William Penn once said:
"Love is indeed Heaven on Earth; since Heaven above would not be Heaven without it: For where there is not Love; there is Fear: But perfect Love casts out Fear. Love is above all; and when it prevails in us all, we shall all be Lovely, and Love with God and one with another.”
We believe that as God reveals more of Himself, He is bringing to His Body a revelation of Love that is greater than we have ever known and that one testimony of that will be the restoration of Philadelphia as the City of Brotherly Love.
Our desire is to cooperate with God in both prayer and action, so that His covenants with Philadelphia and the nation are restored. The following declarations and scriptures are being provided so that you may join us in this process.
Re-digging the Wells of Revival
In recent years, prophetic voices have been hearing the Lord say “Re-dig the wells and dig them deeper”. What does the Lord mean by this?
Gen 26:18 He reopened the wells his father had dug, which the Philistines had filled in after Abraham's death. Isaac also restored the names Abraham had given them.
Gen 26:32 That very day Isaac's servants came and told him about a new well they had dug. "We've found water!" they exclaimed.
Genesis 26 tells how Isaac re-dug the wells of his father, Abraham. The chapter begins with a famine in the land. Like his father before him, Isaac prepared to move his flock and his people to a location where they could survive and thrive. Along the way, God directed him to change course and when he did, he prospered. With the increase of his heard, he needed to find new sources of water and looked to the wells that had been dug by his father. When the first two were cleared of the earth and stone with which the Philistines had filled them, strife arose and the wells were abandoned. Over the third well, however, there was no strife. Isaac declared: "At last the LORD has created enough space for us to prosper in this land." And he named the well Rehoboth, meaning “spacious or broad place”.
When we re-dig the ancient wells, we are recognizing the water of life that flowed from them. We are honoring the spiritual strength that they represent.
By digging even deeper, we are releasing a flow of the spirit that will sustain us in the coming move of God.
Establish the Highway of Holiness
Re-digging the wells is part of the process of establishing the Highway of Holiness. In both, the rubble and debris that has obstructed the way is removed. As we re-dig the wells and pray to restore the highway of holiness, we are preparing the way for the King and returning the kingdoms to Christ so that God's eternal purposes are fulfilled.
Consider . . .
“And a great road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named the Highway of Holiness. Evil-minded people will never travel on it. It will be only for those who walk in God's ways; fools will never walk there.” Isaiah 35: 8
and“Go through, go to the gates: prepare ye the way of the people; cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.” Isaiah 62: 10During Bible times, great preparation was made to welcome the king where ever he went. One practice was to send laborers out to prepare the way for the chariots that would carry the king and his people. Ruts were filled and stones removed so the pathway would be smooth.
Today we must prepare for the return of the king by clearing a pathway in the spirit through prayer.
Again in Isaiah.“Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.” Isaiah 58:12, NLT
The “some of you” mentioned in this verse are the committed People of God crying out for restoration in Philadelphia and Delaware Valley.
And how is this to come about? Not by human hands . . . but as Isaiah has said:
V 9 Then when you call, the LORD will answer. 'Yes, I am here,' He
will quickly reply. "Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
V 10 Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light
will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you
will be as bright as noon.
V 11 The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when
you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a
well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.
We are to call upon the Lord in prayer as never before, coming together in one accord. Then as WE break down the dividing walls that separate us from our brothers in Christ and unite as one voice in praying the plans and purposes of God . . . HE will rebuild the city and its walls and restore the home.
Declare for Philadelphia in this Season
We praise and thank You, O Lord, that You have brought us into this new season. It is now like the end of the book of Amos
We proclaim that this is the season of the Tabernacle of David -fully rebuilt and functioning. It is a time of ceaseless praise and adoration, of revelation and power, of the Kingdom of Heaven forcefully advancing. (Amos 9: 11)
In mercy the throne will be established; and One will sit on it in truth, in the tabernacle of David, judging and seeking justice and hastening righteousness. Isaiah 16: 5
The King of Glory, the Lord Jesus Christ, has come. He is rebuilding His tabernacle and establishing His throne in Philadelphia.
He is judging, seeking justice – true justice is coming to the city.
He is hastening righteousness.
The kingdom of heaven is here, the works and power of God are revealed.
