August 2013
 Dana Palmer is part of the XP Ministries team and a mighty intercessor who moves in the prophetic. This month’s prayer directives center around transition and how to move through the sometimes difficult process of change where you find it hard to “trust and adjust”. Join Dana in praying decrees that will move us through transition.
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tran·si·tion
/tran-zi-SHәn/
Noun
The process or period of changing from one state or condition to another.
Verb
Undergo or cause to undergo a process or period of transition.
Synonyms
Passage – change – crossing – transit
Exodus 12:31, 37 (NLT)
Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron during the night. “Get out!” he ordered. “Leave my people – and take the rest of the Israelites with you! Go and worship the Lord as you have requested.”
That night the people of Israel left Rameses and started for Succoth. There were about 600,000 men, plus all the women and children.
Have you heard it? Transition, the official “buzz word” of the hour! It seems like you can’t go anywhere these days without hearing about transition or seeing the effects around you. Just in the last four months I have witnessed numerous changes in marital status (including my own!) and names (by which people are returning to their first or full names), changes in jobs and ministry positions, opportunities opening up, and a great deal of physical relocations!
Now, I have been known in the past to have what I call a “kicking problem.” This can be best described as the process by which the Lord has asked me to undergo a process or period of transition – and I initially refuse, or for better terms – I “kick” against Him. It has been my experience that this can be done either knowingly (I do not recommend) or done unknowingly – in which case, my loving Father is quick to correct in His infinite love for me. Either way, “kicking” is of no benefit.
Isaiah 45:9
“Does a clay pot argue with its Maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’”
Let’s take Pharaoh, for example. It was clear when Moses came to him requesting that the Israelites be “let go” in the name of the Lord – Pharaoh clearly refused (Exodus 5:2). In fact, I would be as bold as to say that Pharaoh had a HUGE kicking problem. Now, I am not suggesting that you or I are on the level of disobedience that Pharaoh was. However, I am suggesting that in times of transitions it is imperative to know to whom our will is submitted – God or self?
You see, truth be told, often times if we’re not the ones in control of the change imposed upon us, we find it hard to “trust and adjust.” So, when I am having difficulty inside the adjustment process, I have found comfort in meditating on the above mentioned Scriptures (Exodus 12:31, 37 NLT). I remind myself of all the plagues that Pharaoh subjected himself to before he finally surrendered to God. On the other hand, I find great comfort in knowing that if 600,000 men with their families trusted God to transition them from the only life they ever knew, how much more can we?
Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
“For I know the plans I have for you [through this time of transition],” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Once you find yourself in the beginning stages of change, mid-way through or even on the tail end of your own personal transition, I want to encourage you with the second chapter of Philippians. This passage of Scripture is what I believe to be a beautiful blueprint given by God Himself to direct and navigate you with others all along the way. How do you measure up to God’s standard during your transition?
Philippians 2:1-5 (NLT)
Y or N: Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ?
Y or N: Any fellowship together in the Spirit?
Y or N: Is your heart tender and compassionate?
Y or N: Are you able to agree wholeheartedly with each other?
Y or N: Are you loving one another?
Y or N: Are you working together with one mind and purpose?
Y or N: Is your behavior selfish?
Y or N: Are you trying to impress others?
Y or N: Are you humbling yourself, thinking of others as better than yourself?
Y or N: Are you looking out for only your own interests?
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Prayers for CSA/XP Ministries and the Body of Christ
We decree that through seasons of transition…
- We will trust in the Lord with all our hearts and we will not lean on our own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
- We will be strong and courageous. We will not become frightened or dismayed for we know the Lord our God will be with us wherever we go. Joshua 1:9
- We know and declare this confidence in Him – that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us! 1 John 5:14
- We will not become anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving we will let our requests be made known to You. And the peace of God that surpasses all our understanding will guard our hearts and minds inside of Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
- We will look to the One who is able to do far more abundantly than we ask or think, according to the power that works within us! And to Him we will give the glory! Ephesians 3:20-21
- We will allow the God of hope to fill us with joy and peace so that the power of the Holy Spirit will abound in this season! Romans 15:13
- Oh God, we trust in You! You will not let us be put to shame or allow our enemies to exult over us! Psalm 25:2
- Wedeclare that in transition we are made competent, equipped for every good work! 2 Timothy 3:17
- We can say with confidence, the Lord is our Helper; we will not be afraid. What can man do to us? Hebrews 13:6
- The Lord is always with us – He holds us with His righteous right hand! Psalm 73:23
(Scriptures are ESV translation)
