Wise Regional Prayer Network FOCUS 2014
Join the WRPN for a Prayer Gathering—March 1st @ 10am. We will meet at The Lord's Prayer Room located at
658 School Oaks Road, Alvord, 76225. William Sharon Cothron have invited us to use their facility. We will be interceding for the needs of our Region, State and Country.
January Meeting Notes:
In 2013 we saw God at work among us!
Connie McCrary led our county for the National Day of Prayer. They were able to meet in the courtroom thanks to DA Sharpe’s help. It was awesome to pray from the courtroom for the county.
We partnered with New Vision for prayer walks around the Alvord ISD schools.
We also had prayer at the Courthouse on 9/11. It was a powerful time of prayer.
The youth rally organized by Wise Choices was held at the Decatur High School with great attendance and many youth gave their hearts to the Lord. The WRPN provided prayer support at this event. The FCA will lead the event this year.
Since the Wise Regional Prayer Network was formed, prayer has gone up for unity and partnering among our churches and our people. This past year I rejoiced every time I saw people joining together for Worship Nights, Youth Nights, Community Revivals, Choir, School Prayer Walks, and Emergency Relief. Nehemiah Disaster Relief Team consists of people from various churches and numerous trips were made to help in areas that had been damaged. Churches gave relief. This is God at work among us. Friendships have been made and we see brothers and sisters in Christ standing and working/serving together.
The love of God has been extended to the hurting and the needy. Many prayers have been answered – jobs and better jobs, health restored, relationships renewed, and a closer walk with God. Thank you for praying and believing for His Kingdom to be evident in every area of our County. Never stop!!!
In 2014 we will again coordinate the National Day of Prayer. Connie McCrary will be leading this again. 9.11 and the youth rally will continue to be a focus again this year. We would like to begin group prayer meetings – house meetings. If you are interested in hosting a small group in your home (your friends, your church) to pray for the Region, the people, the churches and the missionaries, please contact me. We will continue with teaching series on the website and have other prayer areas in the planning stages. 2014 will be a year of God’s presence and power being poured out in abundance in our Region.
Notes from our FOCUS 2014 Meeting:
From Grace:
I heard General John Furlow speak on his experience with warfare. Wars are won through strategy. They are not normally fought in the camp – hand to hand. He brought the strategies down to where we live. He referenced two boundaries – 25 and 300 yard. That is what I will address today.
The 25 yard battle is the area around you and your family. Some of the battles we face at the 25 yard are health, relationships,
finance. When we focus here, we lose sight of the horizon and what is being planned by the enemy. This is a tactic of the enemy – if he can get you wrapped up in your immediate needs, you will never see the enemy approaching from another direction.
In our camp (Wise County), there are numerous churches and organizations that are God’s hand extended to supply the needs of the saved and unsaved – they are touching lives with food and clothing, benefits and counsel. I believe that we need to pray for them, give and join these groups. We can join together to help those in immediate need.
Jesus told us in Matthew 6:25 – take no thought (being perpetually anxious, always uneasy) what you eat or drink or your body – what you will put on. Jesus then asked this question…Is not the life more than meat and the body than raiment? He told us that
Your Father will feed, clothe you – He knows you have these needs. His advice was to change the focus from “me” and focus on His Kingdom work. The Kingdom is bigger than the circle around you. “But seek ye first the Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added.” But even if you seek the Kingdom, the enemy may still bring problems at the home front…relationship issues, loss of jobs, family sickness and other concerns.
So when you are being challenged at the home circle, what do you do?
1. Jesus said “Watch and pray”. I think we pray and tell God our needs and then be on alert for our surroundings. Releasing your need to God will cause you to not be overcome with it. Go to Him first for solutions. We have a tendency to solve things on our own.
2. You use the Word – when the enemy comes in like a flood – the spirit will raise up a standard. Hide it in your heart as a reservoir to draw from.
3. Stand firm – put your armor on…sleep in it…get up with it on – this is your protection in battle. It’s time to not be shaken in a shaking world. People are looking for someone to show them how to stand in faith.
4. Hold on to the exceeding great and precious promises – 2 Peter 1:4 When you have a need go to the Word and find a promise and hold on to it.
5. Have confidence in Your God. Never give so much credit to the enemy that he is bigger than God. You serve the Lord of Hosts – always ready in battle.
6. Gather prayer partners around you for your needs and bring Heaven’s
provision down to that need.
