Awakening From Captivity “As an overcomer of exploitation and addiction, but more importantly, as a child of God who is no longer entangled in the web of the sex industry, chapter 52 of the book of Isaiah has come alive for me. “The opening verses should startle us to attention: ‘Awake, awake, clothe yourself in your strength, O Zion; Clothe yourself in your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; For the uncircumcised and the unclean will no longer come into you. Shake yourself from the dust, rise up, O captive Jerusalem; Loose yourself from the chains around your neck, O captive daughter of Zion.’ (Isaiah 52:1-2; NASB) “In other words, wake yourself up with the Word of God and know who you are as a set-free child of God. Declare the living Word out loud. We are not meant to be slaves to the entanglements that seek to seduce, sedate, and then silence us. Rise up, embrace Jesus, and allow Him to embrace you. Shake yourself from the dust. Come out of captivity. Be free to take the yoke of the Lord God of Israel, for He says to you: ‘My yoke is easy and My burden is light.’ (Matthew 11:30.) “In this awakening, we better recognize what tries to hold us captive. We are decreeing the Word of God out loud, and that causes not only change in our own lives, but also in the lives of others.” (Danielle Freitag, Action 169)1 “So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” (John 8:36; NLT) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer (by Danielle Freitag): Decree freedom, for whom the Son sets free is free indeed. (See John 8:36.) Pray in this new decade of breakthrough that the body of Christ receive a deeper revelation of the spoken Word. For it was by and through the Word of God that God spoke the entire creation into existence. Decree that many treasures, sons and daughters, would break free from the grips of oppression, whether it be from the commercial sex industry or from the delusion that accompanies drug use and the viewing of pornography. A prayer you can pray (by Danielle Freitag): Father, thank You that You’ve made a way for us to be free. Thank You that in Christ, the old has gone and the new has come! Thank you that Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light. Too many do not know Your yoke, they do not know freedom that is holy, which ushers in good, right, and moral living. Father, by Your Spirit and because of Your great love, would You cause those who are caught up in entanglements that seduce, sedate, and silence to come free, to wake up, and not partner with what is vile? “O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live!” Breath of God, breathe life to awaken us that we would shake ourselves from the dust, and loose ourselves from the chains that seek to keep us captive. Breathe life into us that we would no longer turn to counterfeits of Your love. Father, release revelation of intimacy that is holy within the Bride, so that we clothe ourselves in beautiful garments of righteousness in Jesus’ precious name. Amen. Today’s decree: Our sons and daughters will live free of sexual exploitation! 1 – 2020 | By Danielle Freitag, LADC, Author of The Garden Keys, Action169 Executive Director

Asherah Exposed “One of the most prominent idols that Israel worshipped was Asherah. The first mention of the Asherah pole is in Exodus 34:13 (NIV): ‘Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and cut down their Asherah poles.’ The term Asherah can refer to either the deity or the objects that represent her worship, which were wooden poles or cut pillars that stood at places of worship. “Asherah groves are mentioned over forty times in scripture and scholars believe that certain types of trees, like poles, were set up as altars. Trees were carved into forms of the female body and were a gathering place for orgies and dancing. In aspects of both Baal and Asherah worship there was a quest for power and a display of perverse sex. Consider what was done for the idols: immoral and perverted sex was the main focus of the false gods, and the act of prostitution was their worship. Sex with temple prostitutes or orgies was an act of inspiring the gods. “Not all in Israel gave in to the worship of Asherah. Elijah challenged both the prophets of Baal and Asherah in 1 Kings 18. Josiah destroyed the items that were set apart for the worship of Asherah (see 2 Chronicles 34:3-4). Gideon became the first to fight against the infestation of Asherah poles (see Judges 6:25-27).” (Danielle Freitag, Action 169)1 “In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his ancestor David. In his twelfth year he began ridding Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, Asherah poles, idols, and images. He ordered the altars of the Baals to be torn down, and broke the incense altars that were above them. He smashed the Asherah poles, idols, and images, crushed them, and sprinkled the dust over the tombs of those who had sacrificed to them.” (2 Chronicles 34:3-4; NET) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Decree that the current Asherah alters in our culture be uprooted. Asherah worship is deeply connected to the strip club industry, which is fueled by demand. In Deuteronomy 16:21 the Lord says, “You shall