Neaseno

Days of Buffalo Grasses

Blue skies over waving prairies, tall Osage grasses

beckoning weary travelers to take comfort and shelter, seeming to say,

come and rest, feed yourselves, as they have for countless generations,

the bison herds and all who have been so nurtured.

White faces cannot comprehend this compassion and kindness, so they cut, slash and burn

their way through all the cursed growth, to remove it out of their way.

Make room for crops, homes and children to play

along with their small vain animals, they say—-

Relentless attack on grasses, trees and plants of all kinds,

they did not understand nor accept, thus creating massive hordes

of water spirits for

their off-spring to contend with and there was nothing left

to slow them down or deter them.

Noden (wind) comes calling blowing gusts of sand everywhere,

and the people still cannot grasp what has happened!

We must create, we must civilize,

sounds the cry of the conqueror And they don’t stop

with grasses and trees.

They continued with the children of the common people who greeted them

and nourished them, for a time.

Educate, civilize becomes synonymous with enslaving

the two-legged and their kind—

Cut, tear, slash, create civilized dwellings

for us to live and breathe, they say—-

And now the plantings they have done,

seem to cry in the night and beckon for attention in the day,

so that the conqueror

must start yet another process of clipping and shearing,

lest they grow and multiply beyond demand.

And what of those

who were educated and primed for becoming civilized?

Are they improved, or have they become

impoverished, bereft, stripped of everything they once were,

thus creating another dependency to be dealt with?

Where is the voice

of the grasses when

Noden (wind) called upon them for their songs?

Voices stilled forever

so the common people cannot

hear their sounds of joy and peace any longer.

The true education

must reign and be allowed

to share its wisdom for the children to be free, bright and true.

Where are the voices and songs of the people, as they rode and played

among the tall grasses and frolicked among the trees?

The original songs

and teachings are slowly coming back,

but through different voices,

echoing the injustices and the sufferings, the common people have endured.

This then could be the Indian Literature

the conqueror makes such big talk about—-

Ah, but he thought he had silenced all those voices,

and now wants them to be heard again, throughout

the hallowed halls of learning he has created

among the squares of stone and wood he has chosen to

place the voices of the common people within.

Can this be?

Nin se Neaseno…

An Old Prayer

AN OLD PRAYER.

THUNDER:

O Jigwé Nagan’ien

Oh Thunder Leader

Mamwé mishkwezyen shote

Supreme Power here

Égi bgednegoyen éwi je

You were placed and to

Kewabmiyak I je mine

Protect us (also) and

Éwi nizhokmodwan gij

To help your other

Mishkwezimak éwi

Lesser plants under you and good

Mnogmoak éwi nizhokmodwan *(always praise the

Rains and help (bless us with) rains)

Éwi mno bmadziyak jak gégo

Good lives (that we may live good lives)

Mine éwi gsiabaudi’ek

All crops, growths and every variety

Nebeshknegen jayék

All rotten things (and washes clean atop the ME

All rotten things)

Anaké tatbégwen mine mishkoyen

Along with leaves and weeds

Nebeshknegen éwi binabaud’iek

Rotten and made clean by the rain

Édnesyak iw je pi

Where we live and when

Zhawno’enmek émnoskyag inoden

The South Winds with their nice damp air and the Great

Good Wind

Égche mnobmadji shka gwi yak

Enable us to live and able

Ije gedzhi’esk miyak jak

To continue all

Mno mikjéwiwen éwi

Variety of good work and

Jak gishwiyak we’an meze

Variety of completed work pursuing

Mno mikjéwiyak éwi zhigojkemegon

Good work and to avoid

Mine jak nenyézanyek

Any and all danger.

NORTH SPIRIT:

Ahau Pondesé wéwéne

Greeting Coldness (One) earnestly

Kenadotmonenan éwi

We ask you and

Kewabmiyak wéwénije

Protect us earnestly we ask

Kenadotmonenan éwi

You to protect us and

Kewabmiyak éwi bwa zigdezhiyak

Watch over us and not to freeze us

Bénagdze éwi zak senyak

Be very mild then Cold Ones

Ije gche ndotmonenan

And we request

Débtso éwi bgeshagon

A sufficiency then of falling snow

Éwi ngwagneg se kig

So as to blanket the Earth

Éwi déb mno Otakiwak

And so sufficient a nice dampening of the Earth

Gé she je kejkadoiyag éwi

In order to help us then

Gizhgatoyag wabgonen

Raise pumpkins

Ndamneg mine penik

Corn and potatoes

Mine kojések mine

And beans and

Jak ézgak washkgbek

All variety of growing things

Mine jak ézgak bébiz wayak

And also small fruits.

THE EAST:

Kegnaswé ékche yéwak

Coming Daylight Greatest

Gebébamzawen gin

Power you

Éwedzema dzegék jak gégo

Start varieties of everything

Bamgak mshkekegé jak

Growing medicine all

Éshkek wa nadwashkag wiyak

Kinds that grow for doctoring ourselves

Ébgosén demak wéwéne éwi

We wish sincerely then

Gizgak iw je wéwéne gé je

They grow then nicely so we can

Skeksedoiyak éwi

Gather them and

Nado’owé wiyak iw pi éyaknogéyak

Cure ourselves when we fall ill

Iw je wéwéne kéndotmon nag tche

And respectfully I ask you an early

Ewi Mnokmek iw je wéwéne

Spring and respectfully

Endotmonag jak ézgak

We ask you for it all kinds of growing

Washkgbeg gé je skeknemag

Fruit that we may gather

Iw pi Ponok éwi mijyak

When Winter comes and we eat

Mine éwizgek nekmek jak

And gather all kinds

Ezgek mashgeké

Of growing things.

