Simplicity Church Network

Simplicity Church Network

spiritual warfare

A wide-angle photograph of a city at sunrise with golden light breaking through clouds. In the foreground, a small group of people stand quietly on a hilltop, some with heads bowed or hands lifted in prayer, symbolizing intercession and corporate fasting for regional awakening. Text overlay reads: “How to Lead a Corporate Fast That Awakens a Region.
Apostolic Journey & Desolate Places

Lead a Corporate Fast That Awakens Your Region

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How to Lead a Corporate Fast That Awakens a Region Fasting Is More Than a Personal Discipline As January unfolds, many churches and ministries around the world commit to fasting. For most, the goal is inward: spiritual renewal, clarity, or breakthrough. These are good reasons. But if that’s all we pursue, we risk missing one of the most powerful dimensions of fasting. What if your fast could shake more than your schedule or soul? What if it could shift your city? Fasting, when led in alignment with the Spirit, has the power to awaken regions. It tills the spiritual soil of neighborhoods. It confronts strongholds in cities. It builds holy hunger in a generation dulled by distraction. This kind of fasting isn’t loud. It’s not flashy. But it is catalytic. “Fasting is not about earning power. It’s about clearing space for God’s power to move through you.” Key Takeaways Corporate fasting can shift spiritual atmospheres over entire cities and regions—not just individuals. Effective fasts begin with spiritual burden, not branding or scheduling convenience. Simple, Spirit-led structures allow people to engage more deeply without distraction. Fasting should include intercession for the region, not just the local church or team. End your fast with commissioning, launching participants into action and spiritual obedience. The goal isn’t performance but alignment—with the purposes of God for your region. 1. Rediscover the Biblical Pattern for Regional Fasting Throughout Scripture, fasting is often corporate—and regional. It was the response of entire cities, nations, and leadership networks when divine intervention was needed. In Jonah 3, the people of Nineveh fasted from the king down to the animals. It wasn’t just personal repentance—it was societal surrender. In Ezra 8, leaders fasted for protection on their return to Jerusalem, acknowledging their dependence on God in uncertain terrain. In Esther 4, a fast was called not just for personal clarity but to confront a spiritual plot of genocide. Biblical fasting often preceded breakthrough. Not just for one person, but for entire communities. This is the legacy we inherit. And it is the call we carry. Fasting isn’t just a devotional tool. It’s a spiritual weapon. 2. Start With Burden, Not Branding Too many fasts begin as events instead of encounters. A true corporate fast doesn’t begin in the planning room—it begins in the prayer room. Ask yourself: What is God burdening your heart for in this region? What spiritual walls do you sense need to fall? Where are people stuck in cycles that need to break? Fasts that flow from burden carry a different authority. They carry the weight of Heaven. You don’t need to rally people with clever themes if the Spirit has already gripped their hearts. This is not about spiritual branding. It’s about alignment. 3. Build a Simple, Spirit-Led Framework Once the burden is clear, build a framework that helps people engage with God. Keep it simple. Keep it sacred. Set a clear start and end date. Offer options for how people can participate (like a Daniel fast, one meal per day, or a media fast). Include a few anchor Scriptures, a weekly prayer theme, and optional prompts or reflection questions. Host one or two prayer gatherings—not to hype but to host the presence of God together. Some of the most powerful moments will likely happen in small rooms, not big events. “People don’t need hype. They need hunger.” You are not organizing a program. You are stewarding a prophetic act. 4. Widen the Scope Beyond Your Own Ministry Even if your church or house church is the only one officially fasting, make room for regional intercession. Each week, include prayer points that target more than your own group: Unity among churches in your area Spiritual awakening in the next generation Exposure of injustice, apathy, or hidden strongholds Fresh outpouring across neighborhoods or city centers Revival in rural, overlooked, or spiritually dry places The goal isn’t to control the region—it’s to contend for it. Your prayers don’t stop at your door. They reach the soil beneath your feet. 5. End With Commissioning, Not Just Celebration Don’t let the last day of your fast feel like a finish line. Let it be a holy commissioning. What has God revealed? What is He calling your people to walk out? Gather them not just to celebrate answered prayers but to commit to the next step. Invite testimonies, release prophetic words, and send out teams to pray in key locations in your region—whether that’s schools, hospitals, city hall, or neighborhoods in need. Let your fast end the same way it began: not with strategy, but with surrender. “The region won’t shift because we skipped meals. It will shift because we came into agreement with Heaven.” Leading Fasts That Cultivate Movement If you sense God is calling your house, network, or team into a fast this January, don’t settle for a spiritual detox. Ask for a spiritual downpour. Fasting is one of the clearest ways to return to the Lord’s heart and recover His strategy. It’s where burdens become vision. It’s where unity is forged. And it’s where regions begin to stir. “Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast… then the Lord will be jealous for His land and take pity on His people.” (Joel 2:15,18) Let the fast be more than inward. Let it be intercessory. Let it be more than spiritual discipline. Let it be spiritual warfare. Let it be more than your team. Let it be for your territory. When the people fasted, the ground shifted. FAQs Q1: Does a regional fast have to be 21 days?No. Length matters less than obedience. Some fasts are 3 days, others 40. Start with what God leads and what your community can carry with integrity. Q2: What if only a few people join me?God often starts with a remnant. Your obedience can break ground for others. Even two or three gathered in His name have authority. Q3: Can I do this with house churches or a marketplace ministry?Absolutely. This kind

