2019 Prayer Walks around Erie County at each School District

Erie and Waterford and the history of the forts is a treasure trove of heritage.  In 1753, the French traveled the waterways from Canada and built forts in Erie and Waterford in order to claim the land south of Lake Erie, known then as the Ohio Valley. Objecting to the French claim, Virginia’s British governor sent young George Washington to Fort LeBoeuf in December of that same year with orders for the French to leave. This lit the spark for the ensuing French and Indian war against the British. What I find fascinating about this geo/political history is the application it has to our prayers. Psalm 19:3-4 says, “There is no speech nor spoken word from the stars; their voice is not heard. Yet their voice in evidence goes out through all the earth, their sayings to the end of the world. Of the heavens has God make a tent for the sun.”  Does it not make sense for Christians to declare the Kingdom of God here?  From this land where history teaches its significance to establishing empire? In 2006, Apostles Kevin & Denise Nelson and others from ALCOE along with Pastor Jack & Pam Risner and others from Erie First, declared this land for the Kingdom of God. That is exactly what we reinforced in prayer, and more in Waterford at the prayer time Saturday.

The British won this war but a coalition of Native American Tribes under the leadership of Chief Pontiac continued to fight in what is known as Pontiac’s War. In June of 1763, a well-planned simultaneous assault was attempted against the outposts under British control, including Fort Presque Isle and Fort LeBoeuf. Of the 13 frontier posts, Fort LeBoeuf was the only place from which men were able to escape without loss of life. Discerning an impending attack, they crawled out at night without notice and made their way down LeBoeuf Creek. Part of our prayer Saturday in Waterford was to thank God that He still provides a way of escape! Psalm 18:1-3 in the Living Bible says, “The Lord is my fort where I can enter and be safe; no one can follow me in and slay me…. Oh, praise the Lord – I am saved!” We also prayed prayers of repentance, reconciliation and restoration following the Prayer of Confession which we read together at the annual prayer breakfast.

God’s geographic design and history of the area tells us this is a place to set a watch and establish dominion of the territory. As watchmen called here to pray, we decree and declare the Kingdom of God be established here, in the Erie region. We saturate the ground with the Word of God believing, “where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more” (Romans 5:20). This is the word of the Lord to “the Erie area”: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty (Zechariah 4:6).

Six intercessors (from five different churches) gathered in front of North East Middle School. We took communion together and prayed. The prayer points are:

• Isaiah 32:18, The people and families of North East will have safe resting places, secure dwellings and peaceful habitation.
• Prayed for the new school district superintendent to be supportive of the Women’s Care Center Sexual Risk Avoidance programs. Praise God for the commitment the outgoing superintendent demonstrated!
• Prayed for President Trump, Vice President Pence and the cabinet. Call for the nation to pray for the president tomorrow, June 2.
• Prayed against the Spotted Lantern Fly infestation in eastern PA, that no weapon formed against Pennsylvania fruit, natural and spiritual, would prosper!
• Prayed against the porn industry just across the border of New York. Big billboard on I90 advertising the “Lion’s Den” adult store.
• A key was used to unlock the Northeast territory in Pennsylvania and New England. A lady was going to New England to realign the Puritan Migration Movement back to the original intended purpose of God sending us to America. This key had the Lion of Judah on it and unlocked the natural lock.Finishing at 10:15, we felt led to drive to the Wabtec (old) GE plant and pray on-site.

• God is so good! I remember looking at my phone specifically to see how long we had been. From there, we drove to a gate of the old GE now Wabtec plant. All six cars in a caravan on assignment.

• Song Let It Echo from Jesus Culture https://youtu.be/V9PwJAs5Prg

• We prayed “God’s Kingdom come and His will be done on earth (here in Erie) as it is in heaven.” Prayed as Jacob did in Genesis 28:10-22, connecting with the Lord Jesus at the head of this ladder/portal and set an altar.
• Prayed that new management and labor would work together to be a connecting force in the tri-state area, to be a hub and connector. Greed and power struggles will be replaced with trust in God.
• A Utah quarter was brought to stake the land for God (see history below). The image on the reverse of the quarter shows a stake between the two railroads meeting, depicting connection. This quarter was used as a symbol of uniting the differences of greed, fear and division. After we prayer over the quarter, we then planted it at the Wabtec factory in Lawrence Park, PA. The union workers were divided and demonstrating against the new owners.
• Declared “no more war”, no more as in the War of the Gauges from 1850, (see history below) no more war over contracts as with GE and Unions, no war between Wabtec and Unions! Set up an altar declaring Erie will be a good connector producing and transporting much fruit, we were at the gate until about 11:00.From Howard & Cheryl who couldn’t be with us for the prayer time but were praying from home – We are looking forward to hearing what happened in North East today! We had a great time of praying for North East people, leaders, pastors and church family. Midway, during the prayer and worship the Lord gave me a new song too. (especially around 10:20-11:AM powerful prayer.) Words included God’s peace and victory. Can’t wait to see what is happening!Coincidence? I think not! Truly, they were with us in spirit!From Ruth – The reverse of Utah’s quarter features two locomotives moving toward the golden spike that joined the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads, linking East to West and transforming both the Utah Territory and the Nation with the inscription “Crossroads of the West.” The coin also bears the inscriptions “Utah” and “1896.” On May 10, 1869, two steam locomotives met at Promontory, Utah, for the “Joining of the Rails Ceremony,” at which the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads completed the transcontinental route. The event was crucial to the development of the American West because it made cross-country travel more convenient and economical. The construction of the railroad, and the subsequent mining boom, brought diverse ethnic and religious populations to Utah. The railroad also symbolized the changing technology, and moved Utah from an agrarian economy to a more industrialized one.

From Cindy – War of the Gauges: It has been said, “history will repeat itself” and that it is a time we can learn from past mistakes or repeat them. Jeremiah 6:16-17 says, “Stand by the roads and look and ask for the eternal paths, where the good, old way is; (learn the lessons of history that they might not have to be repeated) then walk in it and you will find rest for your souls…listen to the watchmen.”

When history repeats, there is opportunity to ask God for the fullness of the blessing He originally intended for the land. I see that opportunity unfolding, again, in Erie. There was a struggle over GE planning the relocation of 1/3 of the Erie work force from the Erie plant. Union workers wanted to save jobs; GE was looking to improve the forward movement of the company. I would suggest things did not end well for either party. [Today there is a new, old struggle between management at Wabtec and the local union.]

This reminds me of the 1850’s War of the Gauges. At the time the gauge of the rails used in New York and Ohio matched but the gauge of rail in Erie was different. This necessitated the off-loading of all cargo and passengers at the New York/PA state line. Then re-loading said cargo and passengers onto RR that were designed for use on the rails running through PA. The entire procedure was repeated at the Ohio/PA state line. Erie teamsters fought against the RR to protect their loading/unloading jobs. The RR was looking for an unimpeded flow of commerce from NYC to Chicago. In the end the RR ran without interruption through PA.

My prayer for the city in this struggle is not only for the satisfactory and peaceful resolution between labor and management but also that the word of the Lord is spoken over the city.  Perhaps God has allowed history to repeat itself in this current conflict. As the city is praying for a peaceful resolution to a very real problem it is in my heart to also change the course of the city by speaking words of life that invite favor and blessing to Erie.

Daniel 9:16-19 Prayer for Erie: “Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Erie. Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made Erie and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.¹⁷ “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. ¹⁸ Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. ¹⁹ Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

PRAISE GOD! Is it coincidence that in the following week Wabtec and the UE announced an agreement? I think not!