Arise, Fight the Good Fight of Faith to Save Our Children
Opening letter Prayer: Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war and my fingers to fight (Psalms 144:1).
Here it is almost less than 48 hours before my Born Day, I am weeping for our children having been closely impact by Hadiya Pendleton murder. If, you are reading this outside the Chicago area here is some background information. The death of Hadiya Pendleton occurred on January 29, 2013. Pendleton, a 15-year-old girl from Chicago, Illinois, was shot in the back and killed while standing with friends inside Harsh Park in Kenwood, Chicago after taking her final exams. Kenneth Williams and Micheail Ward are the two offenders.
I recall the day my son called me to say a friend called him and said a friend had been shot. The friend asked him to write the truth on his website about what recently happen. According to the close friend of Hadiya, the media at first was trying to report she was in a gang. I recall stretching my faith in word by saying she would live and we have to pray for our children. My son later called me to tell me she died. I persisted by saying we must pray for our children. This only angered my son. He said “mom you act like Hadiya’s mom did not pray”.
As time went on, my heart was grieved over the death of this young lady life perhaps because it was so close home. I pressed into her funeral despite my son’s objection. Hadiya had attended the same high school both my sons attended. I knew the teachers and principle very well. My heart wanted to see and hear this mother’s story (e.g. how did she raise Hadiya and who was this precious Hadiya from a mother’s perspective). I now realize, I was having my own internal conflict. How does a Christian child who is doing the right thing get taken away before her time? Where is God? How could this have happen. What is a mother to do? I want my children to a live long life. I heard a Pastor say “the murder of Hadiya was of the devil.” I was in total disbelief. As a Christian, I refused to believe what the man of God said. I agreed with the ideal that God had come and took his little angel. It was a lot easier for me to believe God has taken her. I recall her mother’s wail of a cry. I see it and hear it as she bends over Hadiya casket. But, I also remember a very bold statement she made with no tears and conviction that I will mention later. During the months after her death I had been having a long internal conversation surrounding her death. It was about six months later that God through the Holy Spirit let me know within that her murder was of the devil (more so demonic). Now, I can no longer be falsely comforted with the thought that God came and took his little angel. Well, what am I to do with this Godly truth. I knew the answer on some level, but it was going to take faith.
As time would pass, I had another insult to alter my belief. It was revealed that one of the accusers was a High School classmate of my other son. My heart cried for all the children involved in this case. My heart also wept for their mothers. What is a mother to do? I now understand the real enemy is the devil. His plan is to steal, to kill, and to destroy (John10:10). The devil killed Hadiya. The devil has destroyed the life of the young men offenders. The devil is on both sides in this scenario.
The problem appears to be related to several things including gangs, poor choices, and lack of fatherlessness. The truth is the devil is the real accuser, and the one to blame. He is the one creating the problem.
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Corinthians 2:11 (KJV)
· 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)
· 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV)
What is a mother to do? Hadiya premature death hit close to home. The young child that was brutally (snatched and mutilated) murdered in New York, that affected me deeply as well. Premature death of any child bothers me deeply because this is the area God has divinely appointment me to govern as Spiritual Midwife
What is the answer? We know the truth is the devil is the problem? We must have understanding and revelation that God has given us authority to put him under our feet. This means by faith a murdering spirit cannot cause the premature death of a child. It also, means by faith a child will not be used by the devil to murder another child. No mother wants her child to be used by the devil knowingly or unknowingly to take the life of another child.
That is the bottom line. As a Mother’s in Christ we do this by faith in God’s word and having understanding how to use DAILY the Spiritual Weapons God has given us. Yes, God has given us Spiritual Weapons to protect our children.
First, let us repent. Father, In the Name of Jesus we ask you to forgive us of areas of our life we have not walked in your ways of doing things knowingly and unknowingly, you say But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 (KJV). Holy Spirit come in prick (Act 2:37-38) and convict our hearts (John 16:8).
Now, the healing and revival can begin.
He sent his word to heal them and deliver them out of all their destruction (Psalms 107:20).