A wide-angle aerial view of a city at sunrise with soft golden light and a faint compass design overlay, symbolizing spiritual vision, intercession, and regional prayer focus for 2026.
Apostolic Journey & Desolate Places

7 Questions to Pray Over Your Region for 2026

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Why Pray These Questions Over a Region? As we begin a new year, we must resist the urge to rush into strategy and instead return to spirit-led discernment. Every city, town, and region has a spiritual atmosphere—a unique mix of hunger, resistance, history, and destiny. As intercessors and apostolic voices, we are not called to casually occupy a place. We are called to discern, intercede, and build in alignment with Heaven. These 7 questions are not just for your quiet time. They are a blueprint for intercession and apostolic discernment as we step into 2026. They will help you: Sense the true state of your region Partner with what God is already doing Confront what needs to be broken Align with Heaven’s vision for your territory “The future of a region is shaped in the unseen realm long before it’s seen in public.” Key Takeaways Regions have spiritual climates that can be discerned. We are called to see beyond the surface and pray with prophetic clarity. Every region has strongholds that must be spiritually confronted. Intercessors break ground in prayer before leaders build on it in the natural. There is always ground ready for harvest. Ask the Spirit to show you where people are soft to the Gospel. Hidden laborers are being prepared. We must intercede for and call forth those who carry Kingdom assignments. God has a redemptive destiny for every city. His plans must be declared and contended for in prayer. The Church often faces targeted resistance. Pray for pastors and congregations to walk in unity, boldness, and purity. God wants to do something new in your region in 2026. Ask for vision beyond what you’ve seen before—and prepare to participate. 1. Lord, what is the current spiritual atmosphere over this region? Is the region marked by hunger or apathy? Spiritual openness or resistance? Fear or faith? God invites us to see beneath the surface and discern the climate of the heart. Scripture: “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities…” (Ephesians 6:12) Prayer: Ask for the gift of discernment. Declare clarity over confusion and spiritual insight over surface-level assumptions. 2. What strongholds need to be dismantled or confronted? Every region has spiritual and cultural strongholds—patterns of sin, fear, division, addiction, idolatry, or pride. These must be identified and confronted through prayer, proclamation, and faithful presence. Scripture: “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds…” (2 Corinthians 10:4–5) Prayer: Ask the Lord to expose cycles of bondage. Declare that old structures will be uprooted and that truth will tear down lies. 3. Where is the ground already prepared for harvest? Sometimes we overlook ripe fields because we expect harvest to look a certain way. Look for spiritually open people, communities of peace, and relationships that are already soft to the Gospel. Scripture: “Lift up your eyes… the fields are ripe for harvest.” (John 4:35) Prayer: Thank God for prepared soil. Ask to be positioned for harvest in the places He has already tilled. 4. Who are the hidden laborers You are raising up here? God often hides His future leaders in obscurity. Pray for the indigenous voices, young revivalists, unassuming servants, and overlooked laborers that He is equipping in the shadows. Scripture: “Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest field.” (Matthew 9:38) Prayer: Call forth the hidden ones. Pray for their equipping, boldness, and divine connections. 5. What is Your prophetic destiny for this region? Every place has a redemptive destiny. Ask the Lord to show you what He originally intended for your region—before sin, systems, or strongholds tried to define it. Scripture: “For I know the plans I have for you… plans to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11) Prayer: Ask for prophetic vision. Declare alignment with Heaven’s assignment over your city, county, or territory. 6. What strongholds or assignments are targeting the church in this region? The enemy always attacks the gatekeepers. Is your region’s church battling disunity, spiritual weariness, religious tradition, or distraction? Ask God to reveal what the Body is facing. Scripture: “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will scatter…” (Zechariah 13:7) Prayer: Pray for purity, unity, and resilience among pastors, leaders, and church families. Declare that the true Church will arise in power and integrity. 7. What do You want to do here in 2026 that hasn’t happened yet? This is a question of faith. Invite God to speak what’s never been seen before. Contend for the new thing He desires to birth—revival, repentance, restoration, or Kingdom movement. Scripture: “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19) Prayer: Ask for vision beyond history. Pray for eyes to see and faith to move with God into new ground. How to Use These Questions Practically Personal Prayer Retreats: Walk and pray these over your city block by block. Corporate Intercession: Use these questions in a small group or church-wide prayer night. Planning Retreats: Start your leadership year with these before setting strategies. Fasting Season: Let these shape your January consecration fast. “What you see in the Spirit becomes what you steward on the ground.” As you step into the first weeks of 2026, don’t just ask what you want to do for God. Ask what He wants to do where you’ve been sent. Pray these questions. Write what you hear. Then move forward in faith. FAQs Q1: Who are these questions intended for?These are designed for anyone with a burden to pray for their city, town, region, or territory—especially apostolic leaders, intercessors, planters, and disciple-makers. Q2: Can I pray these alone or with a group?Both! They can be used during personal prayer walks or journaling time, as well as in team settings, fasting retreats, or corporate intercession. Q3: What if I don’t have answers to every question?That’s okay. These questions aren’t a test. They are meant to spark dialogue with God and