not plant for yourself an Asherah of any kind of tree beside the altar of the Lord your God, which you shall make for yourself.” Pray that an army of reformers like Elijah, Josiah, and Gideon would rise up to act justly and pray with the wisdom of the Word. Decree that the body of Christ would do right; seek justice, defend the oppressed, take up the cause of the fatherless; and plead the case of the widow. (See Isaiah 1:17.) A prayer you can pray: Lord, Asherah and all of its filth and objects of worship are a part of the demonic hoard of Your ancient foe. Satan has set this principality up to corrupt the beauty of married sex between a husband and a wife. The worship of this false diety is as snakelike as the way You left the serpent in the garden. Strip clubs, nudity, drunken debauchery, and pornographic images are all a part of the worship of this diety. Men and women both succumb to its temptations, albeit women are used by men often in these practices. We pray for all those captured there. Set them free! Father, where is the repentance of the Church? The statistics of Christian men who participate in pornography and go to strip clubs and other venues of Asherah worship is staggering. Christian women are joining them more and more. Movies and series that incorporate illicit and perverse sex are growing in poularity and Christians love them! What is happening? Where is the purity and holiness and righteousness of the Church today? God, call Your Body to repent and turn to You for deliverance. We cry out, “Come back to Your first love.” We say, “Out with the Asherah poles! Out with Asherah worship in our cities and towns!” Raise up the reformers, the Josiahs of today, who will call its worshippers to repentance. Raise up those, Lord, in every community who will have the boldness to confront these places, and evangelize the occupants. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen. Today’s decree: Let the modern day Josiahs arise and remove sexual idolatry from this land! 1 – 2020 | By Danielle Freitag, LADC, Author of The Garden Keys, Action169 Executive Director

Hearts of the Fathers “A key to decreasing the shocking statistics of commercial sexual exploitation is stronger family bonds. Strong, healthy, family bonds, mean fewer vulnerabilities in youth. “Science tells us that the relationship between a father and child deeply impacts a child’s long-term development in critical ways. Children with involved fathers are less likely to experience depression, teen pregnancy, risky behaviors, such as substance use, and more. When vulnerabilities are decreased, the risk of being exploited becomes less. “Parents must fight for their children in prayer and by example of right living more than the culture that seeks to sexualize and exploit them. The good news that provokes responsibility is that there is a clear distinction between what is righteous and what is wicked, found in the living and active Word of God. “In the book of Malachi, the prophet declares, ‘He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers . . .’ (Malachi 4:6a). The spirit of Elijah, by the Holy Spirit, causes not only honor to God the Father, but between generations. This is so important that the prophet goes on to say that God will strike the land with destruction if hearts do not turn. Now is the time for men of character, strength, and honor to rise up! As a result of their own hearts turned to God the Father, they will raise up healthy children through their godly character and example.” (Danielle Freitag, Action 169)1 “And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, ‘The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!’” (Judges 6:12; NKJV) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Decree a hunger for the Word of God to rise up within the Body of Christ. (See Hebrews 4:12.) Pray for the hearts of the parents to turn toward their children and the hearts of the children to turn towards their parents. (See Malachi 4:6.) Pray for more mighty men of valor to rise up by turning their hearts to the one good Father. (See Judges 6:12.) A prayer you can pray: Father, put a hunger for Your Word in us. We must have it deep inside of us. We must not know of it, but we must be deep wells of the Word of God, for in those words are light and life. They are a revelation of You. They are our constant reminder of You, Your ways, and Your love and relationship with us. It is the first line of defense against the enemy’s seeking to steal, kill, destroy, and devour. Your promises in that Word are yes and amen to us. One of those key promises is that You will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their parents. We know that the stability of the family unit is stronger when strong fathers are in the home. Children long for relationships with their fathers. They hunger for their father’s encouragement and words of affirmation. They show all the signs of emotional health and security when they have it. We know the enemy hates that and has worked hard to remove the influence of fathers from their children. Father, gift Christian dads a grace to be present for their children, raising them in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Let their children thrive under this love and care, desiring You and not what the world has to offer. Let their emotional and spiritual strength keep them from suffering the destruction of their lives by the enemy of their souls. Thank You for these promises in Your Word, Jesus. Amen. Today’s decree: In this generation, the hearts of the fathers are turning toward the children, and the hearts of the children are turning to their fathers. 1 – 2020 | By Danielle Freitag, LADC, Author of The Garden Keys, Action169 Executive Director

