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Focus

Prayer and Fasting for the USA: 30 April–4 May 2023

Intention

God exalts His saints to His throne room and they treasure the moments.

Scripture

“I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder…

Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—

the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”

 Whenever the living beings give glory and honour and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,

“You are worthy, O Lord our God,

to receive glory and honour and power.

For you created all things,

and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

– Revelation 4:2b–11

Reflection

There is no way that Christians, in a private capacity, can do so much to promote the work of God and advance the kingdom of Christ as by prayer.

— Jonathan Edwards

God’s beauty is also manifested in His people and is seen in the exaltation of the saints as they are enthroned, robed, and crowned. In Revelation 4:4, John wrote that “around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones [he] saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; they had crowns of gold on their heads.”

Some say these elders are angels, but most Bible commentators see them as people who have been redeemed.

In this we see the dignity and value of the redeemed. God so cleanses, forgives, equips, and exalts His former enemies that now they are on thrones reigning with Him. This is almost inconceivable. God includes broken human beings in the inner circle of His government forever. The angels are glorious, but they are not in the government; they’re the servants of the redeemed!

Eye has not seen; ear has not heard; it’s never entered into your mind or my mind the fullness of who we are in Christ. We hardly have a clue. We can’t even imagine the glory of who we are.

The devil tells you that you’re worthless, you’re a failure, and your life is meaningless. But he is a liar! Your life has indescribable value. God puts His former enemy in the top places of government. What kind of king would do that? Historically, when kings captured their former enemies, they exiled them or put them away somewhere, because their former enemy is a threat to their power.

But God says, “I’m going to put them on thrones.” The world exploits the weak, but God exalts the weak. There’s no one like Jesus. There’s absolutely no one like Him!

What Can I Do?

As you pray, consider how God sees you – cleansed, forgiven, redeemed, and ruling and reigning with Christ. Visualise the elders around the throne and stand in the authority and security we have in Christ.

Video

 

Prayer

“Eye has not seen… the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor 2:9).

Lord, thank You for partnering with Your people to accomplish Your will. I know You have an incredible purpose for my life, and I choose to partner with You in prayer to see Your plans prevail on the earth.

Amen.

Author Bio

Mike Bickle founded the International House of Prayer, an evangelical missions organisation based on 24/7 prayer with worship. Mike is also the founder of International House of Prayer University ­– which includes full-time schools of ministry, music, and media – and is the author of several books.

Prayer Points and Purpose for GO 2023 in May

1. To worship Jesus and give extravagant praise to God. Heb 12:28–29
2. Pray that the Lamb who was slain might receive the reward for His suffering. Rev 5:6–14
3. Pray for revival for Australia and for millions to find Christ. Isa 64:1–2
4. Pray for revival for Israel and millions to find Christ. Rom 10:1
5. Pray for five friends to find Christ and share the gospel with those five in May. Matt 28:18–20

We invite you to support this prayer campaign to multiply prayer in Australia for revival and see millions come to Christ. Every donation to the Canberra Declaration helps us promote prayer and make a stand for Family, Faith, Freedom, Life, and the Good News of God’s love through Jesus Christ His Son.

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Join Us for Our Nightly Zoom Prayer Call

DATES: Every night for the month of May

TIME: 8pm AEST

ZOOM URL LINK: https://zoom.us/j/776881184

ZOOM MEETING ID: 776881184

ZOOM TUTORIAL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFhAEoCF7jg

Daily devotions are brought to you by the Canberra Declaration.