Father God, as I quietly lay upon my bed
my thoughts turn towards You.
I am thankful that You are in my life.
I love being able to talk to You.
I love to quietly listen and wait
for You to reveal more of Yourself to me.
Each day gives me another glimpse
of Your glory; of Your love;
of Your faithfulness.
Thank You, LORD.
With love from Your daughter,
Tina
As I was washing a load of clothes, I walked past my laundry basket that I use for dirty towels. And there perched motionless on a towel was a baby praying mantis!
As I continued watching, it slowly started moving. I transported it gently outside where it needs to be for life!!
As I was thinking about it later, I started feeling that there was a prophetic meaning to this. However, I didn’t really seek the Lord about it immediately. I usually am not slow in putting to paper what I feel the Lord is saying through a circumstance in my life. The Lord used a dear friend to give me a little push through a comment he made!
As I began praying about this, I felt led to look up some facts about this insect. And as I began to look up the characteristics…I began to get revelation of what I believe the Lord is saying to His Church.
What I saw was definitely a baby. I believe we are in the beginning of a new season of prophetic intercession. We will begin to see a new level of intercession beginning to spread throughout the body of Christ. I sensed the “baby” was referring to the beginnings of this happening…not that it was immature. On the contrary – it will be stronger, more intense, and definitely will grow quickly!
The praying mantis was sitting on top of a pile of dirty towels. These towels were getting ready to be cleaned and washed. In John 13:4-5, Jesus humbly prepared Himself for ministry (washing the disciples feet) by wrapping a towel around Himself. As He washed His disciples’ feet, He dried them with the towel. I believe we are being called to look at our “towels”…what we are “clothed in” for ministry…and see if it needs to be cleansed! And we are to make sure we are ready to humbly get on our knees for the sake of others!
One characteristic of the praying mantis is that it is aggressive in getting what it needs. I believe in this new season of intercession, we will move from being predominantly reactive to situations seen – to a position of being proactive in moving in intercession to stop those things from happening that the Lord shows us. I use the word “aggressive” here not in a negative sense, but in the sense of being assertive, bold, and energetic. (American Heritage Dictionary)
These insects can turn their heads 180 degrees to scan their surroundings with two large compound eyes and three other simple eyes located between them. I believe the five eyes symbolizes the five-fold ministry of the Church. As the Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers come together in unity…the Lord will use each of the ministries to work together to bring about His Vision for His body. They will be able to “see” with greater clarity what is coming and be able to work together to prepare the Church…through declaration, decree, teaching, and prophetic intercession.
Praying Mantis are well camouflaged on the plants among which they live. We, as prophetic intercessors, will be able to move within the communities and cities in which we live under the covering of Almighty God! I believe we will not be “camouflaged” in the sense of not being seen by others…but in the sense of not being seen by the enemy of our souls – Satan. We will have supernatural protection to move in power and authority in the kingdom of God. Hallelujah!!
Finally, it was interesting when I came across the meaning of Mantis in the Greek. It means prophet or seer!! Praying Prophet!! I like that!
So, dear Brothers and Sisters, I know this is a lot – it really ended up being more than I was anticipating. But, I have written down what I believe the Lord is saying. And, as usual, I encourage you to not just accept everything that I have placed before you…but to seek God’s confirmation on the truth of it. Blessed be the name of the Lord!!
Lord, may we passionately pursue You and Your will in our lives! May we be ready and willing to do those things that we see as too big for us to do and not take the “safe” path because we have fear of failure. YOU are our success and our victory!!
Lord, help us to turn from lukewarmness in our lives and in the life of our Churches and kindle a Fire within us that cannot be put out by those things going on around us!
Lord, help us to join together as Your glorious and mighty Church and may we achieve great things in Your Kingdom for Your glory!! In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!
“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.” (Theodore Roosevelt)
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 3:15,16, 22 NIV)
It is an extreme honor to be recognized for something that you have put your heart and time into.
And I received this honor when I was recognized as Teacher of the Year by Westside Elementary School and then was also awarded the Ruth I. Shuler 2001-2002 Teaching Excellence Award by the Baker County School District.
To be honored for my teaching by my school and then by my school district…and then having the opportunity to compete with other teachers in the State of Florida for state recognition…could there be a greater honor than this?
And then when I retired in June 2011, I discovered there was a greater honor! I was completely overwhelmed as the School Superintendent presented me with a beautiful plaque recognizing my ministry in prayer during my years of teaching.
As with all public schools, we were not allowed to have prayer as a part of our school day. Prayer in schools was done away with years ago. But, when you are a vessel of the Living God, you are a vessel of prayer – that cannot be taken away by man.
I had the opportunity to pray for our county schools, for our teachers, and for our students with other committed Christians during each school year. But, even more precious was the opportunity to pray with teachers I worked with and to walk through their joys and sorrows with them; having the opportunity to pray with mothers during parent conferences; and being able to pray over my classroom and over each child’s desk.
I have a precious memory of a little 6 year old girl holding my hand and looking up at me with big trusting eyes as we were walking and saying, “Mrs. Roach, would you pray for my daddy? He is trying to find a job.” Was she told by a parent to ask me or did she just reach out to me on her own? I don’t know – but I prayed with her as we were walking – such a tender, precious moment.
Yes, being recognized for my teaching was a great honor. But, being recognized for my ministry in prayer was an even greater honor.
Whatever your career, job, or calling…remember prayer is an important, necessary part in fulfilling your life’s work. And prayer is necessary in living a fulfilling life!
Lord, I am thankful for the honor bestowed upon me by my friends and peers. But, nothing can compare to the blessing of walking in Your will. No honor can compare to being able to bring YOU glory and honor! My hope is to one day stand before You and hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Now THAT is the ultimate honor!!! I love You, Lord…
I believe we, as the body of Christ, are entering a time when it is absolutely necessary to walk out our faith! What do we believe? And if we believe – do we EXPECT to SEE what we believe?
For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7). Our faith is not based upon what we see…but what we see should be a manifestation of our faith!
We must SPEAK our faith…declare what the Lord declared in His word! Declare and decree the TRUTH that He spoke – His Truth is unchanging and timeless.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1). Are we walking in ASSURANCE and CONFIDENCE?
What has the Lord placed within your heart and spirit concerning His desire for you? What is His desire for your family, your ministry, your church, your community, your city, your state, your country, and for the world? May we align ourselves with HIS desire and will! And may we PRAY His will; SPEAK His will; and ACT upon His will!
Are we waiting upon Him to answer our prayers? Well, He is waiting upon us to be a part of the answer He is releasing!
And what is our part? We are to represent Him upon this earth – to be His hands, feet, and VOICE! Are we ready? Do we have the confidence and boldness to go forward in the power of the Holy Spirit and BE the body of Christ we are called to be?
We can only represent Him to the extent that we KNOW Him! Do you KNOW the King of kings and Lord of lords — not just know ABOUT Him — but know Him personally?
It is time to DRAW NEAR beloved! He is waiting…
Reflection of Glory! 