August 12, 2026

From Middletown to the Middle East

There is much evil in the world. That will not end until Jesus personally deals with it fully. Dictators and their regimes kill and torture people, demonized individuals kill and maim others, and power-hungry people oppress others for personal gain. Just this week, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed a law allowing babies to be killed in the womb up until full term.(1) In a heinous act of moral depravity, the entourage of 20 or so around her clapped gleefully along with hell as she signed it. They should all be made to watch several fully grown babies be butchered while writhing in pain. Maybe they would find some heart.

We will be joining together this upcoming Friday night, praying against evil in Iran. I appreciate the President’s hesitancy to unleash a full-scale war against Iran, not wanting to kill innocent people. The reality is that the wicked Islamist regime holds millions of Iranians hostage, using them as leverage while they kill “infidels” and spread their oppression. They know America does not want to destroy innocent people, so they hide among them, using them as shields, just as they’ve done in Gaza, Lebanon, and elsewhere. Those overseeing these actions epitomize evil. They’re the Hitlers of our day.

Trump took action to keep Iran from finishing their nuclear program, which would have enabled them to kill millions with the push of a button and spread their wicked ideology. With nuclear weapons, they could hold not only their own people hostage, but much of the world. This could not be allowed, so he took action.

Now they hold the world hostage, to a degree, in the Strait of Hormuz. Though their military is crushed and their economy in shambles, they don’t care as much about this as they do their evil agenda. And like dictators everywhere, they certainly don’t care about the suffering of their people, as long as they themselves have plenty to eat.

But again, I respect President Trump’s desire not to see millions of innocent Iranians killed. There seems to be no good natural solution, which is why we must pray. The conflict is spiritual at its core. The regime in Iran doesn’t even deny this. Their desire is to spread their ideology, whatever it takes. And, of course, they are led by the “principality of Persia” (Iran), mentioned in Daniel 10.

In spite of the evil, be encouraged that our all-wise God is always ahead of satan and his plans. He uses even the evil of the wicked to bring about good. I have been told by very credible sources that the underground church in Iran is exploding. At the time this wicked regime took the nation over in 1979, there were 75,000 mosques in Iran. It is now down to 25,000; 50,000 of them have closed! There were 500 known believers in all of Iran when this takeover occurred in 1979; now there are several million. Most Iranians are completely disillusioned with Islam and are seeking answers elsewhere, especially the young generation, which is the majority of the population. God has already begun the great harvest there.

I believe, as do many spiritual leaders, that the revival in Iran will multiply exponentially, and then it will become a base from which the gospel goes to the entire Middle East. I believe this will be the beginning of the great billion-soul harvest in the Middle East and around the world.

This is why we are praying this Friday night. Yes, it is to ask God for wisdom for the President, to help him deal with the overall conflict. But even more importantly, it is to see the back of the strongholds of darkness in that region broken. We know that God can do what armies cannot. And He works through prayer. The Ekklesia is rising to her calling, authority, and partnership with the Lord. As my spiritual father Jim Hodges said, “The Ekklesia is going from Middletown to the Middle East this Friday night.”

My posts for the remainder of this week will be a little shorter than normal, as I spend much time preparing my heart for this gathering. Tomorrow we will talk about the nature of the prayer that will take place. It will not be a night of shouting at principalities and powers. It will be a night of petitioning the Lord and releasing Spirit-led, biblical decrees over the region. Then on Friday, I will share a couple of encouraging dreams that members of the team have had during the last few days.

Pray with me:

Father, our hearts break over the suffering that has and continues to take place in Iran and other parts of the world. But our hearts also rejoice in what You are doing. You are ushering millions of people into Your family, transferring them from the kingdom of darkness to Your Kingdom of light. This will not be stopped; it will increase and multiply. The victory of Calvary will be felt around the world, and Your Kingdom will advance.

