He Is Turning Your Mourning Into Joy

In the previous issue, we beseeched readers from all over the world to engage in fervent and effectual prayer on behalf of their families, communities and nations. We cease not to give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for your persistence and obedience in laying your burdens down and carrying the burdens of others during this ordeal. It is our prayer that He will fill your cup to overflowing; into every nook and cranny of your life as you push forward in this journey of faith.
As we march forward, it is important that we understand the institution of prayer so that we can pray according to the will of God. In 1 Timothy 2:1 Paul says to his spiritual son Timothy, “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…”
 Here we see four different types of engagements or prayers that a Christian can use to converse with God. While there is much to be said about the four, in this issue, we will cover, the first and last; supplications and thanksgiving.
Supplication
The word supplication is used 58 different times in the bible while the word pray is used 31 times. It intimates a legal process of someone called the suppliant, pleading their case before a judge or a higher official. Satan the accuser of the brethren uses technicalities to keep us in bondage, sometimes due to ignorance or due to the presence of unconfessed sin. When he attacks a nation, a community, a family or an individual; we can enter into the Lord’s presence boldly, by the blood of the Lamb, and supplicate so that we may receive mercy and grace in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
This kind of prayer requires a knowledge of the law that governs the authority that you seek to  entreat. In our case, the knowledge of God’s promises, His grace and the power of the blood gives us the right to entreat God for a review of the events in a nation, a community or a family,  and grant us a reprieve where injustice or oppression has taken place (Revelation 12:11). We also see in Scripture that one person can supplicate on behalf of a nation (Daniel 9:3, Ezra 10:1, Nehemiah 9,  Esther, Cornelius in Acts 10). You could be the supplicant who will stand and plead the case for your country.

Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a statement of faith that the supplication, prayers and intercession you have placed before the Lord have been granted. This usually occurs as the evidence of things not seen, and the reality of what cannot be verified by the senses is actualized in our heart (Hebrews 11:1). In other words, once you have prayed, and you have received the inner witness that the burdens have been lifted, you begin to thank God by faith. Knowing to turn your prayers and supplications into thanksgiving will save you a lot of begging and pleading.
The first city conquered in Canaan (Jericho) was overcome by a people shouting praises to the Lord. This was to set a precedence on how God was going to give the land of Canaan into their possession. Elsewhere in Psalms, David writes that we enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise (Psalm 100). I believe that this is the reason why 12 of Paul’s most powerful prayers in the new testament were marinated with thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the emblem of Jehovah Ebenezer, the God who fights for us (1Samuel 7:12).
We who believe have prayed in faith; in all manner of prayers and supplication, and we are persuaded that God is working this ordeal to make it the greatest moment of blessing, for those who believe. 

Here is what I really want you to hear today:
Wednesday morning at about 5:45 am, an angel of the Lord stood by me and said, “Out of the mouth of babes and infants the Lord has ordained strength, because of His enemies, to silence the avenger and to make the vengeful cease.” I was a little perturbed and frozen in bewilderment as I chewed on these words that are found in Psalms 8:2 and Matthew 21:16. After a while, I heard his voice again, this time I did not see him, and he said,  “He is turning your mourning into dancing, He has lifted your sorrows. Let a voice of triumph come from the people and from the nations, for what the enemy thought was a check in warfare, the Lord has turned it into a check mate.”
  Friends I perceive that these words do not only apply to the COVID-19, but in every area of our lives. Where the enemy thought that he had us cornered, God’s greater grace is coming upon us and we will see every mountain demolished in the name of Jesus. 
A spirit of joy has flooded my soul since then, for I know that darkness is being pulled back like a curtain. For everyone who believes in Him, a time of restoration and restitution is coming upon us swiftly. There is going to be a rebound in the economy, more robust than what we have seen in the last four years.
Many that have been contending for breakthrough in areas of finances, healing and family will see a swift turnaround, for a divine intervention has been released from Heaven in answer to our supplications; in place of fear and anxiety, a spirit of boldness is arising among the believers.
The atmosphere of fear that has covered nations will be overcome by one of joy, victory and hope. With a greater intensity than the virus had when it took over the nations, the knowledge of the glory of the Lord will fill the earth and it will be reported, even in secular press.
Special signs, wonder and miracles will follow all believers who will endeavor to exercise their authority in Him. This is a great time for the body of Christ; it is a great time for you. The Lord is breathing life into all the prophetic words that seem to have passed their due time and as a result, a spirit of joy will fill our homes. There will be worship and shouts of praise singing, “For He is good and His mercy endures forever” (Psalms 136).

The words of Psalms 126 will ring true your life this year
It was like a dream come true when you freed us from our bondage and brought us back to Zion!
We laughed and laughed and overflowed with gladness.
We were left shouting for joy and singing Your praise.
All the nations saw it and joined in, saying, “The Lord has done great miracles for them!” 
Yes, He did mighty miracles and we were overjoyed!
Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory!
May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.
Those who sow their tears as seeds^. will reap a harvest with joyful shouts of glee.
They may weep as they go out carrying their seed to sow, but they will return with joyful laughter and shouting, with gladness as they bring back armloads of blessing and a harvest overflowing!( TPT)
 
Lizzy and I pray that the Lord will strengthen you, in your innermost being by the Holy Spirit. That you will arise above the circumstances and see with the eyes of faith what the Father has in store for you. We pray that like the sons of Issachar, you will know the times that we are living in so that you may not miss the moment of your visitation. Sickness, poverty and fear have no dominion over you. May He give you perfect peace, as you keep your eyes on Him.
Shalom