How do we pray ?

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16 CJB

As an  intercessor I know this scripture like the back of my hand. Any believer that has a heart for prayer will agree that one of the key elements, when we pray, is the ability to see in the spirit and be able to discern. Whether we are praying on an individual or corporate level. 

Discernment - where and how do we get this discernment?  Are we expected to rely on the discernment that is made available to us as believers by the Holy Spirit, as is?  How do we tap into this discernment? And why, if the Lord gives this gift liberally and without favoritism, do some seem to always hit the nail on the head and some just can't seem to ever get it right? 

Ahh, the age old question.

I have heard soooo many answers to that question. Not one time have I ever been satisfied with an answer.  Until now.

One night on the way home from a prayer meeting, as I was mulling it over with the Lord. That's when all this started to come together.

I point blank asked the Lord why is there such a variance in the effectiveness of the prayers that are prayed by believers in the body of Messiah. Prayers that are prayed by true believers. Men and women of faith. Those that had walked with him for a long time and truly loved him, passionately. 

*I would see a certain person pray with all their heart and not see much fruit. I would also then see another person pray,  though few words were spoken, it was as if an arrow from the bow of the Lord himself had taken flight to accomplish the very task the person has prayed for.
This wasn't just a one time deal. I have seen this happen time and time again.
So I asked the Lord about it.

This was his answer,

"Amy, It's not just about  discernment. It's also about  direction."

He went on to explain in detail.

"Imagine the first the second and the third heavens.

The first heaven consists of the earth and the atmosphere where the clouds and the birds of the air reside.

The second heaven is where the sun, stars and moon are. This is also where the rulers, authorities, the principalities and powers and spiritual dark forces of this world reside.
The third heaven is the highest heaven. This is where I dwell and all my heavenly angels. The highest heaven.

Now imagine two believers of the same tribe. Both have been tried and tested and have been found faithful.

I have given both of them the right to choose weapons to battle in prayer against the spiritual forces in the heavenly places.

One of them chooses a high powered automatic machine gun. This believer will be warring from the first heaven.

The other believer chooses a bow and a quiver full of arrows. I have this believer come up to the third heaven to sit at my feet and await my instruction.”

Then the Lord asked the question

“Which one of these intercessors do you think will be  most effective?

The one praying from the first heaven shooting with great power and might? 
or

The one who is sitting at my feet who waits for my direct order before shooting their bow?”

Of course the answer was the one sitting at the feet of the LORD.

The believer shooting from the first heaven was simply shooting upwards ‘towards’ the second heaven. They are shooting into the battlefield blindly. 

They may or may not hit the intended target.

The Lord also pointed something out I had not ever thought about in this arena. 

This believer, while praying with good intention, but without  the ‘precise direction’ of the LORD, may also have unintended casualties. (This being caused from the machine gun-shooting wildly into the heavens. Cause and effect of prayers that have been prayed.)

  "For we know that the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective." James 5:16 

"For although we do live in the world, we do not wage war in a  worldly way; because the weapons we use to wage war are not worldly. On the contrary, they have God's power for demolishing strongholds." 2 Corinthians 10:3,4)

  Our words hold power. Just because we know something, does not mean we are suppose to speak it forth.  This is using discernment.

Point

Both of these intercessors loved the Lord and had a heart to pray and further Gods kingdom. 

Both had a zeal to move on behalf of the Lord in HIS work.

What the Lord was making clear to me here was that the one believer that he took with Him to the third heaven had the one thing that the other believer was missing.

Direction from the Lord.

This is something that is available to everyone with out prejudice.

For the LORD loves all the same. 
He is no respecter of persons.

In fact, if we belong to Him, we are then seated with Him in the heavenly realm at the right hand of the Father. 

For we have been crucified with Jesus our Messiah by faith. (Galatians 2:20) and in so we now are alive in Him. He having ascending into the third heaven and remains seated at the right hand of the Father. High above every ruler, authority, power dominion or any other name that can be named either in this age or in the age to come.” 

Ephesians 1:21)

So how do we turn our machine guns in for a bow and arrow?

The answer is quite simple.