A wide-angle image of a dirt path leading into the distance, bordered by grassy fields and trees, with bold white text reading “Prayer Walking with Prophetic Purpose” and a subtitle about Spirit-led intercession rooted in biblical authority and Kingdom assignment.
Discipleship & Multiplication

How to Prayer Walk with Purpose, Power, and Authority

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Prayer Walking with Prophetic Purpose A Spirit-led guide to territorial intercession, rooted in biblical authority and Kingdom assignment Key Takeaways Prayer walking is a strategic Kingdom act, not a symbolic ritual. When Spirit-led, it becomes intercession on assignment. Every step you take becomes prophetic. Your movement declares the authority of Christ and invites transformation. Biblical models like Joshua, Jesus’ sending of the seventy, and Paul in Athens reveal a clear precedent for territorial prayer and spiritual mapping. Three dimensions guide every effective prayer walk: Discernment – Ask the Spirit what’s operating in the atmosphere. Declaration – Speak God’s Word aloud over the land. Displacement – Bind what opposes God and bless what aligns with His Kingdom. Preparation matters. Prayer walking is spiritual warfare—go in unity, with covering, and with intentionality. You may not see immediate results, but your obedience shifts the atmosphere and prepares the soil for harvest. Common strongholds to confront include idolatry, injustice, addiction, apathy, occultism, and systemic corruption. Your feet are a weapon. You don’t need a platform to change a region—just a burden, a Bible, and the Spirit’s direction. “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” — Romans 10:15 I. Introduction: More Than a Walk Prayer walking is not a trendy activity or religious ritual—it is a strategic tool for advancing the Kingdom of God. When led by the Spirit, prayer walking becomes an act of: Territorial intercession — engaging spiritual ground with heaven’s perspective Prophetic declaration — speaking God’s Word over contested places Apostolic obedience — moving into the places Jesus is about to go (Luke 10:1) “Every step you take becomes intercession on assignment.” Jesus wept over cities (Luke 19:41). Paul discerned the atmosphere of Athens before preaching (Acts 17:16). This is more than praying for a place—it’s praying from heavenly authority into the earth. II. Biblical Foundations for Territorial Prayer A. Joshua 1:3 — “Every place you set your foot…” God gives territory by promise, but it must be claimed by walking it in faith. The act of setting your foot is a declaration of possession. B. Luke 10:1–9 — Sent Two by Two Jesus sent His disciples to assigned cities. They were told to: Find the person of peace Declare peace Heal the sick Announce the Kingdom This was the original pattern of apostolic groundwork and regional claim. C. Acts 17:16 — Paul in Athens Before Paul preached, he discerned the idols, culture, and spiritual resistance of the city. Effective ministry begins with spiritual mapping—letting the Spirit show you what is really happening. ✦ Ask the Lord: What city or region are You sending me to with spiritual authority? III. Three Dimensions of Prophetic Prayer Walking 1. Discernment – Seeing What the Spirit Sees Ask the Holy Spirit: What is operating in this place? Common strongholds: Religious performance without power Occult or counterfeit spiritualism Racial division or generational injustice Addiction, abuse, fear, poverty, apathy Look for both spiritual impressions and physical indicators: Gated or locked churches Graffiti or symbols of darkness Empty schools, boarded homes, or neglected property Signs of fear, control, or brokenness ✦ Prompt: What do you sense in the atmosphere? What is left unspoken in this place? 