Praying for the seven Mountains (VI) Family

Though ultimately our struggle is not against flesh and blood, nevertheless the Evil one has taken many captive to do his will (Ephesians 6:12; 2 Timothy 2:26). We used to talk about the “nuclear family, ” meaning a father, mother and their children. The adjective “nuclear” indicated correctly, that this unit is the basic building block of a stable society. Since the 1960's Satan's has been using those he has taken captive to take aim at this very basic level, marshaling leaders in all seven mountains of influence to do his bidding. In terms of government, it started in the 60's with the relaxation of divorce laws, which were designed to protect children (who suffer greatly under divorce). It's now manifesting in the latest move to take children from parents who refuse to affirm non-biological gender in their child. Never mind that the changes are irreversible and permanent, and that studies show many, who are left alone, grow out it. The rational for all such laws are framed in terms of compassion, and a desire to alleviate suffering. No law is perfect, certainly the divorce laws were not. You cannot legislate the heart, which in the end is the problem. But many of these new laws have severe unwanted consequences, consequences that actually increase overall suffering (see October posts “Culture wars”).

The Media and Arts and Entertainment are largely on board with this agenda. By biased reporting, majoring on isolated events, employing false statistics, pseudo science and one sided propaganda, they, wittingly or unwittingly, follow Alinsky's rules for radicals (30 October). Increasingly business is weaponized in the agenda to tear down traditional family values, with bakers for example, being sued for refusing to violate their consciences. And whether you agree or disagree, it is clear that all this is eroding of freedom. That Education is being used is obvious to anyone who is informed about these things (but see 17 December). In terms of Religion, again whether you agree or not, it's hard to deny the infiltration into the church of the stated agenda to change the West’s mind about traditional and family values (see 19 November).

And what are we to do about all this? Well, it's “not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord” (Zechariah 4:6). And clearly without Him we can do nothing. But the Lord requires our cooperation, we are to humble ourselves to turn, repent, obey, pray and seek His face (2 Chronicles 7:14 again). Part of obedience is that we are to make disciples starting with ourselves, our families. Discipleship needs to be Biblical and holistic (see 29 November). When we obey and seek His face and have our “conduct honourable among unbeliever," then “they may, by your good works ... glorify God in times of visitation” (2 Peter 2:12). In other words when we do these things, we will avoid what the other side needs to change in us, and He will visit us and change all our hearts and, I believe, bring us more into balance and harmony. 

Father, we declare the restoration of Biblical traditional marriages and families. We ask You to rise up fathers in loving Biblical leadership in the home, and to help us to demonstrate Kingdom values and attitudes there (Ephesians 5:15 – 6:4). Help us in holistic discipleship, to heal marriages and lives, and to be set free (Luke 4:18). We demolish the strongholds of divorce Lord, renounce generational family curses, and loose blessing for our families for the generations to come (Exodus 20:6) in Jesus Name Amen.

Praying for the seven Mountains (V) Religion

In “A tale of two cities” Dicken's starts off with his novel with “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times/” Is there a more apt description of our times? It's the worst of times, there is a war against the Faith,  the whole culture is going to hell in a hand basket, and we are being intimidated into silenced in unprecedented ways and ferocity. It's the best of times, because God is moving in ways not seen since the first century, and if we are to believe the Scripture, the light of gospel shines best in the darkness, and the Church comes alive in times of persecution. Though I do need to say that compared with the rest of the World, persecution in the West is a cake walk! Also these “worst of times” are beginning to shake us out of our complacency,  showing us the need to come our of isolation and to contend for truth. We do need to do it His way of course!

If we are to be a city on a hill we must  be seen, and what is seen has to be attractive. The Biblical way is to go, and to make what I've called holistic disciples starting with ourselves. I am using the phrase “holistic discipleship,” because discipleship in the church has tended to be two dimensional (see 2,3 December). In particular if we do not take the inward journey, we will operate our of our hurt habits and hangups stunting our love and preventing the World from seeing that we are His disciples by the genuine love we have for each other (John 13:35). Related to this, is that we have been conformed to the World and lax in obedience to His Word, the very vehicle that perfects His love in us (1 John 2:5). In other words we have had a form of religion, but denied it's power (2 Timothy 3:5). But it is the best of times, and the Lord has been restoring authority and health to His church along with signs, wonders, apostolic authority, the prophetic, houses of prayer and the transformation of cities (see previous posts). 