(c) United States Breastfeeding Committee Used with Permission
How does God send his word? One way is through your mouth in prayer. Praying the word in faith is a weapon. As, Christ Embodied mothers we must begin to pray the word DAILY in faith over our children. When we pray the word God sends his angels to harken to the voice of this word (Psalms 103:20). For example pray in faith the word found in Psalms 91:11 “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways” over your child as he/she goes to school or work”.
How does God send his word? Another way is through your mouth in speaking to your child. Speaking the word in faith is a weapon. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine HOUSE, and when WALKEST by the way, and when thou LIEST DOWN, and when thou RISEST up. Deuteronomy :6-7
Taking your child/children to church is a spiritual weapon. I recall the boldness to which Hadiya’s mother spoke to the audience at the funeral of her daughter paraphrasing “I raised mine, you do something with yours.” I gleaned Hadiya’s mother was saying: I took my daughter to church and she did after school enrichment activities.
because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 1 John 2:14
Find a good bible teaching church where you and your children can hear and receive the word. Have a lifestyle of living and speaking the word. Children even teenagers have the wisdom and power to resist temptation when we make a lifestyle of planting God’s word in them. Mostly, importantly keep a guard over your mouth.
True testimony: A college friend son died prematurely. He often complained to her of headaches. But, this particular day his complaining got on her nerves. At the time she had so much going on in her personal life. (Devil likes to put the pressure on). Out of frustration she told her son “you just going to have to roll over and die”. Sadly he fell out and died in that moment. It was medically discovered he had a brain aneurysm. My point is practice keeping guard over your mouth so when the devil tries to put the press on, he will only find you saying what God’s said.
For I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding Jeremiah 3:21.
· Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)
· And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children. Isaiah 54:13 (KJV), Message translation says All your children will have God for their teacher what a mentor for your children!
Pray in the name of Jesus with authority. Praying daily with authority in the Name of Jesus is a spiritual weapon. Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father in heavenly places ABOVE all principality, power, and might with all things under his feet. Ephesians 1:20-22. Principality, power are demons, liken to murdering spirits and others. We are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus; therefore have authority to speak to those spirits trying to attack our children. Ephesians 2:6.
As, Christ embodied mothers we need more ammunition than ever. Yes, spiritual power weapons. We need to put in faith action daily spiritual weapons to protect our children from murdering spirit, and other demon spirits. But, also intercede on their behalf when they are being influenced by spirits of rebellion and disobedience that can open the door to the influence of a murdering spirit or spirits of greed or lust and more.
However, Jesus said
· 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10 (KJV)
Here are some additional powerful spiritual weapons to release DAILY in your prayer life over your children
The Word-Teach your Children the Word. Deuteronomy 6:6-9
Yadah at the age of 3 confessing her scriptures for the foundation class at Living Word Christian Center Pastor Bill Winston. Yadah also has been baptized in Jesus Name and she is filled with the Holy Spirit and with evidence of speaking in tongues. https://youtu.be/MywxlXd-rzk
The Blood of Jesus (Revelation 12:11)
The Angels of the Lord (Psalms 91)
Worship (Psalms 100:4, 149:6, 9:1-3)
Prayer and Fasting (Mathew 17:14-21)
Prayer of Agreement (Mathew 18:18-21)
Pray in the Holy Ghost (Romans 8:26-27)
Here are some recommended Prayer Books. It is important to PRAY THE WORD ONLY
Prayer that avial much by Germaine Copeland
The Authority of the Believer-How to use it by Dr. Billye Brim
Here is an awesome teaching video by Dr. Billye Brim on Take Your Place of Authority. This will to increase your faith as you use your spiritual weapons to cover your children. https://youtu.be/h7TGqI0LYlo
Last, Pastor Dr. Bill Winston wrote in his June 2014 Partner Letter
“Rather than seeing your children being hurt or molested, bullied, shot or failing in school, see them as the Bible says in Psalms 128, “thy children (are) like olive plants round about thy table.” That’s is the truth! “Like olive plants” means that your children will have enlargement and prominence wherever they are sent; that they are instruments of honor in God’s Kingdom; and that they will command the respect of unbelievers, being sought after by society as people behold their decorum, behavior, appearance, and their progress. YOU MUST SEE CHILDREN THIS WAY.”