Stop the Demand “Human Sex Trafficking exists because there is demand. Demand is fueled through the viewing of pornography and those willing to exchange money to commodify another human being through the act of obtaining sex or a sexual act. Because the viewing of pornography fuels demand, it also contributes toward the degradation and oppression of mainly girls and women who’ve been coerced into exploitation. It is commonly known in the anti-trafficking movement that nearly 80% of survivors report that their customers, the ones fueling demand, showed pornography to illustrate the kind of sexual acts they wanted. Besides being forced to watch pornography, victims often have violent interactions through forced performance. Many of those in pornography are actually being trafficked. All of them are being exploited. Pornography corrupts character. And so, as believers wanting to end human sex trafficking, we must be the ones who refuse to partner with the very same spirit that is fueling exploitation. It was King David who said, ‘I will not look with approval on anything that is vile.’ (Psalm 101:3; NIV). David wanted to live a blameless life, and although he fell short, he knew to look at God, seek Him, and declare his intent.” (Danielle Freitag, Action 169)1 “Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.” (Luke 11:34-36; ESV) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Pray that the intrinsic value of a person created in the image of God be recognized, revered, and valued. Pray that the eyes be healthy. (See Matthew 6:22). Decree that no wicked thing be set before your eyes. (See Psalm 101:3). Decree that the power of the wicked be broken (see Psalm 37:17) in recognition that this fight against slavery is not a struggle against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil. (See Ephesians 6:12). A prayer you can pray: Lord, we pray that You would cause us to remove all unholiness, filth, and corruption from before our eyes. We cannot pray against pornography, if we are engaging in it. Pornography corrupts our minds, and it must be something we abhor. So many Christians, even pastors and leaders, are engaging in the viewing of pornography. Give us clean hands and pure hearts. We cannot make ourselves clean. We must have Your power and grace for this task. We repent. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against power and principalities working to destroy lives. Repair our eyes and minds. Remove corrupt memories, visions, and thoughts. Return purity to us, by Your grace. Those involved in pornogrphic movies are precious people created by You for good works. Many are trafficked and all are exploited. There are all someone’s sons and daughters. You did not design this life for them. Some demonically-driven person did. We decree that the power of the wicked would be broken over the captives. Whom the Son sets free will be free indeed, spirit, soul, mind, and body, in Jesus’ Name. Amen. Today’s decree: It is time for the Lord to deliver Believers from pornography! 1 – 2020 | By Danielle Freitag, LADC, Author of The Garden Keys, Action169 Executive Director

Treasures, not Commodities “To achieve the cultural heart-level change required to end the injustice of exploitation, which includes human sex trafficking, we must acknowledge that it’s happening. Then, when we better understand how exploitation happens, we can pray effective prayers. “Our sons and daughters are treasures to be protected, not commodities. Unfortunately, modern-day slavery exists in the guise of our culture through tactics of force, fraud, and coercion meant to commodify. “Human sex trafficking is a form of commercial sexual exploitation. ‘Commercial’ means someone is treated as a commodity to be marketed and sold. ‘Sexual’ means any sexual act, stripping or lap dances, and/or the act of sex. ‘Exploitation’ means someone profits from exploiting another’s vulnerabilities. “A common belief that sex trafficking happens mainly through kidnapping is a myth. Less than 5% of trafficking cases happen through abduction. Most of those caught in the exploitative role use psychological means over a progression of time. Perpetrators may or may not threaten victims by force into commercial sex. Some are exploited in strip clubs, through coerced performance in pornography, by abduction, or prostituted in brothels, the streets, or online. Exploitation seeks to dehumanize the very existence of those made in the image of God—created body, spirit, and soul as treasures, not commodities.” (Danielle Freitag, Action 169)1 “The Lord their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.” (Zachariah 9:16; NIV) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Pray