Gow Fields, Mayor (2010 - 2013)
Justin Troller, Commissioner (2008 - 2011)
Phillip Walker (2010- 2011)
Glenn E. Higgins, Commissioner (2008 – 2011)
Edie Yates, Commissioner (2010 - 2013)
Don Selvage, Commissioner (2010 - 2013)
R. Howard Wiggs, Commissioner (2010 - 2013)
Mayor Gow Fields , Commissioners and citizens of Lakeland. I greet you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our savior and soon coming King.
My name is Don Steiner co-founder with Mariaelena Steiner my Wife, of Wings of Eagles International, a local outreach ministry based in Lakeland since 1994. Many ministers and citizens of Lakeland who are listening to the Holy Spirit know that Lakeland has a spiritual destiny that has yet to be fulfilled. As evidenced by the revival that broke out in a small Parrish located in a community called Acton in the early 1890’s. Acton was located on the south end of what is now known as Lake Parker and in 1892 moved to 202 South Massachusetts and now known to us all as All Saints Episcopal.
What God began before the founding of our city on January 1, 1885 has not yet been completed. Therefore it is the responsibility of the citizens of Lakeland, and it’s leadership to seek the face of God almighty and to live a life of Godliness exemplified by integrity and a high moral standard. Looking to Jesus to fulfill the destiny of this great central Florida City by moving in our churches, parishes and the individual lives of its citizens.
Based on the fore mentioned known facts I offer this prayer.
Father, You are God our creator. And as such it is by no coincidence that we are all here today. Your word says Phil. 1:6 Our God, who began the good work in us, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Lord we ask you to complete the work you began in the learly1890’s when Lakeland was in it’s infancy and you placed a spiritual destiny upon our great city. Many of us know that destiny has yet to be fulfilled. We know Lord that this will be a city known as a place where people can find a true relationship with you. A spiritual awakening will take place here, that will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
We know that in order for us to see this we must seek your face, we must draw unto you, so you will draw unto us. We must forsake worldliness and the immorality that accompanies it. We must take a moral stand and have the guts to speak out against that which is morally wrong. And have the confidence that you will back us up.
God we call forth a shaking of everything that can be shaken. Break down the walls of disunity. Expose and eliminate that which is not right and establish righteousness in its place. Let our sin that separates us be forgiven. Lord, create in us a clean heart.
Father as a city we stand fast against principalities and powers of evil as outlined in Eph 6:12. Let domestic violence, homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse, witchcraft, idolatry and all other things that seek to destroy our society have the light of the Gospel shine on it, and bring hope to the hurting.
Lord I lift up our leaders that they may know this same hope, and the calling you have placed upon them to be in office at such a time as this. I pray that their hearts will be flooded with your great light so that they can understand this confident hope you give to all who call upon your name.
Lord position the church to be ready for the harvest, and send us more laborers full of the Holy Spirit and your power.
Lord in your name, I place a hedge of protection over the business within Lakeland. Make them prosperous and healthy. Let the souls of the owners and managers prosper in the knowledge of your great Love.
Let our schools experience an outpouring, that our children will be changed by the power of that same love.
Father, let it start today with the leaders of our city. Let the decisions they make be made by your great wisdom. Let righteousness and justice be established in our courts and prisons.
Protect our police and fire and emergency forces. Give them divine wisdom in every situation.
We know by the Holy Spirit that this is your will. 1John 5:14 says, “And so this is the confidence that we have in you, that, if we ask any thing according to your will, you hear us: And if we know that you hear us, we know that we have the petitions we ask.
Thank you Jesus for your great Love. In your name Amen.
