When the Lord Guards the City
By Francis Frangipane

"Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain" (Ps. 127:1).

Before we speak on this verse, it is important to explain a particular characteristic often found in the Hebrew Scriptures. Often, the Old Testament writers communicated truth by repeating two views of the same thought. We see this especially in the wisdom and prophetic books. An example would be: "With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied with the product of his lips" (Prov. 18:20). The same concept is presented in two affirming ways. Another example is, "I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old" (Ps. 78:2). Truth is conveyed utilizing a poetic rhythm that is not only beautiful, but a way to unite two corresponding thoughts into one idiom.

In this regard, when the Psalmist admonishes, "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain" (Ps. 127:1), he is saying the same truth in two interrelated ways. Whatever it is that we are doing to secure...

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The Things Which Make For Peace

What the Spirit of Jezebel Hates

The Sword of the Spirit

In The Face of the Impossible

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:21). Evil can be overcome with good, but to do so God must use the Church. Since the very nature of God is love, redemptive mercy is the ultimate motive behind all His actions. If we will truly please God, this must become our motive as well. – When the Many Are One

Pray for worldwide revival to go around the world as we declare God's word to the nations!

United States: Pray for repentance and a return to Christ and biblical values. If America experiences a genuine awakening, the impact will truly change the world. Pray as well for the US news agencies that are broadcasting the news under their own agenda, rather than just reporting the facts. Please ask God for mercy for our nation, justice, truth and that corruption would be uprooted, so that righteousness will prevail. That this nation would be "one nation under God, indivisable, with liberty and justice for all."

Those affected by Covid-19: Pray for healing and safety as well as the peace of Christ to rule and reign in the hearts of those affected by this virus. Please ask the Lord to use this pandemic for His glory and bring revival around the world. Pray for supernatual protection by the blood of Jesus.

Russia /Ukraine conflict: Pray for God to use this situation in both countries, that only His purposes come out of this invasion of Ukraine. Pray for salvations in both countries to be multiplied by the thousands.

Iraq: There has been an increase of bloodshed and warfare in Iraq. Please pray that this warfare doesn't escalate completely out of control.

North Korea: Pray for the leaders in North Korea to receive visitations from the Holy Spirit and that their hearts will be softened and work to restore peace.

Israel: Continued prayer for the peace of Jerusalem and peace with Israel's neighbors. Israel could be a great blessing for the surrounding nations.

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The Lord said that His house would be called a house of prayer for all nations. At the center of the Lord's house, in the holiest place, is the mercy seat, where redemption for a sinful and suffering world is released through prayer. Your view that your culture is very corrupt may be precisely right. However, God tells us that He is looking for a man or woman who will intercede and stand in the gap for their people.

Every night my wife and I pray for our family, our friends and neighbors. We also pray for our community and America, our nation. We intercede for Israel but also for the Muslim world – especially where people are being destroyed by wars or oppressive regimes. We pray for people devastated by natural disasters, famines and poverty as well as those enslaved by human trafficking, drug addictions and gang violence. We also pray for reconciliation between North and South Korea and for revival to strike the Philippines (the largest Christian nation in Asia).

We believe that God does not want us to worry about the future, but to create the future by prayer. Will you join us?

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