- NEW INSPIRATION EACH WEEK -
My name is Dumas A. Harshaw, Jr., Ph.D., founder and executive director of
I have been in the pastoral ministry and a professor of theology for more than 30 years, serving churches and seminaries in California, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. My passion is to grow as a prayer warrior and to encourage others to experience the power of prayer in their lives, vocations and ministries. If you’d like to know more about me, click here.
“The Coming King”
John 12:12-19
The crowd that gathered in Jerusalem for the religious celebrations, was poised and waiting for the arrival of a true king. In anticipation of the arrival of Jesus Christ as rumored, “they took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!”
From Psalm 118:25-26, this act of adoration constituted premature praise for the Messiah and Son of God the world could not truly perceive. For his identity was yet to be fully comprehended. Prophesy was fulfilled with the acquisition of a young donkey upon which he sat to make his humble entrance. It took time and deep experiences walking in faith for the disciples to utterly understand the meaning of these happenings.
The large crowd swelled due to the news of the latest miracle performed by Jesus, that of raising his friend Lazarus from the dead. “Many people because they had heard that he had performed this sign went out to meet him.”
The religious power brokers of the day, the Pharisees, who had consistently attempted to derail the ministry and popularity of Christ, had to admit their carnal strategies failed to prevent the entry of the Savior into Jerusalem, the citadel of faith, and into the hearts of spiritually hungry people. “So, the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him.”
Thank God no human effort can prevent the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into the lives of those who seek him.
Pastor Dumas A. Harshaw, Jr.
Call To Action Dumas Alexander Harshaw, Jr.
“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
Today America is at a crossroads, the question is, will we be a united nation with diversity, reflecting the “Beloved Community”, where everyone is valued, or we will be a broken, divided, resentful, and exclusive nation standing at the threshold of a “civil war”, in which case there will be no wholesome survivors.
As an Apostle of prayer and encouragement, sent and divinely prepared for such a time as this, I propose for people of faith and goodwill, to engage in a life of serious prayer and reflection. This is a time for dedicated spiritual warriors and anointed intercessors to heed the call of God in 2 Chronicles 7:14. This kind of spiritual warfare is intentional and entails significant action in doing good and performing the works of righteousness. This might be called pragmatic spirituality, engaged contemplation or simply following the example of Jesus Christ. We need people who are armed with the armor of God to take a stand for what is right. The contemplative life is more than simply praying about the challenges of our times, the life of contemplation is focus on prayer that ends in involvement with the world around for the cause of Christ.
The second aspect of my proposal is the commitment to take the role of an encourager. This is over and against negativity, hopelessness, despair, defamation of character or even the conditions that surround us. It means to speak with words of faith, affirmation, peace, positivity, uplift. It does however include speaking the truth in love and standing on principles, values and ethical standards that may confront the status quo.
These are not easy times that we live in, but they are critical times filled with the promise of victory, fulfillment, breakthrough and transformation.
Will you join me and see what the end will be?
“Nor by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of hosts.”
Zechariah 4:6
Dumas Alexander Harshaw, Jr.
Apostle of Prayer and Encouragement