At our 300 yard borders, as intercessors, we are to be focusing on what the enemy is planning outside our immediate circle, areas that will influence how we live and thrive. At this level, the enemy wants to take ground from you. Here are some areas that are current concerns. God will show you others.
1. The government – new laws, health care, loss of freedom of speech, economy. These are areas that we target in prayer.
2014 is an election year. Pray for the local, state and US so that those elected can change the direction of the senate. Pray that 33 seats will be occupied with godly men and women. They can change history. VOTE
Freedom of speech is at stake. Stand up – I am reminded of Patrick Henry –Give me liberty or give me death. It’s time for Christians to stand for right – not in anger – but with honor and respect for brothers.
Pray for the leaders to make godly decisions with wisdom.
2. Education should always be in our focus. Pray for teachers doing battle with rebellious undisciplined kids, textbook problems,
admin and record keeping – release strength, wisdom and creative ideas.
3. When I look at the county I see it like a map. Several roadways cross it. Pray for safety, a hedge of protection that lawlessness can’t enter our county. As you drive, declare safety – I don’t want another life lost in this Region due to a wreck. When you cross a border, declare that this county has been reserved for a holy people, and that the enemy can’t enter our territory. Also pray for all of those in civil service duties.
4. Look at the Messenger or your local paper for prayer points. Fires, wrecks, court meetings, etc. You can also join the Messenger Facebook group and you will get alerts for these things and can go to prayer. If storms are approaching, pray peace to the storm. If a wreck occurs, pray for the injured.
5. There is one other group that I want us to remember this year. God has sent warriors into His battlefield. Our missionaries are doing battle in lands around the world. Do not forget them. I want to know the names of our county missionaries – we need to lift them up. We need to pray for souls, deliverance, healings and that God will supply their needs.
As you walk declare the goodness of God and release hope. We have a rock solid message of hope. Deliver it.
Notes from Harlan:
Watchman On The Wall
The Bible uses the role of a watchman to describe the work of a prophet among God's people. Is there more to this
symbolism than many have understood? The role of a watchman is vital to a full understanding of the work of God in the end time. God said to the prophet Ezekiel, "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me"
Here is one of the most intriguing metaphors used by God in all of prophecy. It is repeated in chapter 33 for emphasis, and sets the stage for the prophet's ministry to the divided houses of Judah and Israel. When a thought, warning, or truth is mentioned multiple times, God is saying to take heed to this! This is important.
In the ancient world large watchtowers were placed overlooking the fields. During the time prior to harvest, men would stand watch, guarding the fields from animals or from thieves who would make off with the crops. With the community's basic food stores at stake, the watchman's role was critical to the people.
We also find several references in Scripture to a watcher mounting the city walls in times of stress to survey the scene outside the fortifications. He was situated on a spot from which he could monitor the approaches to the town. If a threat appeared, he would sound a warning and the town would shut its gates and prepare for battle. Also, there was not just one watchman. Numerous watchman were around the top of the wall maintaining constand lookout. We the intercessors are the watchmen of Wise County.
This ties in so well with the 25 – 300 yard line that Grace spoke about. The 25 yard was the threat in the camp. The 300 was the
threat about to enter the camp. The 25 yard battle is most likely hand to hand and could consume your time, energy, and emotion. Only a battle can be won at the 25 yard. The war is won by fighting at the 300. That is because they saw and prevented the enemy’s entrance to the land. To fight at the 25, one must come down off the wall to be most effective. But it is on the wall where one can see the greatest distance.
On the wall, you are in an elevated position. Where are we seated? In heavenly places! We can see everything from that place at the Father’s side. We can see all the activity that is going on. The enemy can be removed before there is loss in the camp.
At the Father’s side, he will point out those things that can bring harm or destruction. As watchmen, we can sound the call to bring people/warriors to action before destruction enters the city.
It seems that when anyone talks about the watchmen, it is always about seeing the enemy, declaring a warning, pointing out sin, perversion in the camp, or the enemy that is wreaking havoc upon the land. And that is an important role for the watchman.
But the role of a watchman is not limited to speaking only about the sins and problems of the society. The watchman was also charged with proclaiming good news.
Notice this in Isaiah: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who
brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns!' Your watchmen shall lift up their voices”. Isaiah 62:10 "Go through, go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway! Take out the stones, lift up a banner for the peoples! Indeed the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the world: 'Say to the daughter of Zion,
"Surely your salvation is coming; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him".
