What is an intercessory missionary??? July 2, 2009

Most of us have a grid for a “sent missionary.” Usually when this is the case, somebody sends you a letter and says that they are going to [insert country] for [length of time] to [insert task here] and would you like to fund their missionary lifestyle?  Example: Hi, it’s Jane!  I’m going to Thailand for five years to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and build orphanages.  However, us intercessory missionaries at IHOP-KC (or any place with intercessory missionaries) have a unique task: to communicate what it actually means to be doing what we are doing.

So let me explain…

Just like “sent” missionaries are sent by God to help fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) through preaching and mercy deeds, the Lord is also calling forth a new type of missionary that is essential in completing the Great Commission.  An intercessory missionary’s primary focus is changing the spiritual atmosphere over cities through “intercessory worship” (Psalm 149).  This ministry provides one of the scriptural requirements for God to release the fullness of revival.  God will not move in fullness apart from night and day prayer (this includes regular fasting and Sermon on the Mount living, Matthew 5,6 and 7).  The Scripture makes this abundantly clear (Joel 2) and history undoubtedly proves this.  Also, scripture declares that God will orchestrate a mighty “intercessory worship” movement covering the earth in the generation the Lord returns (Song of Songs 8:6, Revelation 22:17).

An intercessory missionary is expressed in five ways:

First- we collectively pray night and day for the release of the Great Harvest (Matthew 9:37-38)  IHOP is burdened with urgency to win the unreached peoples of the earth to Jesus.

Second- we provide vital prayer covering to missionaries currently on the field

Third- we train future intercessory missionaries to be sent out to other cities

Fourth- we go on short-term mission trips (2 weeks to 2 months) to help establish Houses of Prayer in other nations

Fifth- when called, we personally relocate to strategic places in the earth as long-term intercessory missionaries.

Looking for more answers? Another helpful web page is:  http://www.ihop.org/Group/Group.aspx?ID=1000036187

This page has a ton of FREE resources that I frequently use myself.

More questions?  Just ask!

Does the Lord want to heal and restore EVERYBODY? June 30, 2009

The answer: absolutely!

Problem: then why do people still leave church sick and oppressed?

Here are my thoughts…

The problem is we as the western church have left the place of contending for healing.  We are quick to say, “well, then, I guess it is God’s will for you to be sick,” when in reality, it is never on God’s heart for their to be sickness or suffering.  Isaiah 53: 5 clearly states that “by His stripes, we are healed,” meaning, the finished work of the cross is what brings our bodies full and complete restoration back to the garden of Eden reality.

The Lord has placed a burden on my heart to personally pray for the sick and stand in that place of contending

bow and arrow both ready

for their healing. At the International House of Prayer in Kansas City (IHOP-KC), they also have been contending for the healing of the sick for decades.  I desire to join them in their active healing ministry.  I also have always loved playing the violin and have been asking the Lord how that relates to my healing burden.

The Lord highlighted the story of Moses to me, at the very beginning of his calling (Exodus 3-4).  Moses asked the Lord, “What if they all think I’m crazy?  How can I prove to them that you are real?”  And the Lord said to Moses, “what is in your hand?”

When I read those words, I felt the Lord also asking me, “what is in your hand, Michelle?” I feel that he wants me to use what I already in my hand (my violin in one, and my bow in the other) as a “bow and arrow,” in the spirit to shatter the darkness over sickness and cause breakthrough in people’s lives.

IHOP-KC has received several prophetic words several years ago specifically regarding the Lords desire to breakthrough in healing in our community.  When I heard these words, I felt that they were not only for the people that heard them in that day, but they were my words to claim as well.  I felt courage to contend for the healing anointing and I plan on playing my violin from now until the Lord gives me my next assignment.