THE SOUTH :

Zhawdesi ik she éndotmonag

Hotness now we pray

Ewi mizhyak jak gégo kazegek

Then give us varities of all that

Géte ga nak gin jayék épamzen

Grows in the fields you do have all kinds of control

Ékwabdoyen éwi mno zak ki’eg

You have charge of them and good growths

MOTHER EARTH:

Mesekmekwé ngyénan ik she

Top soil our Mother now we

Wéwéne éndotmonag gé pe

Respectfully ask you to fulfill your

Bamziwen gé gin ga wje

Responsibility that is your duty

Bgetnegoyen éwi je nizhokmowiyak

You were placed to do and help us execute

Shewénmatenejnag éwi mno

Graciously and good

Zak k’yég mine wéwéne éwi

To sprout and properly to

Gizhgag jak gégo waje’ gé’ak

Mature all everything they/we plant

Éwi mémek mikwékek

And make them grow abundantly.

THE GOOD SPIRIT:

She wén ge’en mnomneto wéwéne

Merciful Good Spirit respectfully

Knedotmomen éwi kewabmiyak

We say to protect then (us) from

Jak gégo éje nizan wiyag

All of the dangers

Gche tche igwan n’mo jenak

Avert cyclone or

Gche wawiyasto jayék gégo

Great Whirlwind and all sorts of

Ze’angek égche mkomi

Dangers with great hail or falling storm

Biésag gé’aba éwi bwa

Also avoid excessive

Ozam wizganmek

Winds

Iw je gé she ndotmomen

Also again we pray you

Gche tche igwan jayék

Ward off all kinds

Éwi nénmoyak jak zengak

Then ward them off all danger

Éwi bwa pe gém jeka gwi yak

Then so it will not touch

Gche tche igwan nénmo jenak

Us ward off great dangers

I gé zenan dek noden

Including Hot Wind.

This particular article grabbed my attention this morning because it reminded me of the childhood I went through. I had friends who were white and pretty much treated me like the fellow who wrote this article about his black friend. I was a lot like Roy growing up, accepted into a white world, expected to behave in that white world, never accepted as an equal, and always felt the loneliness of being separate somehow.

I was accepted because of the superior athlete I had become in the white world. I was on the basketball team, star football player, track and baseball team and scored more points than anyone, was the star player on any of the teams I played on. I was permitted to eat among my white friends in their homes, even dance with the white girls after some of the games we played in, but was never accepted as a human being, equal in all ways to any of them.

Some parents openly let their kids know that I was to be watched while in the home. One parent told his wife to make sure I got plenty to eat, as I probably did not get that kind of food in my own home. One parent told his son and daughter I was an okay Injun and it was all right if they played with me. None of my white friends came to my home to visit with me, never!

So I know the Roy this article writes about. Like Roy, I went off to combat too, but I came back, much to their chagrin, and many of the white boys didn’t. Some of my white friends are still friends to this day. I always loved them and forgave them for their ignorance, as that what my dad and mom told me to do. My parents taught me to pray for my enemies and those who treated me despitefully, for they didn’t know any better. I had good loving parents who knew God and treated everyone as equals, as I was taught to.

Just some thoughts to think on, eh?

Nin se Neaseno.

Dear Roy,

You were the friend of my youth. You are black and I am white. When we became adults, we drifted apart. You served in the military. I served in the ministry. You died too soon for me to tell you this in person, so I’ll tell you now. You endured more than you should have, suffered more than you deserved, and were held to the unreasonable expectations of white culture, yet still you were my friend.

You came to my white church. You stayed in my white home. You ate at my white table. Yet I never stayed at yours. An occasional visit to your world was all my whiteness could warrant, yet you were expected to live in mine.

I was in your presence when the n-word was used, on multiple occasions. I said nothing. You ignored it, while others laughed at your expense. You were teased by folks in the church, mocking your blackness, pretending to be welcoming. We wore our whiteness that arrogantly paraded unceasingly before you. We expected you to conform to our culture because we thought it superior. We saw ourselves as the savior your community needed, that you needed. We deceived you with pictures of a white Jesus, and never told you the truth that he was black. Jesus was more like you than he was like us. Yet we pretended otherwise. Because to do differently would have elevated you above us. And we couldn’t have that.

People shook my hand and patted me on the back. “How good of you to befriend this black boy!” they said, without even acknowledging you standing there. My white world treated you as anomaly, a novelty, tolerated only as long as you were obedient, subservient, and didn’t try to date any of the white girls in the youth group.

In retrospect, I now know that my white world abused you, stifled you, truncated your growth and experience. Long before Eric Garner or George Floyd cried “I can’t breathe” all us white folks were stealing your oxygen. You sung our songs, read our bible, believed our gospel, all of which were stolen 100 years earlier from another black man at Azusa Street. We never told you his story, only ours.

Perhaps it was a saving grace that you were spared the turmoil in our world today? Had you been given time to reflect on the harm brought to you by my culture, you may have justifiably lost your mind, leading to a compounding of your suffering. You would have been justified in your anger at how you were treated, marginalized, ignored. You were present in my world, but remained largely invisible. Only seen on the occasions we wanted to justify our sins by pointing to your body as a token of our righteousness. We were hypocrites and fools. You were patient and endured our taunts longer than you should have.