for believers to awaken to the reality of the injustice of modern-day slavery. Decree a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living. (See Amos 5:24). Pray a prayer of protection over the sons and daughters, jewels in a crown meant to sparkle. (See Zachariah 9:16). Pray that those caught up in the exploitative role as traffickers would turn to The Lord and forsake their wicked ways. (See Isaiah 55:7). A prayer you can pray: Father, we have some work to do. As Christians, we tend to isolate ourselves as much as possible from the evil in the world. We know it is out there, but we forget that you want us to engage it and set the captives free. Human sex trafficking is one of those areas. Men and women, especially young men and women, are exploited sexually in every community in America every single day. Awaken your Church to care, Lord! Open our eyes to see. Open our hearts to pray. Keep us from judging, so we can minister to the deep needs of hearts and lives. Let us be those who pray and work until we see justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream across our land. Lord, we pray for those young ones, sons and daughters, who have been lied to, manipulated, and entrapped into commercial sexual lifestyles. Promises of financial benefits may end in sleazy hotels, adult clubs, or porn studios with no means to leave. Drug addictions may dull emotional pain, but deepen the entrapment. God, set them free! Set them free to be who You created them to be. Whom the Son sets free will be free indeed! Capture the captors. Bring them to justice. Let them turn to You, Jesus, and be saved from their wicked ways. Amen. Today’s decree: Let our nation awaken to the reality of modern day slavery! 1 – 2020 | By Danielle Freitag, LADC, Author of The Garden Keys, Action169 Executive Director

Passion to End Human Trafficking “There are few rights that people will give their lives for – FREEDOM is one of them. Wars are fought, nations are divided, and Christ died for our precious freedom. ‘It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.’ (Galatians 5:1; NIV) “And yet, the International Labor Organization estimates that there are 40.3 million victims of human trafficking globally, with hundreds of thousands in the United States. Men forced into labor camps, children sold by their own families for profit, and women lured and kidnapped into sexual slavery – each are created by God and yet are having their destiny stolen. ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ (Jeremiah 29:11; NASB) “While Gen X’ers didn’t even know that slavery was an issue, this Millenial generation is poised to take it down. God’s fiery passion for justice is birthed in their hearts, minds, and actions. God will be glorified, and now is the time for trafficking to be stopped!” (Alisa Jordheim) “Woe to those who enact evil statutes, and to those who constantly record unjust decisions, so as to deprive the needy of justice, and rob the poor of My people of their rights, in order that widows may be their spoil, and that they may plunder the orphans.” (Isaiah 10:6; NASB) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Did you know slavery still exists today? Educate yourself on this matter. Click here, here, and here for good information. Intercede for increased awareness of human trafficking. Ask God to uncover every trafficking ring operating in through the U.S. Pray for Holy Spirit downloads of strategies to law enforcement and other civic and private grops working to end human trafficking. Decree, “Righteous laws and legislation will be written, enacted, and adhered to, resulting in the release of captives and ending of trafficking in America.” A prayer you can pray: Lord, so many Christians have no idea that human trafficking, modern-day enslavement, is still happening today. Men, women, and children are being forced into unpaid labor, or held as sex-slaves the world over. Hundreds of thousands are trafficked in our U.S. cities and communities. How are we missing what is happening right where we live? Help us to educate ourselves and learn to see the signs. Don’t let us be afraid to contact law enforcement if we are suspicious. This has to end! Lord, you love each one held captive against their will. You created them with a Divine destiny and they can’t fulfill it. Save them, Lord! We pray that you would drop Divine strategies into the minds of law enforcement. Show them how to uncover, reveal, and capture thieves of human lives. Set the captives free. Do the same for the organizations working to end trafficking. Help them to work with law enforcement and be the most effective they can be. Grant favor and Divine relationship-building. Let righteous laws and legislation be written, enacted, and adhered to, resulting in the release of many captives, and the imprisonment of their captors. Show the Church how to pray more accurately, as we arm ourselves with knowledge and understanding. It will take all of this together to end human trafficking in America. We look forward to the day every captive is set free, Jesus. Amen. Today’s decree: Now is the time for human trafficking to be stopped! The captives will be set free! Learn more about Alisa Jordheim here.