Give us wisdom and understanding as we plan for this Friday night. Lead us in our prayers and decrees. Mobilize many to be a part of it live, and many more later as they watch the recording. We are asking You for millions of believers around the world to agree in prayer regarding Your plans for the people of Iran and this great worldwide harvest. Change the world that night.

Please continue to give our President and his advisors great wisdom. Do not let them be late or early in any decisions they make. Do not let them be deceived by lying negotiators, or bow to inappropriate pressure from other leaders. Protect them, their families, and staff. We pray that You’ll protect all who come and go from this gathering Friday night. All of this we ask in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Our decree:

We decree that the advance of the gospel throughout the world will not be stopped.

Join us Friday night [August 14] at 7PM ET. You can find more information HERE.

Click on the link below to watch the full video.

https://youtu.be/DRTq3ScSo4o

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1. https://turnto10.com/news/local/healey-to-sign-law-to-protect-abortion-in-massachusetts-aug-10-2026

August 11, 2026

God’s Ordained Partnership

I am spending much time this week praying, fasting, and preparing for Friday night’s upcoming prayer gathering. As I do so, I’m looking back at some of what the Holy Spirit has spoken to me about it, as well as what I’m currently hearing. Today, I want to reiterate how important and powerful it is when the church prays for governments and nations.

The fruit of wrongly separating the different roles of government and the church has created many problems in America. As well as resulting in unrighteous laws and moral decay, including the killing of babies in the womb and mutilating children’s bodies, it has also subconsciously created a lack of prayer for our government leaders. For example, it is unlikely that even one out of 1000 professing Christians prays consistently for our President and his team as they navigate the situation in the Middle East. The typical American feels that the church’s only role in government is electing leaders; it is then their responsibility alone to manage the economy, legislation, wars, and other civil matters.

However, 1 Timothy 2:2 tells us just how wrong this is: if we want to live tranquil and peaceful lives, as mentioned in the verses, it will require us to pray faithfully for governmental leaders. Obviously, then, if we DON’T pray for them, this will NOT happen. Good intentions and human wisdom, even by godly individuals, are not adequate when it comes to leading a nation. This is why Solomon voiced his appropriate concern to God, “Who is able to judge Your great people?” (1 Kings 3:9). This is also why He prefaced this by asking God for wisdom and understanding when beginning his kingly rule.

Solomon’s father, the great King David, a man after God’s heart (Acts 13:22), also needed spiritual help in order to govern effectively. He sought direction from prophets and priests, and specifically relied on the tribe of Issachar’s discernment during times of war (1 Chronicles 12:1, 32, 38). David knew Israel’s wars were spiritual as well as physical, and that he needed supernatural assistance.

Leaders in government need the help of the church, and the church needs a wise, godly government. Prayer generates both. Failing to pray faithfully for our government is one of the greatest sins of the American church.

Israel’s biblical history is filled with accounts of her kings, generals, priests, and prophets working together. Whether it be Moses (government leader), Joshua (general), and Aaron (high priest); or David (king), Samuel (prophet), Nathan (prophet), Abiathar and Zadok (high priests); or Uzziah (king) and Isaiah (prophet), civil and spiritual leaders worked together in Israel and they prospered as they did so. Not understanding this and implementing it in our nation has caused immeasurable harm.

The books of Ezra, Haggai, and Zechariah all speak of the time in Israel’s history when the Temple was being rebuilt. Tremendous opposition was occurring, eliciting poor responses by Israel, which worked together to cause a 16-year delay. What finally ended the standstill was a God-ordained partnership between civil and spiritual leaders, including two prophets. It is an example of the fruit produced when civic and spiritual leadership work together, especially during a time of reformation.

The key figures used by the Lord to cause the successful rebuilding were Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah; Joshua, the high priest [obviously, not the same leader of Israel during the conquering of the promised land]; Haggai and Zechariah, who were prophets. Rather than competing, they all worked in harmony, fulfilling their God-given roles.

“Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.” (Ezra 5:2)

“And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.” (Ezra 6:14)

Zerubbabel and Joshua could not have rebuilt the Temple without the prophets, the words from the Lord. And the prophets certainly could not have rebuilt it without the civil leaders. All were needed.

Summary

Governmental authority without moral foundations and clarity can lead to deception, corruption, and failure; yet spiritual actions without the peace and order generated by righteous governmental authority also are greatly hindered. Both are critical. Lasting cultural transformation occurs, and God’s blessings are released, when those who lead in the public square and the spiritual arena work side by side in mutual honor and respect.

Pray with me: 

Father, we acknowledge the role You have given the church in influencing earth’s affairs, as well as the role of righteous government. We also acknowledge the partnership You intended between the two. As they work together, the synergy produces order and justice on the earth, allowing for peace and security.

When You taught us to pray in Matthew 6, You told us to ask for deliverance from “the evil one.” We do so, asking for deliverance from satan and his actions throughout Iran. Deliver the people of the Middle East from the principalities and powers operating there; break their diabolical hold. Remove evil leaders. Cause them to make mistakes in their planning. Expose their hiding places, dry up their finances, and create great confusion and division among them. End their reign of terror.

Give our government leaders, especially President Trump, great wisdom as they make decisions. Give our military supernatural help and brilliant strategies. Protect our troops, our military bases, the innocent people of Iran, and the nations surrounding them. Protect Israel from every plan to harm them. We declare the release of Your Kingdom authority in that region and in this war, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Our decree:

God’s power will be released in the Middle East as the church fulfills her role in intercession, releasing her Kingdom authority there.

Join us Friday night [August 14] at 7PM ET. You can find more information HERE.

Click on the link below to watch the full video.

https://youtu.be/wHCBlYlqfMs

August 10, 2026

Elijah and the Prophets of Baal

1 Kings 17–18 are two very significant chapters in Scripture. They speak of spiritual alignment, the results of spiritual compromise, the path to covenant restoration, and important insights regarding prayer.

In these chapters, Israel was experiencing a severe drought due to breaking covenant with God and worshipping Baal. However, the drought was not only a judgment for breaking their covenant with Yahweh, but also intended to expose the false god of Baal.

Under King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, Israel had abandoned God’s laws and established the national worship of this false god. Their betrayal of the Lord was extreme. God had explicitly warned them that if they turned to other gods, “The Lord’s anger will burn against you, and he will shut up the heavens so that it will not rain” (Deuteronomy 11:16-17). They were now experiencing this reaping.

Baal was a Canaanite god worshipped as the god of storms, rain, fertility, and agriculture. By withholding rain - at the decree of Elijah - God was directly challenging Baal’s reality and power: “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word” (I Kings 17:1). The ensuing drought proved that Baal had no power over nature, as was claimed; Yahweh was the true and living God.

After three years and by the time the events of chapter 18 rolled around, Israel was nearing repentance. They had been clearly shown that the physical drought was a symptom of their spiritual drought. At this point, Elijah stood in front of them and said, “‘How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!’” (verse 21 NLT). The needed rain could not return until they repented, acknowledged God, and returned to Him. Yet these Israelites were still not totally convinced; the last part of verse 21 says, “But the people were completely silent.” 

Why Mount Carmel

So Elijah staged his famous public showdown on Baal’s home turf, Mt Carmel: two altars, no fire, and prayer to each perceived deity. The god who answered by fire would be proven as the true and living God. Why this mountain? At the time, Mount Carmel was considered a sacred “high place” dedicated to Baal worship! By choosing Carmel, Elijah was giving the false prophets every advantage. If Baal could manifest power anywhere, surely it would be on “his own” holy mountain.

Also, the ridge of Mount Carmel stands roughly 1700 feet above sea level and looks directly over the vast Jezreel Valley, the homeland of Queen Jezebel! Talk about a word picture! The ridge formed a large natural amphitheater, providing maximum visibility for the large crowd of Israelites King Ahab had summoned. The entire crowd could see the altars clearly, leaving no room for trickery or excuses when the true God answered by fire.

