125 - A New Year's Race

Letter From the Editor

With Israel at war, presidential elections on the horizon, and political and societal upheaval at every turn, 2024 will likely prove to be one of the most consequential years in history. We are truly grateful for The Briefing community of prayer and all those who are standing in the gap for God’s prophetic purposes in this hour. Today’s Briefing covers a profound dream about a race being marked out for us in these pregnant months leading up to October's A Million Women gathering. As you read, I urge you to see yourself in the storyline of heaven for this new year. Let’s run this race together.

 – Cheryl Amabile

NEW YEAR’S 10K RACE

We find ourselves in a progression leading up to the Day of Atonement on October 12th. At the start of the year, just ten months from the gathering, Chris Berglund had a dream about a New Year’s 10K Race. In the dream, we were assembling together in Israel at the Road to Emmaus. When we arrived, there were four tents and each person had to go to the EL or ES tents to get started. Each runner was either part of the ESther and ELijah company or the ELi and ESau team.

At these four tent stations, there were headphones which we were required to wear to enter the race.
 For the Esther and Elijah company, our headphones were playing music by Keith Green. When we put them on, we could hear Keith singing the Easter Song, which was called the “Esther Song” in the dream. Chris specifically remembered hearing the following verse: 

“The angels, they all surround us
 and they are ministering Jesus's power. Quickly now, reach out and receive it
 for this could be your glorious hour.”

At the same time, the Eli and Esau camp were listening to Kanye West songs and other music that was full of mixture. Chris could see that the path marked out for them was broad and paved, whereas the Esther and Elijah path was narrow and it wove through the hills. Chris saw loose rocks falling on the trail and it seemed impossible that we could run on this path that appeared as though it hadn’t been traversed since ancient times. 

Someone in the dream commented, “This certainly isn’t a fair race!” But then another answered, “You’re right, it isn’t fair. You have the angels, the blood, the cloud of witnesses and more.” Suddenly it was understood that, though the path looked treacherous, we had been given the spiritual advantage.

Jesus then spoke in the dream, saying, “You will need to find Me on the trail.” When He said this, we realized that each step we took had to be ordered by the Lord to keep us from stumbling. He then told us, “Two of my favorite intercessors are Esther and Elijah”. Chris understood that we would need to step into Esther’s and Elijah’s intercessory anointing in order to accomplish God’s purpose in the race ahead. 

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when He delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24

After hearing Chris’ dream, our team listened together to Keith Green’s Easter Song. It seems that this vintage worship song may be heaven's soundtrack for the race ahead, as it sets an air of anticipation for God's kingdom power breaking in. Yet, according to the dream, we are running on the Road to Emmaus, where Jesus’ first disciples struggled to comprehend the reality that was upon them (Luke 24). The resurrected Christ patiently walked with these friends and opened the scriptures to them along the way. It wasn't until the act of Communion, in the breaking of the bread, that they finally recognized it was Him. 

We are encouraged by the Emmaus' storyline as a window into the Lord's desire to draw near to us in His Word and make Himself known at His table. We sense that we've only begun to see all that God will do as we continue to honor His body and blood during these days of the The Great Communion Revival. 

Meanwhile, a weighty aspect of this dream rests upon the reality of there being two teams and one of two paths to be chosen. The scriptures recount for us how Esther and Elijah risked their lives for the sake of the Lord's inheritance in Israel, whereas Eli and Esau relinquished their heritage for self-gratification and convenience. Let us not underestimate the significance of our own callings and the consequence of our choices at this time.

When Mordecai appealed to Esther to intervene on behalf of the Jews, his question was not whether God would deliver, but whether the queen would forfeit her fate. May Mordecai's voice resonate in our ears today as we embrace the hidden glory of intercession and run the race set before us.

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

We encourage you to find those with whom you can meet regularly in corporate prayer this year. When Esther intervened on behalf of her people who remained in Babylon, God enabled them to defeat their enemies and defend their women and children. We believe there is a place of intercession before the King of Kings that can break the powers of witchcraft that are fueling the ideologies of Haman in this generation.

For this reason we are calling men and women everywhere to a 3-day Esther Fast on April 11, 12, and 13. Then, on April 13th, we will gather by the thousands to take Communion at our State Capitols. [Details are available at #Don’t Mess With Our Kids.] 

We are also captivated by Elijah's 40-day fast which was answered by fire as Yahweh demonstrated His intent to turn the hearts of His wayward people back to Himself. Through Elijah’s intercession, weather patterns shifted, kings were thwarted, and events were set into motion that led to the revival and reformation of the entire nation. We are in need of nothing less. 

We invite you to join us for a 40-day Elijah Fast, starting March 1st through April 9th. The Lord is beckoning us in these days to gain authority in prayer over the White House in the coming elections. We'll also be crying out for the spirit of Elijah to turn the hearts of the Fathers to the children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous (Luke 1:17).

Can we believe together for the return of our prodigals and for the heavenly vision of 100,000 LGBTQ being swept into the Kingdom as the first wave of revival? It's been 24 years since the Lord initially led us on this journey of fasting and prayer to see America to turn back to God. Could 2024 be the fulcrum where we begin to shift from faith to fulfillment? 

The scriptures say that Elijah was a man just like us, but he prayed fervently! (James 5:17) This is the prescription for our day and the path laid out before us. Thankfully, the victory has already been won. Jesus has ascended the hill of the Lord ahead of our ascent to Capitol Hill. Now we must follow in His footsteps. Let's run!

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

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Soon we'll be gathering for four days in February for prophetic teaching and intercession at what has become known as the “222 Conference”. Join us, if you can, in Colorado Springs from February 22-25. The theme of this year’s conference isAuthority Over the Nations.

“To the one who is victorious and does My will to the end, I will give authority over the nations.” Rev. 2:26