Wars and Rumors

But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately. Luke 21:9 (NKJV)

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. Matthew 24:6 (NKJV)

But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. Mark 13:7 (NKJV)

The news reports are coming in about a war in eastern Europe between Russia and Ukraine.  Innocent people are being caught like chess pawns in the middle of a Risk game.  Photos of husbands hugging wives good-bye as they send them to safety grace our newspapers.  Forlorn children ride the train to who-knows-where.  Our hearts ache at these images and we ask the Lord to help these dear ones.  But do we really know the reason for the fighting?  I don’t think so. 

Wisdom is better than weapons of war;
But one sinner destroys much good. Ecclesiastes 9:18

Do you remember how Job and his friends argued for over 30 chapters about why all this evil had come upon Job?  They did not know about the meeting God and satan had in heaven and how God gave satan permission to harm Job, knowing Job would come through the fires of trial as gold.  Recall how Daniel prayed earnestly for the nation of Israel, yet help was delayed in the heavens and the angel Michael had to assist the angel Gabriel so he could come to Daniel (Daniel 10:13). There are battles going on in the heavens of which we know not, yet some of those battles seem to come to earth for us to see.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)

So, how can we best discern these recent world events? We can’t trust the news services that two years ago magnified the covid virus beyond what it was, and one year ago falsely promoted the benefits of the “vaccine” to the demise of thousands.  Only God knows the truth.  While we’re waiting for the truth to come out, what can we do?  We can pray!  We can open our hearts to help. We can love our neighbors. We can search God’s Word.  Why did people battle in Bible times? What was the response of God’s children in those battles?  What does Jesus say about wars in the end times?  He says, “Do not be terrified, see that you are not troubled, do not be troubled, fear not!”   

Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)

…Your word is truthJohn 17:17 (NKJV)

In one Old Testament battle, David and his men were fighting the Philistines when they stopped at the cave of Adullam to rest. While there, David lamented, “Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate.  So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord (2 Samuel 23:15-16).

This is what we need today — mighty men and women to break through with prayer to the throne room of God, Remember, God loves this world so much that He sent His only Son Jesus to die for our sins.  Hold onto the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Jesus has already torn the curtain for us (Luke 23:45), so we can enter the Holy of Holies to meet with our Lord. Pour out your heart to Him there and bring back Living Water for the thirsty souls here on earth.  

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Read Psalms 2 and 133.  Keep praying , dear ladies! Remember, Jesus wins the final battle in Revelation.  Truth triumphs over evil.  Our God reigns!

The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
The righteous run to it and are safe.  Proverbs 18:10 (NKJV)

O Jesus, O Father, I break through boldly into Your throne room, for You have torn the curtain for me. I draw Your Living Water from Your Word, the Well. But unlike David, I drink it and want more and more, and pour my heart out to You in prayer.  Now, refreshed, I boldly ask you to break through the chaos in our world today.  There are wars and rumors of wars. There are viruses and rumors of viruses. There are deaths and rumors of deaths.  There are famines and rumors of famines.  Of Jesus, stop the rumors, end the wars, heal the viruses, halt the deaths, pour out Your Living Water on the famine so that we may bear fruit for You again. Show us ways we can help. And most of all, save lost souls for Your Heavenly Kingdom.  Use all this turmoil and tribulation to turn hearts to You. Open eyes, open hearts, open ears.  Pour out Your Holy Spirit upon this land.  Send a revival, the likes of which have never been seen before.  Do this amazing break-through in the Name of Jesus Christ, and the Blood He shed on the cross.  We claim Your victory over death and the devil — for our nation and world, for the children of Israel, for the innocent citizens of Ukraine, Russia, and surrounding countries, for folks suffering health issues around the world.  We claim Your victory in the mighty Name of Yehovah God, the Great I AM, Creator of the Universe. Hallelujah! Amen! 

P.S. Please add to your prayers these next 2 weeks a certain young man on a mission trip to Eswatini, Africa!  

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!   John 1:29 (NKJV)

...but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.  John 1:17 (NKJV)

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  John 3:17 (NKJV)

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  John 14:27 (NKJV)

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (NKJV)

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7 (NKJV)

And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today… Exodus 14:13 (NKJV)

You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”  2 Chronicles 20:17 (NKJV)

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.  2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NKJV)

He shall judge between the nations,
And rebuke many people;
They shall beat their swords into plowshares,
And their spears into pruning hooks;
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
Neither shall they learn war anymore.  Isaiah 2:4 (NKJV)

Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His Anointed,saying,
“Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”

He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
“Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion.”  Psalm 2:1-6 (NKJV)

Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident. Psalm 27:3 (NKJV)

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:9-10 (NKJV)

…Scatter the peoples who delight in war.  Psalm 68:30 (NKJV)

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!

