What's Next?

What's next? That is a question that I have been asking myself over and over again. As I try to begin to process all that happened over the past few months, the only thing that I know for sure is that we serve an awesome God!

Trying to do what we did with the Back to Life Movement without God would be nearly impossible! I believe that He gave each and every one of the team members supernatural strength. Yes, there were many days that we were exhausted at the end of the day, but we would wake up refreshed and ready to walk the next day. Our God is a God who protects! Not only from the tornado, but from major injuries within the team. I never had any blister or foot problem. (Yes, my feet were sore at the end of the day...but that just comes with walking 12-15 miles a day.)

As for me, I don't know what is next in my life...I graduate from high school in just a few weeks and have nothing planned in the future, but I know that I serve an awesome God who has some plan in mind for me, even if I don't know all the details yet :)

As for the near future, I will be traveling to Washington, DC to pray in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. The reason? The court will be ruling on the ObamaCare Heathcare bill sometime soon and that bill, if passed, would skyrocket the number of abortions in the United States. Out of the nine justices, four are pro-life and four are pro-abortion. One, Justice Kennedy, is the sway vote. We are praying that Justice Kennedy would see the value of LIFE and make the right vote.

The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. James 5:16

Lord, we are asking that Your justice would reign supreme in our country, that rightness would be the law that governs our land, and that we would return to You.

(Used with permission.  Bound4Life/LaSandra Spears)

Book Review

The Mantle of Esther:

Discovering the Power of Intercession 

By Larry Christenson

The Mantle of Esther is a compelling look into intercession, through the biblical book of Esther.  Author Larry Christenson takes his readers through a dramatic adventure, unveiling some of the hidden secrets to the life of an intercessor and challenges us to look deep into our own prayer life. 

Going through each chapter of Esther, Christenson helps us to understand what lies behind this incredible story and reveals secrets to being an intercessor -  one who understands their place in the Kingdom and knows how to approach the King and seek Him for answers.  Esther didn’t feel confident to go before King Xerses to ask for a reversal of the death decree over her people.  Her relative Mordecai challenged her, “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place... And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)

Christenson writes, “The call to intercession presents a daunting challenge.  When the call comes, we may feel inadequate, unready.  But this is no reason to draw back.  It is in fact central to our preparation that we situate no trust in ourselves, but only in the presence, guidance and power of the Holy Spirit.”

I have sometimes wondered, when I have prayed for someone, why they don’t get healed or why my prayer wasn’t answered.  I now see that my approach at prayer could be strengthened.  In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (vs 9-13 ESV)

         Does this not give us an example of how to approach the throne-room of heaven?   It is also the same strategy that Esther used.  First, she went before the King boldly, next, she honored him repeatedly.  After the second banquet, she said, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be granted me for my wish, and my people for my request.” (Esther 7:3)  In his book, Larry Christenson states, “Before presenting petitions, the intercessor looks for a time of communion, praise, adoration; a time for intimate fellowship with the Lord.  This is a necessary prelude to presenting petitions”.

The Mantle of Esther has made me think more about how I pray.  Do I pray just to be heard?  Or, do I approach the King, first exulting, honoring and thanking Him, then presenting my request?  I think most times, I pray, “Jesus, I need this...” or, “Heavenly Father, help me do this...” How many of us are on a ‘need’ or ‘want’ prayer basis?   I want to be able to pray and have the kind of favor that can save a people from death. 

Three main take-aways:

- I know more about intercession and how to pray effectively. 

- I now understand of the story of Esther in a deeper way. 

- Each time I go to the throne room, I can’t presume my position, but want to approach with humility, honor and gratitude.  (Esther 8:3)

Order the Mantle of Esther on Amazon here