I am re-reading the biography of Rees Howell by Norman Grubb. And right before World War II began, God began to work and lead Rees Howell in a world wide ministry of prayer for the nations. We also know by study that God also prepared China before World War II through the labors, tears and prayers of such men as William Burns; Hudson Taylor and China Inland Mission; John Sung; Jonathan Goforth and Watchman Nee.
The church in China is still thriving today, despite persecution and communist rule for over 60 years. The exploits, prayers and labors of these men are recorded for us to understand that God knew and knows world events and was preparing His people for these days in such extrordinary fashion.
Now Rees Howell was being led to prepare for a 'Every Creature' commission. And in this he saw and planned for 'PRAYING STRATEGICALLY'. "their prayers became strategic. They must face and fight the enemy wherever he was opposing freedom to evangleize. God was preparing an instrument - a company to fight world battles on their knees."
The following are ways that I see in my own prayer life God speaking, leading and opening channels for me to pray over the world. It is my prayer in sharing some of these things that you might be helped, encouraged and willing to join in this call of prayer for our Lord to be glorified in all the earth.
Things that I pay attention to and incorporate into my prayer life:
1. WEATHER
Weather is a factor any given day. The weather channel is a one resource on this. Not simply to know my local forecast but keeping up with storms across the nation. Weather is constant indicator of God's hand no matter what time in the year.
another venue for seeing this is on NOAA, National Weather Service for they have a 'drought conditions' which has been promenient the last 18 months in regions of the south around Atlanta; Arkansas over the summer months and the main region of the central plains states currently in 'exceptional drought'.
Also to watch during season is hurricanes.
Tornadoes flare up in the spring and the last several years have produced 'record' destuction.
This is the key term to watching and observing this for prayer interest: 'historic', 'record', 'destructive'. It is that which is accentuated above the norm and should require our observation. And at least to ask, 'why is this happening?' 'what is significant about this?' 'why this area?' You may not get an answer for those type of questions, but God does not do, nor allow things by chance or accident. It is always purposeful and pointed for His Divine will and ways.
2. EARTHQUAKES
Earthquakes are a norm for any given day. Multitudes of earthquakes happen each moment all around the earth. The website of USGS reveals each moment of the world and where, when and what magnitude of earthquake registers. The increase of destruction, because it is so sudden and power as we saw last year in Japan and the fallout still impacting. Praying for the given moment and the response that follows is necessary.
3. NEWS HEADLINES
A news headline reveals immediate occurrences from around the nation and the world. A headline catches our attention to announce. That announcement should produce an effect inside of us. Healines that reveal God's judgment are 'eye' opening things to cause us to respond to the need at hand. And to see the spiritual implication from which it was generated.
4. MAPS
I was blessed with a shopping trip into a unique children's toy store. In that store I found table place mats of all the contients of the world and a world map of the nations. I bought them for the simple use of praying over regions, nations, areas and people. The news headlines help me locate and know that area. Strategic praying of the world is needful to know geography. My, how I hate for people to say that they hate geography. That is God's creation, His design and it helps us to see globally His kingdom to spread to the areas.
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