Here we see the watchman role given to a group of people charged with a prayer vigil for the well-being of Israel. These people, by their presence and their prayers, seek to keep the city from suffering the ravaging effects of evil.
Amos 3:7 “For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.“
Remember Elijah and his servant. It had not rained for 3 ½ year. He was on the mountain praying for rain because he knew it was time, and so he sends his servant to go look. What do you see? He sent him 7 times before the servant could see in the distance the cloud. He finally sees the promised rain. Then they acted upon what they saw. They were looking for the
promise then declared the word to all that were around. We must look beyond, into the distance, into the promise.
Look for the good and not just the bad. We must go beyond just declaring what is in the camp.
We need to see the good that is approaching and be instrumental in opening the gates wide. And when we see the
enemy approach, then shut the gate and take him out before he even has a chance to do any damage. There is too
much focus on the negative and not enough on the good. It is time to declare the Good News and less of the bad.
This brings me to the last thing that God spoke to my heart for today. Ephesians 6 gives guidance into the final stage of the Christian’s posture; that is to STAND. We must stand our ground. Paul does not say that we must attack the enemy or to war against him. Christ has already won the battle. Our job now is to maintain that victory. Christ won the battle against satan on the cross! He even went beyond the gates of hell and took back the keys. We need to LIVE on the other side of the cross in VICTORY!
This word STAND, brings with it some interesting meaning. The one that interests me the most is in stance. There is importance in the way one stands. There is “brace” against the attack of the enemy. There is a knowing that we will not be overcome.
The Roman shoes actually had cleats that dug into the ground to hold them steady in battle. The promises of God, coupled with belief and trust brings solidarity to the situation. We can stand because the VICTORY has already been won.
The ground that has been won in Wise County over the years can be maintained! We have a reason to be here today. Let’s take our place on the wall to watch at the 300 yard line for the approach of the enemy? Yes. But also watch for the promises and favor of God upon this region. The approach of an abundance of rain!
We have gained ground. Now let us stand firm in what God has blessed us with. And declare, “Open the gates” for the blessing and favor of God that is coming our way…
Join the WRPN for a Prayer Gathering—March 1st @ 10am. We will meet at The Lord's Prayer Room located at
658 School Oaks Road, Alvord, 76225. William Sharon Cothron have invited us to use their facility. We will be interceding for the needs of our Region, State and Country.
January Meeting Notes:
In 2013 we saw God at work among us!
Connie McCrary led our county for the National Day of Prayer. They were able to meet in the courtroom thanks to DA Sharpe’s help. It was awesome to pray from the courtroom for the county.
We partnered with New Vision for prayer walks around the Alvord ISD schools.
We also had prayer at the Courthouse on 9/11. It was a powerful time of prayer.
The youth rally organized by Wise Choices was held at the Decatur High School with great attendance and many youth gave their hearts to the Lord. The WRPN provided prayer support at this event. The FCA will lead the event this year.
Since the Wise Regional Prayer Network was formed, prayer has gone up for unity and partnering among our churches and our people. This past year I rejoiced every time I saw people joining together for Worship Nights, Youth Nights, Community Revivals, Choir, School Prayer Walks, and Emergency Relief. Nehemiah Disaster Relief Team consists of people from various churches and numerous trips were made to help in areas that had been damaged. Churches gave relief. This is God at work among us. Friendships have been made and we see brothers and sisters in Christ standing and working/serving together.
The love of God has been extended to the hurting and the needy. Many prayers have been answered – jobs and better jobs, health restored, relationships renewed, and a closer walk with God. Thank you for praying and believing for His Kingdom to be evident in every area of our County. Never stop!!!
In 2014 we will again coordinate the National Day of Prayer. Connie McCrary will be leading this again. 9.11 and the youth rally will continue to be a focus again this year. We would like to begin group prayer meetings – house meetings. If you are interested in hosting a small group in your home (your friends, your church) to pray for the Region, the people, the churches and the missionaries, please contact me. We will continue with teaching series on the website and have other prayer areas in the planning stages. 2014 will be a year of God’s presence and power being poured out in abundance in our Region.