Ironically, many white folks reading this that shared our history, will remember all of this differently. They will recall how kind we were to you. How we payed your way to youth camps, bought you meals, had you in our home, and were gracious enough to include you in all our activities. “We treated you like family” they will protest. Refusing to reflect on the motivations of why we chose to do so. Refusing to confront the arrogance of assuming that you should come to us to learn, because we know better than you.

Roy, I’m sorry man. I’m sorry that I didn’t know better. That I didn’t do better. I’m sorry that I’m just now saying this, years after your death. I’m listening now. I’m learning now. I’m speaking up now.

I hope you can hear me.

I love you.

Scot

Some human thoughts

Memories from my childhood…

Good morning,

This particular article grabbed my attention this morning because it reminded me of the childhood I went through. I had friends who were white and pretty much treated me like the fellow who write this article about his black friend. I was a lot like Roy growing up, accepted into a white world, expected to behave in that white world, never accepted as an equal, and always felt the loneliness of being separate somehow.

Just some thoughts to think on, eh?

Nin se Neaseno.

Dear Roy,

I hope you can hear me.

I love you.

Scot

Enagdewendemyan ngom

Some thoughts today.
Tradition: the handing down of statements, customs, information, religious instructions, a body of knowledge representing belief systems, etc., from one generation to another generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice. Something that has been handed-down, or a long established or inherited way of thinking or acting.

Tradition can be explained in a variety of different ways, but it cannot be changed, for then it would no longer be tradition.
A traditional then, is one who practices the tradition they have been taught or trained in. Remember, tradition cannot be changed to suit anyone’s purpose.
Tradition is not something that can be mixed with anything else, accordingly, to some. Why then do some so called traditional people mix what they supposedly believe with the elements of alcohol, drugs, and the beliefs of such societies, for they indeed become learned behaviours, over a period of time. Some of us shall never understand why some folks drink and do drugs, which is very damaging to the traditional belief system, and still attempt to teach and run ceremonies.

Another thing, a traditional is someone who is supposed to speak in their original tongue, and yet many of these offering teachings, criticisms to others, the performance of ceremonies, often cannot speak their language fluently at all. One is supposed to be able to call in the Spirit/spirits by the use of that target language, sing the songs in that language, and conduct the entire process in the target language of their group. Those spirits whom the God sends in to assist one in the performance of a given ceremony speak in the target language of a specific group, not in English.

I have heard some become critical of others saying they were traditional and yet participate in Christian ceremonies as well. Many of our people have become Christian and still choose to speak their language and perform the standards of their traditional ceremonies as well. Manitoulin Island and much of Canada is this way, and America is not far behind.
In addition, ceremonies are still conducted in the Native Tongues of these groups. Song services or hymns, liturgies and the like are performed in the Native Tongues too, as well as scriptural readings and blessings. I have personally been to many of these types of ceremonies, for that is what they are called and conducted as, by the target groups performing them. I have come away blessed and feeling very close to the Spirit, close and at one with the people, and very much at ease with the proceedings of the whole event.

I am one of these Traditional and Christian believers, I make no bones about it. We don’t smoke, drink alcohol, do drugs, commit fornication or adultery, don’t believe in any unseemly sexual acts between men and women, your families and children can feel safe with us. We pay our taxes like everyone else, work hard, and you’ll not hear us swearing every other word that comes forth from our mouths. That is not pleasing to the Spirit of God, never has been, and never will among Traditional Practitioners.

My Elders never committed any of those acts of sin, and while I was growing up, I never heard any of those elders swear or say anything bad about women, as I do today. Much of what I read on FaceBook, I tend to block out and have distanced myself from people who insist on using foul language on the Internet.

Ehengh Bodewadmi ndaw mine emendokasyan pene she ebodewadmimyan ebidgeyan zhi mendokasgemek anake waka’egan wegwenshe ebidgewat gi neshnabek emadmowat nake ekigdowat o Geshemnedo…..

Let those who critique these type of beliefs come and do it in the language of our people, not in English. When we were children, we were not to throw sticks at anyone else, less we become like them.We were told that!

Iw enajmoyan
Nin se Neaseno.

Some thoughts

Ode nagdewendemwen…

Some years ago…….

Ya know, when one runs, when it’s time to walk, and one walks too fast when it may be time to stroll along, and further; when one walks, when it’s time to sit and ponder, and maybe just sit and observe awhile, it just might be possible one could miss the whole thing they are searching for in all that hurrying along. I heard an old man talk about that very thing once awhile back now. He spoke of taking the time to sit alongside the road once in awhile, instead of being in too big a hurry, and perhaps waiting for “the right leading” on whatever it happened to be one was seeking. I interpret “the right leading” as a gut feeling, sort of.

Some of these young folks are traveling way too fast sometimes. They might just over-run whatever it is they may be seeking if they go too fast. That seems to be the way it is today though; rush, rush, rush. When I was growing up the old people always told us to take our time when it came to fasting, or going about some other way of ceremony. It was a ceremony for us to plan and make a pipe, complete with pipe stem, pipe tamp, bag and other essentials.

I was told to acquire the red catlinite first, then prayerfully choose a design as to how I would carve it. Fashioning it was supposed to be done prayerfully as well, often taking a whole year to complete the process. Going out and choosing the right tree limb for my pipe stem was a process and became a ceremony in itself. One marked the tree, and then went out often to pray to the Surround Powers, and to request the spirit of the tree for permission to use it, and then at the proper time, go out and carefully cut the limb from the tree, without hurting the rest of the tree. This was done usually after the completion of fashioning the pipe bowl. Taking the wood for the tamp was done usually at the same time as the cutting of the stem.

