ROOT 52 PRAYER STRATEGY for Maryland February 26-March 5
Days 2-3: MARYLAND PRAYER GUIDE
Many are now facing tremendous challenges that threaten God’s destiny for their lives. In this Purim season, God is wanting His covenant seed to prevail! Please join us February 26-March 4 for a week of fasting and prayer for breakthrough. Lets seek God together toprevail unto awakening!
Overview of Root 52
Every day of this year, our nation is being covered by prayer and fasting mobilized through the Root 52 Prayer Strategy. Cindy Jacobs and the Reformation Prayer Network initiated Root 52 to empower our covenant roots based upon a vision by prophetic leader Chuck Pierce. Each state is taking a week to fast and pray in the order that state came into the Union.
We are calling this the "Awaken the Seed Prayer Project" based on a prophetic perception by Dutch Sheets. On March 4, 2004, during the 50 state tour with Chuck Pierce, Dutch declared that Maryland's calling was to "Awaken the Seed and Open the Womb." Despite resistance, we are entering into a season where God's covenantal intentions are again being birthed in the land!
Maryland is the seventh state to join the United States of America, after MA. Seven represents covenant! And from this place of covenant, we can legally enter into intimacy, conception and harvest.
Purim: Praying to Prevail
It's no coincidence that Maryland's time of fasting and prayer begins with Purim. The fast and feast of Purim is a remembrance of a miracle of preservation after Esther called her people to fast and pray. WE ARE IN A SIMILAR TIME OF CRISIS AS A NATION AND WORLD.
It's important to note that Maryland has been a significant "womb" for the Messianic Jewish movement. While in Maryland, Asher Intrater, Dan Juster, Paul Wilbur and others helped to literally frame both the Messianic movement and the revelatory understanding of Israel and the end-times now embraced by much of the global body of Christ.
Obviously, just as in the days of Esther, a "Haman" has now arisen in Persia to attempt to destroy the Jewish people. With Iran now enriching weapons-grade uranium, the stakes have never been higher.
Prayer Point: We must stand together in prayer and action to see the Lord move on behalf of His covenant people! This is part of our legacy and destiny as a state. Many are also facing a personal crisis of preservation--especially in financial arenas. We are believing God for breakthrough for the seeds of promise in each of your lives at this time—for your covenant seed to prevail.
Maryland Awake!
It's interesting that Maryland is receiving the torch of prayer from Massachusetts at this time. Much of our legacy in Christ comes from the Pilgrims, who cut covenant with the Lord for the nation on November 11, 1620. They committed both the land and its government to "the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith."
On November 11, 1776, exactly 156 years later, the Maryland Constitution was signed. The continuity with the theme of the Pilgrim covenant is significant, with the preamble declaring the Lord as the source of our freedom. "We, the People of the State of Maryland, grateful toAlmighty God for our civil and religious liberty…"
Prayer Point: I believe we are a nation—and a state—of awakening. John 11:11 declares that "Lazarus our friend has fallen asleep, but I go that I may awaken him from slumber." This is where a tomb becomes a womb of new beginnings! As Dutch Sheets declared, ask God to awaken the seed and open the womb—to bring to birth God's covenantal intentions for our land.
Governmental Influence
And Maryland has always been poised to be a significant influence. Because of the centrality of its location within the original 13 colonies, land from Maryland (as well as some from VA) was allotted to establish Washington DC, our nation's capital. Maryland encompasses much of Washington DC, and central MD is home to countless government employees.
In fact, most of our nation's elected leaders, employees and contractors now influencing Washington DC live in Maryland and Virginia. The greatest number of these are government employees whose work impacts the infrastructure of the government and military. Whether they work for the White House, Senate, State Department, the Intelligence community, Pentagon, Department of Justice, Homeland Security, or other departments, they are primarily permanent employees, whose tenure endures through electoral transitions.
Oftentimes, these permanent employees are the true bearers of legacy in their departments, and the true long-term decision-makers in government. Many of our friends in this realm are intercessors.
Prayer Point: Just imagine how a sweeping move of the Holy Spirit in this region would affect our government from the inside out! Please pray for God to awaken and position His Esthers in governmental spheres of influence. Whether you live here in the region or elsewhere, it's worth investing in intercession for Maryland to be awakened at this time!
Overcoming Brother against Brother
Since the beginning, our state has been a bridge between the north and the south. Our city of Frederick, MD is surrounded by Civil War battlefields, including Antietam, where more lives were lost than in any other battle.
For many years, we have been working in prayer to remove the empowerment of a significant Civil War stronghold affecting the region and even the nation. The empowerment of division, of "brother against brother," seems so obvious we initially discarded its revelatory depth. But, though the issues may be different then than now, over years we have seen the legacy of brother against brother as a tragic cycle needing to be overcome.