Notes from our FOCUS 2014 Meeting:
From Grace:
I heard General John Furlow speak on his experience with warfare. Wars are won through strategy. They are not normally fought in the camp – hand to hand. He brought the strategies down to where we live. He referenced two boundaries – 25 and 300 yard. That is what I will address today.
The 25 yard battle is the area around you and your family. Some of the battles we face at the 25 yard are health, relationships,
finance. When we focus here, we lose sight of the horizon and what is being planned by the enemy. This is a tactic of the enemy – if he can get you wrapped up in your immediate needs, you will never see the enemy approaching from another direction.
In our camp (Wise County), there are numerous churches and organizations that are God’s hand extended to supply the needs of the saved and unsaved – they are touching lives with food and clothing, benefits and counsel. I believe that we need to pray for them, give and join these groups. We can join together to help those in immediate need.
Jesus told us in Matthew 6:25 – take no thought (being perpetually anxious, always uneasy) what you eat or drink or your body – what you will put on. Jesus then asked this question…Is not the life more than meat and the body than raiment? He told us that
Your Father will feed, clothe you – He knows you have these needs. His advice was to change the focus from “me” and focus on His Kingdom work. The Kingdom is bigger than the circle around you. “But seek ye first the Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added.” But even if you seek the Kingdom, the enemy may still bring problems at the home front…relationship issues, loss of jobs, family sickness and other concerns.
So when you are being challenged at the home circle, what do you do?
1. Jesus said “Watch and pray”. I think we pray and tell God our needs and then be on alert for our surroundings. Releasing your need to God will cause you to not be overcome with it. Go to Him first for solutions. We have a tendency to solve things on our own.
2. You use the Word – when the enemy comes in like a flood – the spirit will raise up a standard. Hide it in your heart as a reservoir to draw from.
3. Stand firm – put your armor on…sleep in it…get up with it on – this is your protection in battle. It’s time to not be shaken in a shaking world. People are looking for someone to show them how to stand in faith.
4. Hold on to the exceeding great and precious promises – 2 Peter 1:4 When you have a need go to the Word and find a promise and hold on to it.
5. Have confidence in Your God. Never give so much credit to the enemy that he is bigger than God. You serve the Lord of Hosts – always ready in battle.
6. Gather prayer partners around you for your needs and bring Heaven’s
provision down to that need.
At our 300 yard borders, as intercessors, we are to be focusing on what the enemy is planning outside our immediate circle, areas that will influence how we live and thrive. At this level, the enemy wants to take ground from you. Here are some areas that are current concerns. God will show you others.
1. The government – new laws, health care, loss of freedom of speech, economy. These are areas that we target in prayer.
2014 is an election year. Pray for the local, state and US so that those elected can change the direction of the senate. Pray that 33 seats will be occupied with godly men and women. They can change history. VOTE
Freedom of speech is at stake. Stand up – I am reminded of Patrick Henry –Give me liberty or give me death. It’s time for Christians to stand for right – not in anger – but with honor and respect for brothers.
Pray for the leaders to make godly decisions with wisdom.
2. Education should always be in our focus. Pray for teachers doing battle with rebellious undisciplined kids, textbook problems,
admin and record keeping – release strength, wisdom and creative ideas.
3. When I look at the county I see it like a map. Several roadways cross it. Pray for safety, a hedge of protection that lawlessness can’t enter our county. As you drive, declare safety – I don’t want another life lost in this Region due to a wreck. When you cross a border, declare that this county has been reserved for a holy people, and that the enemy can’t enter our territory. Also pray for all of those in civil service duties.
4. Look at the Messenger or your local paper for prayer points. Fires, wrecks, court meetings, etc. You can also join the Messenger Facebook group and you will get alerts for these things and can go to prayer. If storms are approaching, pray peace to the storm. If a wreck occurs, pray for the injured.
5. There is one other group that I want us to remember this year. God has sent warriors into His battlefield. Our missionaries are doing battle in lands around the world. Do not forget them. I want to know the names of our county missionaries – we need to lift them up. We need to pray for souls, deliverance, healings and that God will supply their needs.
As you walk declare the goodness of God and release hope. We have a rock solid message of hope. Deliver it.
Notes from Harlan:
Watchman On The Wall
The Bible uses the role of a watchman to describe the work of a prophet among God's people. Is there more to this
symbolism than many have understood? The role of a watchman is vital to a full understanding of the work of God in the end time. God said to the prophet Ezekiel, "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me"
Here is one of the most intriguing metaphors used by God in all of prophecy. It is repeated in chapter 33 for emphasis, and sets the stage for the prophet's ministry to the divided houses of Judah and Israel. When a thought, warning, or truth is mentioned multiple times, God is saying to take heed to this! This is important.
