Articles

21 Days to Secure the Opening of the Gates of Justice

21 Days to Secure the Opening of the Gates of Justice Across Georgia

“Give judgments in your gates for truth, justice, and peace.” Zechariah 8:16

Recently, Apostles John Benefiel and Negiel Bigpond challenged and encouraged us, as a state, to step forward to lead the way in securing the establishment of justice in our nation by intercession. In many ways, Georgia led our nation in issues of injustice, and as such, we have a place of responsibility and authority to open the gates of justice. This admonition resounded with truth that we had been sensing for months, and we offer this prayer focus as a strategic step in doing our part to secure the opening of the gates of justice.

A Historical Perspective

Issues of injustice permeate the state of Georgia, stemming from foundational issues related to our state’s earliest days, particularly in relationship with the Native peoples of the land. Today, we clearly see evidence of injustice in the wrongful treatment of many in our communities. Mistreatment of the poor and needy, the abuse of gross prejudice, the oppression of minorities, the tyranny of greed, and the hopelessness of lost or stolen identity and purpose for life permeates our society.

Historically, across the state seeds of injustice have been sown from our earliest days unto today. As a sampling of the violation of justice in our state, consider the following:

Against the Native peoples of the land our forefathers staked claim to land that belonged to others, made treaties and broke them, willfully stood against judgments issued by the Supreme Court of the United States on behalf of the Cherokee Nation, and eventually, played a critical and crucial role in the eviction of the Native peoples from the state through the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears, all for the purpose of personal gain and advantage.
Against blacks, though at first slavery was outlawed in the colony, for economic reasons the colonists brought in Africans to labor on the plantations. Slaves were bought, sold, abused, separated from families, and severely mistreated, seen as property and possession rather than as people of dignity, worth, and honor.
Against the unborn, the decision of Doe v. Bolton, the companion decision to Roe v. Wade, was rendered in Atlanta as a further support of the legalization of abortion in our nation.

A more extensive document on the issues of injustice in Georgia has been prepared and made available on the web at www.kairostransformation.org, or may be sent to you by request.

These acts of injustice have left their indelible mark upon our state with evidence of evil spirits using men and women in the earth in areas of control, covetousness. material lust, mammon, poverty, pride, and deceit. The oppression of injustice, and its fruit, continues to hinder the advancement of the Gospel of the Kingdom.

The physical evidences, or fruit, of injustice in our state may be clearly seen in many of our citizenry being stuck in the welfare system, incapable of advancing toward success or destiny, and in numerable health issues that seem to have no answer, relief, or end in sight - even across multiple generations.

A Biblical Foundation

Before we begin, we need to be certain we understand, by definition, what constitutes justice and injustice, and what God’s perspective is on these matters.

Injustice: According to Strong’s Concordance and Lexicon, the Hebrew word for injustice (#2555, from root #2554) means “to wrong, do violence to, treat violently, do wrongly.” This may be done in physical or ethical means.

A simple dictionary definition of injustice states: lack of fairness or justice, an unjust act or occurrence, or to judge a person unfairly. To be unjust is to violate principles of justice or fairness; unfair.

According to Exodus 23:1-3 and Deuteronomy 19:15-21. treating, or rising up as an unrighteous witness (one who is unjust and filled with violence) is a violation of the laws of the Lord. Psalm 11:5 further reveals the heart of the Lord toward those who embrace injustice: “The Lord tests and proves the [unyieldingly] righteous, but His soul abhors the wicked and him who loves violence.” (Amplified) The Message captures this in a very fitting way for our purposes: “He tests the good and the bad alike; if anyone cheats, God's outraged.”

Justice: According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary, justice is rendering to every one that which is his due. Justice means merely the doing what positive law demands. According to Strong’s, the Hebrew word for justice, tsadaq or tsedeq, means to be just, be righteous, justness (of weights and measures), to be in the right, to be just or righteous (in conduct or character), to do or bring justice (in administering law); it speaks of being righteous or just, in case or cause, as ethically right, as righteously vindicated. Another word often used for justice is mashpat (Strongs 4941) means judgment, justice, ordinance, the act of deciding a case, that which is proper, fitting, right, or due legally.

The dictionary defines justice as the quality of being just; of operating in the principle of moral rightness; equity; the upholding of what is just, especially fair treatment and due reward in accordance with honor, standards, or law. To be just means to be honorable and fair in one's dealings and actions; to be consistent with what is morally right; what is properly due or merited; that which is valid within the law; suitable or proper in nature; fitting; that which is based on fact or sound reason; well-founded.

The scriptures declare, in Deuteronomy 32:4, “He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.” In Isaiah 30:18, we read, “Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him.” Our God is the God of Justice and there is no injustice in Him.

Regarding the mandate and responsibility that we, as covenant disciples of Jesus Christ, have in regards to justice, Hosea 12:6(b) states, “Observe mercy and justice, And wait on your God continually.” Amos 5:15 says we are to “hate evil, love good; establish justice in the gate.” Our God is a God of Justice and we are to execute His justice on the earth by establishing justice in the gates of our cities, states, and nation.

