Scripture References: Ephesians 2:6 and Psalm 61:3
Ephesians 2:6 (NKJV)
For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.
Psalm 61:3 (TPT)
Lord, you are a paradise of protection to me. You lift me high above the fray. None of my foes can touch me when I’m held firmly in your wrap-around presence!
Here in the state of Texas and many states across America have been under a stay at home order due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). During this time, I am hearing some of the body of Christ proclaiming deliverance as God navigates us through this Time to Reset (a time to reflect on our lives and to get in right alignment with the Lord). This season has also been described as Long Time Out, an Extended Sabbath Rest, A Time to Rebuild Prayer Altars – as we demolish the idols in our lives.
Whatever you choose to call this season, we have to recognize the voice of the Lord and shift accordingly. We have just finished commemorating the Passover and celebrating Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday (Jesus’ Death, Burial, and Resurrection). Coming out of these commemorations I heard the words: Ascension and Rise Above the Fray. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines Ascension as the act of rising to an important position or a higher level. Fray is defined as a disorderly or protracted fight, struggle, or dispute; (added) the issues that blind us.
Acts 1 tells us that Jesus ascended into Heaven on the 40th day of His Resurrection. This year May 21, 2020, marks the date on the Gregorian calendar. However, we are to remember that Jesus has already ascended and is seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven and it was His resurrection that seated us with Him. So people of God, in the spirit realm, we are already there.
The Lord says, “Tell my people to ascend. Rise above the fray. Pray from a position of authority and I will work their prayers and provide protection for them” (Ephesians 2:6, Psalm 61:3).
Just as Jesus didn’t let the issues of the world and His death pin Him down, we too must rise and take our seat in the heavenly place with Christ Jesus. We have to rise above the fray of this world. Rise above COVID-19 and all its negative effects. As we are watching the news and tracking the disastrous effects of COVID-19 some of us are being pinned down. The Lord would say, “Rise up/ascend to your position where you are already seated with Me and pray. I have given you weapons to use during this warfare. You are in this world, but not of this world (John 17:4) Rise Up!!”
2 Corinthians 10:4-6 reminds us that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” When we hear and see disorder, from our seat in heavenly places, we employ our spiritual weapons (the Word, Name of Jesus, Blood of Jesus, Faith, Worship, Thanksgiving, Prayer, etc.) and engage in spiritual warfare to defeat the enemy. We stand knowing that God hears us when we pray and He is always working on our behalf.
I was sitting on the back porch last month praying Daniel 9 as it relates to our current situation with COVID-19. Prior to going to the back porch, I was watching the news and became very angry at what I was hearing as I looked at the condition of the world. I was weeping and crying out to God repenting over the condition of our nation; asking for mercy in the earth because of the sickness and death of the people, poverty, unemployment, socioeconomic issues, division and blindness in His Church caused by racism, classism, politics, and immaturity, etc. As the anger rose up and I began to cry more and more, God gave me a breakthrough. He delivered me from the anger so that I could release in prayer all these issues and to pray His Word. As His mercy was released in the earth, I heard Him say, “Tell my sons and daughters, I understand the anger. Be angry, but do not sin in that anger. Remind them that I hear them when they pray and I am answering, and I have given them the victory!”
I want to encourage each of you as we go through this time of reckoning, this time of suffering and sorrow, that the Lord sees far beyond what we can ever see and He has already experienced it all. He is acquainted with our sorrows and grief. He knows about the wars, famine, suffering, sickness, disease, racism, violence, traumas, the Church, you and me, etc. He has won the victory and therefore we have the victory. So stay seated in your heavenly place as you ascend in prayer. Don’t let the enormity of what you are seeing (experiencing) cause you to lose sight of who God is or forget that we belong to Him. Do not let anger over the situation pin you down to the earth and make you impotent in prayer. Stay free from the fear and anger this season brings and rise above the fray. God has put His Word of deliverance and healing in your mouth. So pray His Word. It is the answer to what you see and hear. We know His ways and His thoughts are not like ours. So stay seated with Him in heavenly places and allow Him to hold you firmly in His wrap-around presence far above the fray.
Prayer: Father, in the name of Jesus, we humble ourselves before You to ask Your forgiveness of our sin. Forgive us when we move out of our place in the heavenlies with You to look at the situations in the earth and forget to ascend in prayer. Forgive us for any anger we are experiencing that causes us to manifest in ungodly ways. Your Word reminds us that we are in this world, but not of this world. We rise above the fray of issues related to COVID-19, as we pray. When we pray Your Word, it does not return to you void, but it accomplishes that which You sent it. We release the Name of Jesus in the earth; Your Name Jesus, which is above every Name! We command COVID-19 and of its effects to bow to Your Name, Jesus (Philippians 2:9-14). Father, release the revelation of the power of your Blood throughout the earth to bring salvation, healing, and deliverance. Thank You, Lord God, for being Who You are! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
© April 2020 Rita D. Weaver & STDM Shut The Door Ministries, Inc.