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January 20, 2026

Introduction

Yesterday, I shared a post written by Jon Hamill regarding a simple but powerful plan to increase prayer for America. Today’s post is also regarding prayer, but for Israel and the Middle East, and was written by my friend, Tom Schlueter, leader of the Texas Apostolic Prayer Network (TXAPN). TXAPN is, without question, one of the most effective prayer networks in the nation, impacting not only Texas but the entire nation. Tom’s title is:

The Lynchpin

It seems the Lord has a special place in His heart for Jerusalem. 

“I was overjoyed when they said, “Let’s go up to the house of the Lord.” And now at last we stand here, inside the very gates of Jerusalem! O Jerusalem, you were built as a city of praise, where God and man mingle together. This is where all the tribes of Yahweh are required to come and worship him. This is where the thrones of kings have been established to rule in righteousness; even King David ruled from here. Pray and seek for Jerusalem’s peace, for all who love her will prosper! O Jerusalem, may there be peace for those who dwell inside your walls and prosperity in your every palace. I intercede for the sake of my family and friends who dwell there, that they may all live in peace. For the sake of your house, Yahweh our God, I will seek the welfare and prosperity of Jerusalem.” Psalms 122:1-9 TPT

In April 2019, I had my first opportunity to attend the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast. It was held in San Antonio, Texas, and was hosted by legislative sponsors Congressman Gohmert, Congressman Babin, and Congressman Wright. The event was a powerful time of prayer and policy, mixed beautifully to bring an awareness of God’s command for us to bless Israel and to pray for Jerusalem.

When we were invited to attend this year’s Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast in West Palm Beach, Florida, the Lord immediately informed me that my wife and I needed to attend, and this was confirmed by the congregation I serve here in Arlington, Texas. Upon arrival, it was made clear that we were not going to simply attend, but that we were there to release a word from the Lord. I will get to that word in a moment.

What is the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast? 

The Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast is a prayer movement initiated and chaired by Knesset Member Robert Ilatov and co-chaired by former U.S. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. Each year, the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast brings together government leaders and influential Christian leaders from all walks of society for gatherings in cities across the United States, the world, and Jerusalem.

There are few faith-based organizations that engage in both policy and prayer, but one man, Albert Veksler, global director of the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast, has met the challenge of combining these two powerful elements on a truly international scale. The Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast is approaching its 10th anniversary, having held 9 annual breakfasts in Israel and 27 outside the country.

On January 12-13 of 2026, the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast held its event at Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump’s private club and residence in Palm Beach, Florida.

The Word I was Given

The word God gave me was a single word on the first evening of the gathering. I wrote the following in a text regarding it to personal intercessors:

“We are here at Mar-a-Lago for the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast. Last evening, as Michele Bachman was speaking regarding the situation in Iran, the Lord spoke the word lynchpin to me. I knew I needed to share it, and I tried sharing it with Michele that evening, but could not get to her. The Lord kept waking me throughout the night, repeating the word lynchpin and telling me that this Prayer Breakfast gathering is a lynchpin moment regarding Iran. The Lord is pulling the pin. He told me I had to get the word out!” 

I reminded Him that it was 2:00 in the morning, but went ahead and texted what He had shared to three friends at the event! The next morning during breakfast, they confirmed the word, strongly agreeing with it. After we ate, I saw the opportunity to approach Michele Bachmann. I shared the word with her, and she strongly confirmed it. We also agreed that as this pin is pulled, it will unlock and shatter the shackles that are rooted in Iran, and traverse from there to the nations of the earth - especially here in the United States. In agreement, we declared together: “Pull the pin! Free Iran into its destiny!”

A lynchpin is a locking pin inserted crosswise (as through the end of an axle or shaft). It can also serve to hold together parts or elements that exist or function as a unit.(1)

Dismantling the Prince of Persia

For millennia, demonic strongholds have held millions spiritually captive in the Middle East region, causing untold violence and death there and throughout the world. One of the principalities leading this was identified by Holy Spirit in Daniel 10:13 as “the prince of Persia.” Persia is today’s Iran.

