I am writing this on September 11, 2020. I’m sure you remember that eventful day back in 2001 when almost 3,000 lives were lost and the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in NYC fell. Also a hit on the Pentagon and a flight that went down in PA. I know exactly where I was and you probably do too. It was a terrorist attack perpetrated by the Islamist group al-Qaeda. We saw America come together and churches were filled ——— for two weeks. May that sink in!
Nineteen years later we see cities burning across America due to lawlessness and violence. We see the West Coast burning up with fires! I wonder where will we be a year from now? Today we face an enemy within. This enemy is shaking the foundations of our Nation because it is a fight not just of ideologies but actually a fight for the very soul of our Nation. Whose side are we on? I humbly pray that we are on the LORD’s side. In this season we must continually ask “Lord, what do you want me to do?” I have been asking the Lord that question both on a personal and ministry level again since Covid hit back in February/March.
In 2014 the Lord gave me two scriptures that propelled me to start a bi-monthly prayer meeting at my church to pray for the Church (locally and globally), Israel and the Nations. It has remained a small group, but a very faithful and consistent group of prayer warriors. The Scriptures the Lord gave me then are Hosea 8:1 “Set a trumpet to your lips! One like a vulture is over the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant and rebelled against my law.” And Zephaniah 2:1-3 “Gather together, yes, gather, O shameless nation, before the decree takes effect —before the day passes away like chaff—before there come upon you the burning anger of the LORD, before there comes upon you the day of the anger of the LORD. Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands, seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD.”
Prayer has increased somewhat as there are more prayer meetings since Covid, but it’s pretty much all those that have been praying for years. Yes, there is some increase in how many people but I wonder where is the rest of the Church? Still sleeping, or pre-occupied, or lethargic, or apathetic? At home?, on the couch?, too afraid to gather in even small groups to pray, worship, and read God’s Word together? Yes, you can pray at home. Yes, you can watch services on live-stream, etc BUT God’s Word says “GATHER!” It doesn’t have to be a large gathering, but “GATHER!” Two or three will do! Please understand that I am not talking to those at “high risk” for Covid here. Sadly, there are lots of folks though that are out and about and not gathering to be with their brothers and sisters in Christ.
I was ready to stop the prayer meeting mentioned above. However, I waited on the Lord and He brought an answer via a message given by Pastor David Davis (now home with the Lord) from the Carmel Congregation in Israel in 2008! It is entitled “The New Wine is in the Cluster” from Isaiah 65:8. (Listen here) A timeless message! All about prayer and worship! And well guess what? God confirmed that the prayer meeting is to continue! This isn’t the time to stop prayer meetings!
The upcoming Fall Feasts of the Lord are very strategic and critical. In the Bible these are called “appointed times” when Israel was to gather and go up to the Tabernacle or Temple (the House of the Lord). At his first advent, Jesus fulfilled the Spring Feasts. It is likely that at his second advent he will fulfill the Fall Feasts. It is not my intention here to teach on the Feasts. What I am saying is that they are important times on God’s calendar and so it behoves us to have some understanding of them. They are prophetic! In the Fall, they include the Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. You can read about them in Leviticus 23 and other places. Jesus celebrated these Feasts and in Zechariah 14:16 we are told that “everyone who survives of all the nations that have come against Jerusalem shall go up year after year to worship the King; the LORD of hosts and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths).”
Jewish people traditionally fast for 25 hours on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). I am not saying this is a mandate for us as Christians, nor that we even have to follow celebrating the Feasts because the Apostle Paul clearly taught that Gentiles are not mandated to do that. I am saying that I believe there is heightened spiritual warfare and it will intensify during the season of the Fall Feasts. I believe the Lord has called me (I’m not saying you) to fast from the beginning of the Feast of Trumpets (traditionally known as Rosh Hashanah) through the Day of Atonement. That would be beginning at sundown on September 18th until sundown on September 28. I am asking you to join my as the Lord directs you. Ask Him, “LORD, what do you want me to do?” I am also asking you to consider joining in on our weekly WOW Zoom prayer calls. You may not be able to commit to weekly, but can you join this coming Tuesday September 15th and/or on September 22nd at 8pm EDT, 7pm CDT? We need to pray as a “cluster” for many things, including this ministry if we want the NEW WINE God wants to pour out. We are in perilous times, but God has mercy for His people!
The Women of the Word Prayer Zoom meeting held every Tuesday at 8 pm (EDT) ID 336 129 6405 or phone 646.867.9923 Email WOW for the password.
Karen Davis, an internationally known worship leader from Israel taught on the relevance of the Fall Feasts and how Gentiles are grafted into the beautiful olive tree of Israel and now part of the Commonwealth of Israel. She also led us in beautiful and anointed worship. Click here to hear the message and to hear the worship click here
In conclusion, like it or not we are in a war. It’s more than time to call the army of prayer warriors to attention and duty! With God we have the victory but we must engage in the battle! I know many of you have been engaging for many years and some are probably weary. I know I’m largely speaking to the “choir”. There are times when I am very weary. This is when we need reinforcements. We need the “cluster”. All armies have reinforcements. Let’s continue to ask the Lord for more warriors to join His army and stand on this scripture too:
“ When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the Lord you God, and you will be saved from your enemies.” Numbers 10:9
Betsy Roy is the Director of Women of the Word, an inter-generational ministry dedicated to helping women grow as disciples of Jesus by applying God’s Word through the power of the Holy Spirit. WOW holds conferences, retreats, Bible seminars and trips to Israel.
Betsy and her husband Jim lead the trips to Israel, which include visiting with local believers, both Messianic and Arab. Together they have 3 daughters and 4 grandchildren which are the delight of their hearts. God’s mercy endures from generation to generation.
