153 - Daniel Deployment
Letter from the Editor:
Beginning on Yom Kippur, September 21, and continuing through October 11, Lou Engle is calling for a 21-day fast for President Trump, the Middle East, and the upcoming elections. Although this fast is patterned after Daniel’s 21 days of fasting, we invite you to participate in whatever way you feel able. Some will abstain from all food and drink only water. Others will fast with liquids or follow a traditional “Daniel fast” of vegetables and whole grains. Still others may choose to fast one meal each day or abstain from meat and sweets.
If you are unable to begin on September 21, consider starting at a later date and continuing for 21 days. Israel’s elections will be held on October 27, followed by the U.S. midterm elections on November 3. Today’s Briefing introduces our primary prayer targets for the fast. In the days ahead, we will share additional Briefings detailing strategic revelation and direction for prayer. If you have not yet subscribed to The Briefing, you can do so for free at www.thebriefing.us and receive each edition directly in your inbox.
Let us make the most of this pivotal opportunity to shape history together through prayer and fasting.
–Cheryl Amabile
Daniel Deployment
The prophet Daniel lived in the sixth century BC. He was likely a young teenager when he was taken captive during King Nebuchadnezzar’s first invasion of Jerusalem. In Babylon, Daniel was an exile with no political power of his own. However, God gave him extraordinary influence over kings, governments, and even the spiritual understanding of future generations.
Daniel presided over the 70 years of Judah’s captivity and prevailed in prayer to bring forth Jeremiah’s prophecy concerning his people’s promised return to the Land. Because of his extraordinary life of intercession and impact, some might consider Daniel an anomaly among men. However, we believe he was not merely an anomaly, but rather a prototype for these end-time generations as we prepare the way for the Lord’s return. Lou has often taught from the book of Daniel for this very reason. Earlier this year, however, God directed our attention back to Daniel in a heightened way.
One night near the beginning of the war with Iran, Lou was praying about his own Daniel calling when he privately asked God to give Chris Berglund a dream. The next day, Chris shared that he had dreamed of Daniel standing on the bank of the Tigris River. In the dream, Chris was told that we were to be the keepers of Daniel’s dreams in our day. (See The Briefing 146—Days of Daniel.) Chris understood that this was not only about stewarding the revelation Daniel recorded in Scripture, but also about faithfully stewarding the fresh revelation God gives us as we contend in prayer for the fulfillment of His promises.
If you’re thinking Daniel’s shoes are too large for you to fill, think again. The secret behind Daniel’s success was none other than the power and presence of God. When Daniel first appeared before King Nebuchadnezzar in chapter 2, he was quick to acknowledge that he possessed in himself no wisdom or ability greater than that of the king’s other wise men or magicians. Rather, “there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries” (Daniel 2:28).
However, Daniel was “greatly beloved” by the Most High God for the way that he chose to live his life before Him and before these pagan kings. Lou has been so gripped by Daniel’s example that he prepared a new masterclass on the subject, entitled The Daniel Code, which was released this past Monday. Lou had no idea that the timing of The Daniel Code would coincide with the release of a major motion picture called Daniel and the Fiery Furnace, which arrived in theaters this very week.
We don’t believe this is a mere coincidence, but rather a divine convergence as God prepares His people for a mass Daniel Deployment!
We are living in a time and culture not unlike Daniel’s. Once again, God is looking for consecrated men and women, both young and old, through whom He can shift history by prayer and fasting. If you have not lived a particularly devoted life like Daniel’s, Lou’s encouragement to all of us is simple: “Forget the past.” The apostle Paul began as a persecutor of innocent believers. He too had to forget what lies behind and choose to press on toward the goal of his calling in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13–14).
The need for modern-day Daniels is an ongoing reality. Yet a specific and urgent moment is now upon us as we approach what many consider to be the most consequential elections in modern history. Daniel and his companions understood high stakes as well. When confronted with a fiery furnace or a den of hungry lions, victory is not optional. Likewise, the battle over Congress and the war in the Middle East are not merely scrimmages. As far as God’s purposes are concerned, it is Game On! History demands another Daniel Deployment.
Therefore, we urge you to join in the upcoming fast. Many other leaders are also calling for periods of focused prayer and fasting in this season. Lou recently posted on social media: “Everyone should be involved in some way, offering their bodies as a sacrifice and lifting up incense—prayer to God, who alone rules over kings and shifts the times and seasons.”
As the book of Daniel opens, we find the young exiles voluntarily eating only vegetables and water so that they would not defile themselves with the delicacies of the king’s table. The very next thing we read is that God granted them supernatural knowledge and understanding (Daniel 1:17). Our company has repeatedly experienced a similar exchange when we have set aside the desires of the flesh to seek God through fasting and intercession. These are often the times when we receive our most significant prophetic dreams that not only direct our prayers but also unite us in shared faith.
So, to begin this fast on the same page, we encourage you to read the following four passages of Scripture and consider reviewing the corresponding Briefings. God has faithfully entrusted us with a measure of understanding concerning His emerging purposes. Yet the powers of darkness are also aware and have arrayed themselves against the fulfillment of God’s plans. Therefore, it is critical that we prevail in intercession until His prophetic promises are fully realized.
1. President Trump (Isaiah 45) - Pray for the president to complete his Cyrus mandate and fulfill the will of God. The Briefing 137—Pray for the President
2. The Elections (Daniel 9:1–19) - Repent on behalf of our states and nation and pray for righteous rulers who are aligned with God’s purposes. The Briefing 148—Rededicate 250
3. The War with Iran (Jeremiah 49:34–39) - Engage in prayer for victory over the current regime and freedom for the people of Iran. The Briefing 145—Break the Bow of Elam
4. The Times of Israel (Psalm 102:13–17) - Agree with God’s timing and intent to pour out His favor upon Israel. The Briefing 151—The Appointed Time
As we enter these 21 days, may we answer the call to become a company of modern-day Daniels—consecrated in our private lives, steadfast in prayer, courageous before earthly powers, and faithful stewards of the mysteries of God. Let us take our place together in fasting and intercession, believing that the God who ruled over kings and shifted times and seasons in Daniel’s day still rules over the affairs of nations today. This is our moment. Let the Daniel Deployment begin!
