I am stepping into new territory. I am naked and exposed, but free. The scene quickly turns. Ominous mountains grow on each side of me. The sun goes dim. A shield comes up around me. Arrows and darts are flying at me from every angle, but they hit the shield and fall off.
Journal entry, October 5th 2016
This excerpt is from a vision I had during a worship session in Atlanta, Georgia during the launch window for my World Race. At the time, it didn’t make much sense… so I wrote it down.
This week in Nepal, the vision came to fruition.
I’ll set the scene.
7:30 AM. Breakfast. Tea, toast, and boiled eggs. Team Sisterhood. Sitting cross-legged on the floor of our hosts’ home. Papa paces the living room back and forth. He asks us to open our bibles to Ephesians 6:10-18.
Today is war.
We will be trekking 6 miles to a small village known for dark, spiritual oppression and demonic possession. He prays for us, anointing our heads and hands with oil. He briefs us, stern warnings to be alert. “Do not lay hands today.” We read the passage and immediately, the vision floods my mind:
v. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.
THIS IS WHAT THE LORD WAS SHOWING ME!
Last month in India, I studied Abraham’s journey (beginning in Genesis 12) and Hebrews 11 (“by faith” passage) intensely. I received three listening prayers at separate times from squad members which included parts of these passages, with an emphasis on the phrases: by faith and new territory. Check out those bolded sections in the vision again… this is AMAZING!
I skipped to the bus, sharing scattered pieces of the revelation with my teammates. Papa overheard me and blessed me, “The Holy Spirit is upon you.”
The bus dropped us off at the bottom of a mountain. We began our ascension, heaving up the slope.
The hike was breathtaking in every sense:
Lush, green, flowing rivers, rice fields, and flowers.
Dusty, sharp winds, steep hills, and stinging bushes.
Two hours later, we reached the church site. A small room with cement floors, bamboo beams, and tin metal.
We worshipped. We preached.
Near the end of the service, we invited those experiencing demonic oppression to kneel in the front. 6 people total: 3 older women. 2 young boys. 1 man.
And we prayed. Fiercely.
The atmosphere shifted and our friends rose with smiles on their faces. We exchanged bows and hugs, praising the Lord for His presence. By faith, they were delivered.
This is just the beginning.
The battle isn’t over, but we know how it ends. We are more the conquerors, victorious in the name of Jesus.
By faith, we will continue to bring Kingdom wherever we go!
* Photo by Jess Hines
