground to give Satan a foothold against me. Show me any area of weakness.

Show me any area of my life that I must deal with so that I would please you. I do, in every way, stand for you and the ministry of the Holy Spirit in my life. By faith, and in dependence upon you, I put off the old man and stand into all the victory of the crucifixion where Christ provided cleansing from the old nature. I put on the new man and stand into all the victory of the resurrection and the provision He has made for me there to live above sin. Therefore I put off the old nature with its selfishness, and I put on the new nature with its love.

I put off the old nature with its fear and put on the new nature with its courage. I put off the old nature with its weakness and I put on the new nature with its strength. I put off the old nature with all its deceitful lusts and I put on the new nature with all its righteousness and purity. I do, in every way, stand into the victory of the ascension and the glorification of the Son of God where all wicked spirits were made subject to Him, and I claim my place in Christ, victorious with Him over all the enemies of my soul. Blessed Holy Spirit, I pray that you would fill me. Come into my life afresh; break down every idol and cast out every foe.

I am thankful, Father, for the expression of your will for my daily life as you have shown me in your Word. I therefore embrace all the will of God for today. I am thankful that you have blessed me with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. I am thankful that you have caused me to be born again into a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. I am thankful that you have made provision so that today I can live filled with your Spirit with love, joy and peace, with long-suffering, gentleness and goodness, and with faithfulness, kindness and self-control in my life. I recognize that this is your will for me and I therefore reject and resist all the endeavors of Satan and of his demons to rob me of the will of God. I refuse to believe my feelings and I hold up the shield of faith against all the accusations that Satan would put in my mind. I embrace the fullness of the will of God.

I do, in the name of the Lord Christ, completely surrender myself to you, Heavenly Father, as a living sacrifice. I choose not to be conformed to this world. I choose to be transformed by the renewing of my mind, and I pray that you would show me your will and enable me to walk in all the will of God. I am thankful, Father, that the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. They enable us to cast down imaginations and every lofty thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and to bring every thought captive into obedience to the Lord Jesus.

Therefore, in my own life today, I tear down the strongholds of Satan and I smash the plans that he has formed against me. I tear down the strongholds of Satan against my mind, and I surrender my mind to you, blessed Holy Spirit. I affirm, Father Abba, that you have not given us a spirit of fear, but the Spirit of power, love and a sound mind. I break and smash the strongholds of Satan formed against my emotions today and I give my emotions to you. I smash the strongholds formed against my will today, and I yield my will to you, and I choose to make the right decisions of faith. I smash the strongholds of Satan formed against my body today, and I give my body to you, recognizing that I am your temple. How I rejoice in your mercy and goodness!

Heavenly God and Father I pray that throughout this day you would grant me spiritual life. Show me the ways Satan is seeking to hinder, tempt, lie, counterfeit and distort the truth in my life. Grant me full freedom in Christ. Enable me to be the kind of person that would please you. Enable me to be aggressive in prayer.

Enable me to be aggressive mentally and to think your thoughts after you, and to give You Your rightful place in my life.

Again, I cover myself with the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and pray that You, blessed Holy Spirit, would bring all the work of the crucifixion, all the power of the resurrection, all the work of Christ’s glorification, and all the work of Pentecost into my life today. I joyfully await the return of Jesus, and I refuse to be discouraged. You are the God of all hope! You have proven your power by raising Jesus Christ from the dead, and I claim in every way your victory over all of Satan’s forces working against my life, and I resist these forces. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ with thanksgiving. Amen. Hallelujah!

Victor M. Matthews    
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8.    PRAYER ROOM STRATEGY & PROTOCOL
 

>From: "RTV International Ministries" <prayunceasingly@juno.com>

BEGINNING AN ON CAMPUS PRAYER ROOM
BY PASTOR DAVID ANDRADE

A stroll around the average church campus will usually reveal a worship auditorium, classrooms, a choir room, children's playground, and church offices. Larger churches may have sports facilities, large meeting halls with stage platforms. Tucked off to the side in some churches are rooms sometimes called chapels, which are used for prayer, counseling, fellowship meetings and sometimes weddings and funerals.

