Dear Partner,
Happy 246th birthday, America! There are those who do not understand the power of covenant who say, “The United States is going down for good!” or, “We’ll never survive this.” Oh yes, we will! Over 400 years ago, on the shore of what is now Virginia Beach, Va., a small ship from England came here for the express purpose of dedicating the new land to Jesus Christ of Nazareth. COVENANT!
They planted a huge crossand prayed. Then, after several days of prayer and fasting, the chaplain gave the order to plant the cross and pray again to complete the dedication of what is now the UNITED STATES of AMERICA. Remember also that the first act of Congress in New York City on April 30, 1789, was to pray and dedicate, once again, this magnificent and beautiful place to heaven’s Creator. Our very first president, George Washington, prayed, “You will be our God, and we will be Your people.” First covenants count! Our Constitution was, and still is, based on the Bible. We are the only nation to have EVER had the same unchanged law of the land for more than 200 years. No wonder so many people are trying to get in here any way they can!
What about now? Well, let’s go to God’s covenant WORD and check it out. Let’s read Proverbs 29:2:
- When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
The word translated mourn is also translated to express grief, or sigh, which is to “let out one’s breath audibly as from sorrow.” Or, it could be translated today: “How will I ever be able to drive to work every day when I have to pay $5-$6 per gallon for the gas in my car?” By faith in our GOOD, WONDERFUL, POWERFUL AND LOVING FATHER! Then, we also have faith in this beautiful place in which we live—faith in our nation itself. Have you ever stopped to think that the first stanza of “The Star Spangled Banner” ends with a question? The fourth stanza answers the question:
O thus be it ever when free men shall stand Between their lov’d home and the war’s desolation! Blest with vict’ry and peace may the heav’n rescued land Praise the power that hath made and preserv’d us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto—“In God is our trust,” And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Look at the sixth line! “And this be our motto—IN GOD IS OUR TRUST”! [Then] the STAR-SPANGLED BANNER IN TRIUMPH SHALL WAVE O’ER THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE! It WILL!
What, then, is the bottom line, and where is it found in The WORD? The great Apostle Paul wrote THE ANSWER to his spiritual son Timothy in a letter. Shall we read it? Let’s look at 1 Timothy 2:1-6:
- I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
- For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
- For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
- Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
- For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
- Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Read it again, carefully. What did he say? I EXHORT! Read it in your Bible. Exhort in the Greek can mean “invoke…implore…” or “beseech,” which means “to beg urgently.” In other words, Paul is saying, “Listen to me! Pray first of all!” Remember now, all Christian failure begins with prayer failure. My father in the faith, Oral Roberts, “pounded” that into my thinking. The very first structure built on the Oral Roberts University campus was the Prayer Tower.
Now let’s look at the words of the Master Himself. Jesus said in Luke 18:1:
- And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.
“ALWAYS PRAY. DON’T FAINT.” Don’t ever give up! Pray for the politicians. Pray what The LORD Jesus prayed while hanging on that terrible cross in Luke 23:34: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do”! They, so much of the time, don’t have a clue what they have done, nor do they have any idea what to do now. The key words here are: No.1—PRAY; No. 2—FORGIVE!
The final covenant words we will look at today are found in Ephesians 6:10. Notice the words, “Finally, my brethren.” What does that mean? The bottom line is what is said in verse 18: “Praying always”! So let’s read verses 10-19:
- Finally, my brethren, be strong in The LORD, and in the power of his might.
- [You] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
- For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
- Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
- Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
- And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
- Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
- And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is The WORD of God:
- Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
- And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.
I’m sitting here smiling because you just read “And for me [also].” I pray for you, dear Partner, every day, along with our staff.
As you sow your BLESSING seed this month, do it with and in great joy! Lady Liberty needs healing. But we have a BLOOD COVENANT PROMISE for that, as well. It’s found in the First Covenant. So let’s look at it. Second Chronicles 7:14 says:
- If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
“Shall humble themselves” and what? PRAY! AND SEEK HIS FACE! Is that referring to you and me? YES! Ephesians 3:14-15 says so:
- For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ,
- Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.
Well, there you have it. Now get ready for Southwest Believers’ Convention next month. No more restrictions! No more face diapers unless you just want to wear one. Don’t forget now, faith makes prayer work and not the other way around.
Well, that’s it. We’ll see you next month here in Fort Worth. And remember:
God Loves you. We Love you, and Jesus is LORD!
