One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind
by Joni Ames
Presidential Inauguration Day 2009. Today is a monumental day in the history of our nation. Our nation and this world will never be the same again. I'm reminded of what Astronaut Neil Armstrong said when he stepped foot on the moon, "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind."
For those of us who are old enough to remember the struggles of our African American brothers and sisters, and still have the visions in our heads of their struggles during our youth, this is a day of great restitution and reconciliation. Thank God that we have lived to see such a day! Let us keep the mandate of the scriptures and begin to do as they tell us, and pray.
Many (including myself) have had "strong feelings," or warning dreams about possible terrorism at this time. What more vulnerable or opportune time for the enemy to try to strike our nation than a day like this? Let us not "allow" it to happen "on our watch." Rather, let us be on the wall of intercession today. As we are watching the events in our nation's capital unfold on our TVs, let us "watch and pray."
We need to remember that, when the Lord gives us dreams or "feelings" of concern, He is allowing us to see through a window into the Spirit Realm what the plans of the enemy are so that we can "pray them down." Also, dreams are not usually "exact," but rather often need interpretation. Therefore, the bottom line is, by these dreams, we are seeing that the enemy would like to do "something" destructive and/or deadly. So, truly, it is time to pray!
Matt. 16:18b-19 says: (18b) "....on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (19) And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
In the day this was written, men would gather at the city gates to make their plans. Therefore this speaks of the fact that the plans of Hell can be bound and canceled by our prayers on the planning table at the gates of Hell, so that they do not come forth!
When we pray, it can halt the plans of the enemy. Therefore, if "bad stuff" does NOT happen, let's not 'hang' the ones who have had the warning dreams and/or feelings. Rather, let's thank God that the "heads up" was given so that the plans of the enemy were thwarted.
Today, our job as prophetic intercessors for our nation begins anew:
" (1) Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, (2) for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. (3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, (4) who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NKJV)
I encourage you to go to the Intercessors for America web-site, http://www.ifapray.org/, and download their prayer guides in the coming days. (http://www.ifapray.org/prayercalendars.html) They already have one for President Elect Obama and his January appointments on there. Soon, they will have the prayer bookmarks with the new list of our nation's newest leaders, as well as scriptural prayer points to utilize.
Today, let us unite in prayer, joy, and thankfulness to the Lord regarding the progress of our nation rather than dwell upon our differences. Let us remember that, as we unite in this way, God's commanded blessing will flow.
(1) How good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! (3b),,,,,For there the Lord commands the blessing." (Psalms 133:1 & 3)
PRAYER
Father, we come to you in Jesus' name, lifting up this day to you that you have made, and we rejoice in it. We thank you for the progress of this nation in being able to overcome our racial differences and see this moment occur. We ask for your protection and blessing to prevail against the plans of the enemy that may try to dampen the joys of this hour. Send forth your holy angels to protect and take care of our leaders and the many people who are gathered in our nation's capitol to witness history unfold. In thanksgiving and praise to you, we unite to pray and proclaim together as a nation, "In God we trust." Amen.
- Joni Ames
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