Siege II begins

SIEGE 2 technically begins this weekend with the Sunday at the Capitol worship and prayer event at 5:00pm - 6:30pm, 1700 W. Washington, downtown Phoenix. But several have been so anxious to get to it that in reality the SIEGE has already begun.

Tomorrow from 1pm - 3pm we will be joining some ASU prayer warriors at Danforth Chapel in the heart of the ASU campus, which is part of their 40 day prayer and fasting schedule (see www.LOVEASU.com for more information). Our early morning intercessory team also began today at New Promise Christian Church, NW corner of 43rd Avenue and Peoria in Glendale. They will continue Monday through Saturday from 4am - 7am throughout the next 40 days joining with other sessions throughout the day and night. There will also be Satellite Fire locations around the valley and state everyday. We join also with those that are praying in South Dakota and Washington, D.C. for the abortion issue and the next appointment of a righteous U.S. Supreme Court Justice. This is a move of God. He is leading us with power and authority, even in our weakness.

See www.AZHOP.net for more detailed information coming in the next few days.

9-11 Memorial

By her suggestion, my wife and I spontaneously went and saw the movie "World Trade Center" this evening. It is based on the true stories of survivors #18 and #19 of the 20 survivors pulled from the WTC rubble of 9-11-01. It is remarkably devoid of political innuendo and particularly impacting for its straight forward focus on the actual events. Due to her sensitivity to such a harsh reality that we expected to be depicted, it is not the type of movie my wife would normally be inclined to see.

However, after experiencing this incredibly well done memorial to the 9-11 tragedy, we knew why we were moved to see it. I had just visited the newly opened Arizona 9-11 sculpture at Wesley Bolin Plaza by the Arizona State Capitol. The contrast was startling. The Arizona thing is so far removed from being a memorial with its liberal political mish mash, obscure statements, and confusing mixed-messages, that it is an absolute embarrassment. It IS a monument to a rudderless worldview that entirely misses the point and grossly detracts from the reality of the evil committed and the innocent lives lost. Aspects of the half million dollar sculpture are technically clever, however the overall impression is as uninspiring, even ugly, as it is sadly confused. The only emotions I saw evoked at all were shrugs of frustration, disappointment and even anger at the monument itself. If it stays, which it should not, its legacy will be with the pigeons.

See the movie.

SIEGE II update

An abbreviated schedule for Arizona's SIEGE II (FaceDown40 - Siege in the Desert II) continuing intense prayer and fasting for good government, restoration and revival for our state and nation is outlined below. This coordinates with a national call for 40 days of prayer and fasting through the elections.

40 days of SIEGE II: Sunday, October 1 through Thursday, November 9.
Includes a special 21-day STRIKE: Tuesday, October 17 through Tuesday, November 7 - General Election Day.

Kick-off meeting:
Oct 1, Sunday at the Capitol, 5pm - 6:30pm, House Lawn of the State Capitol, 1700 W. Washington, downtown Phoenix, free parking at NE corner of Washington & 17th Avenue.

Central "Furnace" location:
New Promise Christian Fellowship, NE corner of 43rd Ave & Peoria, Glendale, AZ.
Prayer sessions, Oct 2 - Oct 16: Monday - Saturday, Morning, 4am - 7am and Noon, 11am - 1pm, and Thursday and Friday evenings, 7pm - 9pm. During the 21-day STRIKE, beginning at 7pm on Oct 17 through 8pm, Nov 7 there will be around-the-clock prayer everyday except on Sundays, reserved as a day of rest and for local church attendance, as well as for Sundays at the Capitol in the late afternoon.

Satellite Fire locations:
Sundays at the Capitol, 5pm - 6:30pm
Monday evenings: Avondale Christian Assembly
Tuesday mornings: West Valley pastors prayer meeting at the Vineyard offices
Tuesday evenings: Love Int'l and Phoenix First Assembly
Wednesday evenings: Skyway Church of the West Valley and other locations
Thursday mornings: "Old Senate" chamber room at the original Capitol building
Thursday evenings: New Promise Christian Fellowship
Friday evenings: New Promise Christian Fellowship
Saturday afternoons: ASU campus at Danforth Chapel (see www.LOVEASU.com for more information)

Other special intercessory events are also being planned.