And finally, on Mount Carmel was a second altar originally dedicated to Yahweh, which had been torn down and abandoned during Ahab’s and Jezebel’s reign. By choosing this site, Elijah intended to rebuild the broken altar of the Lord, using 12 stones to represent the 12 tribes of Israel. The symbolism and meanings are unmistakable.

Baal’s 450 prophets failed, of course, despite self-mutilation and hours of impassioned pleas and rituals.

It was Elijah’s turn. He first rebuilt the broken-down altar to the Lord (verse 31) - there’s a sermon! Then he prepared the sacrifice. But before praying, he decided to leave no doubt as to God’s power, and had individuals pour water on his offering - three times! (Verses 32-35)

Then he prayed:

“And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, ‘LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again,’” (1 Kings 18:36-37).

God answered by fire from heaven and consumed not only Elijah’s sacrifice, but the wood, stones, dust, and water! (Verse 38) The incredible miracle caused the crowd of Israelites to fall on their faces and declare, “The Lord, He is God!” (1 Kings 18:39).

Well, I guess so!

Sending the Rain

And once the spiritual idolatry was confronted, repentance occurred, and the false prophets were removed, the barrier withholding rain was gone. However, even though God had promised Elijah, “I will send rain on the earth” (1 Kings 18:1), there was one significant act required from Elijah. He climbed to the very top of Mount Carmel, bowed to the earth, and prayed to the true and living God seven times, sending his servant out after each prayer to look toward the sea. Finally, a cloud appeared, and a deluge was released.

This part of the story has always amazed me. God’s promise was not a substitute for prayer; it was the foundation for it. Elijah agreed with and stood on God’s stated purpose, then birthed it through prayer. Could there be a greater picture of Yahweh’s plan of partnering with us? We birth on earth through prayer what He determines from heaven.

Elijah prayed seven times, demonstrating his persistent faith. In Biblical symbolism, the number 7 signifies completeness and covenant. His sevenfold prayer marks the complete end of the judgment period, and the full restoration of covenant and blessing.

And just to make sure we understand that it truly was Elijah’s prayers God used to bring rain, in the New Testament, James uses his prayers as an example of effectual prayer:

“And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”(James 5:15-18)

James highlights Elijah’s humanness by using a word meaning he was “subject to the same feelings, weaknesses, and frailties” (James 5:17) as all of us (homoiopathes, in Greek).(1) Don’t deify Elijah; He was human like the rest of us. And the true and living God that used him can, and will, use us.

Pray with me:

Father, You did not give up on the human race after Adam’s fall. Nor did You give up on Israel when she rejected You and turned to false gods. You worked to bring them back into covenant with You, breaking off deception and restoring them. Thank You for Your mercy and kindness.

You are now doing the same for America and other nations. Your heart is to redeem, and we believe the greatest wave of redemptive power in history is about to flow throughout the earth. You have planned a great harvest in the Middle East, one that will bring millions into Your family. The powers of darkness there will not stop You.

We do not look toward this Friday night of prayer with pride and lightheartedness. We approach it in humility; and yet we also do so in confidence, believing in Your great mercy, love, power, and authority. The principalities and powers behind false gods are not a threat to You. You are answering our prayers for their overthrow, just as You did Elijah’s, and will continue to do so. We are expecting You to show Yourself strong around the world on that night. Break the back of evil forces blinding people to the truth of Jesus Christ and His redeeming work. Cause multitudes to see Your glory. Do so through miracles, dreams and visions, and the power of the gospel. And lead us as we prepare for this night.

And, of course, we pray for our government leaders. Please give them wisdom, accuracy, great discernment, and success. Lead them as they make decisions that shape the world.

All of this we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Our decree:

We decree that the God of Elijah is still alive and well, extending His ever-increasing Kingdom throughout the world.

Click on the link below to watch the full video.

https://youtu.be/YhAR0DrOO2o

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1. James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 3663.