In 2017 I engaged in studying the 7 Mountains of Influence in a prophetic class I was taking. At the same time, I began engaging with an apostle online who was planning an anthology and the subject matter was the 7 Mountain Mandate. I expressed interest in being a co-author on the project and was subsequently engaged to write a chapter on the mountain of government. The assignment was to write what I prophetically understood about government and offer strategic declarations and prayers to influence the sphere of government.
What I’ve never talked about is that my first draft was returned to me. I was told to rewrite it and make it less harsh, less divisive. The editors were concerned about offending people who had certain beliefs about the current president. It didn’t seem worded strongly enough, in my opinion,and I struggled with the request because I had wrote what I strongly believed was the warning the Lord was giving. But I knew that this exposure was a significant opportunity for my growth and development as a writer, a prophet, and the invaluable connections with the other authors from around the world on this project. This wasn’t my project, so I had to stay within the bounds I was given. I may write about this dynamic in another post about prophets and autonomy. After two more revisions of softening and diluting my original text, it was published.
Nine years later, I see how accurate my original text is and it grieves me terribly. I’m publishing the original text on my blog because I believe instead of it being a warning in 2017 it is now an admonition and correction not only to this country but the Church as a whole.
As you read this, I encourage you to read it the way it is intended: an admonition to the Church. Consider the cited scriptures in the context of being directed to the members of the Body of Christ as opposed to how we normally tend to read scriptures like 2 Timothy 3 by assuming it is referring to unbelievers. I believe in this hour the church is being revealed, and it is not favorable.
This country was never founded as a Christian nation; rather, a land where religious freedom is welcome. While we cannot legislate morality, our leaders should have a concern for all inhabitants of the country and operate with dignity and wisdom.
Mountain of Government
Kenna O’Flannigan
The Word of God tells us in Romans 13:14 that there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Many believe that America was founded on Christian principles. Evidence of this idea exists in the fact that all 50 states mention God in their preamble[1]. According to Pew Research Center, nearly half of all presidents have been Christian (Episcopalian or Presbyterian)[2]. Currently, the 115th Congress of the United States is 91% Christian[3]. This percentage is higher than the national percentage of American adults that identify as Christian, which is 75%. There are indications that this number has decreased from 80% in 2008[4]. The Lord allows some authorities to be appointed that reflect the heart and moral condition of the people they rule over. Throughout the books of 1 & 2 Kings and 1 & 2 Chronicles, we continually see a pattern for kings who “did evil in the sight of the Lord” and the people they ruled over followed (i.e. Ahab, Amazia, Jehovah, Jehovah, Amazia, etc.). However, the Lord revealed to me that King Saul is a type of the current administration. King Saul was the first king following an extensive line of judges appointed by God. Saul had no blueprint for the role of a king, as there was no prior king to draw from his experience. The current administration does not have a background in law or politics. This characteristic is what was so attractive to our nation. The people wanted someone “different,” not a politician.
In 1 Samuel, the people’s demand for a “different” leader and advocate caused the Lord to allow King Saul to rule, and similarly has allowed Americans to choose the current King Saul. The heart of the people reflect king Saul’s character. Proof of this in scripture is in 1 Samuel 8:6-22. The Lord appointed Saul as king to answer the people’s demand because they rejected God as their king. Because of this, there was a condition set upon the people in 1 Samuel 12:13-15. The king that the Lord allowed the people to choose would continue to follow the Lord if the people “fear the Lord and serve Him and obey His voice, and do not rebel against the commandment of the Lord.” However, there was a consequence if the people did not obey the Lord. The king would not obey the Lord’s voice and hand of the Lord would be against the people.
Based on these scriptures, it’s possible to draw the conclusion that ungodly leadership can be a reflection of the people in the land. I believe that the Lord is holding up a mirror and revealing the condition of our own hearts. 2 Timothy 3 is a fitting description of current society. The world in general can be viewed as lovers of our own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.
The present condition of our nation can be disheartening. However, as in all situations, the scriptures offer us guidance and instruction on how to respond.