See www.AZHOP.net for more information to be updated on the website in the next few days.

Impossible

God loves it when we find ourselves in impossible situations completely dependent on Him... and we respond by looking to Him! It may be that we find ourselves in a land of giants too big for our human strength to overcome. It may be that the obstacles appear too great, and they may well be... "But with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26).

"In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is IMPOSSIBLE for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast..." (Hebrews 6:17-18).

Preparations

We're in the quiet between extended "Sieges" of prayer for good government, restoration and revival for our land. Certainly the war rages on. But, war is made of a series of battles. In the lull between heated battles, whether physical or spiritual, new positions are drawn and strategies developed. Many times the Bible refers to those who inquire of the Lord -- to seek God for His will and ways at each new turn of events. We look not to our own strength or wisdom in this war, but to the incomparable wisdom and power of God. Let's join together to hear and walk in His ways (see Psalm 81:13-14). The forty days of SIEGE II is scheduled to begin next Thursday, September 28.

Marriage Celebration

A beautiful marriage occurred today between two participants of the recently completed 40-day "Siege". The marriage ceremony itself was a glorious occasion lifting up Jesus' name with hundreds of friends attending, many of whom only met and developed relationships through the shared experience of praying and worshiping together in the "Siege".

Marriage is all about a life-long covenant relationship of commitment. That is God's design. That is the blessing this couple vowed to. Our covenant marriages witness to the world. When we divorce, it has great consequences for our families, our kids, and is a poor testimony to the world. When we reflect the relationship of Christ and the Church in our marriages, we bring stability and strength to everyone we touch.

Siege I Completed!

DAY 40: "Well done, good and faithful servant." This can be said of hundreds of participants in the "FaceDown40 - Siege in the Desert". We have already received several requests and confirmations to continue. The momentum is great. We have tasted and seen the goodness of God. The enemy is scattering. Their are more giants to kill. Even in the battle - perhaps especially in the battle - we are able to experience a special closeness to God and His faithfulness. He is answering prayers in especially big ways.

The "Siege" will continue through the General Elections on November 7. Some events will continue uninterrupted at Satellite Fire locations. The final 40-days ending on Tuesday, November 7 -- "FaceDown40 - Siege in the Desert - II" will begin on Thursday, September 28. Details will come in the next week.

Thank you all for your prayers and dedication!

Victory!

DAY 39: As the 40 days of "FaceDown40 - Siege in the Desert" approaches its conclusion with less than a day remaining (completed at 7:00pm tomorrow, September 13), we have seen great victory - the wondrous works of God. The victory is on many levels, many we cannot fully appreciate nor understand, but we do know that God is radically shifting our government and preparing for a great move throughout Arizona which will effect our nation. We are seeing history-making before our eyes, and it will continue into November and onward.

This much I clearly know - that "there is no wisdom and no understanding and no counsel against the Lord. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the Lord" (Proverbs 21:30-31).

Jericho March

DAY 38: This morning at sunrise we carried out the final Jericho March (Joshua 6: 5, 15-16) 7 times around the State Capitol grounds. After meeting at the flagpole, we circled the House, Senate, and Executive Tower buildings with the banner of the Lord leading - "Our God Reigns" and "Lord of Hosts". On the last cycle we stopped under the eave of the Executive Tower building, 9 stories below the governor's offices. There we declared God's word in Daniel 2:20-22, which begins... "Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. And it is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings..."

Upon concluding the march we gave a long shofar blast and then shouted seven times, "our God reigns!" and "Lord of Hosts." Finally, we prayed God's word, particularly several passages that speak of His execution of "judgment" and "justice" and "His word" - Psalm 9:16-20; 103:19-22; 118:1,4,14-17,19-27a; 149:5-9; Romans 9:28-29; Jude 14b-25. He is establishing righteousness and justice- the foundations of His throne (Psalm 89:14; 97:2).