We proclaim this is the season when people of every nation and background seek the Lord. Those who have resisted the gospel are now drawn to it. (Amos 9: 12; Acts 15: 17)
And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself. John 12: 32
We lift up the name of Jesus and exalt that name above all names over all the people of Philadelphia.
We proclaim the power of God drawing every man, woman and child to Jesus Christ.
Living water is flowing from the throne of God out into the streets.
We proclaim the saints filled with the Holy Spirit from whom rivers of living water gush forth.
We proclaim the saints no longer hidden in the upper room, bursting forth into the streets.
We proclaim life, healing, the word of God going from the saints to broken, lost people.
The light of God is shining through us, Your people. Those living in darkness are coming to that light.
Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth and deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Isaiah 60:1 – 3
We arise and shine with the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.
His glory is seen upon us, penetrating the darkness.
Those once lost in darkness, even powerful rulers, are coming to the light.
It is the time of salvation!
This is the season of promises fulfilled. Everything is moving very rapidly. There is great fruitfulness. There is an overflow of abundance.
The plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who sows seed. The mountains shall drip with sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it. Amos 9: 13
We proclaim that the curse of toil, thorns and thistles is over.
We proclaim barrenness is turned into abundance, failure into fruitfulness.
We declare life over all the dormant seeds of righteousness that have been sown in this place.
We proclaim this is the season that Israel will be established in the land You have given them. They will never again be uprooted, for You, Lord, have promised.
I will bring back the captives of My people Israel. They shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; they shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them. I will plant them in their land, and no longer shall they be pulled up from the land I have given them," Says the LORD your God. Amos 9: 14, 15
We rejoice, O Lord, that all Your words are true and all your promises are sure.
We declare peace to Jerusalem and all the land promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
We, the church of Philadelphia now:
Commit ourselves to proclaim Your word which is like a seed. Every seed will bear fruit in this season.
Commit ourselves to work Your works of love and power. There will be signs, wonders and miracles.
Commit ourselves to You, Lord of the Harvest, to go into Your harvest to bring in the fruit for Your glory.
Give ourselves to the Holy Spirit so that we may fully receive, believe and act upon all that You have for us.
Be it unto us according to Your word!
Declare the Names of God over Philadelphia
The Lord has quickened to us to look again at the announcements of the names of the One who was to be born, because they are signposts for the year 2012.
Immanuel - "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." Matthew 1: 23 from Isaiah 7:14
We exalt Immanuel who is God with us always, even to the end of the age.
We proclaim the name Immanuel over the church of Philadelphia, the manifest presence of the Lord.
We release the power of Immanuel over Philadelphia, the city shall know the presence of the Lord.
Jesus - "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." Matthew 1: 21
We exalt Jesus, the only name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
We praise the name of Jesus for He has saved us from our sins.
We proclaim the power of the name of Jesus to break the power of sin and deliver its captives over all the inhabitants of Philadelphia and its suburbs.
Son of God – And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Luke 1: 35
We exalt the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Son of God seated at the right hand of the Father.
We proclaim that all those who trust in Him become children of God with the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father”.
We proclaim that through the Son of God the curse of fatherlessness shall be destroyed in Philadelphia.
We proclaim in the family of God the full display of true brotherly love.
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9: 6
Wonderful – We proclaim this is the year of signs, wonders and miracles in the name of Jesus Christ to the glory of the Father.
Counselor – We proclaim this is the year that the superior wisdom and knowledge of God brings real answers to those who believe and apply them.
Mighty God – We proclaim this is the year of triumph over the powers of darkness through our Warrior King.
Everlasting Father – We proclaim this is the year of the revelation of the Father abiding with His children.
Prince of Peace –We proclaim this is the year of the kingdom bringing, health, prosperity and peace.
Declare Scriptures on Brotherly Love over Philadelphia
Romans 12: 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Matthew 22:36 – 40 "Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?" Jesus replied, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two
commandments."
Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Galations 5: 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Ephesians 4:2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
Ephesians 4: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Ephesians 5: 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.
1 Peter 1:22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,
1 Timothy 4: 9 - 10 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
1Thessalonians 4:10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
Hebrews 13: 1 Let brotherly love continue
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
John 13: 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
John 15: 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
John 15: 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Thanks to Carol Wright and Ellen Fitt for writing the declarations.
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