A word through: Deborah Kerekes Deborah's email address: debinramah@hotmail.com Wednesday, June 30, 1999

A WORD TO INTERCESSORS AND PROPHETS

For over a year I have been watching intercessors, and prophet-intercessors become increasingly frustrated, shut down and spiritually paralyzed. Many have almost stopped flowing in their gifts altogether, and I believe the Lord has given me understanding on it, and a "word" if you will.

WINE-SKINS, NOT THE PROBLEM

The issue is, again, "wine-skins". Many of us have gotten our eyes off the Lord, and also off the precious wine itself. We have become critical, negative, even obsessed with the wine-skin. Cursing and stabbing at it, and those in charge of it's care, often being a part of spilling the wine. We have received a glimpse, (not even a vision), of the future church, and many of us have begun beating the "living daylights" out of the present church because it isn't conforming the way we like. Many are "contending" for our pastors and churches in a manner that is much like cursing, and akin to witchcraft; full of opinion. We have desired to twist and change people and churches through our "inspired" prayers. As a result of anger-based prayer and a lack of Christ-centered vision, HE, in His mercy, has just allowed us to shut down, rather than be guilty of such spiritual manipulation. I am not at all saying this is every intercessor. The ones I know personally going through it are some of the most committed, gifted, mature, God-fearing, people I know. That is part of the problem. God may have at one time told them to fight for, or contend for a church or pastor, and all went well. The churches blossomed and the pastors were blessed.

FOR MANY, THE ASSIGNMENT HAS CHANGED

Nothing can bring more confusing bewilderment than trying to follow an assignment that has changed. Bless pastors, support churches where, when and if you can; but contend for that which is coming, and for that which He is doing now. Seek His face more than ever before. Contend for His presence to be among us, that we may walk without a proud, superior, critical, heart; fully in His Spirit. We often walk in victory for a time, but then we are assaulted with cynicism, despair, and disdain. We sometimes look at pastors as though they are parents who have betrayed us and let us down. The enemy has managed to take-out some of the best, most dedicated intercessors. Our duties have become scrambled and we are sidelined, knocked out of the true battle. We have villainized pastors and leaders and forgotten who the battle was with.

THE REAL WAR VS. FANTASY

Bob Jones once told me he was wrestling with a spirit too strong for him, alone. When he called out for reinforcements, he saw intercessors sitting around making daisy-chains. I don't believe Bob was saying he is alone, praying. But I do believe he represents the percent fighting rightly vs. the crowds that are caught in fantasy and diversion. We are entering a time when we will need all hands on deck. As the anointing increases and prophets and intercessors begin to see more clearly, we will naturally see more faults and weaknesses in people. We need to deal with that now. With increased anointing comes increased responsibility. We will either walk in greater power and authority, or we could end up like Saul: half mad with bitterness, self-justification, criticism and introversion. Don't set your hearts to change pastors and churches. If there TRULY is ungodly control or unrepentant sin, get back (or out), and keep your hands off; (I don't say without first warning in love). Believe me, it will be dealt with soon, and you don't want to be caught with your hands and heart meddling, when it is. We need to set our hearts on Him, and HIS assignments for prayer, worship and praise. We need to spend more time blessing, less time talking; more time in the Throne-room.

WHAT ABOUT THE THRONE-ROOM?

I have been asking many intercessors and prophets, "What do you see happening in the Throne-room right now?" Sadly, very few can tell me, because so few are entering in. Anger is usually from unmet expectations. Let us lay down our anger and get busy with Kingdom work, no matter what form it takes or doesn't take. Let offenses go.

FINALLY

God has put such an urgency in my heart; we need to be in-line by the end of this summer or we could really miss what is about to happen. At best, individuals will be stumbled and miss out on what He is about to do. At worst, there won't be enough of us praying in unity, (that critical mass), for an open heaven and lasting victory. Let us walk in love, mercy, wisdom and grace; forgiving as we go, and blessing all.