Solemn Assembly

DAY 37: In accordance with God's word in Joel 2:12,15-18 and 2 Chronicles 7:14... We gathered on the grounds of the State Capitol between the Senate and House of Representatives buildings facing toward the original Capitol building with the Executive Tower in the background. The flagpole with the American and Arizona flags stands just to our left. The angel "Winged Victory" sits prominently on top of the original Capitol building. We blew the shofar to commence, and then gathered in humility and repentance.

We had a time of personal repentance, and then segments of time led by different pastors and ministry leaders in intercession for our state. We repented for the Church for our own sinfulness, worldliness, division and disengagement from participation in the government. We repented for divorce, broken families and abortion. We prayed for the restoration of families and the sanctity of marriage and life. We repented for failing to vote in righteous leaders, and prayed that we would now engage in the process. We asked for humble, servant-leaders who are called in righteousness by God. We repented for our bad laws, policies and bad government, and then prayed for good laws, policies and good government.

We dedicated all of Arizona government to God.

We then prayed blessings over our state and nation. We prayed for healing of the land, unity and an end to racism. We then all took Communion together-- that joyful celebration of godly unity in remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus' atonement for our sins. The event was interlaced with worship and praise with the banner of the Lord flying -- the same banner raised yesterday over our state in Flagstaff: "Lord of Hosts" and "Our God Reigns!"

May the Lord be exalted over Arizona, and His government continually increase!

Lord of Hosts

DAY 36: It is impossible to recount in this short space the intensity and details of all that was accomplished during the 3-hour time of raising the banner of the Lord over Arizona on Mars Hill in Flagstaff today. At an elevation of 7,050 feet, with praise and declarations of God's word, a company of intercessors from Flagstaff, Prescott and around the Phoenix area joined to answer the call to... "lift up a standard on the bare hill, raise our voice... I have commanded My consecrated ones, I have even called My mighty warriors... the Lord of Hosts is mustering the army for battle" - Isaiah 13:2-4.

"How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says... "Your God reigns!"" - Isaiah 52:7.

A godly war is waged in an era of disorder and evil in order to bring peace, happiness and salvation.

The banner, with a purple background (for royalty), and trimmed around the perimeter with blue on the top (revelation), white at the standard (purity), green on the outward edge (life), and red at the base (blood of Jesus' redemption), says in gold letters (divinity) on one side, "Lord of Hosts", and on the other, "Our God Reigns!"

Dedication

DAY 35: This close to the culmination of something, you know we have been dedicated. It would be difficult to know the number of people involved in various ways during these 40 days of prayer and fasting. Some we have never met-- praying in support from their homes. There are Satellite Fire locations that have been going on weekly, each separated by the miles, but each vital to the whole. More than a dozen worship teams and dozens of musicians who represent dozens of churches around the Valley have sacrificed to participate. We have some intercessors that come into the "Furnace" nearly every night for hours into the night watch times. Some awaken to arrive by 4am every morning. Some carve out 2 - 3 hours or more everyday. Most are fasting, some on water-only for extended times.

We dedicated a banner this evening which declares, "Lord of Hosts" and "Our God Reigns". Like the dedication of this banner which will be lifted up over our state in Flagstaff tomorrow, we have been dedicated by the Lord and for Him. We have been dedicated, because He has dedicated us to Himself. We will not fall short, because it is His work in us.

Government H.O.P.

DAY 34: This morning we participated in prayer at the "Old Senate" Chamber room on the 3rd floor of the original Arizona State Capitol. While engaged in both worship and prayer, we initiated a "Government House of Prayer" on-site at that historic place, building on the prayers and vision of so many over the years. We also asked the Lord to sanctify a people, a holy priesthood, to serve Him in this place. We look forward to the full manifestation of the GHOP this coming year.

God of Hope

DAY 33: "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" - Romans 15:13.

With so much invested in prayer and fasting for good government, restoration and revival for our state and nation, we can now believe or not as we approach the conclusion of these 40 days. We choose to believe! God's many and wondrous promises, including... "if we humble ourselves and pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways" then He "will hear from heaven, will forgive our sin, and will heal our land" - 2 Chronicles 7:14.