It would be interesting to have a completely unchurched person visit several church campuses and then based on what they have seen, describe with a numerical 0-10 evaluation, what place prayer has in the life of the church they visited. Granted prayer can happen any time of the day for the believer and many churches that have not designated a specific part of their facility for prayer are deeply still committed to prayer.

Creating a prayer chapel or prayer room in a prominent place in the church gives visible and a tangible witness that prayer is important to it's church life. The prayer room can become a focal point for important relational concern ministry. Here are some suggestions:

1. Choose a room near or with a view overlooking the inside of the sanctuary when possible. An overlooking balcony, sound room or nursery make excellent campus locations possibilities, when they are equipped with sound proof glass. Other strategic locations may be considered. Churches working on a master building plan have a great opportunity to plan a prayer room from scratch.

2. The room should have ample room, carpeted with moveable chairs. a desk, bulletin board. an emergency phone, a writing board, notebook journals, and a procedure to receive and pray for specific requests. Other devotionals can be considered such as a prayer library, a post board of protocols, "How to Pray" ideas, and volume-controlled sound monitors from the sanctuary. A computer will also allow use of technology. e-mail, the Internet, and other forms of communication to disseminate prayer requests and information. Pastors should challenge those with technical expertise in their congregations to think creatively about the possibilities for ministry.

3. It is vitally important that the vision of prayer be projected from the pulpit as fervently as any other church vision or facets of church life. The pastor is key to communicating the vision to the congregation. Mobilizing lay people for prayer should be a regular topic of discussion from the pulpit and in other areas of influence. Pastors can help encourage those who have a heart for prayer and intercession to come forward, providing a climate in the church that makes it easy for lay prayer leaders and intercessors to emerge.

4. Make use of existing cell groups/home group networks. Infuse them with a new vision for prayer. Create studies within each group that will promote a deeper dedication to seek the Father for others as well as for personal prayer needs. Link groups together with common prayer lists and concerns, Communicate these concerns from the prayer room ministry.

5. Churches need to establish a process to identify those whom God has burdened in the area of prayer in a special way. It may be that a tool similar to a spiritual gifts inventory needs to be developed specifically for the area of prayer intercessors. Such a tool can help determine those who have prayer as a primary passion in their Christian lives.

6. Prayer ministers, especially lay prayer leaders should not be treated as second class citizens among the church leadership. Pastors must learn to look upon the ministry of prayer as just as important as any other ministry in the church. If this happens, prayer ministries should be allotted church budget dollars. There are not many churches that have a prayer ministry budget category. Some churches may even want to make prayer ministry a part of the job description of one of the staff members. Pastors may want to consider bringing intercessory prayer in as part of the regular worship services. 7. Regular training should be conducted for all who frequent the prayer room to ensure that it is a safe environment for all, especially for those who use the prayer facility after hours.

8. Hold training events and prayer retreats to encourage lay intercessors to come forward. Market these events to as wide an group as possible, appealing to any believer who feels the burden to grow in prayer.

9. Pastors must free up their lay people to associate with other believers in their city for special gatherings of prayer. Walls must come down on the lay level as well as pastoral level. This may be very threatening to pastors. But if pastors can help their lay people to focus on the common task of intercession and not on denominational differences, then they have little to fear from their members mixing with believers from different churches. It is a question of building trust and taking risks.

10. Lay people must truly be set free to lead and create. Lay prayer leaders that God raises up must be given freedom to plan creatively. Pastors cannot fall into the trap of micromanaging a prayer ministry, yet at the same time it is very important to keep the intercession on target. It is important that intercession not only be directed to The Father for a move in the church body, but also that it be kept in the minds of intercessors that Christ will do nothing apart from His established order. This is where the pastor and the intercessor must work together. Without the cooperation of both the pastor and intercessor each will be weakened in their effectiveness to perform their ministries.

11. This prayer facility should be conducive to a prayer atmosphere and free from excessive noise or distraction. Soft worship playing in the back ground adds to a prayer climate.

12. A prayer room can be used for regular daily prayer activities. For healing and personal prayer and the laying on of the hands by the elders of the church and of course for those who are seeking a special place to find God.

