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PREPARING THE WAY FOR THE KING "This is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.'" Matthew 6:9-10 As we traveled recently from nation to nation, there was a sense that God is doing a mighty work over the whole earth. It is truly awesome. And in every city and every nation, it is a great privilege and responsibility for Christians to prepare the way for the King, because He is coming and He is coming in power and glory. The whole earth seems to be preparing for the coming King and His kingdom. There is a great battle between the powers of darkness and the powers of light. The enemy is on an all-out attack against the kingdom of God coming on earth. I sensed it while in Europe. The kingdom of God has been one of my favorite themes in the last few years. In every nation where we travel, I pray for the kingdom of God to come into that area. For each one of us who are seeking God in prayer, what does it really mean to prepare the way for the King? When we were in Germany in a small village in Eifel, I would look out my window and see within my view a large Nazi training facility where Hitler trained his men to hate and kill the Jews. Truly the living God wants to invade that region with His manifest presence and wash out all the pain and hatred that once ruled there against the Jews. We were with a group of intercessors from Germany and other countries and had been praying for the kingdom of God to come into that region with His glory, His healing power, etc. I wish I could express to you just how meaningful that time was for all of us. It ended with the washing of the feet of the Germans that were in our midst and praying blessing over them. This seemed to be one of the many events that are preparing the way for the King to rule and reign in that region. But God is doing similar things all over the earth to prepare the way for His Kingdom. As we near the end of this age, it is absolutely necessary that intercessors prepare the way for the King in their city, region and nation. What a glorious job description this is for all of us. Jesus is coming again, and we can prepare the way for His glorious return. You and I are made for kingdom living. Matthew 5 - 7 shows us how to live in the kingdom. Truly we must evaluate our lives according to these chapters. As we walk more fully in this dimension of kingdom perspective and kingdom living, we are better able to be God's co-workers in preparing the way for the King. But what is the kingdom of God? Simply stated, the kingdom of God is where God is King and where He rules. "The kingdom of God is the sphere where God is king - the 'place' where He rules. God inhabits the unseen world (the heavens), beginning with the space right next to our bodies. His kingdom is located there, although it manifests itself in the visible, material world. God’s kingdom is where God being God goes unchallenged.” How do we Prepare the Way for the King? Quotes and main headings from George Miley (Antioch Network) The following points are some of the ways we can prepare the way for the king to rule and reign in our cities or nation: We realize our responsibility to prepare the way for the King in all nations - We must realize our own responsibility and authority to make disciples of all nations and prepare for His kingdom rule. Do we as intercessors realize the authority we have on earth? “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Matthew 28:18 We abide in the presence of the King - We realize the importance of living in God’s presence. We center on God through prayer and worship. We know our identity in Christ, and we do not let the world system discourage or defeat us. After all, we are living with God and are preparing the way for His kingdom rule. ”We commune with the risen, living, present, incarnate King.” Are we abiding in Him right now and living a faith-filled life in the anticipation of His kingdom rule? “Abide in my love.” John 15:10 We repent, confessing our personal and corporate sins, and call others to repentance - We realize that our own way is the way of emptiness and death. In repentance, we choose God’s way over our own. We face God, and confess our sins and the sins of our region. We receive God’s healing, cleansing and freedom. Is there any area in our life that we need to confess and bring before the cleansing power of the risen Christ? “From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Matthew 4:17 We follow Jesus as His disciples and call others to discipleship - We call others to become disciples of Jesus and make Him lord of their lives. In this way, our character is transformed to be like His. We learn to obey Him out of inner transformation. We live in His rest and peace and not our own self-effort. “Discipleship is being with Jesus, to learn from Jesus, how to be like Jesus.” Are we making disciples? “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations . . . teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20 We proclaim and teach God's Word - There is power in proclaiming the Word of God over our cities and nations. The seeds of truth grow and bring forth a mighty harvest. God’s Word is powerful and brings forth repentance, healing, revelation, growth and many other things. In what ways are we proclaiming and teaching God’s Word through our prayers over your land? ”The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword . . .” Hebrews 4:12 We cultivate spiritual unity among all Jesus' disciples - God desires unity among the body of Christ. When we unite in prayer with others who may be different than us and from different churches, nations or backgrounds, we are preparing the way for the king. How are we promoting unity among our prayer groups and churches in order to bring in God’s presence here on earth? “May they also be one in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:21 We devote ourselves to extended seasons of group intercession – Praying with others is of tremendous importance. We must pray especially during times of national crisis. The power of united intercession cannot be estimated. In what way are we praying together with others for our nation? ”If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14

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