HAVE YOU BEEN AWAKENED AT 3:00 a.m.?

In recent weeks, almost every night, virtually every one of the intercessors at my church has been awakened at 3:00 a.m. I have compared notes outside of my church and I find that others have been experiencing this with us. I understand it as a call to prayer, but I believe it holds a prophetic symbolism as well. In Matthew 14 the disciples had been rowing all night to cross the Sea of Galilee against a tremendous wind storm with crashing waves when Jesus came to them walking on the water through the storm in the fourth watch of the night. The fourth watch just happens to begin at 3:00 a.m. He called for Peter come to Him on the water and Peter came, sinking only when he looked away and became frightened by the wind and waves. Jesus got into the boat and the storm immediately ceased.

Only a fool could miss the signs of the gathering storm in the world around us. In an earlier "Prophetic Moments" I spoke of the roller coaster ride to come. It's here and it will affect us on several fronts. International turmoil is growing. Nationally we stand on the edge of what may be a serious recession. At the very least we face a long period of economic uncertainty and change. This will touch our personal lives as prices rise and jobs become less secure. It will affect our local churches as we either respond - or not - to the invitation to participate in supernatural manifestations of God's power and provision to meet the needs of people in these times of uncertainty and fear.

The Lord is seeking to prepare His people and His churches to shepherd one another, as well as outsiders, through this gathering storm. Even His preparation can feel like turmoil and storm as He rewrites the DNA of the churches that choose to receive it. In short, Jesus is coming to us through the storm. He will enable us to figuratively walk on water in the midst of it as Peter did, performing signs and wonders of His love and power. We will be safe with Him and He will ultimately still the storm for us. He has not left us alone to row endlessly into insurmountable winds and waves.

We have been called to be beacons of light in a time of darkness. He will be with us to accomplish this. He therefore comes to us in the fourth watch of the night to call us to pray so that we might walk with Him through the storm in perfect safety as a people ruling and reigning in the midst of turmoil.

This is a strategic hour for the church, and especially for those who have touched and experienced the supernatural in their walk with God. Up until now, we have only been in rehearsal. The real thing now comes upon us. It's game time. Let us use what we've been given to show a broken world a way to be whole. "Love never fails" (I Corinthians 13:8).

(Prophetic Moments is an occasional bulletin produced by Pastor R. Loren Sandford, New Song Fellowship, Denver, Colorado.  For previous issues click HERE.)

Books by PASTOR R. LOREN SANDFORD.  Click an image to visit our bookstore.

Other books by Pastor R. Loren Sandford available in our bookstore:
"Burnout:  Renewal in the Wilderness"
"Prophetic Worship"

As well as books by John and Paula Sandford.

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