In the ancient world large watchtowers were placed overlooking the fields. During the time prior to harvest, men would stand watch, guarding the fields from animals or from thieves who would make off with the crops. With the community's basic food stores at stake, the watchman's role was critical to the people.
We also find several references in Scripture to a watcher mounting the city walls in times of stress to survey the scene outside the fortifications. He was situated on a spot from which he could monitor the approaches to the town. If a threat appeared, he would sound a warning and the town would shut its gates and prepare for battle. Also, there was not just one watchman. Numerous watchman were around the top of the wall maintaining constand lookout. We the intercessors are the watchmen of Wise County.
This ties in so well with the 25 – 300 yard line that Grace spoke about. The 25 yard was the threat in the camp. The 300 was the
threat about to enter the camp. The 25 yard battle is most likely hand to hand and could consume your time, energy, and emotion. Only a battle can be won at the 25 yard. The war is won by fighting at the 300. That is because they saw and prevented the enemy’s entrance to the land. To fight at the 25, one must come down off the wall to be most effective. But it is on the wall where one can see the greatest distance.
On the wall, you are in an elevated position. Where are we seated? In heavenly places! We can see everything from that place at the Father’s side. We can see all the activity that is going on. The enemy can be removed before there is loss in the camp.
At the Father’s side, he will point out those things that can bring harm or destruction. As watchmen, we can sound the call to bring people/warriors to action before destruction enters the city.
It seems that when anyone talks about the watchmen, it is always about seeing the enemy, declaring a warning, pointing out sin, perversion in the camp, or the enemy that is wreaking havoc upon the land. And that is an important role for the watchman.
But the role of a watchman is not limited to speaking only about the sins and problems of the society. The watchman was also charged with proclaiming good news.
Notice this in Isaiah: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who
brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns!' Your watchmen shall lift up their voices”. Isaiah 62:10 "Go through, go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway! Take out the stones, lift up a banner for the peoples! Indeed the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the world: 'Say to the daughter of Zion,
"Surely your salvation is coming; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him".
Here we see the watchman role given to a group of people charged with a prayer vigil for the well-being of Israel. These people, by their presence and their prayers, seek to keep the city from suffering the ravaging effects of evil.
Amos 3:7 “For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.“
Remember Elijah and his servant. It had not rained for 3 ½ year. He was on the mountain praying for rain because he knew it was time, and so he sends his servant to go look. What do you see? He sent him 7 times before the servant could see in the distance the cloud. He finally sees the promised rain. Then they acted upon what they saw. They were looking for the
promise then declared the word to all that were around. We must look beyond, into the distance, into the promise.
Look for the good and not just the bad. We must go beyond just declaring what is in the camp.
We need to see the good that is approaching and be instrumental in opening the gates wide. And when we see the
enemy approach, then shut the gate and take him out before he even has a chance to do any damage. There is too
much focus on the negative and not enough on the good. It is time to declare the Good News and less of the bad.
This brings me to the last thing that God spoke to my heart for today. Ephesians 6 gives guidance into the final stage of the Christian’s posture; that is to STAND. We must stand our ground. Paul does not say that we must attack the enemy or to war against him. Christ has already won the battle. Our job now is to maintain that victory. Christ won the battle against satan on the cross! He even went beyond the gates of hell and took back the keys. We need to LIVE on the other side of the cross in VICTORY!
This word STAND, brings with it some interesting meaning. The one that interests me the most is in stance. There is importance in the way one stands. There is “brace” against the attack of the enemy. There is a knowing that we will not be overcome.
The Roman shoes actually had cleats that dug into the ground to hold them steady in battle. The promises of God, coupled with belief and trust brings solidarity to the situation. We can stand because the VICTORY has already been won.
The ground that has been won in Wise County over the years can be maintained! We have a reason to be here today. Let’s take our place on the wall to watch at the 300 yard line for the approach of the enemy? Yes. But also watch for the promises and favor of God upon this region. The approach of an abundance of rain!
We have gained ground. Now let us stand firm in what God has blessed us with. And declare, “Open the gates” for the blessing and favor of God that is coming our way…