It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Running down on the beard,
The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments.
It is like the dew of Hermon,
Descending upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the Lord commanded the blessing—
Life forevermore.  Psalm 133 (NKJV)

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV)


Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982

Consecrate a Fast

Blow the trumpet in Zion,
Consecrate a fast,
Call a sacred assembly.  Joel 2:15 (NKJV)

Dear Ones, Can you hear the trumpet blowing? God is calling us to fast!* Our nation has been in an uproar this past year with mandate after mandate, vile law after vile law, immorality after immorality… we cannot deny that we are on the course for a train wreck unless something changes immediately.  Some very hard-working people spent the past year researching evidence to prove that the 2020 election was stolen (God bless these courageous souls!).

On Tuesday, November 23, they will be taking this case to the Supreme Court of the United States of America.  Dear ladies, if the election can be overturned and Christian leaders put in office, we will have more time to bring people to Christ before He returns (which is imminent).  If the election is not overturned, if the justices close their ears to the evidence, the judgement of America will be just days away with Jesus standing at the door!  Either way, we want to get our hearts and houses in order!  

...then they will fast in those days.  Luke 5:35 (NKJV)

God has held out a plumb line (Amos 7:8) to our nation and we are not plumb, in fact, we are very crooked!  The handwriting is on the wall. We’ve been measured in the balance and found wanting.  Our days are numbered (Daniel 5:25-28).  We are not prepared to meet our God (Amos 4:12).

A few weeks ago I was at a prayer meeting where the November 23rd court date was mentioned. When I arrived home, I read an email from our old church in Ohio, calling everyone to fast on that day.  Then I started reading many fasting verses in my Bible and I knew this is God’s calling. I invite and exhort you to join us in fasting that day, not just for one meal, but for the entire day.  Rend your hearts, not your garments.  Feed on God’s Word, not your fridge.  Consider it not a pre-holiday diet, but a fast so that we may continue to celebrate those Holy days!  

As these brave men and women take their evidence to the gates of our nation’s highest court with this crucial case, let us storm the gates of heaven with our prayers and fasting, begging the Lord for His favor and and mercy for this great nation that was started in His name.

No one is too old or too young to fast.  When Baby Jesus was brought by Mary and Joseph to the Temple to be dedicated, an 84-year-old lady named Anna, who had been fasting and praying, greeted and blessed them (Luke 2:37).  In the book of Jonah (3:5-7), the entire city of Nineveh, from the king to his youngest servant to even the animals, gave up food and water. When King Saul died, valiant men fasted for seven days before asking David to be their new king (1 Chronicles 10:12).  Even wicked King Ahab fasted and God heard his prayers (1 Kings 21:27). And King Darius fasted for Daniel when he was forced to throw him in the lions’ den (Daniel 6:18). Esther, Ezra, Isaiah, Nehemiah, Moses, Jehoshaphat, Paul and many others… even Jesus all fasted and prayed, and we must follow their example.

Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions… So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.  Ezra 8:21,23

Now, therefore,” says the Lord,
“Turn to Me with all your heart,
With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. Joel 2:12 (NKJV)

And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 2 Chronicles 20:3 (NKJV)

Our Father who art in heaven, we boldly come before Your throne this day, pleading with you for mercy for our nation, the United States of America.  We know we don’t deserve Your forgiveness, but ask that You show Your grace and mercy yet again.  Help us lay aside all filthiness and receive with meekness Your salvation and the implanted Word of God. Help us return to You, Lord.  For You have torn, but You will heal us. You have stricken, but You will bind us up.  We set up kings, but not by You, we made princes, but You did not acknowledge them. Bring the ark of God, Your Word, the Bible, back to America, our schools, our courthouses, and our government.  I claim Your promise for Mike Lindell and all his helpers who asked You, “Shall I go up against the Philistines?”  And You replied, “Go up, for I shall deliver them into your hands.” Help our judges and leaders to do as You command and overturn the 2020 election, reinstating the rightful president. And You, O God, will break through our enemies like a breakthrough of water!  May justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream. May You use President Trump and all the new Christian leaders to cleanse this land of all the evil doers and wickedness.  Like David, his fame will go into all lands, and the Lord will bring the fear of him on all nations. Most of all, people will know Jehovah God, the Great I Am, has done this!  Send a last Great Awakening before Jesus Christ’s return, where missionaries can travel without fear nor vaccine mandates, and are welcome to bring the Good News of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ to open hearts.  Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Thy Name be the Glory! We pray all this in the precious Name of Your Only begotten Son Jesus whose blood was shed even for us and even for such a time as this. Amen.

