Awaken the Churches George Barna has recently given us some shocking statistics on the Church in America. 73% of those surveyed in 2016 identified as Christians, but only 31% attend church in any given month. Due to a number of factors, Barna considers 48% of American adults to be in a “post-Christian” state and 45% are completely unchurched.1 There is a greater concern: 55% of Americans believe that you can get to heaven by doing good works.2 This ideology leaves Christ completely out of the picture. Where is the need for a Savior, if we can get to heaven without Him? Is living forever the goal or is an eternal relationship with our loving Father the goal? What does it mean to be a Christian? All of these questions are raised by that one response alone. If the Church is God’s representation on the earth and if that representation is to love and reflect Him, and enforce and expand God’s Kingdom on the earth, then we are in trouble. The American Church is generally anemic, weak, and uneducated in God’s ways. Yes, there is a remnant! It is small, but it is noteworthy! These largely evangelical and charismatic Believers “get it”. They prayed. They voted. They shifted a nation. They are praying some more! Some are planning to run for government offices from the local to the national level. They are impacting the realms of influence God has placed them in—family, education, business, religion, government, media, and arts and entertainment. We must pray for the rest to awaken to God’s Truth and their purpose in the earth! “I know your reputation as a live and active church, but you are dead. Now wake up! Strengthen what little remains—for even what is left is at the point of death. Your deeds are far from right in the sight of God. Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly and turn to me again.” (Revelation 3:1b-3a; TLB) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Thank the Lord for His beautiful Bride! Call for God to shake the Church awake! Cry out over her, “Wake up, Church! Wake up!” Intercede that Believers would fully recognize their ability to greatly impact culture if we all pray and work together in obedience to God and His Word. Pray a blessing over those Christians who are already out there making a difference. Pray that nothing would be able to hinder them. A prayer you can pray: Father, thank You for Your beautiful Bride, Your holy Church, Your legislating Ekklesia. God, wake Her up! Wake up, Church! Wake up! Turn away from your complacency and catch on fire again. We need every one of you to get up and operate in the plan and purpose God has for you. It is our finest hour. We can impact the culture around us and make major differences when we all do our part. Jesus, we bless each one that is already mobilized. Grant them grace and strength to continue and to help others to do the same. Amen. Today’s decree: The Awakening Church will impact every area of society until it is transformed! 1 Barna, George. The State of the Church 2016. Barna.com, 9/15/16. https://www.barna.com/research/state-church-2016/ 4/19/17. 2 Ibid.

Raising Up the Canopy of the Appeal to Heaven “And the Lord says to the United States that I will go before you and I will make the crooked places straight. I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and shatter the bars of iron. And I will give you the treasures of darkness. And the Lord says that as the Appeal to Heaven movement goes across this nation that the Ekklesia will assemble themselves. Millions upon millions of prayer warriors will rise up. The Lord does not create chaos and the United States of America will no longer be a nation of chaos, but we will come into alignment. And we prophecy that the United States of America is not a waste place. We call forth the Great Awakening in this nation. On the north side, the south side, the east and the west and in every border state, a canopy of the appeal to heaven will be raised up. From California to Florida, up to DC, and down to TX, the Lord says, ‘Watch! As you appeal to heaven, it will go into the heartland. Watch for the canopy that will be released in KS. As it goes into the 4 corners and into the Heartland, there will be a canopy of Glory that will cover the United States of America.’” (Becca Greenwood)1 “I will go before you, Cyrus, and level the mountains. I will smash down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness—secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.” (Isaiah 45:2-3; NLT) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Call for a fresh wind of the Appeal to Heaven movement to begin to blow across the nation—strong wind, a corrective wind, a reversing wind. Declare that the nation will now come into alignment with God’s purposes. Prophecy Isaiah 45: 2-3 over America. Ask the Lord to raise up that canopy of intercession across the nation, especially in the Heartland of the nation and in Kansas. Believe that this will change everything! Lift up your voice and welcome His Glory to the United States of America! A prayer you can pray: Lord, we call for the winds of Appeal to blow—a fresh wind across America! May the power of it smash the governmental gates of bronze, make the crooked places straight, and reveal the treasures hidden in darkness. We call the nation into alignment with God’s plan and purpose! We prophecy Isaiah 45 over the United States of America. Lord, raise up that canopy of intercession over the nation. May we see the fruit of our intercession begin to manifest Your Glory for all to see! Thank You, Jesus. Amen. Today’s decree: God will cause the fresh winds of Appeal to Heaven to blow in America, to correct the crooked places and so that His Glory can be seen in this nation! Learn more about Becca Greenwood here.