This is not to disparage the people of Iran, the Persian people. It is identifying the spiritual powers of darkness operating there, just as they attempt to do throughout the world. God loves the people of Iran, while hating the evil controlling and oppressing them. Lately, Holy Spirit has been emphasizing prayer to break the hold of this and other spirits’ control in that region. A great spiritual harvest will be the result.

Now that this pin has been pulled, the demonic structures that are holding together the root systems of tyranny in Iran will be dismantled. Certainly, we must continue to pray and decree that this dismantling and disengaging takes place, not only in Iran, but in all its operations across our nation and the other nations of the earth. But the dismantling has begun!

As a confirming word, during a regional prayer gathering being held at our congregation, KingdomGate, the Thursday before the breakfast, we sang the song Build My Life. The song states that God’s love is an unshakable firm foundation upon which we can build our lives. 

As the song continued, the Lord gave me a word and decree: “And the Lord says you indeed will not be shaken. But I am shaking the earth. Those things that have held it captive, the shackles of chains that have held people and places far from their destiny, I am now shaking those things. Even as I shook loose the shackles of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:26), so I will now shake loose the shackles over this nation and the nations of the earth. Know today that I am releasing My power, My ‘earthquake-word,’ over those shackles and they will be shattered.” 

Pray with me:

Father, we come before You as Your sons and daughters through Jesus Christ, and joyfully fulfill Your command to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. We pray that the city will prosper. We ask that You pour out Your glory upon them, upon all of Israel, and the entire Middle East. We pray for the Iranian/Persian people to come alive spiritually, and into their God-given destiny. We are decreeing that the lynchpin has been pulled, and the demonic structure of the ancient Prince of Persia is being dismantled and pulled down in the mighty name of Jesus.

And Lord, we continue to lift up America in our prayers, knowing it is perhaps the greatest influencer of worldwide affairs. Please give President Trump and his team great wisdom and insight as they interact with the nations. Cause their decisions to be sound and righteous. And we ask for the same as they work to reform America. Keep them reminded that as they do, they are to do so as representing You.

And we ask that the outpouring of Your Spirit here and around the world would intensify. We believe this is happening, but we will continue to ask daily, as we are instructed in Your Word. Multiply this outpouring, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Our decree: 

We declare that the demonic structure over Iran is being demolished and the shackles are being removed.

Today’s post was contributed by Tom Schlueter, director of TXAPN. You can find out more about Tom, including his books, at TomSchlueter.com.

Click on the link below to watch the full video.

  1. “Lynchpin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/lynchpin. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.

 
 

January 19, 2026

Introduction

God has certainly been speaking to leaders in the church about increasing prayer for America and the nations. In today’s post, my friend, John Hamill shares a powerful strategy from Holy Spirit regarding this. And it involves, of all things, Big Ben; yes, the famous British clock! His title is:

America’s “Big Ben” Moment

Our nation stands at a historic crossroads. Here in Washington, D.C., my wife Jolene and I sense prophetically that in 2026, our nation is choosing which “spirit of America” will ultimately direct our future. Which spiritual influence will prevail? This is a vital question to answer, because only through the Spirit of the Lord will our liberties be preserved (2 Corinthians 3:17). 

Many of our fellow Americans have embraced a steady decline into socialism, totalitarianism, and idolatry. However, millions are also praying and turning to the Lord. Recently the Lord showed us a strategy to add to this praying army and direct America’s course towards freedom. The sheer simplicity took us by surprise. 

We were visiting with our longtime friends Tom and Lynnie Harlow when Lynnie suddenly asked us to pray about something. “I saw a vision of Big Ben,” Lynnie recounted. “And I heard the phrase ‘Big Ben Minute.’ The Lord was saying we are now in a ‘Big Ben moment’ for America. We are at a tipping point, where we can go one way or another.” 

