Copyright 2011 Theresa Harvard Johnson (Based on Director’s Call VOC Leaders)
Genesis 1:26-26 CJB, “Then God said, Let us make humankind in our image, in the likeness of ourselves; and let them rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the animals, and over all the earth, and over every crawling creature that crawls on the earth.” 27 So God created humankind in his own image; in the image of God he created him: male and female he created them.“
Last night on the VOC directors call, we were discussing the areas of intercession Father is placing upon our hearts in varying cities and regions. One area that we touched upon was the need for healing among the body among the races. This morning as I prayed with my prayer partners (who had NO IDEA that this discussion/prayer focus came up within VOC last night), had a burden to pray for racial healing in the midst of our relationships and congregations.
As we prayed, the Lord began to prophesy this: “A wave of healing is about to run through the congregations here in the United States. Congregations will begin to acknowledge generational sins of racism; confess their sins; ask for forgiveness and be healed.” When we begin to do this, we will receive the freedom as the healing of memories from past hurts from actual or perceived wrongs are placed at the foot of the cross, FORGIVEN and released.
There are no words to express the push to intercede as Father gave us this intercessory thrust. You see, we’ve been praying for this rising generation — our children, youth and young adults. We’ve been praying for an awakening within our homes, congregations, local community and abroad for months. Let me tell you, Father is doing it! Many are being awakened and many more WILL be awakened.
Father was showing us that we are standing as a company in the midst of an army of intercessors in this nation (and worldwide) who are carrying the same or very similar burdens for our nation and our congregations. IN ORDER TO BE EFFECTIVE ministers of the Gospel to this population of young people, the deep rooted sin of racism must be pierced and destroyed. WHY? Because this rising generation will be made of the BEAUTY of humankind — every race, both genders, varying cultural and educational backgrounds, etc. The people of God can’t afford to have ANY hindrances in their lives to ministering to them! In addition, there’s healing that needs to take place among the more MATURE among us as well as those who have suffered at the hands of racism’s hatred.
He even showed us that varying congregations — some of them very small — would begin ripple effects in the realm of the spirit as they walk out the plans He will reveal for healing. As a result, a remnant of hardened hearts will be snatched from the strongholds of hell. SURELY, Father desires that no man perish!
The root of racism has very little to do with “race, religion, ethnicity, gender, etc.” and all the other things that bring the separation in the eyes of God. From a completely spiritual perspective, it is an issue of “hatred” and a root of bitterness. It is a DIRECT assault on the LOVE of God. As spiritual beings, we must begin to see healing in this area FROM THIS perspective — the sin of hatred.
Genesis 1 clearly establishes that all humankind was made in the image of God. Regardless of the type of racism, this simple truth remains key. Father is seeking to heal THE BODY right now in this area because when WE GET FREE, we can set the world free.
There are so many directions intellect could take with this, but the only truths we need to really understand are these:
1. Hatred is not of God;
2. All humankind was created in the image of God;
3. God is Love; and
4. No man with HATRED in His heart will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Galatians 3:26-29 CJB says, “26 For in union with the Messiah, you are all children of God through this trusting faithfulness; 27 because as many of you as were immersed into the Messiah have clothed yourselves with the Messiah, in whom 28 there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor freeman, neither male nor female; for in union with the Messiah Yeshua, you are all one. 29 Also, if you belong to the Messiah, you are seed of Avraham and heirs according to the promise.”
1 John 2:9-11 CJB says, “9 Anyone who claims to be in this light while hating his brother is still in the dark. 10 The person who keeps loving his brother remains in the light, and there is nothing in him that could make him trip. 11 But the person who hates his brother is in the dark – yes, he is walking in the dark, and he doesn’t know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”
Matthew 22:36-40 CJB says, “36 “Rabbi, which of the mitzvot in the Torah is the most important?” 37 He told him, “`You are to love ADONAI your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.’ 38 This is the greatest and most important mitzvah. 39 And a second is similar to it, `You are to love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All of the Torah and the Prophets are dependent on these two mitzvot.”
Many people, even among the congregation, believe healing in this area is impossible. But I tell you, WE SERVE A FATHER WHO IS ABLE TO HEAL THE DEPTHS OF ANY PAIN. I stand, and I know there are others who stand with me, believing that this is going to be one of the next major area of deliverance in the Body of Christ.
I prophesy today, that healing is coming to races…. restoration and reconciliation is about to take place in congregations small and large across the United States…
Embracing Immersion,
Theresa Johnson
Apostle & Founder, Voices of Christ