(Hebrews 4:16, James 1:21, Amos 5:24, Hosea 6:1, Hosea 8:4, 1 Chronicles 13:3, 1 Chronicles 14:10,11,16, 17, Psalm 115:1)

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Please fast on Tuesday, November 23 for God’s justice to prevail at the Supreme Court hearing.  Please also consider fasting again the following Tuesday, November 30th to pray for the December 1 Supreme Court hearing to overturn Roe vs. Wade and turn back God’s wrath on America for the deaths of all the innocent babies.  Thank you and God bless you!

* Fasting is when you give up food for a time, that’s why the first meal of a new day is called “breakfast” because you are breaking your nightly fast. When we fast and pray, we give more power to our prayers, and with each hunger pain, we are reminded to pray yet again).  For someone who has a lot of trouble with food, fasting can be hard for me, but when God calls me to do it, I do it with all my heart and steadfastness and by His strength. This is one of those times!

P.S. Please share this with others, God hears our prayers!

“Save us, O God of our salvation;
Gather us together, and deliver us from the Gentiles,
To give thanks to Your holy name,
To triumph in Your praise.”
1 Chronicles 16:35 (NKJV)

But let justice run down like water,
And righteousness like a mighty stream.  Amos 5:24 (NKJV)

Blessed are you who hunger now,
For you shall be filled.
Blessed are you who weep now,
For you shall laugh.  Luke 6:21 (NKJV)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13 (NKJ)

I have not departed from the commandment of His lips;
I have treasured the words of His mouth
More than my necessary food.  Job 23:12 (NKJV)

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.  Matthew 5:6 (NKJV)

He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.  Luke 1:52 (NKJV)

To grant us that we,
Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
 In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.  Luke 1:74-75 (NKJV)

Thank you for stopping by My TEA CUPP Prayers.  If you enjoyed today’s post, you might also like to read My Fasting TEA CUPP and Prayers for Our Nation.

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 

Oh, America, Why Do You Sleep?

Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”  Luke 22:46 (NKJV)

While you are asleep, America, someone is killing your children and grandchildren.  

While you are asleep, America, someone is letting evil across your borders.

While you are asleep, America, someone is eroding the Biblical values upon which this nation was built.  Oh, America, Why do you sleep?  

Dear Ladies, this week I exhort you to pray for this nation more than ever.  Abortion and baby-killing are being funded by our government.  Our borders have been opened for the horrors of human-trafficking and drug cartels.  And the Biblical laws that were the basis for our country are being eroded with every swipe of Washington’s pen.  

God’s Word to the prophet Jeremiah proclaims, The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it” (Jeremiah 18:7-10). Oh, America, how can you sleep?

Did you know that before Jesus went to the cross, He exhorted His disciples in the same way? Our dear Savior was pouring His heart out to His Heavenly Father in the Garden of Gethsamene.  He took His close friends Peter, James, and John, asking them to stay and watch with Him.  Jesus was only a stone’s throw away from them as He petitioned the Father to remove this cup of crucifixion.  Three times He prayed and then found the disciples sleeping.  Our precious Lord was alone in His prayers.  

Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”  Matthew 26:45-46 (NKJV)

Oh, America, Rise and pray!

Jesus still comes to us today, saying, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and (America) is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.” The Lord is calling us today, “Rise and pray!”  He looks down from heaven upon His children to see if any seek after Him.  Are we reading our Bibles? Are we praying? Are we lifting up this country and leaders? Are we praying for the babies and children and peace and safety for all?  Are we praying for God to raise up Christian leaders who will reclaim this nation with laws based on God’s Word?  Oh, dear ones, there is so much for which we must pray, we could pray all night like Jesus.

Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. Luke 6:12 (NKJV)

Oh, America, God will hear your cries!

Ladies, our prayers for America are not in vain.  Over and over in His Word, God promises that He hears our cries and will be gracious to us…

You will make your prayer to Him,
He will hear you,
And you will pay your vows.  Job 22:7 (NKJV)

Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble;
You will prepare their heart;
You will cause Your ear to hear. Psalm 10:17 (NKJV)

…He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry;
When He hears it, He will answer you.  Isaiah 30:19 (NKJV)

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their prayers;
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.  1 Peter 3:12 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Oh ladies across America, why do you sleep? Rise and pray!  God will hear your cries!  Read and pray Daniel 9:1-19. Join in the National Day of Prayer on May 6th and pray for our country and leaders more than ever. Then continue to pray every day for your family and neighbors. May God sweep this land with a revival, turning hearts to Him, and pouring out His Holy Spirit before His return.