National March for Life 2020 It is because of situations like these that we will march for life today: “Planned Parenthood just set a disturbing record. It’s infuriating. “The abortion giant’s latest report shows that it committed more abortions in a single year than ever before – 345,672. In fact, Planned Parenthood’s abortions reached record highs at the same time the abortion rate nationwide hit record lows. “That’s nearly 950 babies killed each day. Nearly 40 lives an hour, every hour, all year. “It’s sickening. And at the same time, Planned Parenthood set another record; this one is for the amount of your tax dollars it took – $616.8 million last year alone. “On top of that, a California jury has awarded Planned Parenthood millions more from pro-life advocates for exposing the sale of aborted babies’ body parts.” (Jordan Sekulow, ACLJ) “Let your light shine in front of men. Then they will see the good things you do and will honor your Father Who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16; NLV) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Worship the Lord over the Life that He has given you and your family. If you have had an abortion, receive the sweetness of His forgiveness and let His love and life flow through you. If you fathered a child, have been a panicked parent, or other supporting person, who has participated in an abortion decision, receive the love and forgiveness of the Lord before you pray. Pray for the salvation of the doctors and staffs of abortion clinics. Declare, “Lord, let Your love and forgiveness consume those who who have participated in the abortion process in any way. May Jesus be introduced to even the hardest hearted.” Pray Lou Engle’s 22-word prayer, “Jesus, I plead your blood over my sins and the sins of my nation. God, end abortion and send revival to America.” Intercede for organizations, like the March for Life and the ACLJ, who are leading the fight to end abortion in America. A prayer you can pray: God, I worship You, for You alone are the Giver of Life. You create the beating heart and form life in the mother’s womb. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am made in Your image. I am deeply loved by You and I am thankful to know that. To You be all the glory for humanity’s creation. My heart is breaking at the statistics on abortion in America. Even though abortion is declining overall, Planned Parenthood is still strongly promoting this heinous action. Tax dollars are still funding this horrific practice. People’s minds are changing a bit, but more hearts must change. Only when there is full revival and souls saved will enough hearts change to end abortion in America. I join the penitent ones today, repenting and interceding for my nation. Let those who have had abortions not hide in guit and shame, but bring their sin into Your saving, healing light. Let those who fathered those women’s children, who abandoned them, or drove them to the abortionist, find You and repent. May parents, relatives, pastors, and educators repent for their part in any abortion. Every life taken keeps organizations like Planned Parenthood functioning. Lord, let Your love and forgiveness consume those who who have participated in the abortion process in any way. May Jesus be introduced to even the hardest hearted. Bless and provide support for the organizations working to end abortion in this country. Jesus, I plead your blood over my sins and the sins of my nation. God, end abortion and send revival to America. Amen. Today’s decree: We will pray and we will protest abortion publicly and consistently until abortion is eradicated from America. 1 Learn more about Jordan Sekulow and the America Center for Law and Justice here.

Tomorrow is the National March for Life God is the Giver of all Life. He created man in His image, male and female. He loves people! He creates individuals in their mothers’ wombs with such individuality. He knows the plans and purpose He has for each one. He decides who has red hair, or blonde, or black. Everything He does in the world is for us. He loves us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, not into the world to condemn the world, but to convict us of sin and mercifully save us long before we ever existed. He always goes to tremendous efforts to save the one lost soul. He always has His eye on us. If thinking about all of that doesn’t cause us to just want to worship Him, I’m not sure what will. Every child being formed in its mother’s womb should be assured of safety and security. How heinous we consider acts of war where children have been torn from their mothers’ wombs. Why then would we turn around and decide it is legal if its own mother chooses it? Is this not a war of a different type? Is this not a spiritual war? Is this not still worth an outcry? We must cry out! Thankfully, the Lord has provided salvation and forgiveness for all sin, even this. Thankfully, He never leaves us in our sin. Tomorrow is the National March for Life. This year’s theme is “Pro-Life is Pro-Woman”. Millions of men, women, and children will take to the streets and openly worship God, while they intercede for the ending of abortion in America. This nation must no longer tolerate the taking of innocent life from the womb. Abortion must end in America. “You formed my innermost being, shaping my delicate inside and my intricate outside, and wove them all together in my mother’s womb. I thank you, God, for making me so mysteriously complex! Everything you do is marvelously breathtaking. It simply amazes me to think about it!” (Psalm 139:13-14; TPT) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Click here to go to the National March for Life website and read about the activities coming up tomorrow. Thank God for His great love. Thank Him for how perfectly He has formed each person. Pray for the innocent unborn being formed in their mothers’ wombs. Pray for their safety and security, health and wholeness. Intercede for the ending of abortion in America. Use passionate words and strong decrees against this demonic enemy of humanity. It’s not too late to join a march in your area. Find them here. A prayer you can pray: Father, tomorrow is the National March for Life. In our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., and across the nation in many other cities, men and women will march to end abortion in America. Year after year, we have marched our cities’ streets. Year after year, we have cried out together for the ending of aboriton. Lord, let this be the year our prayers fill the bowls and our interession is answered. You have perfectly created each and every person. Each of us is unique and deeply loved by You. How beautifully and carefully You form us in the wombs of our mothers. We pray for the protection of every little life being formed in wombs now. Let the womb be a safe place for each developing life. We pray for a Great Awakening to sweep the land, drawing men and women into Your loving arms. Save the mothers and save the babies they carry, Lord. Only born-again minds can comprehend Your perfect plan. Only the saved heart can know how deep forgiveness can go. Only revelation of Your love can drive all fear of the future out and replace it with trust. Oh, Jesus, save and deliver, and end abortion in America! Amen. Today’s decree: Abortion must end in America!