In the fashion which I have just described, taking of the pipe stem, this was referred to as “lifting” the spirit of the tree, for the general well being of the common people. In this way, the common people had a stake in all the young pipe maker was doing, and if the young person sought a vision and became a successful “Pipe Carrier”, having acquired a “vision” of sorts, the common people benefited from all the young person did.

Many times the young pipe maker’s family and relatives helped him out with the making of a pipe bag and other accessories of the pipe. In this way, the whole family and extended family shared in the process and the young person often felt the strong support of his community.

When one is gifted with a pipe, it was commonly expected one would go out and fast with that pipe in due time, but never in a rush. One also looked to their “religious experts” too, when the came time to go out and sit in the wilderness somewhere to seek a vision. We refer to the wilderness as “megwesegyek” (thick brush). Those religious experts were the old ones who knew the ways among the Neshnabek, sometimes they were also called medicine men/women, and sometimes we simply called them Nakendemwajek, the wise ones. They had the power though and could communicate for you when it was time for one to go and seek a vision. It was thus important to keep them apprised of your plans to make a pipe and one’s desire to go out to seek a vision.

Those old timers had Nizhokmagejek (spiritual helpers) to aid them in watching over you as well, while you sat out there in the wilderness. All of these things were done in accordance with our Neshnabek Ways and in our language. When you prayed to the Creator, you used your language to do so. I shall share more as time goes on of these things our young people did when accomplishing some of these sacred things of our people.

Iw enajmoyan ngom,

Nin se Neaseno.

Medicine men and women

The wisdom and knowledge used by medicine people comes from other medicine people who came before them and handed down their ‘medicine’ to chosen ones. They train for many years and the medicine formulas, songs and other rites are handwritten on scrolls and medicine sticks which have been handed down over time.

It is unwise to try to interpret the Native writing in these various forms and use them without the proper training. Most are written in cryptic fashion, leaving out major portions that the practitioner has learned verbally, written in code or even written backwards.

We are told that the Native Medicine People travel to the lonely places to meet with the Little People from the spiritual realm and share in their secrets. Medicine people are still today an integral part of the traditional Native lifestyle.

Neshnabek Medicine People are not “shamans.” They are also not psychics and do not give readings.

Traditional Native Practitioners may consult with medicine people for help with medical problems, dilemmas in their lives or other problems. There are fewer Medicine People alive and practicing today, but those few are still known by traditionalists and others in Native communities. It is not accepted for medicine people to advertise or make their services known in other ways.

The proper way to find a medicine person is to be part of a Native community, ceremonial ground or family and to come to know this person through those connections. Please do not contact a Native Nation asking to be put into contact with a Medicine Man or Woman or asking anyone to help you become one.

Respect

We must all have respect for one another as human beings, we are all descended from the same Great Spiritual being, God. To show or demonstrate respect and compassion for another is the same as recognizing where you are from, who created you, and that you are part of the family of God.

Something on Respect for Spiritual Powers and Spiritual People.

To give respect to another, one must first have respect, for oneself, for Spirit/spirits and Man, and above all a firm understanding that all things are interconnected throughout this vast universe, of which we are a miniscule part. If one does not have respect for any of those basic things, then one must needs go to the Spirit of all Life and ask to be given that staple of all gifts, respect. Sometimes it takes a search of one’s soul and spirit, an examination of one’s soul, so to speak, and upon discerning that something is amiss, then an acknowledgement of that, and a simple asking for forgiveness, thus a restoration of what one needs to see clearly. It is easy in this busy world to lose that element of respect one needs in their daily lives.

To understand that we are all connected, the two legged, four legged, creeping crawling kind, and the winged, and that we share this space, thus these elements, of fire, rock, water and the green, is to gain wisdom. Wisdom is one of the gifts the Spirit gave to mankind, along with love, bravery, truth, honesty, and humility. All of these gifts are interconnected as well, thus when seeking forgiveness when losing any one of them, they all are restored, which is the true fellowship of the Spirit.

It is the responsibility of Man to maintain what he has been given since he was also blessed with a free moral will, of which he utilizes in making the choices he needs to make. All other Life is given a set of original instructions along with the Life Principle, but Man was also given the additional responsibility of free will, thus putting the onus of making the right and moral choices in this life squarely upon his shoulders. All other life merely performs according to the set of instructions they were given upon creative inclusion.

We must always demonstrate respect to our elders and to the Spiritual Leadership, those who have spent considerable time acquiring their position of Leadership. People who have acquired spiritual powers and knowledge need to be honored, for several reasons. The first and foremost is realizing where that power comes from, it comes from the Spirit, or the Father of spirits. Secondly, the person needs to be honored for what they have accomplished in their lives, that of spending time fasting and praying for the Spiritual Power(s) to take notice and reward them with the spiritual gifts they possess.

Whenever something is taught or shared from one of these people, one must honor them with tobacco and a gift. This is done to demonstrate appreciation to Mamogosnan and thanking Him for anointing that person with whatever spiritual power(s) we have been blessed with. To not give tobacco and a gift of some sort to show appreciation and thankfulness would be considered rude and perhaps taking for granted the powers that be with our spiritual people. Special teachings, doctorings, special songs that are revealed, and spiritual insight or a word of wisdom/understanding/knowledge comes from the Spirit of all Life and we always need to honor that. To neglect it is to invite lethargy and spiritual laziness among the rank and file of the people, which Mamogosnan does not like.