13. All prayer leaders should have ongoing training of procedure, protocol, and ministry responsibility. Special events are times to provide training not only to do the work of prayer, but to train people how to pray and cast vision. When possible, involve lay people in these events. Times of corporate prayer can be used to empower willing candidates out from the pews into the prayer arena. Often at the larger prayer events the assumption is made that those who come are well schooled in prayer or have an understanding of being a part of a prayer ministry, when in fact they may need training and teaching. Samples of protocol are available through RTV Ministries 626/296-7600.
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About redemptive Gifts

Sent by Becky Kennard

A.  Determining the Redemptive Gift of a city will allow you to determine immediately what the central demonic stronghold is because it will be the perversion of the city's gift.  So we don't have to determine where every pagan altar was built.  When dealing with territorial issues the issue of demons almost becomes irrelevant.

John Dawson tells this story in Healing America's Wounds:  
As I was driving through the desert with my children we spotted some vultures circling in the sky.
"What does that tell us?"  I asked.
"Something is dying out there, but its not dead yet, or they would have stopped circling and landed," said my son Paul.
"What would we do if we wanted to rescue whatever it is?"
"We wouldn't shoot the vultures, Dad," Matthew said.  "If we did that then we wouldn't know how to find whatever is out there dying."
His son had a good point---one that gives us a picture of strategy in prayer.  Out there in the desert was something that was wounded and dying---something in need of revival.  The circling presence of the vultures was like a finger in the sky pointing to the place that needed help.

B.  Demons are just markers for the presence of sin and woundedness in a community.  They are in power because of sin.  Sin, rebellion, iniquity and woundedness attract the presence of demons.  Our focus should not be on the demons but rather on the human responsibility to deal with the sin issues that attract the presence of the enemy.

C.  Reductionism---Every city is full of every sin but in the Scriptures God takes all the sins of a city and reduces them to three or four major root sins.  These sins bring the wrath of God.

This is what the LORD says:  "For three sins of Damascus,  even for four, I will not turn back my wrath"  Amos 1:3
Many cities are named in Amos Chapters 1 and 2---Gaza, Tyre, Edom, etc.  So the theory is that God separates the root sins from the fruit sins.  There is a heavy price to pay for engaging in root sins.    For example:  When speaking of gentile nations God does not identify idolatry as a root sin.  In the nation of Judah however idolatry is identified as a root sin.  When the nation of Judah worshiped the God's of other nations this sin carried more weight because it was a perversion of their gift.  

D.  When a community perverts their strength----their Redemptive Gift---and uses it for evil purposes this offends God to the utmost.  These are the root sins that empower the strongholds of the enemy and bring forth the wrath of God.  

E.  We can determine the DNA of the Redemptive Gifts and therefore understand the strongholds either by studying the lists of seven in Scripture or by using the prophetic words of the prophets toward certain nations.  The sins that are continually identified for certain nations are the root sins.  Certain nations are identified with certain gifts.  So from either angle we can come to the same conclusions about what empowers the demonic strongholds in certain cities once we determine their Redemptive Gift.

F.  Root sins are harder to overcome but intercession for these matters will permanently change the culture and release the Redemptive Gift of the city.  If you go after the three or four root sins with intercession the fruit sins will be overcome as well because you have destroyed what empowers them.  Remember---When we pervert the Redemptive Gift of God in our lives or in our cities it invokes the wrath of God because we have ceded our birthright to the enemy.  May it never be so for us as individuals or for our cities
 
So how do we deal with the strongholds in our communities?

