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Influencing Elections “Should Christians even try to influence elections at all? Yes, definitely. The apostle Peter says Christians are ‘exiles’ on this earth (1 Peter 1:1). Therefore, I take seriously the prophet Jeremiah’s exhortation to the Jewish people living in exile in Babylon: ‘Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare’ (Jeremiah 29:7). By way of modern application, I think Christians today have a similar obligation to vote in such a way that will ‘seek the welfare’ of the United States. Therefore, the one overriding question to ask is this: Which vote is most likely to bring the best results for the nation?”1 (Wayne Grudem) “It is God who alters the times and seasons, and he removes kings and promotes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” (Daniel 2:21; ISV) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Of all the people who will be voting in November, the most important votes will come from those who truly know God and who seek His Word and His face for direction. Pray and ask God to grant you His wisdom, knowledge and discernment to place the right individuals in office, especially in the offices of the President and Vice President. Are you registered to vote yet? Your time is running short. You can learn how to register here. Educate yourself on the issues and candidates. You can pledge to vote and find a Christian Voter’s Guide here. Seek the Lord for the welfare of your city and for the nation. A prayer you can pray: Lord, I come to You and humbly ask for Your wisdom, Your knowledge and Your discernment as I prepare to vote this November. I do not take this duty lightly. I know You have made Your choice already. You have prepared a candidate that You know You can use for the welfare of this nation. You care about life. You care about the poor. You care about justice and injustice. You care about the economy and the poor and strong businesses. You care about the immigrants and about the safety of the citizens of the U. S. You want people to be free to hear about You and to worship You without any hindrance. You have a plan for the future of America. May I not be neglectful in educating myself on these matters and in voting in November as directed by You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Today’s decree: I will seek the Lord and I will learn about the candidates and issues. I will register to vote, pledge to vote and I will vote on behalf of the welfare of my nation. 1 Wayne Grudem, “Why Voting for Donald Trump is a Good Morally Good Choice”, Townhall Media. TownHall.com, 7/28/16. GiveHim15 is a movement of Dutch Sheets Ministries, a 501(c)(3) religious organization that is nonpartisan and we are not promoting any candidate in this post. We agree with the principles of voting that Wayne Grudem write about.

Educate Yourself and Choose Life! The Democratic Party platform says, “The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman’s right to make decisions regarding her pregnancy, including a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay.” The Republican Party platform says, “Faithful to the ‘self-evident’ truths enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, we assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment’s protections apply to unborn children.” “Truly children are a gift from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward.” (Psalm 127:3; NKJV) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Too many pastors will not teach on issues that people are voting on when they go to the polls. Some are afraid to offend some of their congregants. Sometimes we have to offend the flesh to line ourselves up with the Word of God. Educate yourself by reading your Bible to see what it says on party platform issues, which you can learn about by clicking here and here. Pray for the Church to understand how important “life” is to God. Ask the Lord to end abortion in this nation. Pray for God to raise up those who will adopt babies, if Roe v Wade is reversed. A prayer you can pray: Lord, help me to educate myself on political issues, so that I will know how to vote. Don’t let me depend on waiting for pastors to teach me. Holy Spirit, teach me as I read Your Word and go to the party platforms and actually read them for myself. I ask You, Father, to help me and the Church understand just how important life is to You. I also ask You to end abortion in America, Lord. I pray there would be a statement made in the Church that we want the unborn! Let us say that we will take another little life around our tables. Raise up an adoption movement to replace abortion. We choose LIFE, Jesus! Amen. Today’s decree: The Lord will teach us how to educate ourselves on governmental issues and vote accordingly, so that our nation will begin to line up with His Word and Will.