Let the Army of God Rise Up! There is a great Army rising up. After a decade or so of quiet desperation in the Church in this nation, smothered under the oppression of political correctness, there is a stirring. An awakening is occurring. Men and women with the nature of Jehoshaphat are rising up. Men and women that have been paying attention to what is going on in this nation. Feeling like they had no voice, except in prayer, this Army is ready to engage the enemy in the public square. They are readying actions, educational materials, legislation, and court cases that will flip this nation over until righteousness reigns in this land! “The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel. Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand.” (2 Chronicles 17:3-5a; ESV) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Pray for an anointing of boldness to fall upon the Church. Ask God to break hope-deferred off the Body of Christ and show each member of this holy Army how deeply He loves them. Cry out for prayer movements to rise up in every sphere of society across the entire nation—in government offices, in places of business, in schools and community centers—everywhere! Raise up evangelists who will share Christ with many and increase the Army. Stir Your people to move in the gifts, callings and creativity You have placed within us, so that we boldly bring forth what is needed for Kingdom-expansion in the nation now! A prayer you can pray: God, give the body of Christ a boldness to stand for You. Let them know whose they are and what Your plan is for their life. We ask for encouragement to come. Break hope-deferred off of this Army. Let life be breathed by the Spirit into each one. Let the Army rise up as the Breath of Life is breathed into them. Let prayer movements rise up everywhere. Let not one area of society be forgotten. Show each one how loved they are. Let the evangelists be found and be released to find the lost. We pray that the Church would walk in great exploits! In Jesus’ name. Amen. Today’s decree: God is raising up a bold, loved and loving, creative, praying, Kingdom-expanding Army to flip this nation over and bring Glory to His Name!

Immigration: Travel Ban “In recent national social conversation, the term ‘travel ban’ has become synonymous with discrimination, racism, and lack of compassion.  However, in light of recent terror attacks, the wisdom of a temporary travel ban on nations that are known to be lack in their security measures and nations that are suspected of actually being sponsors of terror groups is a necessary step of a comprehensive long-term solution. A temporary travel ban must in place in order to secure our nation from potential infiltration of ISIS and other terror groups.” (Mark Gonzales and Herman Martir)1 “Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt.” (Exodus 23:9; NIV) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Pray for divine wisdom to lead our President and others that are involved in writing policy in regard to a temporary travel ban. Pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal the intent of the judges and those that are responsible for opposing a temporary travel ban. Pray for the immigrants that the Lord is calling to our nation that He has chosen to be a part of what God is doing in the USA. Pray for the immigrants that are in desperate situations and have no hope in their own homeland. Pray for the children of these nations that are suffering and in need of desperate relief. Pray that our government will come up with a solution that will meet the needs of immigrant labor and national security. A prayer you can pray: Father, please give wise words and a workable plan to President Trump and all of those writing our government’s policy on immigration. May Holy Spirit cause to be seen the motives the judges have for opposing any temporary travel bans. May the way be open for those immigrants coming here to be a part of God’s plan for them and for this nation. We ask that those in desperate life circumstances would find a welcome here. However, we shut the door tightly to those who would want to enter to cause harm of any kind. Thank You for Your immigration solutions, Jesus! Amen. Today’s decree: We decree that our nation’s immigration policy shall provide welcome for the suffering, while providing security for the citizens of the United States! Learn more about Mark Gonzales here and Herman Martir here.