Nutcracker Prophecy: Breaking Through Division
In 1999, during a Cindy Jacobs conference in Baltimore MD, Rick Ridings gave a prophetic word about a spiritual nutcracker that would crack the "hard shell of demonic resistance" in Washington DC. We believe a primary "nut" to be broken through is the empowerment of brother against brother that has our region and nation in paralysis.
Further, it is clear biblically that division is a judgment upon idolatry. When God judged Solomon, he divided his nation into Israel and Judah—north and south—thereby pitting brother against brother.
Ezekiel 37 talks about taking two sticks and joining them together as one in God's hand. To me, this looks like a nutcracker! And it represented the joining together of Judah and Israel.
Prayer Point: We need to recover a God-given unity and momentum in the body of Christ especially! As we see the reproach of ancient idolatry lifted from our midst, we can see the Lord join together what the enemy has tried to divide. We can see true union. Please pray for this release in our region!
Ocean City: Where Route 50 Begins
Apostle Jim Chosa recently alerted us to the significance of Route 50. According to Jim, "US Route 50 is referred to as "America's Backbone" and the "National Artery" of the nation's highway system. I believe this speaks prophetically of the significance of the national prayer strategy we have implemented. The intercession that comes out of Route 52 will serve as a "backbone" for our nation, while intercession itself, is the lifeline, or "artery" of the United States, a land of covenants."
Interestingly, Route 50 begins (or ends) in Ocean City MD, on the Eastern Shore. This "national artery" runs from there through Annapolis on into Washington DC and Virginia, West Virginia, into Ohio and the nation.
Dream: Route 50 Revival
Prophetically, I believe there is much significance to this. Years ago, I had a dream where the Lord spoke to me that His glory is coming in by way of the "gate facing east." In the dream, I was in a room of the Pentagon with high-level military leaders, elected officials including the President, and high-level apostolic/prophetic leaders.
In the dream, it was my turn to present key strategy with national impact. I pointed at a map of Maryland and drew attention to the eastern shore. Then I said, "God's glory is coming in by way of the gate facing east!"
And it seemed as though the glory of the Lord would move across the nation from this region. Wouldn't it be something to see a "Route 50 Revival" with God's glory restored from state to state, from sea to shining sea!
Where the East Gate Opens
In Ezekiel 43, the Lord actually declares that His glory will be restored by way of the gate facing east. I personally believe the 13 original colonies represent the geographic east gate of our nation. Two covenantal gateposts hold it in place: the Pilgrim covenant, by which our nation was founded in Christ, holds the northeast gate. And the Huguenot covenant, made with the Lord in Ft. Caroline (Jacksonville) Florida, holds the southeast gate. (Note: Please see appendix on America's Covenantal Foundations for more).
If this is true, the place where the two gates connect and open is certainly the mid-atlantic region, most possibly where Route 50 begins. And it's a straight shot in to Washington DC from there!
Prayer Point: Again, let me reiterate that, from a covenantal perspective, it seems that Maryland is a place where north and south are joined together—where the gates of the geographic east gate of our nation connect and open. Please pray for God to release to Maryland an "Ezekiel 43 Experience" with His glory restored to the land by way of the gate facing east! This is the summation of everything else we are asking for from the Lord.
As Reformation Prayer Network coordinators for Maryland, Jolene and I want to thank you for taking an interest in praying for our state. If you have any prophetic insights during this next week, please email us at admin@lamplighterministries.net.
Maryland Route 52 Prayer Points
Purim: The Covenant Seed Prevails: We must stand together in prayer and action to see the Lord move on behalf of His covenant people—Jew and gentile alike! This is part of our legacy and destiny as a state. Many are also facing a personal crisis of preservation--especially in financial arenas. We are believing God for breakthrough for the seeds of promise in each of your lives at this time—for your covenant seed to prevail.
Awaken the Seed, Open the Womb: I believe we are a nation—and a state—of awakening. John 11:11 declares that "Lazarus our friend has fallen asleep, but I go that I may awaken him from slumber." This is where a tomb becomes a womb of new beginnings! As Dutch Sheets declared, ask God to awaken the seed and open the womb—to bring to birth God's covenantal intentions for our land..
Esthers in Governmental Spheres: Just imagine how a sweeping move of the Holy Spirit in this region would affect our government from the inside out! Please pray for God to awaken and position His Esthers in governmental spheres of influence. Whether you live here in the region or elsewhere, it's worth investing in intercession for Maryland to be awakened at this time!
Recovery of Unity & Momentum: We need to recover a God-given unity and momentum in the body of Christ especially! As we see the reproach of ancient idolatry lifted from our midst, we can see the Lord join together what the enemy has tried to divide. We can see true union. Please pray for this release in our region!