Unusual Leadership For Unusual Times Isaiah prophesied the rise of a king to help Israel. This king was not a king of Israel. He was a Persian king that God used to free His people from their captivity in Babylon—Cyrus. He was a friend to God’s people and he encouraged them to serve their God and gave them the ability to rebuild their temple, so they could worship Him. God had to prophesy it hundreds of years in advance and more than once, because this would be a surprise to His people. “The Lord has chosen Cyrus to be king. He has appointed him to conquer nations; he sends him to strip kings of their power; the Lord will open the gates of cities for him. To Cyrus the Lord says, ‘I appoint you to help my servant Israel, the people that I have chosen. I have given you great honor, although you do not know me.’” (Isaiah 45:1 and 4; GNT) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: If we are religious, we can miss God-movements. God can use the unsaved, the unlearned, even donkeys to get His plan accomplished. Repent if you have tended to want to tell God how to do His job, instead of accept that His ways are not the same as yours. Pray that you will be able to discern what God is doing and why. Pray for God’s perfect Will to come to pass for America and that this election cycle, we will choose the platform that lines up closest with His Word, trusting Him that the individuals we are voting for will carry out His Will whether they know it is His or not. Tell the Lord that you will choose Life in November and vote for the candidates who choose Life, as well. In God’s eyes, this is the most important thing. A prayer you can pray: Father, forgive me when I look at the choices before me through a demand in my mind that political leaders must be born again. Help me to trust You that You will raise up the leader for this nation that You have determined can get the nation back on track toward Your dream for America. Help me to choose the person that stands for Life and is a friend to Israel, things dearest to Your heart. Grant me grace and faith as I vote in November, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, amen. Today’s decree: God, raise up a Cyrus for our nation in our generation! I trust You with Your choice!

What Should Christians Consider When Deciding Whom To Vote For? by Dutch Sheets America is in a fight for her destiny. Our upcoming presidential election is about more than which personality or political party we prefer. A well-known Christian author has written a well-circulated blog suggesting Christians shouldn’t vote for Donald Trump. His reasons center around the poor witness and example of Christianity he believes Trump has demonstrated, and his fears that this might continue, should he be elected. (As you may know, Trump professes to be a Christian.) Others, even major Republican leaders, have also refused to support Trump on the basis of “principle.” Many good and sincere people are struggling to decide where they stand on this important decision. Though we cannot, as a non-profit ministry, endorse a candidate, I do have some thoughts that may help as you think and pray about your choice for President. 1) Firstly, like the aforementioned Christian author, I passionately desire to have a God-honoring, Christian President; and obviously, I too would prefer one that exemplifies Christian principles. 2) I, also, have been appalled by some of Trump’s rude, mean-spirited, and even vicious attacks on others; I’ve also been disappointed at times by the pride I’ve seen in him. 3) I am as suspicious as anyone when the timing of a person’s “conversion” to Christ occurs when it is conveniently needed, whether it be prior to an election or when going before a judge; and I, too, am always looking for the fruit such a conversion should begin to manifest. 4) I do not agree with all of Trump’s positions. But here’s where I differ with some Christians: whether or not a person speaks kindly, would provide an appropriate Christian witness or, frankly, even professes to be a believer—though, again, this would always be my preference—are not my primary litmus tests for presidential candidates or important positions of national leadership. I’m glad General George Patton helped save the world during World War II, foul mouth and all. Like all of us, I’ve known many individuals I would thoroughly trust in leadership or government who did not profess to be a Christian. And, on the other hand, I’ve known many professing Christians whom I would NEVER trust to govern. (The names Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama come to mind!) I fear that sometimes we Christians insert the same religious mindset into elections that has divided the church for centuries: if one’s theologies and religious standards don’t agree with ours, we refuse to walk or work together. It seems as though many Christians have the mistaken belief that partnering or working with someone means we agree with and support everything they believe. How absurd…and how costly. As an example, millions of Christians in the last presidential election refused to vote for Governor Romney because he was a Mormon. Their Christian principles, ideals and theology simply wouldn’t permit it. And what did those well-meaning, “principled” decisions give us? To name just a few: Another liberal, pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, legislating-from-the-bench Supreme Court Justice (and don’t forget they serve for life) The prolonging of Obamacare The reversing of 6000 years of biblical marriage The further weakening of our military The emboldening and empowering of radical Islamist terrorism, including ISIS Through the leadership of an unhealed and divisive President, racial division that has set us back 40 years The accruing of more national debt than all past president’s COMBINED We Christians need to take another look at the principles we allow to guide us at the polls! We’ve “principled” ourselves into irrelevance and, ironically, a national loss of biblical principles. We must remember we are not electing a religious leader. And we will always be electing a flawed person to lead a flawed people. Unfortunately, the perfect candidate doesn’t exist. When voting, consider not just the candidate, but also the issues we face. Which candidate is gong to make the decisions that are best for the whole nation? And whose policies more closely align with the Word of God? Here is my suggested list of the ideals we should allow to steer us when we vote (not including the obvious intangibles of intellect, wisdom, etc.): 1) God-honoring. Does this person at least profess to believe in and honor God? 2) The sanctity of life. Where does this candidate stand on abortion? 3) The Supreme Court. What type of judges will this person appoint? At least 2 (and perhaps up to 5!) Supreme Court Justices will be appointed by the next President, which will tip the balance of power FOR DECADES. Life, morality, family, religious freedom, the Constitution and our very destiny as a nation are at stake. Reining in a renegade Supreme Court is of the utmost urgency. 4) Family. Where does this individual stand on marriage and the family unit? 5) America’s Judeo-Christian heritage. Does this candidate recognize, honor, and want to perpetuate this? 6) Our military. In light of the tenuous state of affairs around the world, would this individual build our military or cut it and make us weaker? 7) Limited government. Does this person believe government, higher taxes, and state-run programs are the solution to most problems; OR do they believe government should always be the last resort…and should be decreased in size? It is absolutely critical—indeed, in my opinion it is a sacred responsibility—that all Christians vote in this election, and that we vote for the person who most fulfills these qualifications. Remember that no one is perfect and that we are NOT endorsing everything about the person for whom we vote. But never again should we lose by default, giving further control of our nation to those with whom we disagree most and who stand in opposition to God. Never. Copyright © 2016 Dutch Sheets Ministries, All rights reserved.