The last thing I want to mention today that we need to pray for, is the right to speak. Freedom of speech is increasingly under attack, and we must contend in the Spirit for this battle to be won. As I have already indicate this will be to no avail if our walk does not match our talk. The exclusivism of the Christian gospel has always at some level been offensive to our culture, and we must know how to answer. Since we reap what we sow and we are reaping the whirlwind, what is important to know, is that the wounds of a friend are faithful (Proverbs 27:6). In other words though the truth may hurt, it brings healing when we turn and obey God's Laws. We have yet to see the full extent of the destruction (the worst of time) that our culture will experience if it keeps going down its current path.

Father, part of what I have written this morning is confession, the necessary precondition for You to heal our land. Father we pray for the billion soul harvest that is prophesied, and as part of our preparing the way of the Lord, we ask You to facilitate our going , and our making holistic disciples who will pray, pray and pray (me too) in Jesus Name Amen

Praying for the seven Mountains (IV) Education

In case you are not aware, let me tell you plainly, the radical Left is increasingly hijacking the syllabi of our schools and universities with its radical leftist agenda. It's not yet as radical here in Canada as it is elsewhere, but make no mistake about it, it's coming unless we rise up and pull down the strongholds in the Name of Christ. It all started long ago with the taking away of prayer in schools, and with the science faith controversy. It was always present in Universities. Atheist Professors have long been free to ridicule faith based positions thus proselytizing atheism. But proselytizing Christianity is politically incorrect, and when attempted, is met with extreme hostility. There's much to say about these things, including the fact that atheism is also faith based, though few seem able to see it.




Even the ten commandments, the very basis of Western Civilization are increasingly, if not outright banned, have certainly been marginalized. Radical sex-ed is being taught in schools, and students encouraged, for example, to experiment with sex to determine their sexual orientation. In the UK one sex-ed program teaches six year olds how to self stimulate, and Breitbart tells of a BBC educational series that teaching children that there are “Over 100” different genders. And so “of course,” we get to choose our gender independent of our biological sex, and also hypocritically of science. We have yet to see the fullness of the destruction that will follow all this (but see 25 October)! At the moment home schooling is an option here in Canada, but I was recently made aware of a High Court ruling in Switzerland against mother’s right to Homeschool. All of this is even more pronounced in the Universities, with same extreme leftist values permeating the very ethos of the system. And increasingly, in the name of sensitivity, of microaggression and the perceived need for safe spaces, free speech is under attack, the very mechanism that can bring balance and sanity into the equation (see “Do we have a right to not be offended?” 23 October).




In terms of “if my people ... repent and turn from our wicked way” (2 Chronicles 7:14), we need to acknowledge, in identification repentance (see August 10), that what has essentially happened is that the tables have been turned. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. And we Conservatives have certainly abused power. It's not just in the political system! Here in Newfoundland at the time of confederation the right to denominational schools was enshrined in the constitution. There was a lot of abuse of this entitlement and of power, and that right was overturned. Some of us were not sure that was not a good thing. Democracy works (when it does), because the various sides keep things balanced, and just because something calls itself Christian, does not mean it operates out of Biblical attitudes and principles. And we need both Liberal and Conservative opinions, to keep things balanced, and we need to listen to each other!




Father, I repent for myself and for those who are called by Your name for our abuse of power and for our neglect of the marginalized. Thank You Lord for the dissenting voices that You are using to bring us back into balance. Wake us up Lord, raise up intercessors, and place Your people in this mountain of influence to pull down strongholds that exalt themselves against Your Kingdom, and bring peace, justice and righteousness to our nations in Jesus Name Amen

Praying for the seven Mountains (III) Business

Mangelwadi in his book “The Book that changed the world,” tells of a time in the Christian West when integrity was so great that a farmer could leave a container of milk by the road, trusting his customers to help themselves and to pay. We have come a long way right? Not! The Bible is strong on fair business practices (i.e. Proverbs 11:1; 16:11). Here is not the place to outline the many pros and cons of the capitalist system. There are many of both, and there are many problems. I wish I could say that honesty and integrity characterized all of our business practices, but greed, exploitation and corrupt business practices are common. Some of the Multinational cooperations are the worst offenders. One company (name withheld to protect the guilty) distributed free milk powder to mothers in certain third world countries, and then after the mother's milk dried up, had a ready market to charge for their product. A similar strategy introduced drugs to our children in schools.