Respect

respect [rɪˈspɛkt]

1. an attitude of deference, admiration, or esteem; regard

2. the state of being honoured or esteemed

3. a detail, point, or characteristic;in particular he differs in some respects from his son

4. reference or relation (esp in the phrases in respect of, with respect to)

5. polite or kind regard; consideration respect for people’s feelings

6. (often plural) an expression of esteem or regard (esp in the phrase pay one’s respects)

vb (tr)

1. to have an attitude of esteem towards; show or have respect for, to respect one’s elders and others.

2. to pay proper attention to; not violate, to respect someone’s neutrality

3. to show consideration for; treat courteously or kindly

4. Archaic to concern or refer to

[from Latin rēspicere to look back, pay attention to, from re- + specere to look]

Learn your language

Growing up in a traditional community, I did not go to school to learn my language. I learned it at home. I was surrounded by it from my mother’s womb. I learned to speak naturally as a toddler, listening to the baby talk and colloquialisms of the day. I was able to converse in 5 Neshnabék languages by the time I was six. Multilingualism was the norm of the day, when everyone spoke each other’s language and could understand what was said in one language while responding in another. Mutual communication and respect of each other’s differences was inherent among us.

I first learned English at the age of 6…at school. I did not just take English lessons. I was immersed in it. Every communication I had with my teachers, my peers, the bus drivers, the lunch ladies, the aides and custodians, all had to be in the target language: English. So I learned quickly, not because I had a set of 12 easy lessons, but because it was required for my survival.

I remember with some sadness the first time I met Neshnabék people who did not speak their language. As a young man, I approached a group of people who clearly looked “Indian” to me, only to find with much dismay that they could not understand any of the languages that I spoke. They only understood English. That first experience led to many, and I have witnessed first hand the decline and near disappearance of the languages of my childhood.

I have been steadfastly working with anyone who will take the time to learn the Potawatomi language for most of my life, from that first group of Neshnabék who asked me to translate what I had said to them, until this very moment of publishing this particular manual and many other manuals I have done. Having observed all of this, I have this statement to make:

This language must be returned to the home.

It was only by survival that it was permitted to go into language classrooms and departments and classes and lessons. That had to be, temporarily, because it was so far gone, it needed to be pulled out of the fire, so to speak. But the time has come to return it to the home. This manual is intended to be used AT HOME, by families who are dedicated to learning, remembering, and using this language.

Nin se Neaseno

A.k.a. Donald A Perrot

Talking with God

Foundations of a Prayer Life.

Why call it that? Why not call it Foundations of Prayer?

Because I can’t teach you how to pray. The Holy Ghost does that.

Romans 8:26Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

YOU LEARN TO PRAY BY PRAYING.

Going to Exodus 33.

Context: Israel has miraculously left Egypt, Moses has climbed Mt. Sinai to receive the Law and the Instructions for building the Tabernacle, and Israel has sinned by making a golden calf and worshipping it. 3000 people had just died by the sword over it, and more were dying of a plague. Moses had gone to intercede for Israel, and this is where we find ourselves now:

⁷And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the Lord went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp.

⁸And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle, that all the people rose up, and stood every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the tabernacle.

⁹And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses.

¹⁰And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door.

This is NOT the Mishkan, The Tabernacle, with the specific dimensions and furniture that God specifically told them to pitch in the MIDDLE of the camp. No, this was a different tent, referred to in this scripture as OHEL MOED, Ohel = tent, Moed = meeting. Moed is the same word found when describing the festivals that God commanded the Israelites to keep: Moedim. Appointed Meeting Times. The Tabernacle, Ha Mishkan, was not complete and set up until Exodus 40. So the events of Exodus 33 happen PRE TABERNACLE, and OUTSIDE THE CAMP.

Exodus 33:11 King James Version (KJV)

11 And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

We learn many things from this section of Exodus, but here are 3 highlights:

The tent was OUTSIDE the congregation. It was alone and set apart.
ANYONE, not just Moses, who wanted to inquire of the LORD about something went there. However, Moses was who God spoke to “face to face.” Intimately. God specifically mentioned to Moses that HE knew his name, and Moses acknowledged that God knew his name and that he had found grace in His sight.
Joshua, son of Nun, spent an awful lot of time there.

Joshua: Joshua 1:5 “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

Joshua 10: ¹²Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. ¹³And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. ¹⁴And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel.

THAT JOSHUA. One does not command the sun and moon to stand still without knowing God intimately enough to ask such a thing.

My point here tonight is INTIMACY.

Moses was intimate with God. Joshua was intimate with God. And while they were parting rivers and commanding celestial bodies, they were also humble under the hand of God, and staying in an intimate relationship with Him.

And this did not start in the congregation. This started in a lonely place, set apart from the congregation, where a man could solitarily, or in small groups, seek the face of God.

Basically, to make a long story short, Moses set up a prayer closet.

Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

So What is a prayer closet? How is it a tent of meeting?

First, What is it NOT?

Church is not your prayer closet. The Tabernacle, the MISHKAN, was not the Tent of Meeting. The Tabernacle was set up in the Center of the Camp…but Moses’ tent of meeting was outside the camp, away from everyone else.

The Prayer Closet vs Pray Continually

Pray Continually, Pray without Ceasing

Acts 6:4 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 17 Pray without ceasing. in the shower, on the road, doing the dishes,

Have a running conversation with Jesus all day in your head, This is wonderful, this is encouraged, but this is NOT your prayer closet. Do you count doing the dishes together as a date with your husband? Neither does God. That doesn’t mean it’s wrong. It just means something more Intimate is desired. Also, please understand that your car is not a prayer closet. He won’t give you mind blowing revelation and mighty visions if you are flying down the highway. He’s God. He’s not going to kill your body to give you a revelation.