Responsive Application

In our context, to have the gates of injustice shut and the gates of justice securely opened means that certain actions must be taken.

First, there must be repentance, involving confession of sin and radical change of ways regarding the acts and attitudes of the mistreatment others in ways that violate the principles of moral rightness, fairness according to honor, standards, or law, or the failure to render to everyone what is properly due according to righteousness and the law. (Ask God for specific assignments of repentance He would have you to walk out, not just in prayer, but in the context of relationship with someone who has suffered at the hands of injustice – both in asking for forgiveness and in living out the effect of the repentance.)

Secondly, we must boldly petition the Judge of the Universe, the God of Justice, to judge righteously on behalf of those who have suffered injustice, and plead for a release justice and mercy that brings forth restoration (not to what was but to God’s preferred destiny and purpose) and restitution of what has been lost or stolen.

Thirdly, knowing that God, the righteous Judge, has heard our petitions and rendered a righteous judgment, we must agree with His verdict (judgment) and begin to declare and decree the coming and manifestation of His will on earth as it is in heaven. During a time of intercession, the Lord invited Dr. Venessa Battle to prepare to present the case on behalf of those suffering from injustice in the “courts of heaven.” On the day appointed by the Lord to petition the “court of heaven,” following the intercessory presentation, the Lord released these words as His ruling in the matter: “I judge on behalf of those who have suffered injustice, and declare that not only restoration but restitution has been granted.” Therefore, our mandate, is to agree in intercession, declaration, and obedience until we see justice manifested “on earth as it is in heaven” -- not only in Georgia, but across our nation and into the nations of the world.

(Thank you, Dr. Battle, for sharing the insights that Holy Spirit revealed to you regarding entering the “courts of heaven” on behalf of the poor of the state of Georgia to obtain a release of justice from the God of Justice. A full account of Dr. Battle’s assignment to present her case on behalf of the poor to obtain justice will be available when her book, “A Warrior’s Cry,” is completed.)

A 21-Day Prayer Strategy to Secure the Opening of the Gates of Justice

For each day of this 21-day prayer strategy a passage of scripture, along with a brief prayer point for repentance and intercession will be provided, along with a declaration that is to be spoken forth making known the will of the Lord to the principalities and powers. We encourage you to make this declaration personally each day, and corporately as often as you gather with others for worship and intercession. Additionally, two specific targets of intercession are also included that carry great importance at this time.

A Declaration: As one voice we declare:

The Lord God Almighty, the God of Justice, is our God, He is righteous, just and true in all His ways. (Deut 32:4) His throne, the place of His habitation, is securely established upon the foundation of Justice and Righteousness (Ps 89:14).

There is no other God like our God, a just God and a Savior. The Lord God is One who hears the cry of those who are poor and needy, even those whose tongues fall for thirst of water, and He will not forsake them. He will open the rivers in desolate mountains and springs in the midst of valleys, and will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. He will cause the barren places to spring forth with life to provide for those who are oppressed and needy, so that all will know that the hand of the Lord has done these things. (Is 41:17-20)

The Lord loves justice, and hates robbery. (Is 61:8) He is the Lord who tests and proves the [unyieldingly] righteous, but His soul abhors the wicked and him who loves violence (Ps 11:5). He is altogether just and there is no unjust or unrighteous ways in Him. He is a father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, (Ps 68:5) He is our God and He does justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may oppress no more (Ps 10:18).

We declare, according to the will of God, that putting our hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous, violent, or unjust witness against another is a sin against God and our fellowman (Ex 23:1, Deut 19:16) and is forbidden by the Word of God. Furthermore, we declare that our God is not unjust to forget our work and labor of love that has been shown in His name.

In the name of Jesus, we decree a release of justice for the oppressed, that according to Psalm 146:7-10 the Lord gives freedom to the prisoners, opens the eyes of the blind, raises those who are bowed down, and he loves the righteous. He watches over the strangers, relievers the fatherless and widow, but He turns the way of the wicked He turns upside down.

And, according to Isaian 61 that, we declare over the Church in Georgia (substitute your state or nation) in Jesus’ name,“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon us, because the LORD has anointed us to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent us to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

In Jesus’ mighty name, we declare the manifestation of Isaiah 61:4 that the days of the rebuilding of old ruins, raising up former desolations, repairing the ruined cities, even the desolations of many generations is upon us. According to the law of God, we declare a restoration and restitution of those things which have been lost or stolen through injustice, whether material goods, inheritance, vision, hope, or dignity (see Ex 22:3-5). We speak a release of provision and prosperity, in the name of Jesus, to replace the desolation of poverty and lack (Ps 25:13, 35:27). We decree a restoration of families and individuals to prosper in all ways, body, soul, and spirit, according to Psalm 68:6 and 3 John 1:2, and the mercy of our God.

