John Eckhardt - Prayers that release heaven on earth

HAIL TO THE LORD'S ANOINTED

1. Hail to the Lord's Anointed,

Great David's greater Son!

Hail, in the time appointed,

His reign on Earth begun!

He comes to break oppression, To set the captive free,

To take away transgression, And rule in equity.

2. He comes with succor speedy To those who suffer wrong; To help the poor and needy, And bid the weak be strong; To give them songs for sighing; Their darkness turn to light, Whose souls, condemned and dying, Were precious in His sight.

3. He shall come down like showers Upon the fruitful earth; And love, joy, hope, like flowers, Spring in His path to birth. Before Him on the mountains

Shall peace, the herald, go; And righteousness, in fountains, From hill to valley flow.

4. Arabia's desert ranger To Him shall bow the knee; The Ethiopian stranger His glory come to see; With offerings of devotion Ships from the isles shall meet, To pour the wealth of ocean In tribute at His feet.

5. For Him shall prayer unceasing And daily vows ascend; His kingdom still increasing, A kingdom without end. The tide of time shall never His covenant remove; His name shall stand forever; That name to us is Love.

6. The heav'ns which now conceal Him,

In counsels deep and wise,

In glory shall reveal Him To our rejoicing eyes;

He who, with hands uplifted,

When from the earth below, Shall come again all gifted, His blessings to bestow.

7. Kings shall fall down before Him,

And gold and incense bring,

All nations shall adore Him,

His praise the people sing.

Outstretched His wide dominion,

O'er river, sea and shore,

Far as eagle's pinion,

Or dove's light wing can soar.

8. O'er every foe victorious, He on His throne shall rest; From age to age more glorious, All-blessing and all-blest. The tide of time shall never His covenant remove; His name shall stand for ever, His changeless name of Love.

James Montgomery

Contents

SECTION 1 - Understanding Gods Plan

SECTION 2 - Prayers And Decrees

Introduction

GOD HAS A marvelous plan for His church, a plan that will help release heaven on the earth. The prophets predicted a time when salvation, righteousness, peace, joy, rejoicing, and redemption will come to Israel and the world. Jerusalem (Zion) will be restored and once again become the dwelling place of God. The heathen (nations) will come to the God of Israel and worship. It will be a time of the establishing of an everlasting covenant (new covenant). God's plans are for a time when old things (former things) pass away and new things spring forth. There will be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the release of living waters from Jerusalem, which will flow to the nations.

It is time for God's people to get on board with God's plan and to diligently prayand workto see the ful fillm ent , of God's plan for His church.

God has given us a clear mandate for what we should be doing. He says:

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

I have written this book for you to understand thoroughly that God's plan is to establish and advance His kingdom. As you read, may your heart be stirred with a longing for the fulfillment of God's plan to release heaven on the earth. Be filled with hope for an earth filled with His righteousness. See how God's plan is unveiled in the pages of the Gospels. Get excited to challenge yourself to diligently pray for God's plan God's kingdom, heavento be released on Earth now.

In Section II of this book you will find hundreds of prayers and decrees that will help you to keep your mind and heart focused on the plan of God.

Use the words of Isaiah as your call to others: "Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this" (Isa. 9:7).

Chapter 1

God's Plan For A Kingdom

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF the kingdom of God included the restoration of the tabernacle of David (Acts 15) with the coming of the Gentiles into the church. The righteous will flourish, and the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord. God plans to accomplish all of this through the Messiah-King, His Son, Jesus Christ.

During Bible times, the prophets saw the coming kingdom as a time of great joy and rejoicing. They prophesied that everlasting joy would be upon the head of the righteous, and they would obtain gladness and joy (Isa. 35:10; 51:11). Zion would be the joy of many generations (Isa. 60:15). Those who believe the gospel would receive the oil of joy (Isa. 61:1-3), and they would receive everlasting joy (v. 7).

The Lord would cause rejoicing to fill Jerusalem and to fill her people with joy (Isa. 65:19). This indicates new-covenant Jerusalem, the church (Heb. 12:22). The nations would be glad and sing for joy because of the rule of Messiah (Ps. 67:4). Mount Zion (the church) rejoices (Ps. 48:11).

Israel had never experienced earthly peace for any extended period of time. The peace they desire would come only through Messiah, and it would be spiritual. The peace they needed was hidden from their eyes, and it was prophesied that they would experience a Roman invasion (Luke 19:41-44). They were looking for an earthly peace and missed the spiritual peace that comes through Christ. Peace is the Hebrew word shalom, meaning "prosperity, health, wholeness."

Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6). The increase of His government and peace will have no end (v. 7). The gospel is called the gospel of peace (Rom. 10:15). Fulfillment of the kingdom of God began to come to the nations because of the preaching of the gospel. Today the preaching of the gospel is still taking place, and as believers we can usher in God's kingdom plan through our prayers. Those who preach the gospel publish peace, which is part of the plan of God for His kingdom (Isa. 52:7; Nah. 1:15). The new covenant is the covenant of peace (Isa. 54:10; Ezek. 34:25; 37:26), and the prayers of believers fulfill the plan of God and expand the peace of God.

The prophets spoke of the coming kingdom in terms of peace. The King would bring peace to the people (Ps. 72:3), and the righteous would have an abundance of peace (v. 7). The Lord would ordain peace for His people (Isa. 26:12). The work of righteousness would be peace (Isa. 32:17). The kingdom of peace would come through the suffering of the Messiah. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him (Isa. 53:5). We are led forth with peace (Isa. 55:12). God would extend peace like a river (Isa. 66:12). He would speak peace to the heathen (Zech. 9:10).

It is God's plan that righteousness would reign in His kingdom. The Old Testament is filled with references to the righteousness of the kingdom. In the New Testament, we learn that we are made the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). He is our righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30). Israel could not attain righteousness through the Law. Righteousness comes through faith and the new covenant. Today, as believers in Christ and His righteousness, we are living in the kingdom. The Christianthe new manis created in righteousness and true holiness (Eph. 4:24). Yet we have not yet experienced a world filled with peace and righteousness. As we pray these prayers, we can expect righteousness, peace, and joy to increase from generation to generation.