There are four kinds of kingdom authority:
    
A.  There is the "governmental authority" of the Five Fold Ministries.
He (Christ) is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.  Ephesians 4:11-13
    
B.  There is the "positional authority" of every believer as a priest who is seated with Jesus at the Father's right hand. For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms-all because we are one with Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6  But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God's holy nation, His very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 1st Peter 2:9
    
C.  There is "imparted authority"---special giftings---that are given through others.  Timothy had a special gift imparted to him by Paul through the laying on of hands.  For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of  self-discipline. 2nd Timothy 1:6-7
    
D.  There is also "earned spiritual authority" that has been obtained by developing certain kingdom virtues over time.   People who have developed the virtues that "come in the opposite spirit" of the root sins of a city---such as humility as opposed to pride---carry a kind of authority in prayer that is central to reaching cities.  God will set up circumstances that will force intercessors to choose to yield their own safety and security through sacrificially laying down their own lives for the sake of the kingdom and God's work.  This kind of earned kingdom authority is optional but these are the people who have the authority to deal with the demonic because of their sacrificial investment and willingness to enter into "the fellowship of His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory." Romans 8:17

By way of example:  He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Ephesians 4:28  If stealing is a -50 on a line and not stealing is at 0 then doing something useful with your hands would be a +20 on the scale.  But in order to go to a +50 you would have to do something sacrificial---above and beyond what was merely necessary---to sharing with those in need.  This is an example of earned authority that "acts in the opposite spirit."  

E.  It is righteousness and virtue and holiness that will dislodge the demonic.  Many warfare teams really depend upon incantations and ritual and too much noise.  It is moving past simple obedience to self-sacrifice that earns this kind of kingdom authority.  This kind of radical commitment to holiness and sacrificial investment carries weight in the kingdom.  When you have a core group of people who walk in this kind of authority it takes very little ruckus to tear down a demonic stronghold.  

     A.  First you do the historical research necessary to help determine the city's Redemptive Gift.
    B.  Once you know the Gift you can identify the major strongholds and the root sins related to those strongholds.
    C.  Gather together a group of intercessors who have earned authority by "acting in the opposite spirit" of the major sins of your city.  Prayer needs to be focused and strategic concentrating on eliminating root sins and persevering---praying until something happens.
    D.  The next step is to identify the Catalytic people in the community and pray for them to catch the vision of God for the city.  Every city has a spiritual eldership.  These people are called by God as Gatekeepers in the community and have a higher level of anointing.  What these people do and say and pray and believe produces results that are disproportionate to the amount of effort they put in.  The intercessors should target their prayers on identifying and praying for these catalytic people.  It does not matter if these people agree on methodology about how to reach the city.  (It is not necessary that people engage in territorial warfare for example.)    It is not important for them to agree on minor points of doctrine so long as they are committed orthodoxy and to holiness especially in the specific area that undermines the demonic stronghold.   The job of the intercessors is to pray to birth the vision for city reaching in the hearts of the spiritual elders of the city.  Intercessors can change what the pastors preach by asking God himself to change their hearts and bring forth His vision for the city.  Reaching these leaders is important because they will reach the people.  This will give authority on a citywide basis to pray to tear down strongholds.  You must prevail in the heavenlies before you can prevail on earth and bring lasting change.
    E.  Then you need to target your prayers on the Catalytic Institution in the city.  They used to believe that the church was the most catalytic institution in each city but this is not true for every city.  There are five major Catalytic Institutions that God has ordained:
1. Marriage
2. Parenting
3. Civil Government
4. Religious Government
5. Business.

Redeemed and sanctified each of these structures has the power to bring forth the redemptive purposes of God in the city.  The question is,  "What is the original life giving institution in the community?"  Pray for the life of God to flow through the catalytic institution.  Ask God for specific strategies related to this.

Once you have prayed the spiritual eldership into place and prayed for the redemptive power of the catalytic institution to come forth you will begin to see profound change in the city and the release of the ability to reach many people in a profound and lasting way.

    F.  Each city is meant to be a gift to the community of cities in a region.  It is not enough just to reduce the social woundedness and save individuals.  We must also pray and work to see the full release of the Redemptive Gift of each community.  As each community's gift is released and this redemptive energy between communities goes forth heaven will open over cities and nations.  Cities have God given DNA to do something supernatural to release and empower the enormous revival that God wants to see in our day over whole regions and nations.  (Zechariah 4) Our cities are filled with treasures that were meant to bless the communities around them.  Our goal is to pray strategically with wisdom that will see the full release of God's redemptive power from heaven over whole regions.  
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10.    PRAYER STRATEGY FOR 9/11/04...
 

National Pastors' Prayer Network