…and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory… Luke 9:32 (NKJV)

O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name… Nehemiah 1:11 (NKJV)

Arise, O Lord,
Do not let man prevail;
Let the nations be judged in Your sight.
Put them in fear, O Lord,
That the nations may know themselves to be but men. Psalm 9:19-20 (NKJV)

Help us, O God of our salvation,
For the glory of Your name;
And deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins,
For Your name’s sake!
Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
Let there be known among the nations in our sight
The avenging of the blood of Your servants which has been shed.  Psalm 27:9-10 (NKJV)

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.  Psalm 33:12 (NKJV)

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.

 

My Lamentations TEA

You have covered Yourself with a cloud,
That prayer should not pass through. Lamentations 3:44 (NKJV)

Some of us are sad today.  Some of us are weeping for the babies who will not get to live if abortion continues across our land.  Some of us are not happy with the media’s report of the outcome of the recent election.  If you are one of those “someones,” I invite you to share a CUPP of Lamentations TEA with me.

Today we lift up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Jesus who is able to save babies everywhere from death.  Did you know that TEN times more babies have been aborted since Roe vs. Wade than Jews died during the Holocaust of WW II?  61 million babies who could have blessed this world in some way, were taken straight to the arms of Jesus.  When a pastor shared these statistics on the radio, I wept with vehement cries and tears to Jesus. Please join me in raising prayers to the throne of heaven for those babies, that the election will be recounted and the USA can continue on the path to saving babies’ lives (as well as freedom to worship God and hundreds of other things!).

The prophet Jeremiah shared similar woes.  He prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem and then saw it happen with his own eyes.  What he penned in Lamentations are his heart cries to the Lord as he witnessed the destruction and wept for the daughters of his people.  Let us join Jeremiah and cry out to God with these same verses…

T for Thanksgiving:

Let us lift our hearts and hands
To God in heaven. Lamentations 3:41 (NKJV)

E for Exalting:

You, O Lord, remain forever;
Your throne from generation to generation.  Lamentations 5:19 (NKJV)

A for Admitting:

Even when I cry and shout,
He shuts out my prayer. Lamentations 3:8 (NKJV)

Let us search out and examine our ways,
And turn back to the Lord.  Lamentations 3:40 (NKJV)

We have transgressed and rebelled;
You have not pardoned. Lamentations 3:42 (NKJV)

C for Calling:

It is good that one should hope and wait quietly
For the salvation of the Lord.  Lamentations 3:26 (NKJV)

U for Understanding:

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!”  Lamentations 3:24 (NKJV)

My eyes overflow with rivers of water
For the destruction of the daughter of my people. Lamentations 3:48 (NKJV)

You drew near on the day I called on You, and said, “Do not fear!” O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul;You have redeemed my life. Lamentations 3:57-58 (NKJV)

P for Promises:

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:22-23 (NKJV)

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.  Lamentations 3:25 (NKJV)

P for Petitions:

I called on Your name, O Lord,
From the lowest pit.
You have heard my voice:
“Do not hide Your ear
From my sighing, from my cry for help.” Lamentations 3:55-56 (NKJV)

Why do You forget us forever,
And forsake us for so long a time?
Turn us back to You, O Lord, and we will be restored;
Renew our days as of old. Lamentations 5:20-21 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Read and pray Lamentations today. Pray especially Lamentations 3:59-66 for our President and the USA elections.  If we all search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord, we will break through the cloud and reach the throne room of heaven where Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father.  Keep praying for miracles and all those babies, dear prayer friends!

Another prayer for our President:

Lord, You have seen how I am wronged;
Judge my case.
You have seen all their vengeance,
All their schemes against me.

You have heard their reproach, O Lord,
All their schemes against me,
The lips of my enemies
And their whispering against me all the day.
Look at their sitting down and their rising up;
I am their taunting song.

Repay them, O Lord,
According to the work of their hands.
Give them a veiled heart;
Your curse be upon them!
In Your anger,
Pursue and destroy them
From under the heavens of the Lord. Lamentations 3:59-66 (NKJV)

Thank you for stopping by My TEA CUPP Prayers.  If you enjoyed today’s devotion, you might also like to read Praying for Babies Again, Stripes Across Our Nation, and USA, Arise, Come Forth!

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 

USA, Arise! Come Forth!

For the Lord is our Judge,
The Lord is our Lawgiver,
The Lord is our King;
He will save us. Isaiah 33:22 (NKJV)

Calling all prayer warriors to pray John 11 over the USA today!  In John 11 we read the amazing account of Jesus raising His friend Lazarus from the grave.  As you read this passage today, replace Lazarus’ name with the USA.  We can say to the Lord with John 11:3, “Lord, behold, the USA who You love is sick.” 

