Blessings Friends!
Wow. My head is still reeling from our 4th of July in the Park outreach. I still feel like I have a serious Holy Spirit hangover!
When I’d share what God was putting on my heart, people kept saying things like, “Well, even if no one comes for prayer, the important thing is that you’re there.” So, I was fully expecting to just sit all day in the park in silent prayer. God had other plans. I realize now that nothing could have prepared me for what God did in our booth that day.
If you’ve been with me for a while, you know that about three years ago The Lord called me to a season of prayer, which sounded really cool at the time, but in reality was lonely at best and excruciating at worst. I talk a little about this in my post “Alone on the Mountain.” During my time on “the mountain,” The Lord showed me the most amazing things concerning the future of His Church and the role I would play in His plan. He even gave me a date for my release from my season of prayer, which was May 25, 2016. I was both excited and terrified.
My first assignment after my release? Set up a prayer booth at Walla Walla’s 4th of July in the Park celebration. This may not seem like much of challenge to some, but remember, I’ve just spent three years alone with God—and I wasn’t exactly a socialite when He called me up on that mountain. I was so far out of my comfort zone with this assignment I needed a new zip code! But I know my God, and I believe He will accomplish all He has shown me—in spite of myself. Just as I believe that, unless I’m willing to obey what He calls me to do, all of my sacrifices of prayer and fasting are worth nothing.
“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the Lord?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22 NIV
To be fair, this assignment was laid on me early in my season of prayer. I just hadn’t been released to pursue it, yet. But it was still terrifying. And just to make things interesting, The Lord made it clear that we were to have no church or organization sponsoring us. This is what He had called me to do—and I wasn’t to question finances, either.
So, we went. My amazing husband, Chuck, put together a great booth in record time, and when God made it clear that this was to be under the Watch God Work ministry, we had all of a week to get my logo in the right size from my web designer and get a banner made. Chuck eventually had to resize the logo and we ended up having it printed in Seattle two days before the event. The bracelets and toys I ordered to pass out to the kids also arrived just in time. Everything just came together.
Our little prayer warrior, Gracie, chose of her own freewill to pass up a party and spend the day praying for people. And pray we did! My fellow prayer warrior Lora Sykes, president of the Walla Walla chapter of AGLOW International, joined us for part of the day and was an incredible blessing. Very few people refused a prayer of blessing, and countless people came for prayers for healing and other needs. Our jar for prayer requests quickly filled up even as we laid hands on people and prayed over them.
Things really heated up at noon, when Citizen Way took the stage for the Positive Life Radio Christian Concert! I’m telling you, the atmosphere changed in the park, and The Holy Spirit fell in power! Lora, Gracie, and I were prophesying over people and I could feel them tremble under the weight of The Anointing! At times our booth was packed, with more people waiting to get in! It was truly awesome! Hearts and bodies were healed and people were delivered from oppression and addiction, all to the glory of God!
By three in the afternoon, I was drained and had all but lost my voice. I could no longer be heard over the bands that were playing, but Lora prayed over me and I was able to continue until the last people came through around five. Gracie was out ministering to people in the crowd and in other booths, and was such an encouragement, and Chuck and Lora amazed me with their boldness. I was so blessed to have them with me!
One of the wonderful people we were privileged to pray with was Mary Ruth Edwards, candidate for State Representative, Dist. 16. Later Mary Ruth wrote to us,
“I wanted to thank you, your husband, and especially Gracie for the prayers this afternoon at the park. I had been dreading coming down to Walla Walla, and quite honestly, would have taken any reason to not come down. I’d been praying about it all morning at the Pasco parade, and put it off as long as I could. But I’m so GLAD that I followed God’s leading to come down. He knew I needed to meet Gracie and her family! I hope to see you all again soon.”
I learned so much from this experience. I witnessed the impact worship has on an environment, so if you are in need of a touch from God—worship Him! I also learned that there is a hunger for a revival in our valley. I felt that there had been a certain expectation among believers there, and that our presence was the answer to many prayers. So many people expressed appreciation for our being there. It was very humbling—and exciting to hear what God has been doing in our valley while I’ve been on the mountain.
I couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened had I not obeyed God’s calling and opted instead for comfortable or convenient. I would have missed such a blessing! I encourage you to step out in faith when The Lord calls you. You won’t regret it!
“He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24 NKJV
Probably most importantly, I was given a small taste of what is coming. I spent most of the day on my feet and in fervent prayer, and though I was exhausted, I had no pain until I got home that night. Anyone who is familiar with my journey through cancer will know that just doesn’t happen to me. Not for the last seven years! But then, it wasn’t me doing the work. And when God’s great wave comes, it will be just as it is written:
“‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6 NKJV
The Lord gave me a prophetic word several weeks ago that called for Him to invade our city and nation in power. This 4th of July was just the beginning, my friends. This was opening salvo. God is raising up an army of prayer warriors, and the enemy’s reign over this valley—this nation is coming to an end!
I don’t know what my next assignment will look like. I think I can safely say that it will not be comfortable or convenient. I can also safely say that it will surpass anything He’s done through me yet!
If you haven’t yet enlisted in God’s army, I would encourage you to do it now. You will be amazed by what our 7 Star General will do in and through you! Let me hear from you, so I can pray for you. If you are a fellow prayer warrior, I want to hear from you, too! What amazing things is The Lord showing you and doing in and through you? Remember,
“The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:10 NKJV
God’s grace and peace be yours,
Rebecca