2. Declaration – Speaking Truth into Contested Ground Prayer walking is not just observation—it’s proclamation. Carry Scripture and speak it aloud. Let your voice sow truth into the soil. Key Scriptures: Psalm 24:1 – “The earth is the Lord’s…” Isaiah 62:6–7 – “I have posted watchmen on your walls…” Luke 4:18–19 – “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…” 2 Corinthians 10:4 – “Our weapons are not carnal but mighty…” Declare life, healing, repentance, and freedom. You are not making suggestions—you are releasing Kingdom reality. ✦ Ask the Lord: What truth needs to be declared here today? 3. Displacement – Driving Out and Filling with the Kingdom When the Spirit reveals active resistance, respond in the authority of Jesus. Bind what has ruled illegitimately (Matthew 16:19) Break generational or territorial strongholds Renounce fear, religion, or darkness in the name of Jesus Declare blessing and speak life into the atmosphere Always finish with a blessing. Don’t just clear the ground—fill it with peace, hope, and righteousness. ✦ Prayer: Lord, replace every false power with Your truth and presence in this place. IV. Practical Steps to Begin a Prayer Walk A. Choose Territory Intentionally Don’t walk randomly. Ask the Spirit what place He is giving you to claim. Suggested targets: Schools, courthouses, police stations Neighborhoods, housing projects, business districts Church properties or spiritually neglected places B. Prepare Spiritually This is not a social walk. It is spiritual warfare. Fast beforehand if led Cover each other in prayer Walk in unity with others when possible (Luke 10 model) ✦ Reminder: Unity increases authority. C. Walk, Listen, and Obey Slow down. Stop when led. Speak as prompted. Pray over gates, doors, intersections, and people. Expect divine appointments—but don’t force encounters. Follow the Spirit’s pace. D. Debrief and Record Afterward, gather the group and record: What was sensed or seen What Scriptures were prayed Any resistance, breakthrough, or clarity These insights shape future strategy. What seems small may be a hinge point in the Spirit. ✦ Prompt: What changed while you were walking? What shifted afterward? V. Common Strongholds to Confront in Prayer These patterns often surface in regional or citywide intercession: Idolatry — reverence for man-made religion, success, or structures Injustice — systems of racial division, economic oppression, or generational wounding Bondage — addiction, fear, control, trauma, or despair Counterfeit spirituality — occult practices, false prophecy, manipulation, or cultural spiritualism Corruption — leadership or institutional failure that chokes transformation ✦ Prayer: Lord, shine Your light. Reveal what must be torn down, and build what honors You. VI. The Fruit of Spirit-Led Prayer Walking Prayer walking is not about quick outcomes—it’s about spiritual obedience. But it always bears fruit in heaven’s time. 1. Prayer Disrupts and Prepares Your steps challenge the unseen realm. You’re not sightseeing—you’re striking the ground. 2. Breakthrough

