Praise God for a Church and country who support Israel. A few months after I was saved, a brother invited me to the monthly prayer meeting. He said, “We fast three days and have a prayer meeting on Wednesday evening. Would you like to come?” I thought that was a good idea! I fasted three days, water no food, and went to the prayer meeting.
As I went in the door I could sense the presence of God. It was tangible. Most of the members attended the prayer meeting, maybe seven hundred people. Inside the church people were chatting and the atmosphere was exciting. We knew something was going to happen. From experience we knew New Zealand would change. The previous Sunday, Pastor announced what we would pray for. It was always something of national importance.
The prayer meeting I remember most vividly was when we prayed for the 1975 elections. God had spoken to Ps. Neville that it was very important for New Zealand’s future, that the government is favourable towards Israel. Unfortunately the odds were heavily stacked against the Party favourable towards Israel, the National Party. From memory, about 70% of New Zealanders were going to vote for the opposition.
It was going to be a huge challenge!
When the worship began we moved the chairs aside so we could walk and pray. As Bruce McGrail led worship we were lifted up into the heavenlies. Our spirits were filled with joy and the presence of God was powerful. For the next hour we would worship, going higher and higher in the spirit.
For the next two hours we would pray, mostly in tounges but always on the topic announced. We began praying and declaring the National Party would win the elections. It was a hard battle, there seemed to be resistance to our prayers but we pressed on, praying in tounges and in word.
Sometimes the Prophets would confirm the direction we were praying or announce a new direction, but always in harmony with the main topic. It was exciting knowing we were in God’s will, battling for the nation. At times the noise was deafening. The worship was loud, the prayers were louder. We were praying and worshiping, praying and worshiping. One time I looked up at the roof wondering if it would fly off!
We kept praying until Ps. Neville or the Prophets announced, “The prayer has been heard, the answer is on the way”. We went home rejoicing, knowing that the prayer would be answered.
The election date drew closer. The polls said the opposition Labour Party would win by a large margin. We were strong in faith, knowing what God had promised he would bring to pass. The polls closed three days before the elections, still reporting a large majority for the Labour Party. I kept declaring National would win as I am sure many others did.
What a test!
Then the election results began to come out. It was neck and neck for quite some time then National drew ahead. In the end National won with a large majority. Over those three days, a large number of New Zealanders changed their mind! We now had a government who was supportive of Israel. Interceding like this was an amazing experience, seeing with our own eyes God move on the hearts of a nation.
How many people pray until God answers? We have seen very few people pray like this and so many prayers are not answered. Jesus taught the disciples this truth, Ask, Seek, Knock, Matthew 7:7. It’s simple, yet powerful!
It takes time and perseverance. It is hard work but when we think of the suffering around us, our short period of hardship is nothing compared to other people’s suffering. I grew up in this environment, where month after month I saw the power of intercession change New Zealand. This experience sowed the seeds of faith and intercession which continued to grow over the next fifty years.
God Bless
Love Tim & Faith
