A Prophetic Word for 2011

I have hesitated to
publish this and have pondered carefully how I might word it in order to avoid
contributing to the frenzy of fearmongering that too often passes for the
prophetic word these days. Because I value accuracy in the prophetic I don’t
like to speak until I am fairly certain of what I’m hearing or sensing.

To the point: We,
the United States of America, are headed toward an intense crisis at the
presidential level, the outcome of which will determine the direction of this
country for a number of years to come.

I sense this crisis coming at or before
the beginning of President Obama’s fourth year in office.I am therefore
issuing an intense call to prayer because the prayers of God’s people, together
with the spirit in which we offer them, will shape the aftermath of this crisis
for either good or ill.

It can be a
wonderful and historic turning point for the nation, or it can be the beginning
of the shattering of our country with depths of division beyond any we have
seen since the Civil War. Much depends on what believers choose to do now in
the months we have in which to prepare.

Please note that I
am making no political statements here. I am merely pointing out that a crisis
is coming—whatever form it may take—that it will directly affect our president
and that the outcome of the crisis will be either restorative or destructive
for us as a nation.

In order to be
effective in praying toward and shaping the outcome of this coming crisis, we
must first shed the anger that many of us with a conservative political
orientation seem to allow to so easily overtake us. James 1:20 teaches that
“the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God,” yet I continue to
hear growing choruses of anger and bitterness coming from those who should know
better.

Many of us will have
to learn the meaning of Romans 12:20-21: “But if your enemy is hungry,
feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap
burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with
good.” We must prepare ourselves to be servants, even to those whose
opinions—or sins—offend our sense of what is right.

All of us must plumb
the depths of 1 Timothy 2:1-2 and understand the true heart of Father God in
it, whose nature is love: “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and
prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings
and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in
all godliness and dignity.” No prayer offered in any spirit but His will be
heard in heaven.

Even more
importantly, we must understand the meaning of our true citizenship: “For our
citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the
Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20).

I love my country
and am glad to have been born an American, but I will never allow my love for
my country to become an article of faith. I belong to the kingdom of God.
America is a place on a map. The kingdom of God is an eternal state of being in
which the rule and reign of God are realized. Therein lies my allegiance. When
patriotism becomes an item of faith, hatred is birthed, and people always get
hurt.

We are rushing
toward a nexus in time, a very narrow passage in which even small events and
minor decisions will loom large in their effect. We will need the intervening
hand of God to achieve a good outcome and enter a season of hope.

Saints, pray!
Pray in whatever way the Lord guides you to pray, but above all pray in His
Spirit and with His heart. We can affect the course of history.

I believe it is time
for prophetic people to be held accountable for the fulfillment of their
words—or lack thereof. If I therefore turn out to be wrong on this one, I
commit to publish an apology to the body of Christ.

Editor’s note: This abridged message is taken from a prophetic
word delivered on Dec. 12, 2010, by pastor R. Loren Sandford at his church, New Song Fellowship in Denver. It
is used with permission and was first published in Prophetic Moments, an occasional bulletin
produced by the church. To view the complete version of this prophecy, click here and then open the QuickTime video.

About the author:·R. Loren Sandford is the founder and senior pastor of New Song Fellowship in Denver. He is a songwriter, recording artist and worship leader, as well as the author of several books, including Understanding Prophetic People, The Prophetic Church and his latest, Renewal for the Wounded Warrior, which are available with other resources on the church’s website.