Blessings, not curses
October 2, 2019
On the recent prayer journey to the Middle East, my partner and I were very aware that Canada has a God-given assignment coming from Revelation 22:2, which describes the tree of life growing on either side of the river of the water of life: “The leaves of the tree [are] for the healing of the nations.” These healing leaves are symbolized for us by the red maple leaf on our flag. We were sensing that our assignment was to pray for healing – and the Lord provided many people to pray for individually, and to proclaim everywhere God’s soon-coming healing over nations that have been held captive to Islam. We were just two, but the leaves on the tree of life are bountiful!
God’s intention to bless is astonishing. He instructed Aaron on how to bless Israel: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace” (Nu 6:24-26). The Aaronic Blessing has never been revoked and is still interceding for Israel today despite most Jews not yet accepting Him as Messiah. Jesus preached the incomprehensible: In order to be sons of your Father in heaven, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5:44-45). He rebuked James and John for wanting to call down fire on a Samaritan village that rejected him (Lk 9:54). Paul said to overcome evil with good by feeding one’s enemy if he is hungry and giving him something to drink if he is thirsty (Ro 12:20-21, quoting Pr 25:21).
Marilyn Hickey is an American minister of the Gospel in her 80’s. To her surprise, years ago the Lord told her to pray for Muslim nations. She memorized the names of 40 Muslim nations and prayed for them daily for about 4 years. Then God began to send her to those nations, where she preaches to mass gatherings of up to a million people (Karachi, Pakistan, 2016) and sees many miracles. Watch her remarkable testimony here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGhsRtp5t3Q&feature=youtu.be
I believe that our Father wants to bless all He has made. I believe He is extending the Aaronic blessing to Muslims. We know He is making His face shine on them through many dreams and visions in which Muslims see Jesus. (Aren’t you jealous? I am!) Are we demonstrating our inheritance in the Father of All through our prayers, words and deeds? Proverbs 25:21-22 says that giving food and water to a needy enemy “heaps burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you” The Passion Translation paraphrases that opaque proverb as, “Your surprising generosity will awaken his conscience…” Let’s pray in agreement with God’s desire to bless.
Father, we praise You for Your heart to bless. Help us to know Your heart and be visible demonstrations of Your invisible nature to those who don’t know You as the God who is Love.
Father, we bless those nations [name some that are on your heart] that are committed to supporting and promoting Islam. We pray that true knowledge of the triune God would flood those nations through whatever means [picture light flooding those nations.] We declare that hard places will become soft, barren places become fruitful, walls fall down, and gates open to Jesus Christ, Light of the World.
Father, we bless our own nation and pray that on October 21 a government will be elected that enables You to bring healing to the nations through us.