Impeachment Trial The trial to impeach President Donald J. Trump began yesterday with much drama and political division. After shutting Republicans almost completely out of the impeachment proceedings in the U.S. House, Democrats are now strongly advocating to control the process in the Senate. Here are some facts: House Democrats want additional evidence and witnesses heard during the Senate trial. However, that is not how the process is supposed to work. Acting as a Grand Jury of sorts, the House was to gather all evidence and present it to the Senate, who is supposed to listen to evidence and arguments supporting the Articles and vote. House leadership prevented President Trump and his team from presenting any evidence or witnesses in his defense prior to the impeachment vote in the House. How is that just? Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has allowed evidence gathered to be presented and nothing more. Democrats are taking issue with that. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wants a quick trial where the evidence the Articles of Impeachment were based on is presented, then a vote taken. He wants to follow the trial outline from the impeachment trial of President Clinton. He described the rules as to, “put fairness, evenhandedness and historical precedent ahead of partisan passions.”After significant pushback by the Democrats and some Republicans, he has given both sides 24 hours to make their case over 3 days. Regardless of how the rules are finally established, this will turn out to be one of the most politically vicious processes we have ever seen. Make no mistake, this is a battle for the soul of America, not just a trial to impeach a U.S. president. Ekklesia, your prayers are needed. This is a shift point in our nation’s history. “When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.” (Proverbs 21:15; ESV) “The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins.” (Proverbs 18:17; NLT) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Consider Matthew 7:3-5 (TLV) in light of the impeachment process to date, “Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the beam in your own eye? Or how will you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and look, the beam is in your own eye? Hypocrite, first take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Sit and consider the full weight of the impeachment of a president of the United States of America. Consider how other nations view it. Consider how our nation’s enemies view it. Let the soberness hit you. Decree adequate, skillful, and just defense for President Trump. Pray that truth would be exposed, no matter what. There can’t be any questions at the end of this trial. Declare, “The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins.” Pray for justice to correct history in the end. Pray every day throughout the trials until we have a clear and unquestionable verdict when this is over. A prayer you can pray: Lord, people have a tendency to cover up or minimize their own sin, while enlarging and magnifying others’. When we have made an enemy of someone, or we just really don’t like them, we can really see them through a dark lens. We also try to make everyone else see them that way, as well. You always see from a position of justice. You look on the heart and You test the motives, even though You know the facts. The left has developed a strong narrative over the last 3 years. They have done everything they can to make that narrative be true. When one thing didn’t work, they tried something else. Now, we are at the point of impeachment of our duly elected U.S. president. So, Lord, now we ask that President Donald J. Trump will be adequately defended. We pray for his legal team to be given equal time and bring forth truth. If the cross-examination and facts they bring show that the president is truly guilty, then so be it. But if an underlying motive is discovered and unfairness is uncovered, then let the record forever stand. Reverse the effect of the red-letters “Impeachment” over President Trump and let him be fully exonerated, if that is indeed the case. Let his accusers face the right penalty for their actions if they have been false accusers. We ask for justice for this man and for this nation. True justice, and we will not be afraid of the consequences. Thank You, Jesus, for bringing truth to this country. Amen. Today’s decree: Let justice be done in the impeachment trials in such a manner that the righteous rejoice and the wicked are undone!

