"Are you ready for Battle?"

 Are you ready for “this battle?” I am referring to this years Galveston Mardi Gras Outreach. I went with a small team to work the streets in Galveston this weekend (the first of two Mardi Gras weekends) and I was quickly sobered by the spiritual intensity in the air along with the amount of people on the island despite the extreme weather. I went home that night with a burden on my heart for the safety and preparation of all those that will minister with us next weekend at the main parade on Saturday February 17th.

I am reminded of the story where Jesus’ disciples came to a “battle” that they were unable to win. They approached a young demon possessed boy that they were unable to deliver even though they were doing what they had always done in their previous “battles.” They brought the boy to Jesus and He instantly rebuked the demon and healed the young boy. The disciples then asked the obvious question, “Why could we not drive the demon out?” Jesus said, “Because of your unbelief: Howbeit this kind goes not out but by prayer and fasting.” The disciples came face to face with levels of wickedness they were unable to conquer. I am urging you to prepare your heart for this outreach and to realize that “this battle” will not be like all of the others. This year’s battle will be won or lost before we set foot on Galveston Island… “This kind goes not out but by prayer and fasting!”

Is God sending you to Mardi Gras this year? If so, you will need to begin to prepare your heart today and fast from the trivial things that so easily distract us. If you are a returning street worker I am urging you not to believe that you can just do what you have always done in previous battles. If this is your first year joining us on the streets for Mardi Gras I encourage you to seek God with a fresh intensity and begin hiding His word in your heart. I am asking that even if you will not be on the streets of Galveston this weekend that you be in prayer for this outreach and those that will be ministered to. I believe we will need to have our minds and hearts alert and allow the Holy Spirit to deal with our unbelief so that we can rescue as many as possible who are sitting in darkness.

As we walked down the seawall this weekend passing out gospel tracts we came to a group that had a stereo system on the seawall with a prophetic song playing. The song was entitled “Highway to Hell” and the saddest part was that many adults and children sang with the song completely unaware of their eternal fate. The simple truth is that many of the folks who we will minister to this coming weekend will spend eternity in Hell unless they repent. That alone is enough reason to fast and pray! We cannot afford to miss an opportunity with those we speak with this weekend and they cannot afford for us to shrink back from the battle of prayer and fasting.

I have had Christians ask me if we feel like we make any difference by going down to Mardi Gras to witness. My simple answer is yes but the truth is that we don’t go because of results. We go because our commander said to go and He said His word would not return void. The real question is will you make any difference by not participating in the battle?

Let’s prepare and expect our God to display His mighty power on the Island of Galveston as we go in His strength.

All for Him,
Pastor Robert Lee