Immigration: Praying For National and Border Security The atrocities of human trafficking, drug trafficking, and terrorism, especially connected to ISIS, entering via the U.S southern border are of the most prevalent issues affecting our national and border security. These issues present a distinct set of circumstances for our government beyond the crisis of undocumented people entering the U.S. illegally to escape difficulties in their own country—underscoring the need for immigration reform in 2017. Legislation that would allow for effective response in counteracting these evils has been “on the table” for too many years. It is time for the U.S. to remedy its broken immigration system, and address legislative policies that will allow immigrants and refugees, with the intention to thrive in America and give America their Pledge of Allegiance, to enter legally and safely. Likewise, we need laws addressing those who would enter to harm our country to be detained and sent back to their country of origin. It’s time for our government to move forward on this issue with the resolve of a fair and compassionate immigration reform that will allow America to flourish in the way which it was founded and God intended. The US State Department estimates that around 14,500 – 17,500 foreign nationals are trafficked into the US each year, with other estimates reaching as high as 19,000. (Mark Gonzalez and Herman Martir)1 “Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.” (Isaiah 60:18; NIV) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer1: Pray that God will keep our borders safe from those who would desire to harm America while our government works on immigration reform. Pray that God will expose the enemy’s agenda to infiltrate our borders. Pray that terrorists that enter through the southern border be caught. Pray against the human tragedy behind immigration, and that God will give President Trump His plan and vision for immigration reform. Pray for the children lured to cross the border looking for a better life because of the lack of education and opportunities in their own countries. Pray for those affected by human trafficking and drug trafficking – that God would protect and heal them – and that God would expose the perpetrators and the drug cartels and eliminate them. Pray for the hearts of those who would desire to bring harm to God’s people and harm to America—that they would have an encounter with the living Savior. A prayer you can pray: Father, we first look to You to keep the borders of America safe and secure from those who would desire to harm our nation. We are a nation of immigrants and welcome those who desire to come here legitimately. Give our leaders a good plan to protect us from those that would hurt us. Immigration caries many issues with it, especially where families are separated and where those who are enslaved in human trafficking are being brought across our borders. Expose the perpetrators of those crimes, as well as the drug cartels and terrorists. Let them be caught and brought to justice! May all of these encounter the living Christ as they come into America and may many be saved. In Jesus’ Name, amen. Today’s decree: The Lord shall protect the borders of America and give this new Administration a wise plan for border security! Learn more about Mark Gonzalez here and Herman Martir here.

God Wins! Can you feel the shifting of the winds? Can you sense that the season has changed? Something is different. God’s Kingdom is expanding in the midst of chaos. This is what God does. This is what He excels at—surprising the enemy and causing the Kingdom to advance when the enemy least expects it. He is determined to fulfill His promise to His Son and bring to Him the nations of the earth, including the United States of America. God’s zealous for this and we can join Him and ride on the wind of His covenant fulfillment! Let the Church hear what the Spirit is saying to us. “Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” (Psalm 9:7; NIV) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Exalt Jesus! Decree that the time for the greatest expansion of God’s Kingdom has come! Declare Psalm 9:7. Proclaim that the Father has promised the Son an inheritance of every nation of the earth, including this nation, and the wind of this harvest is in motion! A prayer you can pray: Lord, we exalt You over this nation and in the nations. We exalt the Name of Jesus. We decree that we have moved into the greatest season of the Church. The best days are not behind us, but in front of us. We are part of an ever-increasing Kingdom that is without end. Our King reigns over all the earth. You asked the Father for the nations of the earth as Your inheritance and He promised You that He would have people from every corner of the earth. The greatest movement, the greatest wind, the greatest harvest the world has ever seen in now gaining momentum! Thank You, Jesus. Amen. Today’s decree: We decree that You will show Yourself strong in this nation, but not only in this nation, but in all the nations of the earth—in the Muslim nations and the Hindu nations and other nations where false religions rule, but also in the apostate Christian nations of Europe! You win!

Happy Resurrection Day! “This Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ and the promise of eternal salvation.  It is a holy day of reverence and worship; it is a sacred time that fills the spirit of our Nation with the faith of our people. America is a Nation of believers. As families gather in houses of worship across the Nation, we are grateful for the tremendous blessings of this land, our home. We have a beautiful country, an abundant countryside, and an amazing people with a truly bright and wonderful future. From the beginning, America has been a place that has cherished the freedom of worship. That is the promise the first settlers saw in our vast continent—and it is the promise that our bravest warriors have protected for all of our citizens in centuries since, a long time ago. With God’s grace, life always triumphs over death, freedom overcomes oppression, and faith extinguishes fear.  This is the source of our hope—and our confidence in the future.” (President Donald J. Trump, 4/14/17)1 “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.’ After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. (Mark 16:6, 14-20; NIV) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Worship God, for He sent His only Son, Jesus, to give life to whomever would receive it! Thank God for a President who will cast political correctness aside and honor Christ for all the world to see. Pray that the Lord will protect President Donald Trump and his family, as they continue to push political correctness back and bring honor to Jesus more and more. Thank the Lord for His blessings to flow into this nation and for His Awakening to expand in America! A prayer you can pray: Father, it is Resurrection Day! We are so thankful for your plan of salvation through Your Son, Jesus! Where would we be without You? (Take a few minutes and worship Him.) Thank you that You gave us a President that publicly honors You. You promise to bless the nation that honors You and President Trump is. We ask You to protect him and his family from verbal and physical attacks as He gives acknowledgement to You. We know we will watch a nation grow more bold in their own expressions of faith, as our President leads the way. Lord, let Your blessings flow, let Your Kingdom Come, let Awakening pour like rivers of life through America! Amen! Today’s decree: We decree that the favor and blessings of God are falling upon this nation and the rivers of Awakening are increasingly running freely through the land! Read President Trump’s entire speech here.

