OPEN TH FLOODGATES!

Open the Floodgates!
Eddie Smith

When I was a boy, I lived in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas on the Mexican border. There the residents have a rather unusual way of watering their lawns. Each person’s lawn has a “built?up border” of dirt around it. In effect, the lawn is designed to contain water. The yard is connected via an underground pipeline to a reservoir. When a homeowner wants to water his lawn, he opens a valve a few inches below ground, and the yard is gradually flooded with life?giving water!

As life and health are returned to the sun-baked grass, the children can run and play in the water. I have fond memories of hot, summer, south Texas days when my brothers and I joined the other kids on the block to splash and play as our parents watered their lawns. It was a party!

When we pray for our neighborhoods, we open heaven’s valve, allowing God’s blessings to flood our communities. Spiritual life and health are poured out from the reservoirs of heaven through the pipeline of prayer.
 
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness (1 Tim 2:1,2).

As life and health are returned to the sin-baked community, great joy and peace abound! Families are refreshed with the water of life. As priests, bridging the gap between the seen and the unseen through intercessory prayer, we are uniquely able to open the valve that releases God’s blessings on our communities.

A Bell in the Night
 
The guided missile destroyer McCormick DDG-8, on which I served in the early 1960s, was a marvel of technology with all the bells and whistles. The most advanced U.S. Navy ship of its kind at that time, we were equipped with advanced radar and sonar systems and top secret ASROC (antisubmarine rocketry).

One night, well after midnight, I was standing watch atop the bridge in the South China Sea off the coast of Vietnam. The ship was clipping along on a moonless night through a pea-soup fog. The big ship slid at top speed through the bone-chilling cold night air. I was bundled from head to toe, binoculars in hand, fighting to stay awake. My thoughts drifted to my crewmates sound asleep in their warm bunks below deck. At the time, age 19, I could see little reason for me to be standing watch. After all, the McCormick was equipped with all the latest high-tech detection gadgetry.
 
Suddenly, I thought I heard a tiny, tinkling bell. A moment later, I was certain I was hearing a bell. It was so soft, I assumed it was off in the distance. Then I realized it was very close. I radioed a warning below for the captain to change direction. As the great ship slowly turned to starboard, there only a few yards ahead of us was a small Vietnamese junk. The frail wooden boat, lit with paper lanterns, had at least two full families aboard. As is their custom, they had their babies safely tied to the masts on leashes. My heart was gripped with fear for they seemed so helpless. Panic was written on their faces as their tiny floating home slid safely past our bow. Weak-kneed, I breathed a sigh of relief.

Today’s pastors, churches, and ministries have a lot going for them. We have copiers, computers, fax machines, cell phones, web pages and all the latest gadgetry. We have highly trained, well-educated staffs. But nothing can replace a meaningful, interdependent partnership between pastors, leaders, and committed intercessors who understand "their watches" and faithfully attend to them.
 
There are lives hanging in the balance! Individuals, families and nations are at stake! It is time to take up the courage of Nehemiah and the tenacity of his people in order to see the Great Commission completed.
 
Many years ago on a lonely watch, I heard a faint bell and took action. I appealed to the captain and lives were saved. I can almost hear that bell today. This time you must join my appeal to the Captain of the heavenly host.
 
Together we can see multitudes saved for eternity.