Prayer of Rededication Father, our lives are Yours and it is Your right to demand of us whatever You will and it is our privilege to respond to whatever it is You are asking of us. Whatever it costs us, it’s okay. Whatever You require of us, it’s okay. Whatever You ask us to do, we will do. Wherever You tell us to go, we will go. Father, we recommit and we resubmit to the will of God in our lives. We will not box in the dream of God. We will not say what You cannot do with our lives. We will not say where You cannot send us. We will go with faith and we will go with strength. We will not back down. We will not surrender. We will rebuild the walls. We will rebuild the ancient ruins. We will stand until we have finished this fight to the end. Father, it is Your right to demand. It is our privilege to respond. You once again have our “yes.” All the way, You have our “yes.” (Hannah Sheets)1 “So then, my friends, because of God’s great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer. 2 Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2; GNT) Today’s decree: I once again dedicate my life to You, Lord and once again, You have my “yes!” 1 Hannah Sheets is the daughter of Dutch and Ceci Sheets.

A Victory For Life! All charges in Texas were dropped against David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt of the Center for Medical Progress (CMP)! Last year, David and Sandra released very damaging undercover videos that showed Planned Parenthood executives callously discussing the selling of aborted babies’ body parts. They thought Daleiden and Merritt were buyers. A grand jury in Texas was convened to consider charges against Planned Parenthood, but filed charges against Daleiden and Merritt instead. David and Sandra say they are not done exposing Planned Parenthood with hopes that action will eventually be taken against the organization. “The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:7-8; NIV) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Celebrate Life and the Life-giver! Tell the Lord that you choose life! Thank the Lord for David and Sandra’s boldness and strategic use of their gifts to battle abortion. Intercede for them for a while. Bring Planned Parenthood before the Judge of the Earth, the Lord of Life, Jesus Christ, and ask Him to righteously judge the organization and end abortion in America. A prayer you can pray: Dear Lord, we celebrate Life today! We choose Life today! We thank You that You are the Giver of Life and the One that we look to for daily direction of our lives. We thank You that David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt took the gifts You have given them and used them to expose the darkness. The darkness fought back, but You are true to Your Word and You have delivered them. Eternal Judge, we ask that You would judge Planned Parenthood with righteous judgement and that earthly judges would follow suit. End abortion in America Lord Jesus! Amen. Today’s decree: I choose Life for America!

