Black Maternal Health Week Prayer

 

Dawning of the New Era

There is an enemy of mankind. He stalks - like a predator hunting prey - waiting until we are anxious and alone (completely disabled by fear) before he pounces. This enemy has grown comfortable ruling the earth and wanting even more territory under his dominion. 

The GOOD NEWS for us is that his reign of terror against those made in the image and likeness of God is coming to an end. As believers step into their authority, the enemy is losing ground as the power of the air. Believers are bringing heaven to earth. We must reclaim the land, air, sea, and all living creatures and manmade systems for God's Kingdom purposes.

The enemy will revolt. We will see more expressions of terror and war. The earth will shake mightily as we battle with the unseen. The GOOD NEWS is that WE WIN. We've already won by the powerful act of God birthed through Jesus's death on the cross. And the darkness that we will observe will only give way to a visible and tangible expression of God's light. There will be deep demonstrations of God's power. These demonstrations will come through believers; storms will lift and bodies will be resurrected by spoken word. The Spirit of Jesus will lead us.

What is the outcome of all this? UNITY. God is performing a divine kneading of intentions, resources, and goals. The elements involved must be pure, requiring believers to routinely examine themselves and pursue healing for relational wounds and demonic influence.

Resources for Kingdom Living in this New Era: 

- Battlefield of the Mind (Joyce Meyer)

- Prayers That Rout Demons: Prayers for Defeating Demons and Overthrowing the Powers of Darkness (John Eckhardt)

- The Believer's Authority (Kenneth E. Hagin)

Lay Claim

My husband dreamt of a mountain. As he climbed, two hindrances blocked his path, preventing him from reaching the top.

The first time we interpreted the dream, we immediately focused our attention on the two hindrances. These evil forces - what were they called? What did they represent?

We again asked the Holy Spirit for revelation. 

"You're focused on reaching the top of the mountain. Lay claim to the mountain from right where you are." 

We have been challenged to declare our ownership of the mountain. This declaration activates God to act swiftly on our behalf to remove any obstacles.

Maybe you're focused on that supervisor who appears to be a detractor from you excelling in your field. Maybe it's an entire system - political party, national legacy - that appears to limit your ability to impact lives. Maybe the physician's report is deterring you from believing you have the time necessary to do the thing God has placed on your heart. 

God says, "Lay claim." 

Lay claim to your health. Lay claim to your purpose. Lay claim to your position. Declare that mountain yours and watch him do a new, miraculous thing on your behalf.

Promise of Restoration

Jeremiah 33:14 - Behold, the days are coming', says the Lord, 'when I will fulfill the good word and promise which I have made regarding the house of Israel and the house of Judah.

I cling to Jeremiah 33 as a guiding chapter reminding me of God's goodness. In it, we're told that the mark of God's restoration includes health, healing, peace, security, evangelism, prosperity, joy, and gladness. In 2024, God is raising vocations centered on these elements.

• Health (v. 6) - Individuals working in health and wellness will receive greater measures of authority as they activate their belief systems; they will speak and see change, they will act and observe the miraculous.
• Healing (v. 6) - People will seek out personal deliverance and deliverance ministry training in greater measure. Deliverance ministers will have to prioritize caring for their physical and mental wellness, and their families' protection.
• Peace and Security (v. 6) - As crime rates continue to decline, there will be a renewed definition of how we describe personal and community safety - to not only include prevention of bad activity but the promotion of continual wellness. People will move to cities that have transformed from crime-ridden to harbingers of peace. Diplomats focused on international security will receive new ideas to move us closer to the ideal of "world peace".
• Evangelism (v. 10) - The knowledge and experience of God is moving quickly. Those who identify as evangelists will RUN in this season. Many "junior" leaders have been sitting on the sidelines, holding a vision in their hearts of lives saved. Those visions are coming to fruition. You will have unexpected encounters with people - at the grocery store - and just from your simple conversation centering Jesus, their generations will be transformed.
• Prosperity (v. 10) - We will see more research and news media highlighting the importance of nurturing your soul with goodness. Creatives must cling to telling GOOD news stories in this time.
• Joy and Gladness (v. 11) - Comedians have a unique authority. Their gifting will promote health, healing, peace, evangelism, and the prospering of souls. You'll find that social gatherings - including church services - will be filled with rousing laughter; it will be a catalyst for further restoration.

Over the next several years, we will experience growth in the number of people attracted to these vocations, and in the amount of exposure and recognition these roles receive in the world.

If you identify with any of the descriptions above, take a moment to receive God as Yahweh. Yahweh is a fulfiller of the promises to his people. Ask Yahweh to help you see and remember the instances when He fulfilled promises to you and your family. Ask Yahweh to help you press in to hear his promises for your life and endow you with the courage to move in those directions.

Burning

In this 21st century exposition of earthly injustice, I am renewed in my passion to advance health equity to ensure Black Americans live long, healthy lives. 

I burn with zeal for change and restoration.

Moses burned with zeal to right wrongs committed against his people. 

When commissioned by God at the site of the burning bush (Exodus 3), Moses received revelation about who he was and who God is. God even told Moses the inheritance the Israelites would receive as they plundered the Egyptians; they were destined to be people of favor.

We're often commissioned by prophetic words or the deep righteous yearnings we experience. Our activation requires a reveal of our identities in Christ, a renewed understanding of who God is, and a vision of the new condition God wants for His people. If you know that you know that you know that there is a commission upon your life, but are experiencing stagnation, ask God to reveal who you are, who He is, and what He has in store for the people you are entrusted to love.