PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF THE CITY

PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF THE CITY

Last week we began to talk about seeking the peace of the city we are in. Jeremiah had commanded the exiles in Babylon to seek the peace of the city. We looked at some practical ways we could seek that peace. Today, we are looking at how to pray for the peace of the city.

Second, we are to ‘pray for the peace of the city’.

What kind of prayers? 

1.    Prayers for the Shalom of the city. The peace, prosperity, success, welfare, health, friendliness, deliverance, salvation, completeness, soundness.

2.    Prayers for the leaders.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NKJV) Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

3.    Prayers against the strongholds of the city, the prince demons and principalities.

Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Daniel 10:13 (NKJV) But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. 

Daniel 10:20 (NKJV) Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. 

In December of 1992, John Dawson, an internationally acclaimed speaker and the author of a classic book on spiritual warfare entitled TAKING OUR CITIES FOR GOD, visited El Paso. After studying the history of our city and touring the area, he did a presentation on the demonic strongholds affecting us, even to this day.

Insights about the spiritual forces of darkness affecting El Paso can be gained from a review of our past. Cities are influenced by prince demons who are territorial in nature. They rule over areas with a vengeance, bringing terrible results.

If one word was used to summarize the history of El Paso, it might be “sin.” Why? Money. But the Bible reminds us that “the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).”

As a border town, El Paso sold herself early into prostitution, adultery, gambling, alcohol/narcotics, corruption, prejudice, theft, violence, witchcraft and murder. In 1835, bounties were paid for Indian scalps. The early sheriffs were criminals who had the fastest guns. Elections and politics have been notoriously corrupt since the beginning. Santa Fe traders, the Army and the 49ers used El Paso as a place to satisfy their flesh. Gunfights downtown occurred with some regularity. Witchcraft was common.

The arrival of the railroad in 1881 brought a flood of immoral men and women. During Prohibition in the l920's, illegal liquor was smuggled through El Paso to cities across the nation. The Border Patrol reported that "hundreds" of smugglers were killed as well as 8 officers. Soon thereafter El Paso became a pipeline for narcotics. El Paso was branded as one of the four most wicked cities in the U.S. Brothels continued until 1937. Reform measures seemed futile so the KKK was actually invited to town. Before they were ejected, their members included 3500 El Pasoans.

Discrimination abounded. Only daughters of wealthy, Anglo, Protestant families were selected Sun Queen for 40 years. A black woman was not admitted to UT until 1955. In 1976, a Federal Judge ruled that El Paso schools discriminated against Hispanics. In response, Mexican American youth formed gangs. The conditions under which illegal aliens worked and lived were often disgraceful.

In 1977 a UTEP professor shocked the community by proclaiming that 15 to 20% of El Paso households receive a major portion of their income from illegal activities. The Mayor announced in 1980 that the city loses over $500,000 a year to employee theft.

It has been said that "El Paso & Juarez are Siamese twins joined together at the cash register". In addition, the heritage of Mexico directly affects El Paso. The combination of   the mystical, loving Mexican Indians and the proud, religious, but not necessarily moral, Spaniards has spawned influences that are evident today on both sides of the border. In John Dawson's book he reports that first generation children born to white Spaniard fathers and Indian mothers were "born into a gap between two cultures. A son, for example, wanted to be like his father who was a   proud, powerful conquistador, but the center of warmth and affection was his Indian mother.” This could affect many areas including their view of God the Father. Some other areas could include pride, adultery, and the role of women.

What is El Paso now reaping from the sin sown over the centuries?

Hardly a week goes by without the newspapers reporting another gang killing. For example, in one week in this year 9 teenagers were shot. Satanism is rampant in our schools. In two high schools it was reported that over 50% of the students are involved in satanic activities. Witchcraft continues to defile generations of families. Sexual immorality, including adultery and incest, continues to break homes and scar lives. Thefts, particularly automobiles, have reached epidemic levels. Drugs continue to pour through El Paso, killing thousands of our brothers and sisters each year throughout the U.S. Juarez, in addition to being the 24-hour divorce capitol, was the abortion slaughterhouse for North America. 

How do we break the power of the enemy here in our city?

Luke 10:17–20 (NKJV) Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” 18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” 

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (NKJV) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.

 

Ephesians 3:10 (NKJV) to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,

 

The children of Israel were given the land of Canaan, but they had to go in and possess it. The land was full of enemies; they had to be driven out. 

 

Joshua 1:2-3 (NKJV) Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.

 

The giants in the land must be driven out. We have the power and authority, but we must take it!

 

1.    Name it. 

2.    Defeat it. 

3.    Claim it. 

 

Caleb: I want that mountain!

 

MINISTRY TIME