John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

²The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

³Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

WHY did Nicodemus go to Jesus at night? No distractions. It’s dark. Jesus the Light shines brighter in the dark. John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

John 8:12 ¹²Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life., John 9:5 ⁵As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. He can illuminate what needs to be seen that is hiding in the dark

Jesus wants you to separate yourself!!! From EVERYTHING!!!! Matt 10:37-38, Ex 20:3, 34:14 He is Jealous! Including: false sources of light *If you have anxiety over this, don’t let this stop you from creating a prayer closet. Sometimes it takes time to build trust. Go into a prayer closet, keep the lights on, build yourself up to turning the lights down, and finally off. Relationships take time to build!!

Food, companionship, climate control, your PHONE, put it all down, and go into the prayer closet, remove all distractions, all stimulations, and be completely alone with Jesus.

What to do in your Prayer Closet…Matt 6:6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Shut the Door. No distractions. Separate yourself. Pray in Secret. No audience. Just you and HIM.

if I regard iniquity in my heart, Jesus will not hear me. Psalms 66:18

step one is repent. always repent.

step two is praise. always praise.

step one and step two can be reversed in order but they must both happen. an acknowledgement of WHO Jesus IS, and Who I am Not. “I am the Lord, I know no other.” Isa 44:6, Hos 13:4

The Prayer Closet is about Intimacy.

YES YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO PRAY FOR YOURSELF IN YOUR CLOSET.

Prayer is about RELATIONSHIP, not a means of getting what you want. When you spend the time to develop the RELATIONSHIP, you will find that intercession comes easier and more effective.

Fall upon The Rock before He falls on you. Matt 21:42-44 42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

HONESTY. If you are mad at Jesus, tell Him, because He already knows. Then repent of it. It may be a perception problem. There is a big difference between what Jesus WILLS and what Jesus PERMITS. *illustration about kid with stitches* Keep in mind this is an argument you will NOT win. But if you keep bitterness in your heart, you will get nowhere. Acknowledge it, repent of it, and let Jesus free you of it. It will sting, and you will feel embarrassed, and pretty humble, but you will be free.

If you are ashamed, tell Jesus, because He already knows. WHETHER IT’S YOUR FAULT OR NOT, tell Him. Then accept His forgiveness or His ability to Forgive, whichever it is you need.

If you are bitter at someone else or a situation, tell Jesus, because He already knows. Then ask for help rooting it out. Forgive that you may be forgiven.

If you are numb, tell Jesus, because He already knows. Then ask for His love to be shed abroad in your heart through the Holy Ghost.

If you are lost and confused, tell Jesus, because He already knows. Then ask for Wisdom.

Listen. My Sheep Know me, and they Know My VOICE. John 10:27

WHO is praying in tongues? Do you know this voice?

Yes you are hearing His voice, even if you don’t understand it.

Romans 8:26 ²⁶Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

SO PRAY FOR UNDERSTANDING.

Other ways we hear His Voice. Audibly, In your heart, In your mind, In the scriptures, from someone else later. But wait until you hear it, and wait for it to be confirmed. Don’t jump on something because it’s what you WANTED to hear. 2 Cor 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

Was that me, or was that Him?

Let the Word of the Lord Cleanse you. If you keep repenting of the same thing over and over again, you are repenting but not being cleansed of it. Let God cleanse you of it. A Washing of Regeneration (Titus 3:5)

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Diligently believe in him? NO, diligently SEEEEEEK him.

It was said that Moses spoke with God Panim al Panim – Face to Face. They had an intimate relationship, which was called into question in Numbers 12.

⁴And the Lord spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation (OHEL MOED). And they three came out. ⁵And the Lord came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. ⁶And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. ⁷My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. ⁸With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? ⁹And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them; and he departed.¹⁰And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.

God confirmed his relationship with Moses, that He would speak face to face with him. Do you realize that Jesus died so that he could speak face to face with you? Do you realize that you are a tabernacle and that He lives in you? You are a temple, you are a tent of meeting, you are a house of prayer. You don’t need to build anything fancy. You just need to find that special place apart from everyone else and every distraction where you can be consistently intimate with God.

At the end of that story, Moses Intercedes for Miriam, and Miriam is healed, and made clean and whole and restored after 30 days. Again and Again, Moses intercedes for the people, even when God told Moses, Get out of the way, I’m going to kill them all and start over with you, Moses STILL interceded for the people! It takes a personal intimate relationship with God to intercede on this level. So begin in the prayer closet, your own personal tent of meeting, and begin building the Foundations of a Prayer Life.

THIS IS THE ORIGINAL OUTLINE: PRESERVE THIS.

Corporate Prayer starts in the Prayer Closet.
1. The Prayer Closet vs Pray Continually
  1. Pray Continually, Pray without Ceasing

Acts 6:4 King James Version (KJV)

4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 King James Version (KJV)

17 Pray without ceasing.

in the shower, on the road, doing the dishes,
1. Have a running conversation with Jesus all day in your head
1. this is NOT your prayer closet.
1. Prayer Closet
  1. Joshua in the Tent of Meeting

(Tent of Meeting: Ohel Mo’ed. Tabernacle: Mishkan)

Exodus 33:11 King James Version (KJV)