Others exploit the market by poverty level wages in often dangerous, unregulated factories in third world counties, and then import the goods to the West. The Bible speaks of such practices as “robbing the poor” (Proverbs 22:22). But Capitalism and the free market system have a positive side too. They enable us to grow a healthy economy and build personal wealth. Capitalism also promotes (not perfectly of course) equality of opportunity, in that it gives the the poor the possibility of getting ahead by taking responsibility for their lives. These are conservative values, and while the Left's equality of outcome (everybody has equal wealth) sounds like a good thing, implementing it actually promotes entitlement and victimhood, and takes away initiative as we wait for the government to take from the rich and give to the poor. And if history proves anything, it doesn't work. The role government plays in business is important, but needs to be kept in balance. On the one hand de-regulation has caused chaos and instability. On the other hand too much regulation strangles, especially small businesses. I recently heard of two different government departments, one requiring doors that lead to the kitchen in restaurants to swing inwards, the other requiring them to swing outwards. Overregulation is also costly and can actually sabotage a business.

Some business models and philosophies are ungodly, greed is said to be good, and profit amoral. The Scripture on the other hand declares “Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household” (Proverbs 15:27). And “The love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). But nobody is saying that we should not desire a fair wage for our labour. Interestingly, in light of the last part of the above proverb, books and seminars are increasingly advocating respectful inclusion of the workforce in decision making, and profit sharing. And it works because good business practices produce stable and stress free work environments and actually produce better profits. Who knew the Bible would be right about these things?

Father we ask you to raise up intercessors to demolish the strongholds of unfair, corrupt and even evil business practices, including the drug, abortion, pornography and sex-trafficking industries. In legitimate business Lord, please raise up leaders of integrity, and give them wisdom and favour to be a blessing to themselves, others and the kingdom. Help us the achieve the right balance in terms of regulation, and cause our nations to prosper in all our ways (3 John 2) in Jesus Name Amen

Praying for the seven Mountains (II) Media, and Arts and Entertainment.

The media Mountain of influence includes News papers,  and the news channels on radio and TV. It is inevitable that any particular outlet has some form of bias. It is an established fact,  that we all have some level of  bias, and the Media is no exception. Media bias manifests itself first of all in the selection events and stories,  and then secondly in how they are reported and covered.   This bias has always been reflected in opinion pieces,  but increasingly biased opinions are being expressed in what should be purely factual reporting. And this bias has become so blatant, that almost everyone  sees through it. Polls increasingly show unprecedented levels of mistrust and even dismissal of the media.  And with the advent of fake news,  it's difficult to know who and what to believe.

Lord,  we pray that the Media will return to being bearers of truth and facilitators of unity, rather than of polarization. We rebuke you Satan and bind your work within the media, and we take authority over the spiritual strongholds that you have erected in your agenda to kill,  steal and destroy (John 10:10a).  Lord we ask You will raise up producers,  media owners, anchors and reporters who will bring godly influence to media. Please protect those who know You who are already there,  protect them from attacks and from dismissal, give them wisdom to know how to answer,  and respond  to whatever comes their way. Fortify them Lord,  and give them deep and penetrating influence as they seek to be salt and light in the midst of the skepticism that so often pervades these outlets,  in Jesus Name Amen.

The Arts and Entertainment mountains of influence includes television, movies, magazines and books,  and even video games. Increasingly these areas of influence are being taken over (have been taken over) by the agenda of the radical left. These outlets promote often subtle messages about marriage, sex, family and politics, and their  ungodly messages are pervasive. It is increasingly difficult, for example, to find a movies without an explicit sex scene. This strategy, which I believe  is ultimately from the enemy, has had multi billion dollar funding.  All this and more,  is well documented (see for example “The Marketing of Evil: How Radicals, Elitists, and Pseudo-Experts Sell Us Corruption Disguised As Freedom” by David Kupelian).  The aim is, and was to change our view of what is and is not acceptable in our culture.  The stories often relate heart breaking situations where society has put obstacles in the way of “progress.”  But they hide the pain and the consequences of going against God's laws that are given  to protect us (Galatians 6:7). And of course the one who “speaks”  first only seems to be right, and there is no opportunity to refute what in the end,  boils down to visual and emotional,  propaganda (Proverbs 18:17).

Father, we  come against all of this ungodly propaganda that instills fear, hate, violence and lust etc.,  into the hearts and minds  of our culture, calling good evil and evil good (Isaiah 5:29). Our children are being seduced by these things Lord, and we ask You to raise up intercessors to petition You to tear down these strongholds.  Also Lord,  we ask You to raise  up Christ-centred television, movies, books, magazines and games. Thank You Lord that in many ways You are  already doing this, especially in the many recent Christian movies. We pray Kingdom of God come on earth in Jesus Name Amen

Praying for the seven Mountains of influence (I) Government

Fifty or more years ago there was not a lot of difference between the Left and the Right, between Liberal and Conservative. Among Christians you might hear things like “Politics is a dirty business, best to stay clear.” And by and large that's what Christians did, but slowly over the years, and not so slowly at times, Judaeo-Christain values have been under attack, and we Christians have been asleep. Now there's no such thing as perfect government, there cannot be, because ultimately it is run by flawed human beings. So in particular Western Democracy is not perfect, but if history is to teach us anything, anything else is worse. At the last election here in Canada, Christians were starting to wake up and pray, and that is a good thing, but it is a mistake to think one party is completely correct, and the other completely wrong. In the best of all world Liberal and Conservative will keep the other in balance, and to some extent fifty years ago that worked quite well.