Enough Was Finally Enough For a generation now, liberals, secularists, and humanists, unable to rule by majority vote and/or proper legislation, have illegally legislated from the bench. A simple majority—five unelected men and women (the majority vote)—can rule the lives of 320 million Americans! The results? Our nation has lost her moorings, her morality, and is becoming perilously close to losing her God-given destiny. And so, millions of Americans have prayed. Fervently. Faithfully. Persistently. Finally, enough of them voted. Most Trump supporters, when asked their number one motivation for voting in the recent election said, “The Supreme Court.” They’d had enough. God, in His mercy, gave us a President who agreed to appoint only non-legislating, Constitutionalist Justices to the bench. His first appointment, Neil Gorsuch, sworn in on Monday, April 10, 2017, is the beginning of the strongman’s demise. Trump will appoint 2–3 more Supreme Court Justices…and the curse will finally be broken. Keep praying…and voting. “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2; NIV) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Thank the Lord that He responds to the persistent prayers of His Saints. Rejoice that Believers put feet to their prayers, came out and voted in this last election. Praise Him that He is straightening things out in our nation and shifting our Supreme Court. Boldly ask God for more! Pray for President Trump and each of the Supreme Court Justices. A prayer you can pray: God, we thank You that You have heard our many years of intercession. You have stirred the sleeping giant, Your Church, awake. We have risen up to say “enough is enough! We have put feet to our faith and voted. The strongman is breaking. The President is keeping his promise. The Court is shifting. Lord, we won’t stop interceding now. We need another conservative, constitutional Justice or two or three. Show us how to pray for our President and the Supreme Court Justices, so that we have righteousness, peace and quiet in the land. (Do this for a while.) Thank You, Jesus. Amen. Today’s decree: The strongman over the Supreme Court is shifting and we will enjoy peace and righteousness in the land.

Strongman Over the Nation – Part 2 The influence of this arrogant, mocking spirit ruling the Court can even be seen, at times, in other Supreme Court employees. I’ve watched as numerous groups of people—from 5 to 25 in number—have clustered for various reasons on the public area in front of the Courthouse steps. No big deal, unless it is obvious the group is there to pray! Then the Supreme Court police move over in front of them, “standing guard” with a distrustful and often mocking gaze. The unstated message is clear: You are not wanted here. A few years ago, I recall having the audacity of opening my Bible to read a passage of Scripture while on a prayer walk through the Court. In no uncertain terms, I was told by the police, “You can’t do that!” I recall being told on one occasion by an official Supreme Court tour guide, that one of the carvings depicting Moses holding the 10 Commandments was not that at all. Some ridiculous, made-up explanation was postulated. Anything to keep God out! “Yet I had planted you a noble vine, a pure and faithful seed. How then have you turned into the degenerate branches of a foreign vine to me?” (Jeremiah 2:21; WEB) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: The Constitution and the Rule of Law in this land are based on the Word of God. God established this nation. Pray that there would be a humble acknowledgement of this at the Supreme Court. Pray that the mouth of the Accuser of the Brethren would be shut and that the mocking actions against Christians visiting the Supreme Court will stop. Ask God to raise up historians of the Court that make sure the Justices and staff know the truth about the statues and frescos there. Many of them honor God. Verbally honor Him right now. Forgive those who are persecuting Believers at the Court—but intercede that our 1st Amendment rights will be honored there, of all places! A prayer you can pray: Father, we know that You established this nation for Your Will and Purpose. Our Constitution was based in part of the Word of God and honors You. Our Supreme Court from the Justices to the security guards should be respectful of You, but they are not. We declare that the mocking of Christians on Supreme Court grounds will stop. We forgive those who are persecuting Believers at the Court. However, we also ask that our First Amendment rights would be honored there. Cut off every degenerate branch of mockery that has taken root there and restore the noble vine once again. Thank You, Jesus. Amen. Today’s decree: God and His people will be welcome in the Supreme Court, from the Bench to the staff and to those in security!