Lynnie and Tom went on to share that during World War II, a minute of nightly prayer helped shift the course of the war. We had never heard this story before. 

The Big Ben Minute

The backstory of the Big Ben Minute is amazing. During World War II, nightly blitzkriegs brought London to her knees. Each night at 9pm, British society would come to a standstill at the sound of Big Ben’s chimes—to pray for at least one minute for their land. Millions of people would intercede for the protection of their besieged nation, for their leaders, soldiers and loved ones, and for the defeat of the horrific Nazi regime. 

Winston Churchill soon endorsed the effort, and the chimes of “Big Ben minute” were broadcast nationally by the BBC—night after night, beginning precisely at 9pm. 

Against all odds, Britain persevered—and gained a victory that preserved not only their freedom, but western civilization itself. Many credited this nationwide moment of prayer with turning the tide of the war. Under interrogation, one German intelligence officer even confessed:

“During the war, you had a secret weapon for which we could find no counter-measure, and which we did not understand. But it was very powerful. It was associated with the striking of Big Ben each evening. I believe you called it ‘the Silent Minute.’”

“They saw the tide turn,” Lynnie explained. “Now America needs to see the tide turn. And Jon and Jolene, I believe God wants you to help birth this movement.”

A movement—to pray one minute for America? I thought. How’s that going to turn a nation? How’s that going to protect anything?

Especially if you’re a seasoned watchman, your response might be a lot like mine. But history has proven there is great power in a groundswell of simple, consistent intercession. Even if it’s only for a minute. 

And whether you’re a veteran warrior or totally new to prayer, everyone can take a minute out of their evening to simply pray for America.

America’s Big Ben Moment

Here are a few facts. Though we have gained much ground in turning America around there is still great adversity. Divisive midterm elections are just ahead, which could unravel many of the godly gains we have achieved. Antisemitism continues to surge. AI continues to replace jobs. Economic downturns from the Biden/Covid era continue to paralyze many Americans.

Trusted prophetic voices continue to warn that this freedom movement called America is not yet out of the woods. Factor in the prospect of war with Iran, or even a covert cyber war with Russia or China, and it’s easy to understand why God’s call for a Big Ben Minute is actually His kindness in action. 

We must gain a Spirit-empowered, biblically accurate understanding of the times, as our newest book conveys, “End Times in Real Time!"

With this in mind, let me share with you a remarkable experience recounted in our new book. My wife Jolene had a prophetic experience on the summit of Tel Megiddo, otherwise known as Armageddon. 

The date was December 9, 2022. Jolene was seeking the Lord in prayer when she saw a vision of a grandfather clock hovering over the Armageddon Valley below. In her vision, the hands of the clock were set at ten minutes to midnight. She instantly “knew” that a “midnight hour” was coming to both Israel and America. 

Ten minutes to midnight. Maybe it’s not a coincidence that exactly ten months later, almost to the day, on October 7, Israel was thrust into a desperate midnight hour with the heinous attack by Hamas.

Perhaps it’s not a coincidence that the Lord recently used the imagery of BIG BEN—essentially a giant grandfather clock—to speak to Jolene and me once again. This time to call us and many in our nation, to a nightly minute of prayer. A Big Ben Minute for America.

The good news is that a midnight hour can become our finest hour. A special ops commander named Gideon discovered this fact when his army lit their lamps, blew their trumpets, and scattered the armies that had penetrated their borders (Judges 6-8).

As recorded in Matthew 25, Jesus compared the midnight hour to the time of His return. “But at midnight, there was a cry: ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps…” 

In more recent times, like last year, an extraordinary military operation called “The Midnight Hammer” took out Iran’s existential threat to both Israel and America. 

And on the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, let’s not forget the midnight cry from Paul Revere’s midnight ride which awakened an army to engage in the American Revolution, forever securing America’s freedom. Due to their quick response, these soldiers soon became known as “Minutemen,” a rapid-deployment force that turned the tide of war. 