The extremes are the biggest problem on both sides. I'll mention just one issue, the size and power of government. Too much regulation, for example, can hamstring innovation, tying things up in red tape. Too little structure brings chaos, too much becomes rigid and unyielding to change. Even the right amount of structure can becomes rigid and/or corrupt. When one party dominates, things will likely get out of balance, and then we need the other side to bring things back to centre. Three Scriptures come to mind, firstly 2 Timothy 2:1-3 commands all Christians to intercede and give thanks for “kings” and all in authority; secondly “When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice” (Proverbs 29:2); and thirdly “the king's heart is in the Lord's hand. He can turn it however He wants” (Proverbs 21:1). So first and foremost we need to pray for men and women of integrity to come in government at all levels (local, provincial and federal), and we need to pray for those already there, that the Lord will change their hearts when needed.

I should confess that until recently I was a Christians who was asleep. I rarely if ever prayed for our leaders. And since the Lord can change hearts, we need to pray for them even if we don't agree, well perhaps especially if we don't agree. I did vote, but I had not even joined a party. And I am aware that may Christians do not even vote, let alone join a party, and then some of us need to become involved at the grass roots. In this current climate our children are greatly at risk. And we need to be informed. But where are we going to get the time? Good question, and clearly the Lord will not call all of us to be deeply involved, but we can all vote, and we can all be informed as we seek to understand the times and to know what to do (2 Chronicles 7:14)!

Father, help us (me) to pray and to be consistent in praying for government at all levels. Father bring godly men and women into government, and raise up godly council and Your prophets to speak wisdom and direction to all in positions of influence. Wake us up Lord, we are in a battle for our children, for our faith and for our culture. Forgive us Lord for our apathy. Show us where and how to be involved, and Lord please heal our Land in Jesus Name Amen

Discipleship: Judea and Samaria - If My People ...

I finished last day's post talking (and praying) about prayer, and I keep coming back to the 2 Chronicles 7:14 promise “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” I saw again from the testimony of the two “Transformations” videos I mentioned the part that prayer and fasting played in the transformation of towns and cities. So this is the “pray and seek” Your fact part of what we need to do. The other things was the unity of the church, and our disunity and empire building are things of which we need to repent. In terms of humbling ourselves, we need to confess the part pride of being right, has played in keeping us separate.

So Father, right here and now I confess my own sin and the sin of Your people in the way we have looked down on others, who don't see things the way that we do. We confess Lord and turn from our wicked ways in allowing doctrinal differences to separate us in areas outside of a reasonable set of non-negotiable essentials (see 22 September). We also confess Father, that we have been more interested in building up our own ministries, than building the Kingdom. And we repent in Jesus Name.

Kris Volloton pointed out recently, what I had not seen before, and that is that the nations as well as individuals, will be judged. In Matthew 25:31-44 Jesus tells that the nations that will be separated into sheep nations and goat nations. It is very clear from Scripture that we will be held accountable for what we do as individuals after we have received salvation (2 Corinthians 5:8-10, 1 Corinthians 3:9-15). But as Kris points out, the Matthew passage makes it clear that we also have a cooperate responsibility for our nation. And so what exactly are the things that the Lord will hold against the goat nations? Well Jesus tells us “I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me,” and “inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me’ (verses 42, 43, 45). We need to ask ourselves how we have dealt with the marginalized in our communities, with the aboriginal people, and with those in prison etc., etc. Not everyone is equipped for prison ministry but we can certainly support prayerfully and financially those who do. And the after care of prisoners is abysmal!

Father, we confess that we have failed to be salt and light in our culture. We have allowed ourselves to be cowed into silence by the fierce opposition to the gospel, and to our values. We have criticized the extreme Left for its dealing with the marginalized, but we have done little  to correct historical injustices. We have condemned abortion, but have done little to help those who are in trouble through unwanted pregnancies. We repent Lord forgive us, show us what to do, and give us the wherewithal to do it. Without Your help and wisdom Lord the problems are intractable, so please Lord heal our land, in Jesus Name Amen.