Overwhelming Power When the financial requirements completely overtake all resources; When there are no known solutions to a physical condition; When all hope is lost in restoring a broken relationship; When the career that has been given years of hard work to develop and grow no longer has any relevance. What seems to be overwhelming beyond any visible answer may be many things other than a military invasion and yet seem to be just as personally devastating. It is from these most overwhelming of circumstances, though, that the greatest triumphs can be known. It is the response to the condition that determines its ultimate outcome. Instead of just accepting what appears to be obvious defeat, a reciprocating force can rise to totally overwhelm the very thing that would overwhelm. This requires, though, complete refusal of victimhood or condemnation and undaunted determination to totally crush and destroy the source of that threat. This is what is given us in Christ. He has totally defeated the enemy of our life and given us overwhelming abundance to dramatically reverse the condition. He establishes within us a secure identity of righteousness, joins us to a body for much needed supply/fellowship, fills us with the power of His Spirit, and opens a channel of communication for conveying and receiving dialogue with Him who is our wisdom, counsel, and overwhelming Champion. The development of this communication is critical for both conditioning of faith in preparation and for fervency in the time of need. Communication with the Provider, Healer, and Deliverer will transform the scene of discouragement and desperation into one of joyous celebration over a devastated enemy. Prayer will certainly be the continual status of those who will be a part of the overwhelming God response to the overwhelmed. Notes God response to the overwhelmed – Overwhelming force Isaiah 59:19 (NLT) 19 In the west, people will respect the name of the LORD; in the east, they will glorify him. For he will come like a raging flood tide driven by the breath of the LORD.John From the very beginnings of military warfare communication often holds the keys to victory. Communicating with your allies while knowing where your enemies are is one of the most crucial parts in war. After all, in military ranks the common saying is that, “knowing is half the battle." Military communication has evolved throughout the ages from flaming arrows, drum beats, smoke signals, messenger pigeons, to modern satellite enabled communication devices. Emily Goldman Strategic communication is a vital activity for supporting our military operations and national interest. Information can affect attitudes, and ultimately behavior. It is one of the most important tools we have to shape the battlefield months and years in advance. It is indispensable now for fighting adversaries who employ non-traditional and asymmetric means. It can be effective in shaping memories of the past as well as planning for the future. Communication can be a strategic weapon of mass influence to assure allies and dissuade and deter adversaries. It can give non-state actors state-like power to affect world events. Our adversaries are using communication and information very adeptly to do just that. 5 P’s – Purity | Partnership | Power | Prayer | Proclamation When God overwhelms – by prayer Mark 9:17-29 (NKJV) 29 So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” Prayer: Fellowship – Conversation/mutual praise/identity/encouragement Influence – petitions/supplications/intercession/thanks Fellowship Hanging out all night expressing thoughts that bind and secure Psalms 63:5-6 (NKJV) 5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. 6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Directed communication first thing Psalms 5:2-3 (NKJV) 2 Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray. 3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up. Absorbed thoughts, ways, identity Psalms 1:1-2 (NKJV) 1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. The five people closest to you determine the level of your success. Maxwell - You see, every leader’s potential is determined by the people closest to him. If those people are strong, then the leader can make a huge impact. If they are weak, then he can’t. That’s the Law of the Inner Circle. Hanging out all night – prep for an overwhelming gathering Luke 6:12-13 (NKJV) 12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: Release of spirit to Spirit 1 Corinthians 14:14-15 (NKJV) 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. Built up Jude 1:20 (NKJV) 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, Kept by the Spirit in prayer Matthew 26:41 (NKJV) 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Influence When overwhelmed – bold access of grace Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV) 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Applied power in prayer James 5:14-18 (NKJV) 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. God’s will by the spirit Romans 8:26-27 (NKJV) 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. From overwhelmed to overwhelming Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Walking in the will of God – stepping on the oppressor. Romans 16:20 (NKJV) 20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Overview: God responds overwhelmingly through the overwhelmed. Communication is critical for an overwhelming response. Effective prayer – for fellowship and influence. In fellowship there is established identity, bonded hearts, built-up faith. Prayer applies the power of grace to areas of need. In prayer the anxiety of the overwhelmed is taken over by the peace of the overwhelmer. Prayer: “I am so amazed and fascinated by the access I’ve been given to Your very presence and the ability I have by the blood to draw near to Your side in fellowship. Help me to remain here in this place of grace. As You are my meditation and desire, help my prayers to be effective in showing Your glory to a world in need of Your overwhelming power.” Declarations: I have been taken out of darkness into this marvelous light where I can communicate spirit to Spirit with the Almighty God. All of the secrets, desires, hopes and dreams of my heart can be shared with the One who cares more about them than I know. Because of His grace I am free to come to the Father even if I’ve fallen, where I’m accepted, forgiven, understood and heard in the cries of my heart. I am empowered as I communicate with Him to rise in identity, knowing who I’ve been made to be in Christ. I continually draw near to the throne of grace where all my cares and anxieties are transformed from overwhelming to overcoming. As I remain in communion with my Father, my heart is kept in peace while He crushes my enemy beneath my feet.