Weekly Watch Focus: The Church — Pastors, Missionaries, Watch Leaders

Friday, Jan. 17, 2015, We have seen in the past year the rise of great persecution against the Church, with the massacre of thousands of Christians in the Middle East. Churches that have been in existence for nearly 2,000 years have been destroyed. In our own nation, there is increased pressure on the Church to conform. The shadow of Sharia law is being cast across many Western nations. During this fast, let us pray a strong shield of protection for the Church of Jesus Christ. Jesus laid down His life for His beloved Church. May His Church grow stronger and brighter in the midst of darkness. Pray specifically for your local church, releasing the spirit of love and unity. Pray for pastors, leaders, and their families. Also lift up missionaries and prayer watch leaders. Pray they have favor with both God and men. Release blessing over them, they have good physical health, increased anointing, and abundant financial provision to spread the gospel and strengthen the Kingdom. Bind back every spirit of witchcraft, persecution, and division. In the last days the Word promises the Church will arise and shine.

Isa. 60:1-4 "Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. 'Lift up your eyes all around, and see: They all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be nursed at your side.'"

Matt 16:18, "On this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

Col 1:15-18, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the Church.”

I Chron. 4:10, “And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, ‘Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!’ So God granted him what he requested.”

Job 1:10, “Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.”

Phil. 4:19, Eph. 3:9-10, Ps 115:14