Joshua 1:5 “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

John 3 WHY did Nicodemus go to Jesus at night?
- No distractions
  - It’s dark. Jesus the Light shines brighter in the dark. John 1:9, John 8:12, John 9:5. He can illuminate what needs to be seen that is hiding in the dark
  - He won’t give you mind blowing revelation and mighty visions if you are flying down the highway. He’s God. He’s not going to kill your body to give you a revelation.
  - Jesus wants you to separate yourself!!! From EVERYTHING!!!! Matt 10:37-38, Ex 20:3, 34:14 He is Jealous! Including :
    - false sources of light!!
    - Food, companionship, climate control, your PHONE, put it all down, and go into the prayer closet,
    - remove all distractions, all stimulations, and
    - be completely alone with Jesus.
- What to do in your Prayer Closet…Matt 6:6
  - Shut the Door. No distractions. Separate yourself.
  - Pray in Secret. No audience. Just you and HIM.
  - if I regard iniquity in my heart, Jesus will not hear me. Psalms 66:18
    - step one is repent. always repent.
    - step two is praise. always praise.
    - step one and step two can be reversed in order but they must both happen. an acknowledgement of WHO Jesus IS, and Who I am Not. “I am the Lord, I know no other.” Isa 44:6, Hos 13:4
- The Prayer Closet is about Intimacy.
  - YES YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO PRAY FOR YOURSELF IN YOUR CLOSET.
  - Prayer is about RELATIONSHIP, not a means of getting what you want. When you spend the time to develop the RELATIONSHIP, you will find that intercession comes easier and more effective.
  - Fall upon The Rock before He falls on you. Matt 21:42-44 42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

HONESTY. If you are mad at Jesus, tell Him, because He already knows. Then repent of it.
1. It may be a perception problem. There is a big difference between what Jesus WILLS and what Jesus PERMITS.
  1. Keep in mind this is an argument you will NOT win.
1. If you are ashamed, tell Jesus, because He already knows. Then accept His forgiveness.
1. If you are bitter, tell Jesus, because He already knows. Then ask for help rooting it out.
1. If you are numb, tell Jesus, because He already knows. Then ask for His love to be shed abroad in your heart through the Holy Ghost.
1. If you are lost and confused, tell Jesus, because He already knows. Then ask for Wisdom.
1. Listen. My Sheep Know me, and they Know My VOICE. John 10:27
  1. WHO is praying in tongues?
  1. Do you know this voice?
  1. Yes you are hearing His voice, even if you don’t understand it. Romans 8:26
    1. SO PRAY FOR UNDERSTANDING.
  1. Other ways we hear His Voice.
  1. Was that me, or was that Him?
  1. Let the Word of the Lord Cleanse you. If you keep repenting of the same thing over and over again, you are repenting but not being cleansed of it. Let God cleanse you of it. A Washing of Regeneration (Titus 3:5)

Fasting
1. Fasting is more than just not eating. It is setting yourself apart and consecrating yourself to the Lord.
1. ISAIAH 58

Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

2 Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.

3 Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.

4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.

5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord?

6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward.

9 Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.

This kind cometh out not except by prayer AND fasting Matt 17:21, Mark 9:29
- The widows mite Luke 21:2, Mark 12:42
  - Some of us don’t have 10 days to fast. We have what we have.
  - Give what you have. If you give a full day that you have, and dedicate it to fasting and devotion to the Lord, then you have given all, just like the widow.
  - If all you have is that one hour that you would normally spend eating lunch, and you give it to the Lord with all your might, then you have given all, and He will be faithful to multiply it. Fish and bread are nothing to Him, imagine what He can do with what you give Him!
- The talents Matt 25:14
  - some of us are given 10 days, some 5 days, some 1 day. What we give back and invest, God will multiply. What we waste, God will take a way.
  - If all you have is TWO HOURS and that’s all the alone time you have in a day, and you joyfully give that to God, not food or games or chores or companionship, but to God, and that is your ALL, and you have given Him your ALL…
  - …He is faithful to give you MORE to give to Him.
  - (In other words, don’t be satisfied with that, keep striving for more, just don’t be discouraged in the beginning.)
- Matt 6:16

16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Praying into the Vision, Praying into the Will
1. Jesus in the Garden Matt 26:36, Mark 14:32
  1. Not my will, but yours be done.
1. The Book of Daniel Chapter 9.
  1. So I set my face toward Adonai, with fasting and supplication…
  1. even though he knew from prophecy it was going to happen anyway…
  1. But he prayed into the will of God.
1. What is the Will of God?
  1. For it is not his Will that anyone perish, but that all be brought to repentance. II Peter 3:9
  1. Ask Jesus what breaks His heart. He will tell you.
1. The Lord’s Prayer

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Intercession
1. The High Priestly Prayer of Jesus. John 17

9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Travail
- Souls. Souls. Souls. Souls. Souls. Souls.
- Moses falls on his face before the Lord, twice. Exodus 32:9-14, Numbers 16:41-45
- Abraham asks for Lot and gets Zoar Genesis 19
- Standing in the Gap Ezekiel 22:30, Ezekiel 13:5

30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

Not everyone has someone praying for them. Seriously. You may encounter someone in some strange or seemingly awful way, and it’s because no one else is praying for them, and God wants you to do it!!
1. Not everyone is empowered to pray. Not everyone has a voice that can be lifted. Not everyone realizes they are sick or hurting.
1. Slaves vs Children
  1. A person who is unsaved is still a slave to sin, and is in need of deliverance. Pray for deliverance.
  1. A person who is saved is a child of God and no longer needs deliverance. Pray for victory, the power to overcome.
  1. If they are straddling the fence, saved but still acting unsaved, pray for both.
  1. Joshua and the Ephraimites Joshua 17:14-18 Now go climb that hill, cut down some trees, and slay you some giants.
1. I thank Jesus upon every remembrance of you Phillipians 1:3
  1. Pray for those who interceded for you.
  1. Pray for those who interceded for your family and your needs.
  1. Pray for those who are on the front lines of the harvest.