Impeachment Trial Begins As you read today’s devotional, remember, as the Ekklesia, we can control the atmosphere and decree the way forward for our president and our nation. We must decree the things God wants and believe that His will for America in this hour will come to pass. Last Thursday, the U. S. House of Representatives sent 2 Articles of Impeachment to the Senate for trial. Chief Justice John Roberts, who will preside over the trial, was sworn in, as were all of the U. S. Senators. They will serve as the jury in the trials. President Trump is being accused of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress for pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political rivals and blocking the House from further investigating the scandal. The vote in the House was telling. It was solidly a partisan vote. 100% of Republicans voted against the Articles. They were joined by a few Democrats. The rest of the Democrats voted for the Articles, giving them the votes needed to pass them. Today, they will pick up the trial in earnest, beginning with a vote on the rules that will govern the trial. That is likely to be contentious between the two major parties, especially where it comes to the calling of witnesses and the timing of the vote on the impeachment articles. Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi , and other prominent Democrats in the House have been trying hard to control the process in the Senate. However, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is having none of it. He has outlined a firm boundary between the duties of the House to investigate, and the duties of the Senate to try the matter. The House managers, or prosecutors, will be House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla.), Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) and Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas). “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:17; NKJV) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: This is a somber day. Consider fasting and praying. Decree over the proceedings today, “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:24; ESV) Pray that President Trump will seek the Lord for His wisdom, His teaching in righteousness, and that he may walk in God’s truth. (Psalm 86:11). Pray that he will come to know the rest of God and let God fight his battles. (Exodus 14:14) Declare Isaiah 54:17 above over President Trump. Proclaim over every Senator and person involved in the process today: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8; NASB) A prayer you can pray: Father, we humble ourselves before Your great and mighty Name today. We come to You in the name of Jesus. We are grieving over the state of our nation’s government. Never have we seen such animosity and division. There is so much hatred, and from that hatred there is a determination from some to remove President Trump from office whatever it takes. We honor the U. S. Constitution and ask that the Constitution will be followed and justice will be sought. Let the fear of the Lord fall in that Senate Chamber. Fall on each one present and let even the hardest of hearts understand the weight of these circumstances and of this moment in history. Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. This is not a time for jesting and laughing at a duly elected President’s expense. The nation is watching and the nation will act next November according to what they see and perceive. We pray that You would also guard the president’s words and actions, not just his opposition’s. May President Trump come to know You better in this moment. May he learn to trust in You completely, letting You fight his battles for him. He must find a way to walk in self-control, trusting You and the advisers You have given him, so that You may say over him, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me.” We proclaim Your Word over every Senator and House Manager, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” We declare these things in accordance with Your Word, Jesus, precious Word of God, amen. Today’s decree: Let the fear of the Lord be upon the impeachment trial for President Donald J. Trump.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Israel “On my first plane ride to Israel, I gained God’s heart for that nation. I was flying to another city for a prayer meeting and sat next to an African American young lady who was flying to the same city but for a different purpose. She was going to be a bridesmaid in a wedding. As we began to talk, I sensed this was more than a chance encounter when she told me that her first name was Zion, and that her last name was Redie, pronounced ‘Ready.’ Her name was Zion Redie and she was flying to a wedding. Long story short, since then, I’ve been praying the scriptures from Isaiah 62:1-2, ‘For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep quiet, until her righteousness goes forth like brightness, and her salvation like a torch that is burning. And the nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory.’ The passage later says, ‘And her land shall be called married….’ “Remembering this brought a renewed zeal in my heart to pray for Israel and for the Jewish people. During my trip to Israel, I learned that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and other Christian African American leaders in the Civil Rights Movement enjoyed a love for Israel and had a great relationship with the Jewish community. There are reports that Dr. King actually visited Israel shortly before his assassination and was planning to bring 5,000 clergy from America for a speech on the Mount of Olives. “Many don’t realize it, but there was a time, between 1954 and 1964, when the connection between the Jewish and African American communities was very close. Many called that season ‘The Golden Age’ of unity between our communities. For example, many Jewish scholars and rabbis were educators in historically black colleges and universities. Some even taught for free because they recognized our shared narrative of overcoming slavery and oppression. Jewish rabbis also put their compassion into action and marched with Dr. King during the Civil Rights Movement. Famous Orthodox rabbi Abraham Heschel was one of those rabbis and said that as he marched with Dr. King, ‘It was as if my legs were praying.’” (William Ford, III) “And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, And make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” (Gen. 12:2-3; NASB) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Intercede for the nation of Israel. Bless the Jews with peace and prosperity. Talk to the Lord about the revelation Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and William Ford, III, received for the African American community by watching His covenant relationship with Israel. Intercede for the Jewish people worldwide. Ask God to reveal Jesus to them. He is the Messiah they long for. A prayer you can pray: Lord, Israel is the apple of Your eye. Thank You for those like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Will Ford III, who have been leaders in reminding us of the covenant commitment You have with Israel and the land they are on. The fact that these men are African American is significant, as the people group they have come from has experienced some of the same things the Israelites have experienced. They have experienced a long season of slavery, yet kept their faith in You. They have been persecuted in foreign lands they were exiled to, yet they looked to You for comfort in the midst of their longing for their homeland. You sustained them. Israel is a sign and a wonder. They are to be honored, as they show what it looks like when You make a promise. We can see that we can trust You when You make a promise. You are going to keep it. The way we act toward You may delay things, but it won’t stop You from fulfilling what You said. Dr. King knew that. He knew that Your “marriage” to Israel was the example needed in the Civil Rights Movement to see his own people set fully free. He knew they could not overcome without the hand of God involved, so he wanted his people to go to Israel, to link arms with the Jews, and to remember together the greatness of our God. The Jewish community responded and encouraged them, likewise. Is this not the Kingdom? Let our prayers rise before You for Christians and Jews of every color. Let Zion be made ready for the coming of the Bridegroom. Save and deliver, Jesus. Amen. Today’s decree: May America always love Israel just as the Lord does! Learn more about William Ford, III here.