I hope you catch God’s irony, because He is now raising up “Minutemen” once again! A million men and women who will take just a minute of their evenings to pray.

A minute to win it! Please set your alarms for 9:00 PM nightly. Pray. And let’s engage together in a “minuteman movement” to turn the tide of America once again.

Pray with me:

Father, without a doubt it was prayer that empowered the Allied forces to save the world from Hitler’s evil regime. The Jewish people were praying, England and other European nations were praying, millions of Americans were praying, soldiers were praying, and prayer groups like Rees Howells’ students in Wales prayed fervently for Your help. You gave supernatural aid and saved us from that great evil.

Thank You for reminding us of the Big Ben prayer movement. Such a simple yet powerful plan. Move upon the hearts of many believers in America to give You a minute every evening to ask for Your complete turnaround of America. We are confident You have said America will be saved. But we are also aware that You will do so through the prayers and obedience of Your people. We will continue to do our part!

Cause this “midnight hour” in the spirit to be America’s finest hour. Paul and Silas prayed and worshiped at midnight and revival came to that city (Acts 16). A midnight ride years ago was a part of securing America’s freedom, and today’s midnight cry will be effective, as well. Breathe on this movement and use it mightily, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Our decree:

We decree that this midnight hour will be America’s finest hour.

Click on the link below to watch the full video.

Today’s post was contributed by my friend Jon Hamill. You can find out more about Lamplighter Ministries and the book he mentioned above at JonandJolene.us.

 
 

January 16, 2026

When Leaders Seek God

In yesterday’s post, I emphasized that God’s wisdom and revelation (Ephesians 1:17) are not just for leaders in the church, but for all believers. These special gifts from God are particularly important for government leaders. We looked at several biblical examples of this, including the tribe of Issachar, King David, King Solomon, and Daniel, who worked for a king. None of these leaders were rabbis or priests, but rather government officials and soldiers. 

I want to continue the teaching today, using Jeremiah 33:3. Several years ago the Lord gave me two dreams in one night, both of which emphasized this verse in Jeremiah: “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” (KJV)

The following day, I did what I typically do when studying a verse: I pulled out my lexicons and several translations of Scripture. One of the first translations I read the verse from was the Amplified Classic. It reads: “Call to Me, and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand).”

The phrase “fenced in and hidden” intrigued me. “Mighty” is the King James word that caused the Amplified translators to add this additional phrase. My first thought was: Well, which is it; “mighty?” Or “fenced in and hidden?” To the lexicons I went. 

The Hebrew word is batsar,(1) and it is a very fascinating word. Follow closely: the root concept is “to cut off,” including the aspect of separating or isolating something. It was often used in the context of doing so in order to protect it. This is why it was used by the Amplified translators to describe something “fenced in and hidden,” such as a garden or vineyard; batsar was even used to describe gold, which is “cut off” from view and “hidden” by the ground. The word also took on the meaning of a city that was cut off, inaccessible, and therefore “fortified,” like the fortresses of Masada or Petra. The concept of “mighty” in this word, therefore, is not referring to physical strength or military power, but to something hidden or inaccessible, and thus, protected. This is where the nuance of “mighty” comes from. 

The Amplified got it right in their use of the words fenced in and hidden to translate batsar. And in Jeremiah 33:3, that which was hidden and protected was information. The verse states that God will reveal information or a revelation that He has hidden, not yet made known. He will “unhide” it. This can also be seen in the fact that a different form of the word, betser,(2) is used to describe gold that was once hidden but has now been uncovered and “mined.” 

As I have pondered this verse again over the last few weeks, Holy Spirit has impressed upon me that 2026 is a year in which He wants to reveal His hidden strategies for the next season. We are entering one of the most significant global shifts in all of history. Much change will occur - MUCH! And we will have to change with it. The way we think will have to change somewhat, tactics will change, and assignments will change for many in God’s Kingdom.

