As I was seeking the Lord about the approaching 24/7 prayer for this region July 18-25, He directed me to several passages that are to be a theme for our time in His presence. The passages are verses 1-3 of Isaiah 60, 61, and 62. Really, the whole chapters are applicable and help to give context to what the Lord is saying. As Isaiah 60 describes, nations are going to see the brightness of the Lord’s glory because it will be revealed through His people. It is the Lord’s intention to make known what He is like through us. The world needs who God is—they need His wisdom, His insight, His grace, and His favor. The Lord is going to use us in strategic places—at the right place, at the right time, with wisdom from heaven—to effect businesses, families, governments, media, education, arts and entertainment, both here locally and beyond. Isaiah 61 talks about the anointing that will be on God’s people to bring deliverance and freedom. As Jesus proclaimed, we will do the works that He did and even greater ones. Motivated by compassion, God is releasing a greater anointing for healing, miracles, and deliverance from all kinds of bondages in our cities. The world is desperate for those who can bring them Hope and Life. This will come through a people who have been set free themselves and are full of the Holy Spirit and abundant joy. What triggers the release of all these things, as Isaiah 62 expresses, is a people whose hearts relentlessly pursue the Lord and won’t let Him go until heaven touches earth and His glory is released upon the world. “All day and all night they will never keep silent. You who remind the LORD, take no rest for yourselves and give Him no rest until He establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth” (Isa 62: 6,7). This is why a week has been set aside for continual prayer and worship. This why we carve out time and do whatever it takes to seek His face. We love His presence and long for His Kingdom to come here as it is in heaven. We are thrilled that He has chosen to reveal His glory by placing it upon us. We yearn for others to be touched by His kindness and for society to be changed by His goodness. So, oh Lord our God, let Your kingdom come, Your will be done, here as it is in heaven.
—Bruce Stryffeler
Isaiah 60
1Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. 2For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; But the LORD will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you. 3Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Isaiah 61
1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners; 2To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, 3To grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting so they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.
Isaiah 62
1For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not keep quiet, until her righteousness goes forth like brightness, and her salvation like a torch that is burning. 2The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; and you will be called by a new name which the mouth of the LORD will designate. 3You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