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday “On January 13, 1984, President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation designating January 22nd as the first National Sanctity of Human Life Day. (January 22, 1973, was the day the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion-on-demand in all 50 states.) Churches around the United States now take a Sunday in January near this date to celebrate God’s gift of life, commemorate the many lives lost to abortion, and commit themselves to protecting human life at every stage.”1 Today we celebrate Sanctity of Human Life Sunday in America. President Reagan had this to say when he instituted this commemorative day: “Reverence for human life and recognition of the sanctity of individual life are among the defining characteristics of a just civil order. The United States of America was founded by visionary people who believed, and said forthrightly, that the test of any just political system lay in whether it affirmed the unalienable rights endowed by God, rights that no civil authority was ever free to deny or contravene. In this context, it is no wonder then that the first right proclaimed by our Founders in the Declaration of Independence was that of life, and that the care of human life and happiness. “Today our Nation, economically prosperous and at peace, bears a fresh, dark wound upon its conscience, a wound created by a stark deviation from the course of our national journey. Contrary to the purpose of law, to the character of medicine, to the habit of charity, and to the spirit of our founding, abortion has become routinized in America. No one can mistake abortion for the gentle art of healing. Each day in our land the promise of life is stolen from thousands of the unborn, the first flower of their unique existence crushed forever. But, as many philosophers have pointed out, the effects of such acts of violence are just as profound on those who perform them as on those who undergo them. “We are a people who thirst after justice and will give our all to achieve it and defend it. Most particularly, we are a people who will not settle for a national policy that each year condemns 1.5 million [in 2020 it is more than 61 million] unborn children to an early death and consigns their mothers to exploitation and emptiness. We must and we will answer abortion with loving alternatives like adoption, and we will ensure that our laws preserve and protect the innocent unborn from destruction. Let us gather in homes and places of worship during this sixth annual observance of National Sanctity of Human Life Day to offer reparation for the appalling tragedy of abortion and to rededicate ourselves to works of charity and justice in behalf of America’s unborn children and their mothers.” (President Ronald Reagan, January 9, 1989) 2 “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days.” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20a; ESV) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Thank the Lord that you live in a country with roots that honor life. Ask the Lord to forgive this nation for opening the door to abortion enmasse through the Supreme Court decision, “Roe v. Wade”, in 1973. Decide to be an abolitionist for the unborn in some way. It might be through intercession or through volunteer work at a local life center. You might provide diapers or other baby goods, or give financial gifts to life-giving organizations. You might provide support in some other way. Here is a good list to help you. Intercede for some of the organizations on the front lines of the fight for life and the ending of abortion in America. Pastors, if you are seeing this before church today, lead your congregation in a time of intercession for the ending of abortion in America during your services today. A prayer you can pray: Father, thank you for moving on the hearts of our founding fathers to establish our nation on principles that honor You. We have veered off the track a bit, and our decision to not honor life is one of those areas. We opened the door to sin and iniquity both in this nation and in others of the world. Forgive us, Father because we did not understand what we were doing. We want the door to abortion closed. We say, “We choose Life for the United States of America. We choose Life and that abundantly for all!” Our unborn are as important as our most vibrant millennial. They are our future and the hope of our nation. In them are portions of the nation You plan to build us into. How can we just cut them off with no remorse? God, forgive us and heal our land. I want to be one that works to end abortion in my generation. I am an abortion abolitionist. I will pray and act to end abortion. I will cry out for justice before You and show compassion to those in conflict over it, gently leading them to truth and to You, Jesus. Show me what my part is. I will pray. Should I write letters to my legislators? Should I provide goods and donations to the pregnancy center in my city? What else would You have me do, Lord? Lead me in Your way and guide me, so this travesty can end quickly in Jesus’ name, Amen. Today’s decree: We are a people who thirst after justice and will give our all to end abortion in this nation! 1 Learn more about the Sanctity of Human Life Sunday here. 2 Read the entire Proclamation 5931 – National Sanctity of Human Life Say, 1989 here.