A lone figure stands at the edge of a vast desert valley at sunrise, surrounded by rugged mountains and glowing golden light, symbolizing calling in desolate places.
Apostolic Journey & Desolate Places

When God Sends You Where You’re Not Wanted

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The Apostolic Assignment No One Wants There are moments in the apostolic journey when God sends you into a region that doesn’t seem ready—or even willing—to receive you. You arrive with fire in your bones and a Word from the Lord, only to be met with spiritual resistance, cultural suspicion, or outright rejection. It can leave you wondering, “Did I hear God wrong?” But this isn’t a mistake. It’s the pattern. Jesus was driven by the Spirit into the wilderness before He ever preached His first sermon (Mark 1:12–13). Paul was sent to cities that beat him, stoned him, or tried to silence him. Jeremiah preached to a people who refused to listen. Elijah ministered in the shadow of demonic systems. Yet from these desolate places came revival, transformation, and the establishment of God’s purposes. Apostolic fruit often begins in hostile soil. Key Takeaways Hard assignments are holy assignments.God often sends pioneers into spiritually resistant regions as part of His redemptive plan, not as punishment. Desolate places are preparation grounds.Just like Jesus, Paul, and the prophets, God uses wilderness seasons to form character, deepen dependence, and sharpen discernment. Resistance is not rejection by God.Hostility from people or culture doesn’t mean you missed your calling—it may confirm you’re exactly where God wants you. Spiritual authority is forged in hardship.True influence is not built on popularity or platform, but through tested obedience and suffering. You’re sent, not stuck.God doesn’t waste your obedience. Even when fruit is delayed, the soil is being prepared for breakthrough. Stay rooted in Word, prayer, and relationship.These are your lifelines in difficult ground. Don’t measure impact by speed, but by faithfulness. Biblical Foundations for Hostile Assignments Jesus in the WildernessBefore Jesus multiplied bread or healed the sick, the Spirit drove Him into the desert. The wilderness was His training ground, a season of identity testing and spiritual warfare. It was where He proved the Word, not to others, but within Himself. Paul in Hostile CitiesFrom Antioch to Lystra, Paul faced persecution. Yet each rejection became a seedbed for new churches and leaders. Opposition became opportunity. Old Testament EchoesJeremiah’s message was ignored. Elijah’s ministry was resisted. But both laid the groundwork for renewal. God’s pattern hasn’t changed—He still sends His servants into difficult territory to prepare the way. Why God Sends You to Places That Don’t Want You 1. To Break Ground for Future Fruit“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone” (John 12:24). Every movement begins with a burial. God sends pioneers to sow seeds others will harvest. You may not see the fruit, but your obedience cultivates the soil. 2. To Expose and Crush Self-RelianceHard places expose our dependence on human affirmation. The loneliness, misunderstanding, and resistance strip away pride and demand fresh trust in the Spirit. As Paul said, “This happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God” (2 Corinthians 1:9). 3. To Establish Spiritual Authority Through SufferingSpiritual authority isn’t conferred by title—it’s forged in hardship. True authority comes when you’ve endured the fire and stayed faithful. God carves apostolic leaders through rejection, misunderstanding, and waiting. Three Truths to Hold in the Desolate Place You’re not there for comfort—you’re there for conquest.Every place the sole of your foot treads, God has given you (Joshua 1:3). You are not there to blend in, but to break through. Kingdom ground is taken, not granted. You’re not abandoned—you’re being trusted with territory.Isaiah 41:10 reminds us that God’s presence doesn’t vanish in difficulty. The wilderness is evidence that Heaven trusts you to carry the assignment. You’re not cursed—you’re being carved into a vessel of breakthrough.You are being shaped, not sidelined. The refining is proof that God intends to pour something powerful through you. Markers of a God-Sent Hard Place How can you tell you’re truly sent into a “desolate” assignment and not just wandering? Look for these indicators: Resistance from both the spiritual and natural atmosphere. Delayed visible fruit despite faithful obedience. Inner stripping—loss, loneliness, and a call to deeper dependence. Recurrent confirmations from the Lord to stay. Deepening discernment and intercession. These aren’t signs of failure—they’re signs of formation. What to Do While You Wait and Wrestle Stay Rooted in the Word.When the soil is hard, your roots must go deeper. Let the Word anchor your identity and renew your mind daily. Develop Rhythms of Intercession and Listening.Don’t just “work the ground”—pray the ground. Ask the Spirit to reveal what’s resisting His reign in that place. Declare the promises of God over the territory. Build Slowly, Intentionally, and Relationally.Movements start with relationships, not rallies. Look for the person of peace (Luke 10:6). Invest in hearts before you plant structures. You’re Being Sent, Not Stuck Desolate places are not delays—they are divine deployments. You haven’t been forgotten; you’ve been trusted. God sends His most faithful servants into the hardest fields because He knows they’ll endure until breakthrough comes. Stay faithful. Stay rooted. The soil may be hard now, but the harvest belongs to the obedient. “The wilderness is never wasted when it’s walked in obedience.” Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Q1: How do I know if God really sent me to this hard place—or if I made a mistake?A: Look for confirmation through Scripture, prayer, and prophetic clarity. God often confirms His assignments through deep conviction, alignment with His Word, and recurring peace even amid resistance. If the calling was birthed in prayer, confirmed by mature voices, and remains persistent despite obstacles, you are likely in divine placement—not personal detour. Q2: Why would God send me somewhere that rejects me?A: Because He’s forming something through you—either in the land, the people, or in your own heart. Hostility is often a sign that you’re confronting entrenched spiritual resistance. It’s not about comfort; it’s about conquest (Joshua 1:3). God entrusts hard ground to those He can trust to be faithful in it. Q3: What should I do when I feel completely alone in this assignment?A: Lean into the presence of God. Create daily