Corporate Prayer
- Where 2 or more are gathered…your family devotion time is corporate prayer. Matt 18:20
- Praying into the Will
  - God will not contradict His own word, which is forever established in Heaven. Psalms 119:89
  - What breaks His heart?
- Praying in public vs Leading a prayer

Matt 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Public Prayers
1. Moses and the snakes Numbers 21:7-9
1. Samuel and the ark 1 Samuel 7:5-6
1. Elijah and the priests of Baal 1 Kings 18:37
1. Leading a Prayer
  1. Joshua after the defeat at Ai Joshua 7:6-10
  1. David at Ziklag 1 Samuel 30:6-8
  1. Solomon at the temple dedication I Kings 8:12-62 speaking to both God and the men at the temple.
1. Being In Agreement and in One Accord Matt 18:20, Acts 2:1
  1. Acts 2
  1. Acts 4
  1. Pretty much all of ACTS.
1. Structure the prayer – A structured prayer keeps everyone in agreement and in one accord.
  1. Tabernacle paradigm
    1. Enter the Gates with Thanksgiving and the Courts with Praise. Magnify the Lord and let the universe know who you are praying to!
    1. The Altar – Jesus already paid the price, but here is where you leave your sins.
    1. The Laver – Here is where you look into the mirror of the word and see yourself, and then WASH YOUR FACE. Here is where you see what you have done, and WASH YOUR HANDS. Here is where you ask Jesus to WASH YOUR FEET that you would have a part with Him. Again, if you are repenting of the same sin over and over again, you need to be cleansed of it, sanctified from it, separated from it, let the washing of the word regenerate you.
    1. Holy Place – Make sure you are clean before you enter. Don’t just run into the throne room, prepare yourself, Esther!
    1. Candlestick – Jesus is the light, and the oil will never run out. Pray for that fresh oil and anointing. Pray for illumination and revelation. Pray in the SPIRIT. Use the tongues that God gave you!
    1. Table of Shewbread. Jesus is the bread of life. Eat that Word! and pray for the tables who carry it (pastors, evangelists, etc.)
    1. The Altar of Incense. Let our prayers come up as a sweet smelling fragrance before the Lord. Intercede. Travail. Let your petitions be known. Believe they are heard and already answered.
    1. The Holy of Holies. Be still and Know that He is God. When you are here, be prepared to listen more than you speak. Worship Him in the beauty of Holiness. Repent of yourself, and do not glorify anything but Him. If you have no words, that’s fine, just worship. You are in the presence of greatness, act accordingly. He is good.
  1. Isaiah 9/5 Pillars Prayer (GA Mangun)

Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Wheel of prayer – UPCI How to structure an hour’s worth of prayer.
- Vain repetitions (of which there should be none) Matt 6:7
  - if you start praising God and you are just repeating it and not meaning it from your heart, there is a problem.
  - The gifts of God are without repentance, and God still gave water to Israel even though Moses disobeyed and hit the rock. However, Moses paid a price for it. There is a responsibility when you are a leader. Numbers 20
- ALWAYS allow for spontaneity, and for a move of the Holy Ghost.
- Remember, Jesus is in the MIDST, not on the left or the right Matt 18:20. So don’t become so rigid in your structure that you can’t get out of it, but also don’t become so loose that chaos ensues. Right and in order.
- Corporate fasting
  - Esther 4:16
  - Jehoshaphat II Chronicles 20:1-29 This is a powerful example of a corporate fast and prayer, with structured prayer, everyone in agreement and one accord, a powerful move of a sovereign God, and worship and thanksgiving at the end, and then a mighty deliverance of God showing Himself in demonstration that His Word Shall Not Return Void.

Final thoughts
- Use the NAME! John 14:13-14, John 16:23-26
  - We are UNDER authority (Centurion Matt 8:9), and when we say go, they go, and when we say stay, they stay, but it is not inherent in ourselves, lest we glory in it, for NO FLESH shall glory in His presence! 1 Cor 1:29
  - Be submitted to authority, for the power and the authority of God can be found in the humility of SUBMISSION. James 4:7
- Pray the WORD!
  - His WORD is forever settled in heaven. Psalms 119:89
  - All means all. Matt 28:18
  - His WORD will not return void. Isaiah 55:11
  - Don’t just recite the Word, PRAY IT. We are not heard by much speaking Matt 6:7
- We have no good works Psalms 16:2
- The power is not in the prayer, it is in The One who answers it

Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

be very careful that you do not develop this: “Well, of course that happened, I prayed for you.”
1. All Glory be to the LORD! He is the one who answered the prayer! Who are you praying to, anyway! If you think it’s happening because of you, check yourself and look back at what you came out of, and then
1. Recognize the anointing and where it came from! All Glory be to the LORD!
1. So why bother praying?
  1. RELATIONSHIP. Aligning our will with God’s will that HIS will might be done. For the sake of talking to each other. Intimacy. It’s not a list of I-wants, it’s a relationship!!!! DO YOU TALK TO YOUR SPOUSE????
  1. Because faith without action is dead. James 2:17-18 The action of prayer completes the faith in God to answer.
  1. It’s also an act of humility and submission. We need Him. Period. Don’t you get mad when people expect you to do things for them but don’t ask you directly to do them? And then get mad because you didn’t do what they didn’t ask you to do?
  1. 2 Corinthians 1:11 “Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.” The more people who are praying, the more people who get to say thank you and glorify God, which glorifies God. God will be glorified, no flesh will glory in His presence.