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Seven Days to Restore Joy in the War!

A Prayer Focus from Daniel and Amber Pierce

Dear Joy-Filled Warriors:

When the latest wars began to erupt worldwide, we looked back on our experiences in Israel. We wrote a book called Joy in the War. Warfare is a way of life and we have learned that if we lose our joy in the midst of it, we lose our strength to press forward in our call and mission. Therefore, with all the conflicts going on in the world and in our lives personally, it is a real blessing that we can encourage you to let joy rise up from the depths of your inner being. If we praise the Lord, then we will see righteousness emerge in the warfare around us. Joy is a gift – let joy arise within you, and may you have new strength to turn every battle that is in your life.

Amber shared this following testimony:

When we were living in Be’er Sheva, we had eight days of constant rockets that had worn us out. David Herzog called and asked us to come speak to his tour group at the Dead Sea. That sounded really good to us because there were no rockets falling at the Dead Sea and we thought we could get some rest. We went to the Dead Sea two days early to get rested but we were still so shaken and traumatized that we couldn’t gather a message and be prepared when it was time for us to speak. When we got together with the group there were about 100 people (a big tour), and we told David we didn’t have anything to share. He said, “That’s OK.” When I got up on the stage David said, “Now sing!” I said, “I don’t sing. I’ve never sang publicly in my life!” But I had to obey, because I wanted to do what the leader asked me to do. When I did, everyone started laughing so hard and God poured out this incredible, supernatural joy. We were traumatized and exhausted and it didn’t make any sense, but He poured out a supernatural joy on our lives. There were serious businesspeople in suits rolling on the floor laughing. This went on for a good hour and a half. I want to tell you – JOY IS SUPERNATURAL!! You can be exhausted, out of your mind, have gone through a trauma, and God can pour out joy on you.

We have to see past the curtain and into the throne room. Pray that God will expose the purposes of warfare in the spirit realm and begin to work in each season to expose the truth of what’s behind our warfare.   Remember that if we trust our heavenly father, He will anchor you when everything around looks unstable.

Day 1

At times when war is looming on the horizon, we often begin to feel wound up and unanchored. The advent of warfare can have a very unsettling effect and causes us to lean into the Lord more deeply in order to find our foundation in His Kingdom. In each situation, warfare can take different forms — both spiritual and physical. One thing we have learned is that wherever there is a war in the spirit realm, physical warfare is just beneath the surface.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. (Hebrews 6:19-20)

Day 2

We have to fix our eyes on the Lord and the purposes He has for us, and not on any agenda set forth by structures of this world. In establishing our faith, we must hold fast to the word coming from heaven and set our eyes on that which is sovereign. The Lord is our refuge and He will not let death take hold in place of faith.      

But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge – do not give me over to death. Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers, from the snares they have laid for me. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety. (Psalm 141:8-10)

Day 3

Overcoming fear is the first step to victory over the enemy of our soul. Remember our soul is human, but the spirit is from God and comes alive through our faith. We must seek the Lord and pray without ceasing. With warfare comes a test of our faith and we must allow faith to overcome fear. Remember that the news, other voices, and all forms of media that we consume can often produce fear and distract us from what God is saying in the fog of warfare. We have to look through the eyes of faith to see beyond.  

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. (Psalm 34:4-5)

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. (Psalm 46:1-3)

Day 4 

Embracing hope in the heat of battle can be one of the hardest things we face as the fog of war sets in. Different types of warfare come with different challenges. While some attacks may be long and drawn out, leading to fatigue, others may be fast and unexpected — presenting a more immediate danger. Where we put our hope, as well as how we let God fill us up, will lead to justice and victory in the nations.

A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope. (Matthew 12:20-21)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Day 5 

God has called on us to be a Light in the darkness and we will impact those around us through our faith. As we enter into intercession over warfare, we must allow the hope, faith, and joy we have in Jesus to define who we are before those who are in this world.

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven.   (Matthew 5:14-16)

Day 6 

Sorrow may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning. God has chosen to clothe His people with a garment of joy and called on us to carry the presence of His Kingdom. Even when we experience complete chaos in the earth, we are not bound by the sorrow and mourning that accompany warfare. God can continually renew our joy even in the midst of battle!

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my cloths of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!   (Psalm 30:11-12)

Day 7 

Fully walking in joy, no matter the circumstances, means allowing the Lord to show us how He is working in the midst of our warfare. We have to be able to see the joy He set before us in knowing that all He has purposed will come to pass. The Bible speaks of wars and rumors of wars, and says, “these things must happen.” We must enter into a place of such deep worship and communion with the Spirit of God that all we see before us is Him.

I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken…. Because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Psalm 16:8, 10-11)

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

Blessings,

Daniel and Amber Pierce

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