The blessing promised in Jeremiah 33:3 will occur, to assist those who follow God. Holy Spirit wants to reveal the understanding and strategies needed for this hour, including that needed by government leaders. Holy Spirit wants to release the spirit of wisdom and revelation to us (Ephesians 1:17). He will uncover truth, information, insight, and strategies for us. “Uncover” is actually the literal meaning of the biblical word for revelation. Let Holy Spirit help you mine the gold of His hidden plans. 

After winning the War of Independence, America’s Founding Fathers were struggling greatly when attempting to write the US Constitution. There had never been a republic similar to that which they were attempting to form. There was no pattern. Also, there was much disagreement on the manner in which our government should be set up and function. States’ rights versus federal power, how smaller states would have fair and equitable voices alongside the larger ones, the roles of Senators and Representatives - these issues and so much more were being argued by the State Delegates to the Constitutional Convention. 

Realizing they were at an impasse, Benjamin Franklin stood and said:  

“The small progress we have made after 4 or 5 weeks close attendance & continual reasonings with each other -- our different sentiments on almost every question, several of the last producing as many noes as ayes, is, methinks, a melancholy proof of the imperfection of the Human Understanding. We indeed seem to feel our own want of political wisdom, since we have been running about in search of it…

“In the situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings? In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the Divine Protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a Superintending providence in our favor. To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance?

“I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth -- that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings that ‘except the Lord build the House they labor in vain that build it.’ I firmly believe this, and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall be become a reproach and a byword down to future ages…

“I therefore beg leave to move -- that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the Clergy of this City be requested to officiate in that service.”(3)

Franklin’s motion was seconded and approved, and pastors began opening Congress’s sessions with prayer every morning, asking God to give these delegates wisdom and understanding. The result? Jeremiah 33:3 insight was given, the gold of governmental wisdom was mined, and the greatest nation to ever exist was born. 

The same favor and wisdom of God can be supplied today when government officials seek God for wisdom and revelation. 

Pray with me:

Father, there is no problem we could have, no situation we could face, for which the solution couldn’t be found in Your Word or from Holy Spirit. None! Give us the hunger and tenacity to dig for the treasure, for You have said that if we call upon You, You would answer and show us the hidden pearls of revelation we need. 

We pray especially today for our leaders in government. We ask that You give them wisdom and revelation to lead with YOUR understanding and enlightenment. Impart supernatural strategies to overcome challenging problems, to lead and heal our nation, and to insure that evil leaders do not take over the world. 

Please give solutions to the anarchy and fraud in Minnesota and elsewhere, to dealing with the millions of illegal immigrants in America, and addressing the corrupt leaders in other nations. We need Your help, desperately, and call to You as Jeremiah 33:3 instructs us. We do so in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Our decree:

We declare that as we call upon the Lord, He will answer us, revealing great and mighty things we did not know.


Click on the link below to watch the full video.

  1. James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 1219.

  2. Ibid., ref. no. 1220, 1221.

  3. Benjamin Franklin. June 28, 1787. James Madison, Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 (1787; reprinted NY: W.W. Norton and Co., 1987), pp. 209-210. David Barton, The Myth of Separation (Aledo, TX: WallBuilder Press, 1991), pp. 108-109. Gallard Hunt and James B. Scott, Ed., The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787, Which Framed the Constitution of the United States of America, reported by James Madison (New York: Oxford University Press, 1920), pp. 181-182. Tim LaHaye, Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Brentwood, TN: Wolgemuth & Hyatt, Publishers, Inc., 1987), pp. 122-124. George Bancroft, Bancroft’s History of the Constitution of the United States Vols I-X (Boston: Charles C. Little & James Brown, 1838), Vol. II. Stephen Abbott Northrop, D.D., A Cloud of Witnesses (Portland, Oregon: American Heritage Ministries, 19887), pp. 159-160.

 
 
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