We have been very sick this year, haven’t we?  First there were impeachment trials, then COVID19 and shut-downs hit our land, followed by rioting, wildfires, and each month brought some new shame.  The truth is we are sick like Lazarus and dead in our sins.  We are lost in a dark cave with only Jesus to save us.  But God shines His light in the dark places of our hearts (Prov. 20:27) and nation, showing us our sins and providing a way out (Isaiah 35:8, John 14:6). 

Jesus reassures us with John 11:4 that the USA’s sickness is not unto death, “but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”  And we can claim Jesus’ promise in John 11:23, the USA “will rise again.”

When Jesus speaks to Martha in John 11:25-26, “…I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” we can answer with a resounding, “YES, JESUS! WE BELIEVE IN YOU!”

Those of us who have been praying all year for our nation, probably feel like Martha and Mary do in John 11:21 & 32, “Lord, if you had been here, the USA would not have died.”

As Jesus weeps with us over the USA in John 11:35, we weep, too.  

We stand amazed as Jesus tells us in John 11:40, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” and we await the miracles He will do for our country.

Let us give thanks even before the miracles, following Jesus’ example in John 11:41, Father, we thank You that You have heard us.”

Then, with a commanding cry, and loud voice, we proclaim along with Jesus in John 11:43, “USA, Come forth!” And the USA will come out of it’s grave to new life in Jesus!  Halleluja!

Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high,
And the wilderness becomes a fruitful field,
And the fruitful field is counted as a forest.  Isaiah 32:15 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Oh Jesus, You did this! You sent Your Holy Spirit at Pentecost. You turned the wilderness of the USA into a fruitful field, “the bread basket of the world.”  Oh Jesus, the true Bread of Life, the Living Water, the Savior of humankind, I claim Your promise to do it again.  Call us out of that grave! Pour out Your Holy Spirit on the USA! Send a revival!  Turn every heart to You! USA, arise! Come forth! Come, Holy Spirit, flood this land with Your presence.  Come, Lord Jesus, Come! Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done. In Your Holy and Mighty Name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Arise, O God, plead Your own cause;
Remember how the foolish man reproaches You daily.  Psalm 74:22 (NKJV)

You called my name
And I ran out of that grave
Out of the darkness
Into Your glorious day. (Glorious Day by Passion)

 

Songwriters: Jonathan Smith / Jason Ingram / Kristian Stanfill / Sean Curran
Glorious Day lyrics © Worshiptogether.com Songs, Sixsteps Music, Worship Together Music, Sixsteps Songs, Sounds Of Jericho
 

P.S. Please keep praying for THE GREAT REVIVAL, the last great revival before Jesus’ return, where many new hearts are brought into His Kingdom to welcome His coming.  Will you join me in fasting every Tuesday, though the USA election on November 3, 2020?  Our country needs your prayers!

Thank you for stopping by My TEA CUPP Prayers. If you enjoyed today’s devotion, you might also like to read Battling the enemy with the Word of God,  and Of Course, There’s a Plague, and My Lazarus TEA.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982

 

 

Return To Gather

I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Psalm 122:1 (NKJV)

Oh, how glad I was when I could go back to church. My first summer in Montana, twenty years ago, was spent at a church camp that didn’t really have a Sunday service at the time.  My soul was weary and longing to attend a gathering of believers in a real church building.  Finally, towards the end of August, we had a free Sunday to make the long drive to town to attend worship. How happy I was and how this verse rang true for me that day.  “I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.'”

The same thing happened last spring when our church re-opened after the COVID shut-downs.  Even though we had watched church online every Sunday, it just wasn’t the same as being there.  When you are there in person, you really sing out and praise God. You see other believers and pray for their families.  You are encouraged when you witness others serving Jesus.

…Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.  Isaiah 44:22 (NKJV)

We are still longing for everyone to return to church.  President Trump declared churches as essential so we can meet again.  But many are missing, as I’m sure is true for churches across the country.  We need everyone to RETURN TO GATHER across this land!  Return to Church, Return to Jesus, Return to God’s Word, Return to Prayer, Return to Biblical and Family Values, Return to Repentance, RETURN!

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 (NKJV)

If you have a health issue or have been quarantined (as recently happened to me), we understand why you can’t come in person and are thankful you can join a gathering of believers online.  But if you are healthy, come back together for fellowship with others. Do not let fear stop you from coming.  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). For if you don’t return, God will use the seed and the stump who remain and grow another Church, His Bride who eagerly awaits His coming!

