Jesus Army: Magazine - Prophetic Word

IT IS at once a frightening and inspiring picture. The rampant war horse of Job 39:19-25 strikes terror into the enemy, laughs at fear and charges into battle at the first sound of the trumpet! Eating up the ground in frenzied excitement, it catches the scent of war from afar and eagerly responds to the shouts of the commanders as it plunges into combat.

To me, it's an image of the intercessory army of the Church, supporting the front line soldiers in the spiritual conflict and strengthening them with persistent prayer and faith. This often hidden band of prayer warriors is a central part of the ministry of overcoming the powers of darkness and extending the authority of the kingdom of God upon the earth.

At present, in the Jesus Fellowship, we are moving through a season of corporate prayer, recognising that some 'mountains' are only shifted by collective prayer and faith. While individual prayer is valuable, together we can achieve more than the sum of many particular prayers and see victories which could not otherwise have been gained.

This prayer starts with God's need - rather than man's. God has a purpose which He longs to see fulfilled on earth in partnership with His people. He unveils this desire to various prophetic and praying men and women who are serious about seeking God. As these intercessors on earth sense the burdens and longings of God's own heart, they respond with heaven directed prayers and pleadings. Then God responds and acts to accomplish these purposes. Earth joins heaven in a powerful agreement and the cycle is complete - from heaven to earth, then back to heaven and finally returning to earth again!

In this way, His "will on earth will be done," (Matthew 6:10). In practice it is never quite as simple as that, but this is real corporate power in action. It is noticeable that in the often recited 'Lord's Prayer', the words our, us, we are used nine times. God's will is never hindered in heaven, but on earth He seeks through a praying people to see this will accomplished - defying the opposition of demonic hosts and protecting the Church.

Interpreting what is moving on God's heart and knowing the mind of the Holy Spirit are essential in uncovering and defeating the unseen powers of darkness. So often these "rulers and authorities" (Ephesians 6:12) dwell undisturbed and unchallenged, operating in hidden ways, tormenting, confusing and hindering. "My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge," the impassioned prophet cries out (Hosea 4:6). It is especially in these times of collective intercession that the Church discerns the real areas of warfare, the particular spirits that are operating and can move in the "binding of the strong man" so that his "goods can be plundered" (Mark 3:27) and his plans frustrated.

The ultimate goal of this corporate intercession is attaining the position of authority and victory, in the "heavenly places" where Jesus rules. In Paul's letter to the Ephesians, he writes in Chapter 1 of the risen Christ now seated at the right hand of the Father in the heavenly places. Chapter 2 speaks of the Church's position joined with Christ in that place of victory and Chapter 6 shows us how the Church should now be operating from that place - advancing the kingdom of God and defeating the opposing forces of the enemy (Ephesians 1:20; 2:6; 6:12). As Watchman Nee says, "Our prayers lay down a track on which God's power can come. Like a mighty locomotive His power is irresistible, but it cannot reach us without the rails."

Agreement is a key to this. Where there is a united power of coming together in the powerful name of Jesus, then the kingdom of God will advance. Those who live in agreement as well as pray in agreement are overcomers in the battle. The Church can bind and loose in this spiritual agreement to see strongholds unblocked, demonic activity exposed and then removed. But we must be real about this oneness and recognise the importance of coming under the authority of God. Jesus excluded the mockers, unbelievers and cynics when He raised Jairus' daughter from the dead. He only took Peter, James and John - His close inner circle - with Him as He went into the room where the dead girl lay (Mark 5: 35-43). He could not easily move in miraculous power where there was cynicism and unbelief (Matthew 13:58).

A leader in the Jesus Army recounts the time when a group were praying for a friend who was very seriously ill and not expected to survive the night. As they prayed, uniting in belief, they realised that there was someone with them who didn't carry the same faith and he was asked to leave the room. The result was that the sick person soon recovered fully.

Such oneness in collective prayer can change the spiritual atmosphere. As E.M. Bounds put it, "Prayer is a disinfectant and a preventative. It purifies the air and destroys the contagion of evil." It is vital that we learn to pray together against the oppressive or depressive cloud where spiritual death hinders the work of the Holy Spirit.

Some years ago, I was faced with a particularly difficult situation with a group of visitors who were staying in the community house where I lived. They carried an opposing and very undermining spirit, hostile to the Spirit of Jesus. Not sure what else to do, some of us resorted to worshipping God together. The collective power of simple praise and adoration which continued for two hours dispelled the antagonistic spirit, changed the oppressive atmosphere and caused the people to leave the house the next day.

In this time of increased corporate prayer power, the Church must be alive to the burdens of the Holy Spirit and grow in genuine authority as she pushes forwards.

Let's release the war horse into battle!

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