
Robin J Johnson
Two years ago when the Lord challenged me to raise men to pray I had an acute sense that we needed a strong concerted effort in prayer; firstly for the preaching of the Good News throughout the nations and secondly because I had a strong impression that we were about to experience a shaking and see an escalation of end time events that will make the strongest and toughest among us tremble and fear.
Since September 11, 2013 we have seen an escalation of crises and challenges throughout the world such as:
- War and the ongoing refugee crisis (in Europe & elsewhere)
- Acts of Terrorism
- Financial crisis and instability
- Homosexual marriage
- Sex slavery
- Violent crime
- Adverse weather
I have an increasing burden for the lost and a deep passion to see the Good News preached with boldness and a demonstration of God’s power in signs and wonders. I am no less convinced today that the Good News of the Kingdom of God is the answer to all of mankind’s needs. Jesus is the answer!
My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power.
1 Corinthians 2:4
When the apostle Paul exhorts Timothy to pray for all people (1Timothy 2:1-8), along with those in authority, he puts Jesus right in the centre. We pray based on the understanding that there is only one man who has and is the answer; “the man Christ Jesus”.
The battle today is the same as it has always been. It’s a battle between light and dark, right and wrong; a spiritual battle for the lives of lost humanity. It is not so much about you and me reigning, though we do, as it is about bringing the reign of God into another person’s life, to see them delivered from darkness and brought into the glorious Kingdom of Light.
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:13-14
My exhortation to you is this: When you pray remember there is one mediator between God and man, Christ Jesus, and He sent the Holy Spirit to also intercede through us.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
Romans 8:26-27
Who than is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Romans 8:34
This is an invincible union. Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit and you! Our prayers start from a place of victory, a victory that Christ has won.
The anti-Christ spirit working in the world today has oneåa goal, to stop the preaching of the Good News and to keep mankind separated from the love of God. As we pray into each one of the world’s crises we must remember that every crisis has a human face. Pray for the people caught in the midst of crisis and for more open doors and opportunities to share the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:2-6
No matter what is happening around us, whether you are caught in turmoil and strife or are fortunate to be living in peace and safety, this is still the “Day of Salvation”.
People need the Lord. Please pray that today you might have an opportunity to share Christ with someone.
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2