Praying for Peace Over Philadelphia The Democratic National Convention began yesterday in the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia, PA. Protests appear to be centered on a DNC email scandal more than current national issues dividing our nation, such as racism and police violence. The thousands who protested there yesterday were many more in number than at the RNC in Cleveland last week and were so far largely peaceful and respectful, as in Cleveland. Again, hundreds of police are on hand. “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21; NIV) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Ask the Lord for angelic assistance to blanket the city of Philadelphia with peace. Pray that those visiting the city would encounter an atmosphere of true brotherly love vs. antagonism. We are a divided society in so many ways, as exemplified by the political conventions. Ask God to make the above scripture the reality in Philadelphia this week. In Cleveland last week, protests turned into dancing and meals shared together. Do it again, Lord! Pray for the safety of law enforcement officers and that they would operate in wisdom. Pray for national leaders who will humble themselves and seek God and godly counsel for direction for the nation. A prayer you can pray: Father, grant a special grace to Philadelphia this week and cause an atmosphere of true brotherly love to form over the city. Send Your holy angels to help, Lord. Let those who have come angry and feeling disillusioned and disenfranchised, find a safe and grace-filled outlet for their emotions. Let them peacefully enjoy their First Amendment rights. Let law enforcement have little to do, but to act with wisdom if they have a situation to deal with. Bring law enforcement and protestors together in mutual respect. We pray for political candidates that will humble themselves and seek You, Lord, for direction for this great nation. Amen. Today’s decree: We call for God’s angel armies to protect all of those in Philadelphia this week!

July 25, 2016 Healing the Millennial Generation Just as God can heal a nation, He can heal a younger generation – the millennials. They are so broken. They are often victims of divorce and broken homes, assault, even sexual assault, and many other things. Many do not trust the established church to meet their spiritual needs. Some feel that the political system is rigged and that their vote won’t matter. God can heal the generations, bringing them together as one healed army. “He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.” (Malachi 4:6; NIV) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Ask the Lord to turn the hearts of the fathers and mothers, even the grandpas and grandmas, to the young millennials. Intercede for a huge move of the older generation mentoring the younger. Ask God to work signs and wonders to heal the hearts and soul-wounds of the millennials. Pray for God’s fathering and mothering heart to draw the prodigals to Him and that they would truly feel welcomed by the Church and welcomed in church. Decree that millennials’ thoughts and concerns would be heard by government leaders. A prayer you can pray: Father, our nation’s millennial generation is in pain and needs a miracle healing of their hearts. Heal their unseen wounds. Turn the hearts of the fathers, mothers and grandparents to this generation and let them become mentors rather than judges. Forgive us as a Church for causing their pain and not realizing they were pulling away from You as a result. Bring them back to You and back to the Church. Let government leaders really listen to them and hear them. Their ideas are needed to heal our nation. In the Name of Jesus, amen. Today’s decree: The millennials will find or re-find God as a sign and a wonder of His eternal love for them!

The Army of God is Rising Up “The Lord is rising up His people like never before. We are taking back our rightful place, and where they enemy is causing tragedy and death and destruction, the ARMY OF GOD is rising up, KNOWING who they are and bringing LIGHT in the darkness. I heard the Lord say, ‘Put your faith in what I say. Do not let the darkness sway you. Stand with Me and AGREE that the scales of justice will be balanced in the United States of America. The scales of HEAVENLY PERFECT justice. Decree with Me and watch and SEE My Glory!!!’” (Lana Vawser)1 “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4; NIV) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Call for the rising up of God’s earthly army, the waking up of His beautiful warrior Bride, His Church! No more delay! Command light to shine in the darkness, exposing the deeds of darkness. Rejoice in the truth that the darkness cannot overcome the light! Decree that the justice of the Lord is permeating this land. All deeds done in darkness will get in the light that the Judge of the Earth may judge them with righteous judgement. Show us Your Glory, Lord! A prayer you can pray: Lord, we call for the rising army of God! Wake up, Church! It is time for the warrior Bride to awaken and make itself ready to win the war that is before us! We will win this war as we live in the righteousness His grace provides and as we decree His Word! We have already overcome! Light! Permeate the darkness! Expose every deed of darkness. The enemy has been found out! The Judge is judging America with righteous scales of justice! We want to see Your Glory across this land, Lord! Glory, glory, glory! In Jesus’ beautiful Name, amen! Today’s decree: Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world! 1 Learn more about Lana Vawser here.