RESPONSIBILITY OF BELIEVERS
First, we must be careful to examine ourselves within the Body of Christ for any of these characteristics before focusing on the condition outside of the Body, as 1 Peter 4:17 clearly warns that judgment comes to God’s House first. Knowing that the Lord protects His children, we must pray for mercy on the land; that wisdom and understanding enter the heart of the people and they change direction. Righteousness will exalt a nation, according to Proverbs 14:34.
We must pray that those elected and appointed in the legislature and the judiciary are righteous so that the laws which are implemented and upheld are just, and that the law of the land begins to reflect the morals and values of the Kingdom. Pray that the judges are fair and use wisdom and discretion to protect the citizens; that they do not contribute to oppression, injustice, and cause people to fear or provoke them to anger (Psalm 103:6).
VOTING AND HOLDING OFFICE
As believers, we must also be involved and knowledgeable in the day-to-day activities of politics. If we are not reading and learning what the various candidates stand for, if we are not running for office ourselves when we feel the leading of the Lord, if we are not voting in all elections – for local government, congress, senate – as well as the president, then it is the unbelievers who are determining the people who run our country.
We must pray for the leaders. We must pray that godly people are elected into positions of authority and positions of influence to our president. Prayer is essential. But it must be followed up with action. Voting is necessary to indicate that there is still a population of people who will support those in government who will take a stand for godly principles and legislation; who will fight for the oppressed and needy; who will not use their position to lord it over the people and become the oppressor. Voting and even becoming active in the political arena if that is your purpose will continue to show the nation and the world that there is still a remnant of people who will fight for the righteous result. Prayerfully voting without regard to political party or personal agenda but with an eye toward God’s purpose for government and protection of all people can sway the direction of those in authority to recognize there is still a population of people interested in the good of the land and righteousness in the land.
DECLARATION AND PRAYER POINTS
- We pray that all of government operates in wisdom and understanding in all matters – Proverbs 12:1
- We pray for the godly counsel that surround our leaders and speak that multiple righteous counselors rise up and leadership heeds godly counsel and walks with wise men – Proverbs 11:14; Proverbs 13:20; Proverbs 15:22; Proverbs 24:6
- We declare that the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; He will save us as we walk in obedience and righteousness to the authorities established by Him – Isaiah 33:22; Romans 13:14
- We seek you for discernment as we become more active in government process. We act in wisdom and godly counsel as we cast votes and choose who to support in each and every election; that this nation be exalted in righteousness – Proverbs 14:34
- Our hearts are humbled and broken. As we return to the Lord, He is building us up and sin is removed from our tents – Joel 2:13; Zechariah 1:3; Job 22:23; Lamentations 3:40
- As we repent and return to the Lord, He is returning to us – 2 Chronicles 15:4
- We speak renewed fervor and passion for the Lord and seek revival throughout the land. We welcome Holy Spirit as He ushers in healing and deliverance, that our latter is greater than our former – Hosea 6:1-3; Haggai 2:9
We decree and declare that the will of the people is turned to righteousness and holiness. We declare that the hearts of those in the seat of the President, judges, lawmakers, and in all leadership, are in Your hand, and we declare their hearts are turning back to You. We decree and declare that this nation is united in righteousness and holiness. We repent of past sin and idolatry and return to you. Please return to our land. We decree and declare that our nation is turning from our wicked ways before destruction comes. The scales are falling from our eyes to reveal wisdom and understanding of the truth; to come to the knowledge of the truth. We are chasing after You and Your heart, and seek the riches of trusting in and following You. We declare that our hearts, minds and intentions have turned back to You, Lord, as you lead us in righteousness. We decree that righteousness shall exalt this nation.
Save, Lord! May the King answer us when we call.
[1] http://www.bebaptized.org/u.htm
[2] Pew Research Center, http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/01/20/almost-all-presidents-have-been-christians/
[3] http://www.pewforum.org/2017/01/03/faith-on-the-hill-115/
[4] http://news.gallup.com/poll/187955/percentage-christians-drifting-down-high.aspx
Watchman Prophet 