Restoring God's Glory: Again, let me reiterate that, from a covenantal perspective, it seems that Maryland is a place where north and south are joined together—where the gates of the geographic east gate of our nation connect and open. Please pray for God to release to Maryland an "Ezekiel 43 Experience" with His glory restored to the land by way of the gate facing east! Pray for a "Route 50 Revival" from sea to sea!
Awaken the Seed! Root 52 MD Schedule
Feb. 26 & 27 Purim Prayer: Covenant Seed Prevails
7:30 pm-midnight. Prayer and prophetic ministry each night will focus on mobilizing Root 52 for MD, releasing financial breakthrough (Joel 1:13, 2:12-19), and prayer for Israel.
Services begin at 7:30 pm, stay as long as you like. On Feb. 26, we will be receiving the "torch of prayer" from Massachusetts. Maryland International House of Prayer (MIHOP), 66 Waverley Drive, Frederick MD
Feb. 28 Awaken the Seed: A Prophetic Perspective (Time TBA) Cornerstone Fellowship, 66 Waverley Drive.
March 1 Cumberland MD onsite prayer
March 2 La Plata MD prayer service, 1:30 pm (more info to come)
March 3 Ocean City onsite prayer; evening prayer service, Shiloh Ministries, Berlin MD
March 4 Easton MD prayer gathering; Annapolis onsite prayer
March 4-6 Baltimore Prayer/ Woodlawn conference w. Stagmers: "Developing a Culture that will Sustain Revival" We will be passing the "torch of prayer" to South Carolina.
APPENDIX: AMERICA'S COVENANTAL FOUNDATIONS
God is arising to establish the covenant He swore to our forefathers. I see the primary covenantal legacy as being set by the Huguenots in Florida, whose leader Jean Ribault was martyred on 10-12, 1565 while chanting Psalm 132, and by the Pilgrims, who cut covenant with the Lord in Massachusetts on 11-11, 1620.
The Pilgrim Covenant: A Nation of Awakening
When our forefathers stood against injustice, a nation of awakening was birthed. The Pilgrims set out for the new world to establish a land of religious freedom. On November 11, 1620, they signed the Mayflower Compact, entering into covenant with Jesus Christ by dedicating our land and government to "the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian Faith."
During both the first and second Great Awakenings, we saw two dimensions of this covenant with the Lord in manifestation. We saw God's glory -- the tangible manifestation of His presence and power -- across the land, resulting in societal transformation. And we saw evangelism -- the advancement of the Christian faith -- as unprecedented numbers of people turned to Jesus Christ.
John 11:11 declares, "Lazarus our friend has fallen asleep, but I go that I may awaken him from slumber."I believe on 11:11, 1620, God responded to the cries of our forefathers by calling us forth as a nation of awakening. This is our covenantal heritage, and our destiny.
The Huguenots Covenant: Dwelling Place for God
Before the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts, another weary group came to America seeking religious freedom. Led by Jean Ribault, the Huguenots established a settlement in Ft. Caroline, Florida, again with the hope of reaching nations with the gospel.
The Huguenots at Ft. Caroline (present-day Jacksonville) were martyred at the hands of Spanish conquistadors. Jean Ribault died chanting Psalm 132, literally begging God to make this nation a dwelling place for His presence. But instead of praying, "Lord remember the afflictions of your servant David," he prayed, "Lord remember the afflictions of your servant Jean. How he swore. . . not to give rest to his eyes, nor slumber to his eyelids, until he found a dwelling place for the mighty God of Jacob."
Psalm 132 actually memorializes David's covenant with God to establish a tabernacle for His presence in Jerusalem. This covenant set the course for the rest of his life—from his time as a shepherd to shepherding Israel as king. God prospered David according to Deut. 8:18.
Establishing God's Covenant
Part of this Third Great Awakening is that covenantal blessings aborted in previous seasons will find life and expression at this time. In Amos 9:11, God prophesies that the Tabernacle of David will be restored, and its breaches repaired. We are witnessing this restoration now!
It is interesting to note that, centuries after Ribault, another forerunner was gripped by Psalm 132 and the dream in God's heart for our land to be a dwelling place for His presence. At the outset of his ministry, Mike Bickle came into covenant with the Lord, according to Psalm 132 -- a covenant that eventually brought forth the International House of Prayer.
And on 11-11, 2009, some 444 years after Ribault's martyrdom and 389 years after the Pilgrim Covenant, Holy Spirit fell and a move of awakening began! The Pilgrim Covenant and the Huguenot Covenant, our two primary foundational covenants that set the course for America, have both come to a point of maturity and release in this hour!