About 50 of us piled off the bus, representing prayer
ministries from around the country. No instructions were needed as these prayer
leaders immediately began prayer walking on the public sidewalks around the
building, inviting God to break down the deceptive strongholds, release the
captives to this false religion, and bring a spiritual awakening of Jesus Christ
to those associated with Scientology.
One prayer leader who has prayer walked in dozens of nations believed
this block was the most spiritually dark place he had ever prayed.
Apparently we were created some “disturbances” in the
spiritual realm. Suddenly we noticed security pouring out of the building,
which was a good signal for us that it was time to get back on the bus. As we
were pulling away, the police showed up. I’m not sure what they would have said
to us—stop praying on public sidewalks
because you’re disturbing the spiritual aura of this cult? As we drove
away, we praised God for the opportunity to pray in the name of Jesus for those
who are so lost.
But do these prayer encounters really make a difference?
I’ve prayer walked around the international headquarters of a cult in my own
community for the past seven years. I can see no discernible difference, yet I
know God has called me to do this. Perhaps you are prayer walking around your
own neighborhood, wondering the same thing. Often when we pray “great prayers”
for spiritual awakening in seemingly impossible places, we do so without ever
seeing any kind of impact from our prayers. It's hard to stay faithful.
Two years ago this same group of prayer leaders took a day
to pray throughout Hollywood—at movie studios, along the Walk of Fame, and at
other key sites related to the entertainment industry. As we returned this
year, we heard reports of hopeful changes that pastors and prayer leaders in
Hollywood can see. Is Hollywood radically transformed, as we have prayed? Not
yet. But God does hear our prayers and will answer according His timing. I fully
believe that.
Isaiah 9:2 says, “The people who walk in darkness will see a
great light. Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.” This
is God’s heart—and so when we pray these seemingly impossible prayers over such
dark places, we can be assured we are praying according to His character and
love for the lost.
Keep on creating those “spiritual disturbances” when you
encounter darkness. And if you get the police called on you, well—consider that
an indicator that your prayers are making a difference! “Surely His salvation
is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land” (Ps. 85:9).
