It’s impossible not to live in an atmosphere of intercession for years without it becoming a part of your spiritual DNA. The years I spent at Family of Faith in Shawnee, OK, were instrumental in imparting a heart of intercession for the nations. Sam and Kathy Matthews carry an apostolic and intercessory mantle that is contagious; it permeates every part of the ministries of Family of Faith. With spiritual mentors like the Matthews, how could I not be influenced by a heart of intercession for the nations? When the Lord directed me to start Harvest Fellowship, I knew that one of our mandates would be establishing a house of prayer for all the nations, but we would be called to do more than pray. We would raise up a generation that would go as well.
On December 7, 2011, I went into our morning Chapel at Harvest Fellowship Christian School with only one purpose – to worship Jesus! We had no plan other than that, but one thing was very much on the heart of the Holy Spirit that morning. Seventy years after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, we suddenly found ourselves as a school captivated by a weighty intercession for Japan.
I was suddenly deeply impacted by the fact that 70 years is significant in Scripture. In Daniel 9, Daniel was struck by the fact that the 70 years of desolation during which Judah would serve the King of Babylon was ending. Jeremiah had prophesied this, but he had also prophesied a time of great restoration in Jeremiah 29:10, a time when “…I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you…” Daniel immediately turned His attention to the Lord, seeking Him with prayer and supplications for his nation’s destiny .
Most of those who know me are aware of the years my family spent in Japan and the deep love we have for the Japanese people. It was almost traumatic when Father directed us back to the USA, but now we see more clearly what God is birthing through the ministries of Harvest Fellowship. During the December 7 Chapel, that deep love for Japan overwhelmed us as intercessions for this land rose up with intense fervor. I pray and believe that this love is being imparted to a generation that will go further and run faster than we have at this point!
I continue to hear reports about how much Japan is changing at this moment, perhaps catalyzed by the March 11 disasters and fueled by the prayers and ministries of faithful believers in that nation. I believe 70 years after Pearl Harbor the Lord’s redemptive purposes for Japan are coming forth in great power and promise. I am struck by the reality that God is always working to bring His promises into fulfillment, even when people and nations disobey, fail, or are delayed. He is a God of redemption!
As the church in America, may we not miss this opportunity as those did following the end of World War II when Japan was ripe for the Gospel. May we not miss this opportunity to pray for, sow into and GO to this nation to see Japan become the blessing it is called to be to the earth. I’m in…are you?