This morning as my phone buzzed in my ear alarming me that sleep was no longer welcome in my room, I laid there for awhile and began thinking about the 40 day fast coming on Mon (which for some reason I though was starting tomorrow) and suddenly the first part of Daniel 9 popped in my head.
The story is this: Daniel is in captivity in Babylon with the many others of his people and they have been there for 70 years. Daniel knows the season and the year, and knows that deliverance is close at hand (I wonder what tipped him off, besides knowing Jeremiah’s words). He is familiar with the texts of history and their prophetic words, Jeremiahs being that after 70 years deliverance would come. (2 Chron 26:21) The text reads:
“I Daniel, understood by the books the number of years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would acomplish seveny years in the desolation of Jerusalem.
Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.”
Daniel knew the word, the prophecies that were given. He recognized the year and season they were in. Daniel didn’t just wait to let it happen knowing that it would, he threw himself into prayer and fasting. Instead of being passive and simply letting things happen, he understood that he played a dynamic role to play as an intercessor in the unfolding of God’s plan to release His people from their captivity.
This morning I was thinking about our (IHOP”S) own prophetic history and how Mike put the two seasons (1983 and 2007)together in all the parrallels and prophetic words and dreams. It seems simular to Daniel’s time, knowing it’s time for something big, yet climax is still yet upon us.
We have promises from the Lord and it is abundantly clear to those that are paying attention that He desperatly wants to answer. What was Daniel’s approach? Prayer and fasting. The Lord said 24 years ago he would answer and May 28 and for this long there has been nothing, until now. 2007 and 1983 all over again plus the fullfillment of dreams some had then. May 28th is in two days and what is the Lord’s answer(besides GODTV)? A 40 day fast with the nation for revival.
I feel pretty honored to be living in this season of history, a little terrifyed, ok a lot terrifyed and I don’t really feel adaquete for this (which is probably why I’m here) but here I am, let’s do this fast with excellent spirits and pray in the promises over our house and the nation in this season.
I feel like we could simply stand in awe at what the Lord is doing and terrifically marvel, which is not necessarily bad, but let’s be ones that would pray in the promises and not just watch them unfold. Many have dug the trenches and done most of the dirty work for us, (we are all newbies at this) but our role is just as dynamic, let’s pray in the rain.