Last night, two stories broke that are important to know. First, Israel’s unity government broke apart–a unity government seemingly forged to better position the nation to counter Iranian threats. Rival factions could not find agreement on drafting ultra-orthodox Jewish citizens and Arab citizens into the Israeli army. This potentially sets the stage for national elections later in the year.

Second, the Pentagon announced a 20-nation minesweeping exercise in the Strait of Hormuz. This joint exercise is slated for mid-September. Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for increased sanctions against its economy.

Yesterday we shared on the critical importance of praying for our intelligence agencies. Lamplighter family, please lets keep vigilant on this!

Advancing Through the Dire Straits
The passage below, 2 Thessalonians 3, is a great launching pad for breakthrough prayer. I encourage you to pray this for the remainder of the prayer project. Pray for America and Israel. Pray for intelligence communities, military, elected leaders, pastors, families, friends. Pray for Washington DC, and your own city.

Memorize this passage–get it in your heart–and begin to declare the Word of the Lord!

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one (2 Thess. 3:1-4).

Three Incredible Focuses
Lets unpack this briefly as we seek to advance through the dire straits. The Apostle Paul asks for prayer that God’s word run swiftly. That the true word of the Lord would be released with a breaker anointing. All barriers removed, no loss of momentum! Free course from heaven to earth–free course through the gates—and free course to penetrate hearts.

Second he prays for deliverance from unreasonable and wicked men, who do not have faith. This is vital in your intercession–that the leaders standing for God and for righteous action be delivered from agents of sabotage! Remember how the enemy often infiltrates through idolatry. Psalm 31 and 35 give even more language to this mandate.

Third, the Apostle Paul declares the faithfulness of God. He declares that God is faithful to guard you, to protect and defend you from the evil one. Not only that, He is also faithful to establish you.

The enemy is trying to tear you down, and those you are praying for. God seeks to establish you, to build you up. Not only that, but He is faithful to protect you even while He is establishing you!

When Jesus Runs Swiftly
As a photographer and a prophetic guy, visuals help me a lot. Revelation 19:11 visually conveys exactly what we are praying for in 2 Thessalonians. The heavens open, and the Word of God breaks forth!

“And I saw heaven opened; and behold a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and makes war… And He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called the Word of God… and the armies which are in heaven…were following…” (Rev. 19:11, 13).

What a picture of the Word of God, Faithful and True, on His white horse–literally poised to run swiftly and be glorified! With the armies of heaven released to back up His word! This passage recounts the ultimate expression of breakthrough at the end of the age. But there’s a dimension of this in play every time a true word from the Lord is governmentally released.

Prayer–Word of God Run Swiftly!
Ok. Are you now convinced to invest your energies in praying this passage? For yourself, and for others? For us?

Good. Then get ready to advance together through these dire straits!

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the WORD OF THE LORD may RUN SWIFTLY AND BE GLORIFIED, just as it is with you, and that we may be DELIVERED FROM UNREASONABLE AND WICKED MEN; for not all have faith. But the THE LORD IS FAITHFUL, who will ESTABLISH YOU AND GUARD YOU from the evil one. (2 Thess. 3:1-4).

Lord, open heaven and break forth now! Let Your Word run swiftly and be glorified, with no loss of momentum between heaven and earth. No loss of momentum through the gates of our communities, and the gates of the human heart. We prophesy, Open up you gates, and be opened up you ancient doors! Let the King of glory come in!

Jesus You are the Word of God. Judge and make war! Let Your Throne Room verdict be governmentally released. Wage war against all that stands against the justice of Your blood. Break forth and break through!

Release the armies of heaven to back up Your word. Lord, let the angels of the Lord Jesus Christ now be released to prepare the way–for us, and for those we are interceding for. Let them have charge over us, and keep us in all our ways.

We declare Your deliverance from unreasonable and wicked men, who do not have faith. Restrain the enemy in the spirit realm, and his expression through those in alignment with the evil one. Shut all gates of sabotage! Rescue those targeted by the enemy. Contend, Lord–stop the way against those who persecute Your people!

We declare deliverance NOW from the snare of the trapper. Let all ungodly watchers be sent under the feet of Jesus Christ, their communication completely cut off. Break forth with power and reveal Jesus to those whose eyes have been blinded by the god of this world. Save them, we pray, in Jesus’ Name!

Lord You are Faithful and True. You are faithful to Your bride. Thank You for guarding and protecting us from the evil one, even as You establish and build us. Establish Your covenant with us. Let the fellowship of Holy Spirit be continually with us. Establish Your people in intimacy with You, and in the expression of Kingdom authority You have ordained.

Bring to completion the “building projects” in our lives–all that the enemy tried to abort. You have shown prophetically how the enemy would seek to “X out” both America and Israel. And how You desire to establish Your bridal canopy over us. Tabernacle with us today, God! Grant guidance and protection. Bring Your covenant people safely through these “dire straits!” In Jesus’ Name, AMEN.