My Humble Beginning… and the Journey Continues

By Cyndy Vanzandt

Prayer is a force that is beyond us and fulfills the purpose of God, and the purposes of God are depending on prayer. The word of God says, “Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, where is their God.” (Joel 2:17 KJV). Therefore, we need to repent and ask God to give us a burden for the lost. We need to grieve with the things that grieve the Holy Spirit; like apathy, prayerlessness, no convictions, no fear of God and being lukewarm.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 11, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796074390

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Copyright © 2020 by Cyndy VanZandt.

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My Humble Beginning … And the Journey Continues

by Cyndy VanZandt

Pubished by Xlibris

In memory of my parents

Rufus and Jewel Jordan, who are in heaven with the Lord

To my late father, Rufus Jordan, who was loving and kind. He was a hardworking man, a great provider, and a man of great strength. My dad was a faithful father, and when he faced situations within our family that were beyond His control, and there were many, he trusted the Lord to lead and guide Him. I witnessed Him waiting on the Lord.

To my late mother, Jewel Jordan, who was a virtuous woman, a very special and a unique person. No one had more hopes, dreams, ambitions, and love for her children the way she did. She was a woman of great strength and honor and feared the Lord. She knew that God was a generous God, and the giver of every good and perfect gift.

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

INTRODUCTION

My Humble Beginning

CHAPTER ONE

As for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.

—Joshua 24:15

CHAPTER TWO

Breaking Bread from House to House

God’s Timing

CHAPTER THREE

Train up a child in the way

he should go and when he is old,

he will not depart from it.

—Proverbs 22:6

CHAPTER FOUR

Downtown Houston Prayer Warriors

CHAPTER FIVE

The Power of Prayer

Essentials of Prayer

Watchmen on the Wall

The Eight Watches

CHAPTER SIX

Fasting and Prayer

All-Night Prayer

CHAPTER SEVEN

Praise and Worship

CHAPTER EIGHT

Homecoming Celebration

Homecoming Mass Choir

CHAPTER NINE

And the Journey Continues …

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I ACKNOWLEDGE MY Heavenly Father, my God, Jesus Christ, my strong tower, the rock of my salvation, and the Holy Spirit who lives within me. With a heart of thanksgiving, I thank You for leading and guiding me in all truth. I thank You, Father God, for drawing me closer to You and placing Your desires in my heart.

A special thanks to my loving daughter Amica, my son Dante, and my grandson Myles, who brings me so much joy and happiness.

A special thanks to my family and friends for all your encouragement, motivation and support.

INTRODUCTION

I sought for a man among them who would build up the hedge and stand in the gap, before Me for the land so that I would not destroy it, but I found no one.

—Ezekiel 22:30

GOD IS LOOKING for someone to stand in the gap. Is He looking for you? Are you the man or woman whom God is looking for to answer the call?

God called me into ministry over thirty-two years ago, and I answered His call to stand in the gap. The gap is the breach between God and our society. God is calling us to intercede because the enemy has blinded the hearts and minds of many.

Standing in the gap is a form of intercessory prayer where our prayers bridge the gap between God and people who are cut off from God’s helping presence. When we stand in the gap in prayer, we pray for God’s help, mercy, intervention, and/or forgiveness on the behalf of individuals, groups of people or nations.

My initial thought was, why me? I didn’t understand. Out of eight siblings, why was I the one God called to stand in the gap? I learned that you do not have to understand everything, just be willing and obedient to do His will.

When God called me, He equipped me for His work to advance His kingdom. He did not abandon me to figure things out in my own strength. He was with me every step of the way. I found out whatever God requires; He will provide for. When God calls us to do something, we need not fear – God will always provide the skills, ability, direction and resources we need to carry out His will. So, let’s not delay. I am glad that I took the first step by answering His call to stand in the gap as an intercessor interceding on behalf of our families, churches, communities and nation. God is still in deep need of people to stand in the gap and intercede for His mercy.

God’s call may come at an inopportune time, but He never sends forth His servant alone. We have the promise of God’s presence. However, I felt like Jeremiah when God called Him at an early age. Then the LORD said to me: Do not say, ‘I am only a youth,’ for you will go to everyone I send you to and speak whatever I tell you. Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to deliver you. This is the LORD’s declaration (Jeremiah 1:7-8 NIV).

The scripture that came to mind was (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV), 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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

I realized that God was calling me for something far greater that I could imagine or envision. He began dealing with me through dreams and visions regarding establishing a Bible Study in my home. Sometimes I could hear a still small voice in my spirit, but I wanted to make sure that I was hearing His voice clearly. In order to discern more clearly the will of God, I started fasting and praying, seeking God for direction and spiritual insight. When we fast, it opens our spiritual eyes and ears so we can accurately discern what God desires to reveal to us. I felt led to share the vision with a friend and her husband, and within two weeks the first Bible study took place in my home.

After weeks and months had gone by God had put gladness into my heart, not only supported and refreshed me, but filled me with joy unspeakable; and therefore, this is what I will still pursue, and seek after all the days of my