We serve a God of hope who fills us with all joy and peace as we believe in Him.

Final Push

DAY 32: Final 7 days, final push... The 40 days of the "Siege" is coming to completion. There are a series of significant events set for the final push:

Thursday morning, 8am - 9am, Sep 7 - "Old Senate" chamber room on the 3rd floor of the original State Capitol, downtown Phoenix-- prayer and worship to initiate a governmental house of prayer on-site.

Friday evening, 7pm - 9pm, Sep 8 - at the "Furnace" 24-hour prayer room at the Dream Center - Phoenix - a final primary elections update with policy experts followed by worship and prayer.

Saturday morning, 7:30am - 2pm, Sep 9 - Intercessory trip from Phoenix up the entire length of the I-17 (praying John 17 for godly unity for the Church, establishing a highway of holiness) culminating in Flagstaff where the banner of the Lord will be raised over Arizona.

Saturday morning 9:30am - Noon, Sep 9 - GateKeepers Prophetic network also hosts a prayer and declaration conference at Desert Rose Church. Also, the Yavapai County network of pastors hosts their final "Siege" 24-hour event from 8am Saturday morning until 8am Sunday morning at Church on the Street in Prescott.

Sunday afternoon, 5pm - 7pm, Sep 10 - Solemn Assembly at the State Capitol, House Lawn, worship and pastoral leadership team will lead a Joel 2, 2 Chronicles 7:14 time of repentance for our state.

Monday morning, 6am - 8am, Sep 11 - 7th and Final Jericho March - 7 times around the State Capitol grounds concluding with trumpets, shofars and shouts.

Tuesday all day until 7pm, Sep 12 - Primary Elections Day - vote and pray at polling booths for good government.

Wednesday, 7pm, Sep 13 - "FaceDown40 - Siege in the Desert" is complete.

For more information refer to the www.AZHOP.net website.

Handwriting on the Wall

DAY 31: The famous phrase "handwriting on the wall" comes from Daniel 5 where the prophet Daniel is called in to interpret the writing done by a hand that appeared during a feast of Belshazzar the king in approximately 550 B.C. All of the king's conjurers, diviners and wise men could not read the inscription. Daniel boldly told the king that he acted arrogantly in governing (and should have known better), and the handwriting on the wall being interpreted said...

(1) "God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it." (verse 26)
(2) "You have been weighed on the scales and found deficient." (verse 27)
(3) "Your kingdom has been divided and given over." (verse 28)

"That same night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was slain." (verse 30) A new king received the kingdom (verse 31) who would eventually appoint Daniel over the entire kingdom (chapter 6).

Today, the handwriting is on the wall for those who arrogantly govern -- those that do not revere the Most High God.

Righteous Scepter

DAY 30: We do not humble ourselves in vain by praying and fasting. Many things are happening as we do so, and significantly among them is that the Lord is establishing a righteous scepter in our land -- a righteous new government authority -- as Psalm 110:2 states... "The Lord will stretch forth His strong scepter... saying, "rule in the midst of your enemies."" And, in Psalm 125:3... "for the scepter of wickedness shall not rest upon the land of the righteous; that the righteous may not put forth their hands to do wrong." God is pushing back and uprooting wickedness and establishing justice and righteousness in Arizona.

Family Day

DAY 29: We held a Family Day at the "Furnace" today with worship, prayer and intercession for the restoration of families in Arizona. Several families stationed themselves throughout the day, uniting together to "rebuild the wall" according to Nehemiah 4:9,13-14: "But we prayed to our God, and because of our enemies we set up a guard against them day and night... I stationed the people in families... and spoke to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: "Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.""

The protection of traditional marriage and family is a vital function of the Church and good government.

Church and State

Day 28: On the morning of November 1, 1910 of the Arizona Constitutional Convention after the meeting was called to order and all arose for prayer, the Rev. Seaborn Crutchfield prayed... "We pray Thee, Lord, that the members of this convention may have nothing in this world in view but the good of Thy church and the good of the State in framing this constitution, so that when each one of them goes home, the people will say: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant.""