Strongman Over the Nation? As a leader in the prayer movement for 25 years, I have prayed many times at the Supreme Court. I remember my shock the first time I prayed there, as I sensed the oppressive force of spiritual darkness hovering over the place. I felt as though I was at the headquarters of the “strongman” over our nation (see Mark 3:27). Do the facts support this possibility? This deceived institution mockingly stated that God isn’t allowed in the public square; foolishly, they argued that prayer isn’t permitted in schools; arrogantly, they ruled that marriage isn’t between a man and a woman; and insanely, they ruled that babies can be mercilessly mutilated in their mothers’ wombs. Deception and lunacy such as this cause one to think that perhaps the strongman over America does, indeed, live there. Common sense and loyalty to the Constitution certainly don’t! “”No one can go into a strong man’s house and steal his property. First he must tie up the strong man. Then he can go through the strong man’s house and steal his property.” (Mark 3:27; GWT) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Identificationally repent on behalf of those that have served on the Supreme Court, as Daniel did in Daniel 9:4-14: Ask God for national forgiveness for prayer being removed from school. Ask Him to forgive the actions of the few on our Supreme Court that decided marriage could be defined as other than between a man and a woman, which is God’s definition. Ask God to forgive our nation’s embracing the decision of the Supreme Court to allow the tearing of babies from their mother’s wombs. Pray that the current Supreme Court would utilize common sense and the Rule of Law, as defined in the Constitution, as they make their decisions on behalf of the American people. A prayer you can pray: Father, forgive the United States for the decisions of a few Supreme Court Justices who decided that You are not welcome in our schools. They went on to determine that it was just fine to tear babies out of their mothers’ wombs. Then, to top it all off, they legislated from the bench that individuals of the same gender can marry. God, forgive them. They truly must not have understood the moral and long-term societal effects of their actions. God, give us Justices that seek You, that respect the Constitution and the Rule of Law. Cast this strongman from the Courts and set America free from their godless actions. In Jesus’ mighty Name, amen. Today’s decree: We decree that the strongman over the Supreme Court and over the nation is bound, in Jesus’ Name! God is about to shift the Court!

Until the Breakthrough Comes The Lord is never in a rush, never in a hurry. We often want instant answers to the things we pray for. Sometimes we get miracles—overnight changes when everything works out exactly the way we desired it to! Most of the time, however, we will find ourselves waiting, believing, contending and persevering in faith for the answers to our intercession. Never stop believing! Our prayers for America are being answered—in His perfect time! “It is beautiful how God has done everything at the right time. He has put a sense of eternity in people’s minds, Yet, mortals still can’t grasp what God is doing from the beginning of time to the end (of time).” (Ecclesiastes 3:11; GWT) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Think back to the times God came through for you and worship Him whether it was instantaneous or took some time. Consider the things on your prayer list now and ask the Lord to grant you grace to not stop praying until you see the answer. Ask for Him to refresh your prayer life, if need be. Now, pray with fresh fervency and eternity in your heart for the things you can see may take time for God to answer. A prayer you can pray: Father, You alone see things from before the foundations of time and throughout eternity. This is not possible for me to grasp! However, I want to understand that You will answer my prayers in Your timing as a part of Your eternal plan. When I look back at the things I have prayed for before, I can see that the answers are coming! They will come at exactly the right time! Refire me, Lord! By Your grace, let my intercession be fervent! This nation is shifting! In Jesus’ Name, amen! Today’s decree: God is not late in answering our prayers. They will be answered at the exact right time!

Government Cannot Take Our Place We must not depend on the government to fix our nation, nor place our hope in the next Supreme Court Justice or any other individual. The Church must rise up and become the ekklesia (a legislative assembly or government) of heaven and charge into this next prayer movement believing that if we are faithful to pray, God is faithful to respond. Let’s get on board with His plan to raise up a great surge of prayer this year and turn this nation around. “Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means rock), and upon this rock I will build my church (ekklesia), and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” (Matthew 16:18; NLT) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Look again at the above teaching by Dutch and the scripture verse. Notice that the Lord was saying He was going to build a “legislative assembly” on the rock that was Peter. That’s what the Church is supposed to be. Stop and think about this. Now, stand up “legislators”, and proclaim the Word and the Will of God in your prayers and intercession. Look at news reports today, ask the Lord what to decree and feel a new power in your prayers. Call a friend and ask them to legislate in the heavenlies together with you, for where two or three are gathered in His Name, He is there in the middle of things. A prayer you can pray: Father, praying for this nation is about to change! As Your ekklesia rises up and does what You have planned for it to do—legislate in the heavenlies—things in the earth will need to line up with Your will. Justice will prevail, righteousness will no longer be trampled on and evil will not be called good. The things that matter to You will begin to manifest in the natural and the world around us will change and begin to glorify You! Amen. Today’s decree: God’s Ekklesia is realizing who they are and prayer is changing!