Thanks to Him

For this Thanksgiving week I offer Psalm 100... "Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations."

Religion and Our Founding

We have so much in which to be thankful. It began at the beginning of our nation. The Library of Congress archives the history of our nation -- a founding upon God and a dependence upon Him. Even a brief review of "Religion and the Foundation of the American Republic" affirms our heritage in God. We are eternally grateful. Today, even in our humble state, we continue to acknowledge God over our state and nation.

Prisoners of Hope

Zechariah 9:12 says, "Return to the stronghold, O prisoners of the hope; this very day I am declaring that I will restore double to you." As some like to phrase it: "We have been ruined." We know we have nowhere else to turn, but God. Thank God! We are prisoners of the hope that He has given us in His word and in prayer. What a great promise that He will restore double to us! And what is our stronghold but the place of prayer and seeking Him. We are all the more galvanized to meet together -- to be a part of God building His house of prayer for good government in Arizona.

Mayflower Compact

On this day 486 years ago, November 11, 1620, the Mayflower Compact was signed at Cape Cod. I love this historic document's opening words... "In the name of God, Amen."

A small team gathered at the front of the Sandra Day O'Connor federal courthouse in downtown Phoenix, even as teams of intercessors simultaneously gathered at all the other federal courthouses associated with the 9th Circuit Court located in San Francisco. We joined with teams in front of the federal courthouses in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. We declared righteousness and justice in the courts. We repented for our failures, unrighteousness and ungodly ways. We prayed for a return to biblical values and the foundation of the Ten Commandments and God's law. We reaffirmed the Mayflower Compact, the document that "established the first basis in the new world for written laws," particularly...

"for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith... solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid..."

Wondering and Waiting

SIEGE 2, DAY 40, FINAL DAY: The second of two 40-day prayer and fasting seasons further cemented deep friendships and provided an unforgettable experience of nearness with God... times of plowing together, worship, revelation, fervency and great joy. After all of this, we are surprised not to have yet seen a great breakthrough or to have received clear direction, but so it is. So we continue to wait upon Him, knowing that He is faithful in all His ways.

mTop Prayer

SIEGE 2, DAY 38 - ELECTION DAY: This is the final day of the 21-day STRIKE concluding at 7:00pm when the polls close this Election Day! We have 2 more days after today to complete the full 40-day SIEGE 2 that corresponds with the national 40-day prayer and fasting call for the elections. This morning before sunrise, a small company of no-names climbed North Mountain to oversee the Valley and pray for good government. As the sun broke the eastern horizon at 6:53pm, we broke out with the sounding of the shofar and shouts of joy. Isaiah 40:9 says, "Get yourself up on a high mountain, bearer of good news, lift up your voice mightily, lift it up, do not fear. Say to the cities, "Here is your God!"" Isaiah 42:11-13 says, "Let them shout for joy from the tops of the mountains. Let them give glory to the Lord. The Lord will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies." We employed a powerful campaign strategy this morning.

Silence II

SIEGE 2, DAY 37, COUNTDOWN- 1 DAY TO ELECTION DAY: For the last several months, almost on a daily basis, I have been reporting various points that seem to stand out in significance in this assignment toward good government. I have generally tried to keep it to one message that stood out to me each day. Many days I could have chosen a dozen different topics. Some days the one thing was very clear. On the eve of Election Day I could choose many things, but one thing does stand out: SILENCE! This is not the silence of checking out or going to sleep, but the silence of closing our mouths and looking intently to our God.

In 1447 B.C., Moses led his people out of the bondage of a tyrannical government. Then, backed up against the Red Sea in Exodus 14:13-14... "Moses said to the people, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent."" This silence was to no longer complain, but to believe and trust God, for what He begins He will finish. You know the rest of the story. He can even part the Red Sea. In a day He can destroy a multitude of enemies. So, during prayer this evening we called for a time of silence. Let's wait and see what the Lord will do this day!

Repentance and Prayer

SIEGE 2, DAY 36, COUNTDOWN - 2 DAYS TO ELECTION DAY: 300-500 people from probably 100 different churches brought their lawn chairs, Bibles, and best of all, their hearts to the Arizona State Capitol House Lawn today. With worship and prayer we called out to our loving and Almighty God for mercy. We humbled ourselves in personal and corporate repentance. We called out to be salt and light, especially to engage and vote. We prayed for the preservation of marriage - a "Yes" vote for Proposition 107 - the Protect Marriage Arizona amendment. We prayed for truth in the media, and for God to raise up a "new" media in Arizona. We prayed for the exposure of political corruption and for godly government leaders in these elections. We repented for abortion, and declared that we would choose LIFE in Arizona, and for the crucial "Referred Law 6" to pass in South Dakota, where abortion will be banned except for the life of the mother if it passes this Tuesday. We prayed for our nation and for God to bring righteous leaders throughout our land. We prayed for the fear of the Lord to come, even here first. Then we worshiped, praised and gave thanksgiving for all that He is doing.

Tomorrow we are declaring MONDAY MEDIA DAY. At Noon we are gathering at the State Capitol, then dividing into two companies of intercessors to travel and pray on-site at the top ten media headquarters in the Valley - newspapers, radio and TV stations. Let's pray together for a breakthrough in all Arizona media to reflect truth, honesty and fairness in these elections and onward.

Arizona Unite!

SIEGE 2, DAY 35, COUNTDOWN- 3 DAYS TO ELECTION DAY: Tomorrow (Sunday, November 5) on the House Lawn at the State Capitol there will be a gathering for prayer to call out to God for good government in these elections. Pastors and ministry leaders from many denominations will join together as one in worship, thanksgiving, repentance, petition, declaration and praise.

2 Chronicles 7:14 - "If my people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

Please join us if you can! [The State Capitol is located at 1700 W. Washington in downtown Phoenix, and free parking is available directly across the street on the NE corner of Washington and 17th Avenue.]

Such a Time as This

SIEGE 2, DAY 34, COUNTDOWN- 4 DAYS TO ELECTION DAY: You know the story of Queen Esther. She was positioned by God to save her people. Esther's relative Mordecai, upon hearing of plans to wipe out the Jews, sent word to Esther... "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?" Esther then arose in a call for intercession... "Go, assemble...fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way." Through the intentional weakness of fasting everything changed. Esther was granted favor and an audience with the king, though it was not lawful at that time. The plans of the evil Haman were used against him. The people of God were saved.

As part of the final week of the STRIKE, a small company of intercessors just completed the same "Esther" fast. God is changing the governmental atmosphere in Arizona.

Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment

SIEGE 2, DAY 33, COUNTDOWN- 5 DAYS TO ELECTION DAY: "Mercy triumphs over judgment" (James 2:13). Four words that change everything. God has given His Son to die for us, that He may extend His mercy when a judgment of death would otherwise be warranted. The blood of Jesus can cover the blood on our hands when we appeal to God's mercy and accept His grace - unmerited favor - for our sins. "Mercy triumphs over judgment." Love conquers all. God is demonstrating His deep love for Arizona-- the people and the land. He is bringing His good government-- His Kingdom is coming.

Let Not

SIEGE 2, DAY 32, COUNTDOWN- 6 DAYS TO ELECTION DAY: 2 Chronicles 14:11... "Then Asa called to the Lord his God, and said, "Lord, there is no one besides You to help in this battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; let not man prevail against You." So the Lord routed Asa's enemies. We are in the same place. Weak and facing a multitude; calling out to the Lord. The Lord will rout our enemies. We can see the victory. Blessed be the name of the Lord.