And do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.  Matthew 3:9 (NKJV)

And if you weren’t in the habit of attending church before, now is a great time to come.  We invite you! We have a place for you!  What you will find when you come are broken people, searching our way in this world, finding hope in Jesus who gave His life for us on the cross.   

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Matthew 11:28 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: When  God said, “If My people…” He was not talking about all the people, He was talking about HIS PEOPLE, the ones called by His Name, the Christians, named for Jesus Christ.  It’s time for God’s people to gather together again and seek His face.  Come one and all. Come.

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. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)

P.S. I think your pastor will be delighted to see you, too!  

But yet a tenth will be in it,
And will return and be for consuming,
As a terebinth tree or as an oak,
Whose stump remains when it is cut down.
So the holy seed shall be its stump.  Isaiah 6:13 (NKJV)

The remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob,
To the Mighty God.  Isaiah 10:21 (NKVJ)

Come, and let us return to the Lord;
For He has torn, but He will heal us;
He has stricken, but He will bind us up. Hosea 6:1 (NKJV)

P.P.S. Please keep praying for THE GREAT REVIVAL, the last great revival before Jesus’ return, where many new hearts are brought into His Kingdom to welcome His coming.  Will you join me in fasting every Tuesday, though the USA election on November 3, 2020?  Our country needs our prayers now as much as ever. 

Photo credit to Jolene Ewert-Hintz of Montana – Thank you!!!

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982
 

More COVID Prayers

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.  Romans 15:4 (NKJV)

Recently I was checking My TEA CUPP Prayers listing on Goodreads.com and discovered my daughter had left a comment! She said, “There could be another line in Ecclesiastes 3, ‘a verse for every purpose under heaven.’ Many good verses for any situation and encouragement in prayer. And my mom wrote it, so… :D”

So, of course, I had to return her compliment with Proverbs 31:29, Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.”  

Truly there is a Bible verse for every situation, even for COVID19!  I’m sure many of you have found such verses as you’ve endured this year and read your Bibles.  Here are just a few I found..

No hugging…

…A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing.  Ecclesiastes 3:5 (NKJV)

Those stuck in quarantine…

You have put away my acquaintances far from me;
You have made me an abomination to them;
I am shut up, and I cannot get out;
My eye wastes away because of affliction…Psalm 88:8-9 (NKJV)

The reason for the plague…

Thus they provoked Him to anger with their deeds,
And the plague broke out among them.  Psalm 106:29 (NKJV)

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  Isaiah 5:30 (NKJV)

God promises us…

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence. Psalm 91:3 (NKJV)

No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling. Psalm 91:10 (NKJV)

Let this be our petition and our story…

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He saved them out of their distresses.  Psalm 107:19 (NKJV)

He sent His word and healed them,
And delivered them from their destructions.
Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!  Psalm 107:20-21 (NKJV)

Our prayer for the USA after healing…

That they may know that this is Your hand—
That You, Lord, have done it!  Psalm 109:27 (NKJV)

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.  1 Peter 5:10 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP:  What other verses can you find to help you through this COVID19 election year?  Underline them in your Bible. Share them with a friend.  Share them on Facebook. Most of all, use them as conversation starters as you share a TEA CUPP with Jesus.  

The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined.  Isaiah 9:2 (NKJV)

Dear Jesus, We ask that you shine Your light on our nation.  We’ve been in the shadow of death this year with COVID19.  We’ve been in the dark, wandering around in our sins.  Forgive us, Jesus. Wash away our sins and hurts. Heal our land.  Shine Your light into our hearts and clean out every corner. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and help us shine for You, so others will see Your light.  Please keep healing our President and his wife and every person who needs Your healing.  Today I pray especially for________________.  In Jesus’s precious Name we pray. Amen.  

P.S. Please keep praying for THE GREAT REVIVAL, the last great revival before Jesus’ return, where many new hearts are brought into His Kingdom to welcome His coming.  Will you join me in fasting every Tuesday, though the USA election on November 3, 2020?  Our country needs our prayers now as much as ever. 

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982

The Intercessor

…by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.  Romans 5:19 (NKJV)

My TEA friends, you must read this book!  My pastor mentioned Rees Howells Intercessor, The Story of a Life Lived for God by Norman Grubb in a sermon over a year ago.  I put it on my birthday list and my daughter gave it to me for my birthday last year (Thank you, Kallie!!!). Then it sat beside my bed in the stack of books I hoped to read.  Finally, this year I started reading it and couldn’t put it down for the work of God in this man’s life.  You want to read this book NOW. You want to join in this amazing work of prayer witnessed in Rees Howells’ life.  