Come away with the LORD. Sit at his feet. Be quite and listen.

We need to get alone with God!

"Be still (desist from your activities) and know I am G-d." Psalm 46:11 CJB

Only THEN will we be the effective prayer warriors that we long and need to be.

How can we know what the heart of the Father IS? 

How can we go and do what he would have us go and do, if we can not hear His beautiful voice?

How will we recognize his beautiful voice if we never stop and sit and give him time to speak?

Speak Abba - speak. For your children are listening.

AmyColleen 🕊️

No More Job's

                                     Hey there, how you doing?
I've been up since three o'clock this morning. It is now currently five thirty a.m. I have had a piece of toast and a cup of coffee and spent time in prayer and conversation with the Lord and some serious time in deep thought.

In just a few days I will be fifty years old. That's half a century old.
To be perfectly honest, I don'y desire to live a full century. I don't believe I will. At least not here anyway. I truly believe the Lord will have come back by then to establish his kingdom for the millennial reign by then, at least I hope so.

I have lived a hard life. Of course that term is relative. There are always those that have lived harder lives and many who have it much easier. Let's just say I am quite thankful for the promise of God that he turns everything around for the good of those that love him and are the called according to his good purpose! I count on that!

I have learned also to use my life circumstances to catapult me ever so  much closer to the feet of Jesus. Although, I won't lie, at times this has proven to be very difficult, but Holy Spirit has given me the strength and taken me by the hand, even times picked me up and carried me through. It seems still, after waking with the Lord for 35 years, I seem to face insurmountable trials at times I know beyond a shadow of a doubt G_d is with me. Holy Spirit guides me and Jesus is still my best friend.

I recently heard a preacher say, "Now I know we all go through hard times. Through trials. We may feel like we have been betrayed by loved ones and lost friends and everything like Job. But I don't think any of us (in the world today) are any where as righteous as Job was.......So it's not that bad.."

Well, ever since I heard that statement I haven't been able to "kick it".

You know, that is just not true.

We all are....just as righteous as Job. Those of us that are children of the most High G-D, that is! We are  made so by the Blood of the Lamb!
The scripture reference from Job 1:8 reads, Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."


A few things to consider here:
For starters and I believe most important, we, you and I, are made righteous by the blood of Jesus, not by works. (so no one should be able to boast about it)  Ephesians 2:9


Also, although the sacrifice was in fact made for all men before time began (one of the mysteries) Job lived in a time before Jesus our Messiah had been born into this world and had laid down his life  and been crucified. The world and area where Job was from was exceedingly wicked. G-d was approached by Satan and G-d described Job to Satan  accurately in comparison to those around him.  


And then, I believe any one of us can get to that level where Job was in his life. A level where G-d knows our love, trust and faithfulness; for, in and to him would not wax or wain. This being said, I believe also our adversary and accuser Satan may just as well come before our Heavenly Father on our behalf like he did on Job's. I have found no scripture  to support otherwise.


 Job's life story was divinely placed in the Holy Scripture for a reason....for US to TAKE encouragement from it. The Lord is interested in our eternal soul. In a relationship with US. That is why He came to earth and laid down His life for us.





G_d is Holy.
Jesus is Holy.
Holy Spirit is HOLY.
G_d is ONE G_d.
Just as we are one being so is He who created us. It's not that big of a mystery. 
Body - soul - spirit.

So if you are experiencing some truly difficult times in your life.....and you are truly seeking the will of the Lord. Seeking the face of G-d. Don't give in to the enemy's lies that you have been forgotten by G-D or you are unworthy or don't have enough faith or anything like that.

Stay IN the Word of G-D....in the fellowship of true believers....in constant communication (prayer) with the Lord.... and stand firm!

Love to you in Yeshua HaMashiach!

You’re All There Is For Me

Foxes have their holes Lord. Birds they have their nest.

But you say you have no place to rest.

Still I’ll follow you. Where ever you may lead.

For my Lord you’re all there is for me.

Still there are times I wonder. Can I keep pressing on?

The river’s flood keeps rising;

The fire’s burning strong;

Lord how long?

“Fear not I have redeemed you.

I have called you by name.

