We began our “prophetic prayers” saying: The prophets of old spoke and prayed to help us become aware of ourselves in relation to God and others, and that’s the prophetic prayers we need anew today. Praying scriptured prayers for clarity to see and courage to act in the reality of our Father’s Kingdom come and will being done in our time and place in history.
In conclusion, let the prophetic vision of Isaiah lead us into the gratitude and grace of our part in the world alive, a kingdom come (“Jerusalem & Zion” born anew) because of our Father cares, Jesus reigns, and the Spirit guides.
“Before she went into labor,
she had the baby.
Before the birth pangs hit,
she delivered a son.
Has anyone ever heard of such a thing?
Has anyone seen anything like this?
A country born in a day?
A nation born in a flash?
But Zion was barely in labor
when she had her babies!
Do I open the womb
and not deliver the baby?
Do I, the One who delivers babies,
shut the womb?” Declares the Lord“Rejoice, Jerusalem,
and all who love her, celebrate!
And all you who have shed tears over her,
join in the happy singing.
You newborns can satisfy yourselves
at her nurturing breasts.
Yes, delight yourselves and drink your fill
at her ample bosom.”For this is God’s Message:
“I’ll pour robust well-being into her like a river,
the glory of nations like a river in flood.
You’ll nurse at her breasts,
nestle in her bosom,
and be bounced on her knees.
As a mother comforts her child,
so I’ll comfort you.
You will be comforted in Jerusalem.”You’ll see all this and burst with joy
—you’ll feel ten feet tall—
As it becomes apparent that God is on your side
and against his enemies…God’s Decree…
“I know everything they’ve ever done or thought.
I’m going to come and then gather everyone—all nations, all languages.
They’ll come and see my glory.
I’ll set up a station at the center. I’ll send the survivors of judgment all over the world: Spain and Africa, Turkey and Greece, and the far-off islands that have never heard of me, who know nothing of what I’ve done nor who I am.
I’ll send them out as missionaries to preach my glory among the nations. They’ll return with all your long-lost brothers and sisters from all over the world. They’ll bring them back and offer them in living worship to God…says God.
“For just as the new heavens and new earth
that I am making will stand firm before me”
—God’s Decree—
“So will your children
and your reputation stand firm.
Month after month and week by week,
everyone will come to worship me,” God says.(Isaiah 66:7-23)