“Don’t be dejected and sad for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” Recently some of our intercessors have been focusing on the power of celebration and rejoicing. The familiar image of the Holy Spirit as a fountain of living water springing up from within has also been given in prayer. In these days where there is a real “shaking of the nations”, we believe we are called to rise up and rejoice in the Lord who will deliver us!

Two words given to intercessors have a similar message: King David danced with all his might…After long years of fleeing from Saul, while at the same time fighting and defeating Israel’s enemies, David was finally acknowledged as Israel’s king, and he brought up the Ark of the Covenant, where God’s holy presence lived, into Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 6v14-15:David danced before the ark with all his might…David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and the sound of the horn. David’s celebration was a way of inviting God’s blessing on his people.

Nehemiah. When Nehemiah and the exiles returned to rebuild the ruined walls of Jerusalem, they faced hardship and continual violent opposition but finally the walls were completed. Then they gathered, read the Law of Moses and were told: “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” (Nehemiah 8v10) A new feast of the Jews was inaugurated and again there was a sense of God making his home among them.

We feel called to be continually praying and rejoicing in the Lord, so let us rejoice and be glad, allowing no room for despair or fear.