My child, whom I have chosen,

Whom I formed and whom I’ve made.

Do not fear for I am with you.

I am the Lord Almighty God.

Because you’re mine and I love you;

You will survive against all odds;

For, I am God.”

I may not understand Lord; All you have for me.

But you say don’t worry just believe.

So I’ll follow you. Where ever you may lead.

For my Lord you’re all there is for me.

So let the river flow Lord. Let the fire burn.

You are God Almighty.

And I have your word.

You are with me.

Copyright 2001 All rights reserved

By: Amy Colleen (song)

Ephesians 6:10-18

 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Are You Missing Out On God's Last Gift to YOU?

The Scriptures tells us that God has sets His Holy Spirit within every believers heart as a deposit to guarantee what is to come (he was refereeing to his coming back for us).

When we first enter the kingdom of God, we are born of the Spirit. John 3:5-8.
At that time, as Jesus promised, the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, moves from merely being "with" us to being "in" us, and our bodies become his temple. John 14:17; I Corinthians 3:16-17, 6:19-20. It is the Spirit within us that continually reassures us that we are God's children. Romans 8:15-16. Through his Spirit, God dwells in our hearts — our "inner man" — through faith. Romans 8:9.

The Spirit living within us is God's seal on our lives and his guarantee of what is to come. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, 5:5; Ephesians Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30.

We must keep in mind this "Holy Spirit seal" is a promise of things to come. There is still this life in which we live. What does the Lord have to say about that?

Jesus' Parting gift to us.


In Acts 2:38-39, the Apostle Peter said:
"Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself."

What is this promised "gift" of the Holy Spirit?
The first indication comes from the earthly life of Jesus. Throughout the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit had been said to "come upon" or "rest upon" individuals on particular occasions to speak a message or to empower particular service. But he did not REMAIN "on" them — after the deeds for which he was sent were accomplished, he appeared from their human perspective to withdraw from them. However, God told John the Baptist that he would recognize the Lamb of God, the one who will baptize in the Holy Spirit, because he would be "the man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain." John 1:33. ("I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.") Instead of coming only to do a job, the Spirit would come on Jesus to stay.

*Moreover, later in his earthly ministry, Jesus promised that his Father would likewise give the Holy Spirit as a "good gift" to those who ask him, and that, at some point in the future, the Spirit, who now lived "with" his disciples, would come to dwell "in" them. John 14:15-17. (this scripture very much presents Holy Spirit in a very personal way as to encourage us to spend time and get to know him).

When Jesus spoke these words, they were in a future tense ~ a future promise: he had to "go away" and "be glorified" before this would happen.
More scripture ~ John 7:37-39, "On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified."
John 16:7. "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you."

So Jesus told his disciples what they should expect the Spirit to do when the Holy Spirit was come upon them.
He would be a Comforter, also allowing them to "see" Jesus even when he was no longer visibly on earth and to recognize that they were in Jesus and Jesus is in his Father. John 14:16-20. He would teach the disciples all things, guide them into all truth, remind them of Jesus' words and show them the future. John 14:26, 15:26, 16:13. He would glorify the Father by showing them Jesus' things — all things the Father has. John 16:14. And as a result of his work, streams of living water would flow out of their lives. John 7:37-39. The Spirit was sent to expand God's kingdom from the single person of Jesus to include multitudes.

Finally, Acts 2:41 records that about three thousand were baptized and added to the number of believers after Peter's sermon on Pentecost. Presumably, these three thousand people received the gift of the Holy Spirit which Peter promised. What was the effect of that gift on them? They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer. They were filled with awe at the miraculous signs done by the apostles. They ceased to regard their possessions as their own, but held them all as available to meet each others' needs. They met every day, were thankful and gave praise openly. They enjoyed favor with the people around them, and more were being saved every day. Rivers of living water truly did pour out of them into the streets. In this passage, the focus is not on tongues, or even on miraculous signs, although there was evidence of both, but on the way these believers allowed the Spirit they had been given to control their lives. The important thing was the way they lived.

Glory to God!

For More on THIS Kind of Church Read the Book of Acts !

Shalom ~ Amy Colleen