The ten-hour drive seemed to wash away as I stepped from my vehicle and the atmosphere of the city engulfed me. The very air was electric with faith—a tangible faith that one could feel. I had never experienced anything like it before. That day was life-changing for me. I learned that you could change the atmosphere of a city. It has been many years now, and yet if I close my eyes, I can still feel that same breathtaking ambience that captivated me that day.
It was my first visit to the City of Faith in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Though my purpose there was for a ministry meeting, I believe to this day that the real reason I was there was so that I might learn the importance of atmospheres—and how we, as Believers, can create them.
The Importance of Atmospheres
Mere days later, I would find myself in different city and state. Still basking in the glorious climate of what I had just experienced, I again stepped out of my vehicle. What I was feeling on this day was equally revealing. In this city, though, I could discern only darkness. The atmosphere here was filled with evil and oppression. It was such a stark difference from what I had experienced only days before that I was stunned, and not in a good way.
In each of these cities, I visited only churches or ministries; I had appointments with well-known ministers—and yet the atmospheres in the two cities contrasted deeply: One was filled with faith and light, and the other was oppressive and dark.
We have all found ourselves in situations where what was going on was evident in the atmosphere: in a home where one can feel anger and dissension in the air, perhaps, or at a funeral—places in which an aura of oppression and sadness is evident. In stark contrast, when we attend an anointed church service, faith and expectation fill the atmosphere. The latter is an atmosphere in which God shows up. (Photo via Pxfuel)
Atmosphere can be defined as the “pervading tone or mood of a place, situation, or work of art.” God began to reveal to me that words and actions directly affect and even create the prevailing atmosphere. God works in atmospheres. We see this in the life of Jesus: “And He did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief” (Matthew 13:58). In a city where the dominant mood was one of unbelief, there was nothing Jesus could do. Yet, time and again, we see that He healed the sick and even raised the dead in places where faith and expectancy prevailed—the same faith and expectancy I felt in Tulsa that day.
Atmospheres do matter, and if we are to see our homes and our cities change, we must create a faith-filled atmosphere—one that will be conducive to the work of God, and even to the building of His abode. How do we do that?
Praise and Worship
Psalm 8:2 tells us that praise stops the enemy in his tracks; it renders him helpless. He will not remain where praises rise up to God. Therefore, with our praise and worship, we can create a blessed atmosphere—one that not only welcomes the presence of God, but also drives out all demonic forces. God inhabits our praise. He dwells wherever His children are praising Him. If we want to shift the atmosphere and drive out the devil, praise is the place to start.
Speak the Word
Another way to remove an unwanted atmosphere is with the Word of God. I have always loved Matthew 8:16: “When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick.”
Jesus cast out spirits with a word. We have the authority to do the same thing. One word from God, spoken with authority, will drive out demons and bring healing. One anointed word from God will shift the atmosphere in our homes and in our cities, bringing faith and light to every dark place.
Our assignment is to consistently speak words of blessing over and into the atmosphere. We cannot speak words of defeat and gloom and expect our land to be filled with God. No! We must speak God’s plan for our dwellings; we must speak blessings over our cities and states. When we do that, we will see things begin to change. (Photo via Unsplash)
Prayer
Prayer changes things. “…The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). The Amplified Bible, Classic Edition says it this way: “…The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].”
For the atmosphere to change, we must pray heartfelt and continual prayers. The Bible promises us that when we do this, tremendous power will be released into the atmosphere—a power that will shift our surroundings completely, a power that is dynamic and atmosphere-altering.
I don’t know what atmosphere your city or even your home holds, but this I do know: You can change it. I saw that with my own eyes. I felt it down in my soul. You and I can change the atmosphere of our homes, our neighborhoods and our cities, causing them to be filled with faith, expectancy and the glory of God.
Will you be a part of this change?
Begin today by praising God and letting that praise rise into the atmosphere. Let your praises drive out the darkness and usher in the light. Speak the Word of God in every place that your feet tread. And finally, make your home a place of prayer, a place where God is pleased to dwell. For where He is, there is no darkness or oppression, but only light, only freedom. May God make His abode in our homes and in our cities.
Kim Potter
A New Thing Ministries
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.anewthingministries.com
Kim Potter is the founder of A New Thing Ministries, which sends a daily teaching to over 10,000 people all around the world. Her articles have appeared on The Elijah List, Charisma, Spirit Fuel and iBelieve.com. Kim’s message is one of hope. She speaks to the heart of those who have grown discouraged and disappointed by the circumstances of life and imparts the desire and ability to stand against all odds; to stand for victory. She encourages people to press into God and discover that He is who He says He is.