We decree a release of forgiveness and healing from the effects of injustice across our state according to the promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14, as God’s people humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways. We declare a new day has come in Georgia. A day of justice, mercy, truth, and righteousness ruling and reigning in the gates of our state. We speak forth into this state that there shall be appointed judges and officers in all your gates, which the LORD your God gives you, according to your communities, and they shall judge the people with just judgment. (Deut 16:18) We call forth men and women of justice to sit in seats of authority in every sector of society - in families, in the Church, in government, education, media, health care, and the marketplace.

Two Specific Issues to Intercede for the Restoration of Justice (both with historic roots in Georgia):

Resolution of Apology to Native Americans: S.J. Res 15 & H.J. Res 3 (See http://www.nativeres.org/)
Rule 60 Motion to overturn Doe v. Bolton and Roe v. Wade: Petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court, ruling expected in October 2006 which will determine whether or not the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments to reverse abortion rights secured by these two historic cases. (See http://www.ooperationoutcry.org)

Daily Prayer Points:

Day 1: Isaiah 30:18; Deuteronomy 32:4. Declare the rule of the God of Justice over the state.

Day 2: Isaiah 43:22-28. Repent on behalf of the people of the land for not dealing in justice, for oppressing the needy, and for dealing with others in stinginess and greed.

Day 3: I Samuel 7. Cry out in repentance for the people of God to get rid of the idols of pride, greed, materialism, and issues of selfishness that bear the fruit of oppression of others.

Day 4: Isaiah 1:16, Jeremiah 4:14; James 4:8, Isaiah 55:17. Intercede with repentance for the Church to be cleansed of evil, iniquity, and wickedness. Pray for believers to walk in holiness, mercy, justice, and righteousness toward all men.

Day 5: Isaiah 1:17, Proverbs 31:9. Plead the cause of the poor and needy, intercede for the oppressed, and seek the Lord on behalf of those bound in the throes of injustice that justice, mercy, and deliverance might come forth speedily.

Day 6: Micah 7:8-10. Stand in the gap for those who are bound in the darkness of sin and the bondage of iniquity to be delivered unto the light of the mercy and justice of the Lord

Day 7: Zechariah 7:8-10. Pray for believers in every community and through every sector of society to obey the word of the Lord in executing true justice, showing mercy and compassion to all.

Day 8:. Zechariah 8:16-17. Intercede for and declare over your community that truth will be spoken, execution of judgment of truth and peace decreed in the gates (places of government and authority), and respect, honor and truth will permeate every sector of society.

Day 9: Psalm 82. Pray for righteous judgement along with defense and care of the oppressed and needy to come forth with tangible demonstrations of the love of Christ.

Day 10: Deuteronomy 16:18-20. Intercede for righteous judges and governmental officials to be positioned that will execute justice without compromise.

Day 11: Isaiah 11:1-9. Declare the fullness of the Spirit of God to rule and reign on the earth, through the Church, to bring forth justice, peace, righteousness, and the knowledge of the glory of the Lord to cover the earth.

Day 12: Joel 2:23-27. Declare the day of the restoration of all that has been stolen be released to break the power of shame releasing our communities into the joy of the salvation of the Lord.

Day 13: Proverbs 6:30-31, Luke 19:1-10. Pray for a mighty release of conviction to fall upon those who have dealt unjustly with others, causing detrimental loss physically, emotionally or spiritually. Pray for restoration off all that has been lost or stolen according to the Word of God.

Day 14: Ezekiel 45:8-10. Declare that those who are currently in positions of authority will exact justice according to God’s will.

Day 15: Jeremiah 5:1-3. Declare that truth will permeate the judicial system at every level to bring forth a harvest of justice

Day 16: Proverbs 8:12-21. Declare that wisdom and the fear of the Lord will be the standard of justice and righteousness; pray for leadership to rise in all sectors of society that will rule by wisdom, understanding, justice, and truth.

Day 17:. Jeremiah 31:23-29. Declare, with thanksgiving, the promise of the Lord’s blessing of justice, holiness, satisfaction, and replenishment coming forth across the land

Day 18: Psalm 89:14. Declare that righteousness (tsedaq) and justice (mishpat) will be firmly established in all arenas of society, as the foundation of the throne of the Lord.

Day 19: Psalm 146; Psalm 103:5-7. Declare by faith that the righteous judgment of the Lord will be executed out of heaven into the earth

Day 20: Exodus 22:1-12, Leviticus 6:1-5. Declare the restoration of all that has been stolen, lost or obtained by deceit shall be restored, and that honest restitution will be made to establish justice according to the will of the Lord.

Day 21: Isaiah 9:6-7, Jeremiah 23:5-6. Release high praise and thanksgiving for the eternal promise and provision of justice secured in Christ Jesus our Lord. Declare that all the promises of God are yes and amen in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Concluding Thoughts

Watch, with faith and anticipation, to see evidence of restoration, reconciliation, and restitution related to justice, personally and corporately in communities all across the state and nation. We encourage you to journal throughout this prayer initiative, and share the testimonies of how you see God establishing justice with others. We would love to hear from you.

For His Glory,

Jacquie Tyre

GAPN, State Apostolic Coordinator