The Foundations

I Want You Out of Town!

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Editor’s Note:This post was written in the very earliest days of what would become the Simplicity Church Network. It reflects the process of letting go of old models, listening to Jesus, and learning to follow the Spirit into a new way of being the Church. About a year ago we began ministering to a man that showed up one night in December. He was very involved with us until May, when he had a setback with his SSI check and cursed God and began cursing us as well. Over the summer he showed up again for a couple of weeks, before once again something set him off and he left cursing God and cursing us. A few weeks ago he showed during our addiction recovery ministry on Thursday nights, this time with a new appearance and a new name. He told the group leader that he was an Old Testament preacher and began to make comments mean to give the appearance that this was his first visit to our facility. When Mike arrived and greeted him by his “true” name he became very agitated and once again left in an agitated state. Last night Mike was leading when this man showed up again. He stepped in and informed Mike, in some rather colorful language, that he had the Old Testament and we had the New Testament. He decreed that we were a false church and he wanted us “out of town.” The spiritual implications of this interaction are testimony to all that God is doing at 805 S. Staples. I’m humbled when I think about the thousands of believers around the world who experiences these types of interactions and much more on a daily basis, because they carry the message of Christ with them.

The Foundations

Setting off explosions

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Editor’s Note:This post was written in the very earliest days of what would become the Simplicity Church Network. It reflects the process of letting go of old models, listening to Jesus, and learning to follow the Spirit into a new way of being the Church. Over the last few months, the Lord has been speaking to us about the importance of praise in bringing down the spiritual walls of the Simplicity – Corpus Christi neighborhood. So when the opportunity to host The Burn 24/7 was extended, it was a “no-brainer.” This past weekend, people from a variety of denominational backgrounds came together at 805 S. Staples and for 24 hours, they worshiped, prayed, danced, painted, played and glorified God. During this time, we had several people come in off of the streets and were able to minister to them. It was truly a nuclear event in the spiritual environment of this neighborhood. One of my intercessors said it best: “Foundations were shaken.” This weekend was also strategic, because it was exactly 1 year ago that my church voted to release the staff and ministry, so they could afford to keep the church property. It was that set of events that led to the implementation of the Simplicity vision that God had been birthing in me for a number of months. Sunday was in my mind, the best worship experience we’ve had at Simplicity since we began in November of last year. We shared how God had touched our lives throughout the week and during that time I began to look at the banner that had been given to us by one of the worshipers over the weekend. The Lord prompted me to hand the banner to Brooke and I gave her permission to move throughout the room with that banner to praise Jesus to the best of her 3 year old ability. The Lord then took me to a song that I had not sang since I was a child…His Banner Over Me is Love. We sang that song and then the Lord began to write the verses. Before our time together was done, the Lord had given us 6 or 7 new verses to this song that we sang with great joy. Our service ended up lasting nearly 2 1/2 hours and yet no one seemed to notice or care. Yesterday, Mike and I attended a pastor’s prayer retreat in Banquete. This retreat has become a highlight of my year each year and this year was no different. The morning speaker came out of the worship time with a word for nearly each one of us. To Mike and I, he said this: “Sit in the saddle.” “All that you are going through is by God’s design, don’t rush the process.” Throughout the day, God reminded me of the need to be a conduit, not just