“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty. ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty.”  Haggai 2:6-9

Saying our country and world are being shaken is an understatement—it’s like nothing I’ve seen in my lifetime. As I observe the evolving (or devolving) political, economic, social and spiritual environment, there’s a marked contrast between solutions secular/political leaders are suggesting and legislating and those being offered by seasoned spiritual leaders. The priority “prophetic answer” I’m hearing across the board from spiritual leaders from diverse theological and denominational backgrounds—Billy Graham, the late Chuck Colson, David Barton, Cindy Jacobs, Lou Engel, Chuck Pierce, Dutch Sheets, Daniel Henderson, John Piper, Dr. Paul Cedar, Phil Miglioratti, Jarvis Ward, John Robb, Fawn Parish, Lynn Heatley, Dr. Steve Pope, Tim Logerquist, Jonathan Ngai, among others–is PRAYER: humble, unified, corporate, repentant, compassionate Christ-centered, Bible-based PRAYER! Supplication, Intercession—travailing, prevailing PRAYER! “If My people….”

If Jesus were not our anchor, our Solid Rock, it would be easy to be motivated by anxiety, fear, unbelief and cynicism.  “On Christ the  Solid Rock I Stand, All other ground is sinking sand!” I believe we’re at a significant watershed moment in both the world and the church. The current escalating circumstances are presenting the Body of Christ with an awesome opportunity to not just DO church but to BE the church in a way that more powerfully and effectively represents Jesus to those around us and demonstrate the contrast between the kingdoms of the world and the Kingdom of God. Haggai says that God’s purpose for God shaking the nations is so that the “Desired of all nations might be revealed.” We are His Body and He desires to reveal Himself to and through us like never before. Our testimony of love & light is enhanced by the increasing darkness and chaos around us.

When I stepped back into full-time ministry 2 years ago, I knew I needed God’s revelation, approval, and guidance. I wanted Him to open doors, to create opportunities and so, and I say this with all humility, I spent hours, even days in the word and prayer.  Then God, true to His Word, began to reveal Himself, open doors and create opportunities. I continue to involve myself in prayer gatherings, movements, initiatives and opportunities—a few of which I’ll report on below. Yet, I want to be the first to admit that I still have too much of a “populist” revelation of Jesus and, like much of the church today, I still function way below the level of truth and anointing that Jesus intends for me & us all.

Sadly, the stats on the prayer habits of pastors & parishioners is not encouraging. BUT, on a more “positive” note, there is a growing prayer movement—city/regional/state prayer groups, houses of prayer, prayer walking, prayer groups in gov’t, business & schools, etc., which hold out hope of better things to come.  I think I mentioned in an earlier letter a Family Lawyer in Ventura who has a full-time “paid” intercessor on her staff. I believe this could become a positive trend in the prayer movement and church in days to come. Prayer is the bedrock of the Church!

Following are some prayer initiatives I’ve helped to initiate and participate in the past few weeks ……….

Sutter’s Mill

Prayer Walking Santa Paula: Last year we met Adelita Garza. She’s the dynamic, visionary Pastor of Puente de Vida (Bridge of Life) Hispanic Assembly of God Church in SP. Over several months we met to pray for her church and Santa Paul a city of 29k with 33 churches. Santa Paula, originally a small Chumash Village, has a sad history of racism and segregation leading to much hurt and division, even in the Body of Christ. Over time Adelita and PdV received a burden to prayer-walk their city and invited all the churches to join them. In February we gatherer for the first event—we caravanned around the perimeter of the city stopping to pray at several strategic sites—this to launch a 9 month journey the THIRD Tuesday of each month to prayer-walk the whole city. 3 other churches joined this initial effort. By the time of the first prayer-walk the following week, 9 churches that had signed on. Next Tuesday we’ll be our 4th month as we cover sector #4 of SP. Excitement, vision and unity are growing with each month. Pastors/Intercessors from other cities are also joining each month.

Simi Valley City-Church Prayer Awakening: Last Sunday evening we launched a monthly city-wide Prayer Awakening in Simi Valley—meeting the FIRST Sunday of each month. This vision and initiative grew out of the Simi Valley Praying Pastors and is a continuation and acceleration of the quarterly Concerts of Prayer we had several years ago. Our initial meeting was well attended and a spirit of faith and unity was enhanced as we focused on Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer from John 17.

In the scripture I began with, Haggai also mentions the silver & gold. Last month several of my colleagues sent out a fund-raising letter on my behalf. I’m deeply grateful for their advocacy and all the affirming things they shared. This is something I find personally difficult to do. I haven’t had a flood of responses but am deeply grateful for those who have—every gift helps! I’m still facing a shortfall in my budget so please continue to keep me in your prayers. I believe God and trust he will use this to draw me closer to himself and give me clearer vision and strategy for the ministry He has called me to. I’m humbled and deeply grateful for your love, prayer and support!

Yours, For the GLORY of the Latter House,

• IRC North America
• PO Box 941749
• Simi Valley, CA 93094-1749
• Designation: North America