Where many books climax in the middle and you “get the idea,” Intercessor climaxes in the final chapters as Mr. Howells and his praying colleagues intercede for battle upon battle of World War II and the downfall of Nazi Germany.  You will be on the edge of your seat as you read, or on your face in praise and tears to God, Who alone could bring about such great victories.

What makes Intercessor so relevant now is our need for prayer in this fallen world.  This year with COVID19, forest fires, hurricanes, derecho winds, and riots, God is sending us a message.  God is shouting, “Turn to Me!”  And in Intercessor, that’s what Rees Howells did time and again.  

One hundred years ago there was an outbreak much like COVID19.  Following World War I, there was a great influenza epidemic which spread over the world, causing millions of deaths. At the time, Mr. Howells and his wife were serving as missionaries in southern Africa.  The Holy Spirit had led Mr. Howells to challenge death many times before, and God called him to do it again.  After many of the natives died, the chief came to Mr. Howells and asked if any had died on the mission station.  “No. Not one will die on the mission station,” the Holy Spirit told him to reply, “The witch doctors have failed and the ancestral spirits have failed — but our God has not failed.” (Grubb, p. 212).    So the tribe members came to the mission station. Though many were sick and Mr. Howells turned the chapel into a hospital and cared for them for months, God healed them all and no one died! God had the victory!

While reading Intercessor, I’ve witnessed how the Holy Spirit is not a mailman delivering my prayers to the God.  Mr. Howells shows us it’s the other way around. The Holy Spirit says the prayers and we are the vessels to deliver them to the Father.  Knowing our prayers are God’s will, direct from the Holy Spirit, we don’t let the enemy cause us to doubt, for then we are like a wave tossed on the sea (James 1:6). The Holy Spirit tells us for whom to intercede, and in obedience we lift these prayers to the Lord until victory is won.  

Today’s TEA CUPP:  Find a copy of Rees Howells Intercessor today.  Use his model of prayer in your own life.  Let the Holy Spirit show you how to pray and win every battle on your knees.  We can do this because both the Spirit (Romans 8:26) and Jesus (Romans 8:24) are making intercession for us. Our country needs your prayers, dear friend.  Keep praying for the USA. 

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7 (NKJV)

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:6 (NKJV)

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  Romans 8:26 (NKJV)

P.S. Please keep praying for THE GREAT REVIVAL, the last great revival before Jesus’ return, where many new hearts are brought into His Kingdom to welcome His coming.  Will you join me in fasting every Tuesday, though the USA election on November 3, 2020?  Our country needs our prayers now as much as ever. 

Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson

Grubb, Norman (1952). Rees Howells Intercessor, The Story of a Life Lived for God. Fort Washington, PA:  CLC Publications. 

Of Course, There’s a Plague!

We have sinned with our fathers,
We have committed iniquity,
We have done wickedly. Psalm 106:6 (NKJV)

Oh, what a year!  People will always remember 2020 as the year of COVID19, the coronavirus, quarantines, masks, closures… although we won’t want to remember it because of all the deaths, fear, loneliness, rules, and missed events.  We all wonder why this had to happen.  Yet, when we search God’s Word we find so many relevant verses. 

Psalm 106 is one that speaks to our current situation, summing up our nation and world’s troubles, “We have sinned…we have committed iniquity…” (Ps. 106:6). Psalm 106 goes on to list all those sins from so long ago.  Can we see all these in our country today?…

  • We did not understand God’s wonders (Ps. 106:7)
  • We did not remember the multitude of God’s mercies (Ps. 106:7)
  • We rebelled (Ps. 106:7)
  • We forgot His works (Ps. 106:13)
  • We did not wait for His counsel (Ps. 106:13)
  • We lusted (Ps. 106:14)
  • We tested God (Ps. 106:14)
  • We envied our leaders (Ps. 106:16)
  • We made idols and worshiped them (Ps. 106:19)
  • We forgot God our Savior (Ps. 106:21)
  • We despised the pleasant land (Ps. 106:24)
  • We did not believe God’s Word (Ps. 106:24)
  • We joined ourselves to the devil (Ps. 106:28)
  • We rebelled against His Spirit (Ps. 106:33)
  • We did not destroy God’s enemies (Ps. 106:34)
  • We followed the way of unbelievers (Ps. 106:35)
  • We served our idols (Ps. 106:36)
  • We sacrificed our children (Ps. 106:37)
  • We shed innocent blood (Ps. 106:38)
  • We defiled ourselves and played the harlot (Ps. 106:39)

Is it no wonder the plague broke out among us?  (Ps. 106:29). What can we do?  We can intervene like Phinehas (Ps. 106:30) and stand in the breach like Moses (Ps. 106:23) so God’s wrath is turned away.  We must pray for our country, for our neighbors, for our families. Pray for God to send a revival across this land.  

Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34 (NKJV)

There is HOPE, my dear friends.  We have the HOPE found in Jesus Christ.  Because of His saving work on the cross, all who believe in Him are rescued from this crazy world (John 3:16).  Jesus died for every sin listed above and for all the others, too.  Let’s pray for our nation to turn to Jesus! And God will hear our cries (Ps. 106:44)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Read and pray Psalm 106. Repent, turn to God. Ask His forgiveness through Jesus Christ for yourself and for our country. Turn over a new leaf this fall. Let’s give everyone something NEW to remember about 2020…the year of REVIVAL! Pray for our nation daily. Forgive us, O Lord.  

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 (NKJV)

May this be THE GREAT REVIVAL, the last great revival before Jesus’ return, where many new hearts are brought into His Kingdom to welcome His coming.  Will you join me in fasting for the next 7 Tuesdays, though the USA election on November 3, 2020?  Our country needs our prayers now as much as ever.  Check out this event happening in the coming days… https://thereturn.org/

Save us, O Lord our God,
And gather us from among the Gentiles,
To give thanks to Your holy name,
To triumph in Your praise.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel
From everlasting to everlasting!
And let all the people say, “Amen!” Psalm 106:47-48 (NKJV)

Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.  Psalm 106:1 (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 

On our Knees

Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.  Psalm 95:6 (NKJV)

Eighteen years ago today, September 11, 2001, the lives of Americans, as well as citizens of the world, were changed forever.  For on this day terrorists chose to take innocent lives, countless courageous citizens gave of themselves, and our nation was brought to its knees for a time. 

What happened?  Why aren’t we still on our knees?  Some articles say church attendance increased for only a few weeks after 9/11, continuing a trend for decades of declining participation.  Yet other articles say at the very heart of the tragedy, Evangelical churches sprouted and have flourished.  Why aren’t we all still on our knees?

Why aren’t we still on our knees over the threat of the enemy?

Why aren’t we still on our knees over babies dying?

Why aren’t we still on our knees for unsaved family and friends?

Why aren’t we still on our knees for lost youth?

Why aren’t we still on our knees for our pastors and missionaries who give of themselves every day and need protection from the enemy?

Why aren’t we still on our knees?

I remember the first time I saw someone on their knees in prayer.  It was my Grandma Margaret Applequist.  Grandma was visiting us for a few weeks and was sleeping in the bedroom belonging to my sister and me.  We were sleeping in the basement to give Grandma some peace and privacy.  But I caught a cold, so they put me back upstairs in the extra bed in my own room.  A few hours after going to sleep I awoke.  A small crack of light coming from the hallway shone on my Grandma, kneeling by her bed in prayer.  What an impact that picture made on a sick, young girl’s heart.  I wanted to be like Grandma!

And yet, when I have My TEA CUPP Prayers, I sit curled on the sofa; when we pray at meals, I’m sitting at the table; when I say good-night prayers with my kids, I’m sitting on the edge of their beds, or standing by their bunks…when am I on my knees?  Though I know He hears all those prayers, God really started impressing these kneeling prayers upon my heart, so I asked Him to show me in Scripture where it says I should be on my knees, and guess what, He did!

he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God… Daniel 6:10 (NKJV)

...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... Philippians 2:10 (NKJV)

But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed…. Acts 9:40 (NKJV)

And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. Acts 20:36 (NKJV)

…And we knelt down on the shore and prayed.  Acts 21:5 (NKJV)

and fell down and worshiped Him. Matthew 2:11 (NKJV)

And so, now, every evening, when my husband and I say our goodnight prayers, instead of lying in bed with one of us dozing off, we are on our knees beside the bed, pouring our hearts out to the Lord.

We hear of faithful Christians like Reverend Billy Graham wearing out the toes of their shoes or the knees of their pants because they knelt so often in prayer.  My friends, we need to do the same!  Wear out your knees for your family! Wear out your toes for your neighbors. Wear out the rug next to your bed for your country.  Let’s get on our knees and pray!

Today’s TEA CUPP:  While researching this devotion I came across another great devotion you might enjoy by Dr. David Jeremiah.  And also this one about Reverend Billy Graham.  Let’s follow their godly examples. “Do it again, Lord, do it again!”

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Ephesians 3:14 (NKJV)

And so it was, when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and supplication to the Lord, that he arose from before the altar of the Lord, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.  1 Kings 8:54 (NKJV)

O the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend!  Fanny Crosby, 1875

Scripture taken the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.