a cup. The day ended with 2 intercessors praying over each of us. The words spoken over me included: “Courage; a willingness to go where no one else will; the opening of multiple harvest fields unto me; the need for me to have wisdom to manage the resources that God is releasing into my hands; and a prayer of thanksgiving for the resources being released that are not only sufficient, but exceedingly abundant.” I ended my day by speaking via phone with Pastor Santhosh about our upcoming ministry in Delhi and Kerala. Pastor Santhosh has been unable to raise the $2,000 necessary to put on the conference he had intended in Delhi, so I had suggested that we invite a handful of leaders for a few days of private meetings. Santhosh had been praying and fasting over that suggestion and is being led to invite 15 pastors to join us. We talked about my lack of air travel and fiances, but I assured him that God was going to provide. It is now 13 days until I leave and the airfare is beginning to creep up, so I know that we are not far from the provision, but this is an exercise in faith and trust.

The Foundations

Shut down in two languages

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Editor’s Note:This post was written in the very earliest days of what would become the Simplicity Church Network. It reflects the process of letting go of old models, listening to Jesus, and learning to follow the Spirit into a new way of being the Church.  Last night’s prayer time was just the coolest thing I’ve seen since we launched Simplicity on South Staples. I forgot to get my keys from Carol before I left (it was her turn to watch the kiddos) and Mike didn’t have his with him either. So Mike, Kim, Patsy and I sat out on the sidewalk in front of the building and had our Tuesday night prayer time. While we were prayer we watched a man, woman and young girl walk by on the other side of the street. The woman glanced over, but they kept walking. A little while later this same group came back by, none of them looking our way. All of the sudden the woman turned back towards us and began crossing the street. As she started towards us the man began to berate her that she didn’t need to….and then he could not finish his sentence. So he tried again, this time in Spanish and wouldn’t you know it…he couldn’t finish his sentence. This woman, never even looked back at him, she just kept coming across. She asked if she had missed the prayer time and we told her no. She asked if she could go in and we told her we were locked out, but to feel free to join us. I asked how we could pray for her and she said that she just wanted to sit and pray. Over the next 15 minutes she sat and wept and prayed. When she was done, I asked if I could pray for her. The Lord prompted me to pray for peace in her life. As she left, we thanked God for silencing the enemies voice in her life and asked to see more of that in the days to come. Over the past few weeks, we have seen a local bar close down and a tarot card reader move out of the neighborhood; however, last night I finally connected why the spiritual battle seems so intense where we are. Across the street from the church is a large structure that looks like a house with the letters “HD” on the building. Last night, I realized that this was a bar that another pastor had told me about a year ago or so. This bar is not just any bar, but one of the central meeting places for men looking for other men in the area. On the job and income front, I have a 3rd interview with a local company next week, but God has been directing Carol and I to pray over our businesses as “loaves and fishes” in Jesus hand. He has firmly focused us on the meager resources that were used to feed multitudes of 4000 and 5000

The Foundations

Weekend Update

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Yesterday Mike and I met up at the church with my friend William, who leads a local intercessory prayer ministry here in Corpus Christi. William and his wife had been at our house warming last week and heard some of the spiritual warfare things Mike and I were encountering. He had asked us to meet with him, so that he could encourage us and provide some basic principles for us to utilize in this area of our faith walk.

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