The Army Of Light Arising “I saw this army of light, rising in the decrees of Heaven, deep in prayer and intercession, awakened to their authority in Jesus, and they were moving forward and PUSHING BACK the darkness. I watched as strategic plans of the enemy over the nation were being foiled and postponed in the spirit before they could be put into action. As this was happening I could hear the Lord saying, ‘STAND UP!!! STAND UP!!! STAND UP!!! TAKE YOUR PLACE!!! STAND UP!!!’ In the awakening that was happening in the Body of Christ, the people of God were taking their place and decreeing in the Spirit, ‘ENOUGH IS ENOUGH’ and beginning to move into their God-given identity and destiny. I watched as the people of God began to take their place and move into places of INFLUENCE in society and culture to bring radical CHANGE.” (Lana Vawser)1 “You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways.” (Job 22:28; ESV) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Stand up in response to the prophetic Word and say, “Here I am, Lord. I want to be a part of the army of light that You said is arising! Give me Your heart and Your words to decree!” Decree “Enough is enough!” Agree with the above Word and decree that the plots and plans of the enemy will be exposed and foiled before they can be put into action. Intercede for the body of Christ to receive a revelation of being a part of the rising army of light, so they can take their places of influence in society and bring radical cultural change! Decree the doors of influence are open to God’s people in the U. S. A prayer you can pray: Father, here I am! I believe the prophetic Word that an army of light is arising now to take our places and decree the Word of the Lord with authority into the nation. I want to be a part of this army! Tell me what to decree and I will decree it. I say to the enemy, “Enough is enough!” I decree that the plots and plans of the enemy will be exposed and unraveled before they can be acted on! Lord, cause the Body of Christ to realize who they are. It is time for Your army of light to arise and take our places in positions of influence across the nation. In Jesus’ Name, amen. Today’s decree: The Lord said that His army of light is arising, that we will expose the works of darkness and will step into our places of influence in the nation. 1 Learn more about Lana Vawser here.

Heavenly Decrees Over the USA “On a recent morning as I sat with the Lord, I felt the invitation from His heart to join with Him in what He is decreeing over this nation. I kept hearing the words, ‘Take your place in HEAVENLY DECREE.’ Use your words over this nation wisely. Despite the awful darkness and tragedy that has taken place, lift your eyes higher. There is going to be some great shaking in the United States, but the Church is rising up. The Lord is calling His people to take their place. To arise and shine and to come against this darkness. I felt the heart of God to decree what He is speaking and keep decreeing it until it is SEEN and MANIFESTED in the natural. The heart of God is to bring HIS perfect, heavenly JUSTICE full of love into the United States of America.” (Lana Vawser)1 “Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1; NASB) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: We all know that the power of death and life are in the tongue, but we sure don’t always act like it. Repent if you have spoken doubt, unbelief or death over the United States. Get a piece of paper out and ask the Lord to give you ten faith-filled decrees that you can make daily over the nation. (Go back and look through the GH15 content and get them from there if you have to!) Open up your Bible to Psalm 61. See yourself joining the Lord and decree His Word! Decree the entire Psalm over yourself and the nation. Find other passages of scripture you can decree each day. A prayer you can pray: Lord, forgive me when what is in my thoughts has come out of my mouth. My words betray my lack of faith in Your mercy and justice. Remind me of Your plan for this nation and shift my words to decrees of life over my nation! Wait a minute…let me get a piece of paper to write down God thoughts to decree. Now, Lord, I stand with You and decree Psalm 61 over myself and the nation! Help me to do this every day until I see revival in America! In Jesus’ Name, amen. Today’s decree: “The heart of God is to bring HIS perfect, heavenly JUSTICE full of love into the United States of America!”1 1 Learn more about Lana Vawser here.

Let the Love of God Consume Us “For God so loved the World that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16) “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, love one another. By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) “But God showed His great love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord!” (Romans 8:38-39) “We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) (All verses ESV) Give Him 15 minutes in prayer: Read the verses above out loud. Meditate on them. Now pray them out loud and let the full power of God’s Word penetrate your heart, perhaps more deeply than ever before. Worship Him for He loves us with a love we can’t comprehend and that we don’t deserve. Ask Him to give you a supernatural grace to love others, especially those you have trouble loving. This is the heart of intercession. Find something you can do today to show someone they are loved – by you and by God. A prayer you can pray: Dear Father God, I am amazed at the way You love me. As I read these verses out loud and meditate on them, give me a fresh revelation of Your love – for me and for every other person, saved and unsaved. I want You to let me feel a little bit of the fire of that Love I do not deserve, but that You are to me anyway. This nation is in desperate need of this revelation, Lord. Our cities and America as a whole also need to see the practical love of Jesus Christ poured out through Believers with this revelation, which can undo hard problems. Unravel racism and false judgement, terror and many other societal wrongs by a tidal wave of Your love hitting us, washing the anger and pain away! In Jesus mighty loving Name, Amen. Today’s decree: The love of God will consume us and a nation will be changed.