On the death of Pope Francis, we must do more than reflect on his legacy. We must be in intercession for the selection of the new pope because this will impact how the entire Body of Christ moves forward. Let us pray by the Spirit to create the pope who will not only continue what Pope Francis started, but will break new ground in our oneness, our functioning by the Spirit, and our connection with the Jewish people.

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Show Notes:

As the Catholic Church remembers Pope Francis, we also remember our connection with him and with Catholics going back to World Youth Day in 2013. Pope Francis was a groundbreaking pope in many ways. As we saw at World Youth Day, he had an ability to relate to young people and draw them back to the Church. In fact he drew in many believers and truly revitalized the Catholic Church. He was also baptized in the Holy Spirit, prayed in tongues, and promoted the Spirit-filled Catholic movement. In addition he had faith for the joining together of Catholics and Protestants. Of course, there are biblical and political positions that Pope Francis embraced that we take issue with. This does not mean, however, we should break oneness with Catholics or stop praying for them. Catholics make up a little more than fifty percent of all Christians. Therefore, who the pope is and what he stands for is important for all Christians. The conclave for the selection of the next pope is coming up, and we must pray that the new pope continues the progress made under Francis.

Unfortunately, many Protestants do not even consider Catholics to be Christians and exclude them from the Body of Christ. This belief is not only incorrect, but it also plays into the hands of satan, who by dividing Protestants and Catholics effectively splits the Body of Christ down the middle. Our oneness is our power in the world of spirit, and satan would like nothing more than to reverse the oneness we have attained. That is why it is crucial to pray for the upcoming conclave and the selection of a new pope. Please reject satan’s lies and pray to create the pope who will be the voice for oneness, for functioning in the Holy Spirit, and for God’s unbreakable covenant with the Jews and the land of Israel.

Key Verses:

• Matthew 5:14. “You are the light of the world.”
• Philippians 2:13. “It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
• Matthew 22:36–40. “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD … WITH ALL YOUR MIND.”
• Luke 10:26–27. “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD … WITH ALL YOUR MIND.”

Quotes:

• “What he did in many ways was groundbreaking. And I know that there are people who criticize some of the ground that he broke. He was a little too liberal and got out of being biblically sound. But I feel like what is important to me are all the things he did that were so positive.”
• “When you’re developing oneness, you’re not afraid to bring up problems. But you keep the oneness moving because at some point I believe the Holy Spirit is like a river and things are purified as they move.”
• “We as Christians need to be able to move in our intercession to see change come in the world. We are the light of the world and we need to be on top of our game as the Body of Christ right now.”

Takeaways:

1. Our involvement in 2013 with the World Youth Day in Brazil was our introduction to a relationship with Pope Francis as well as with the Catholic Church. This has been a deep relationship with many Catholics that continues to this day. We joined with Pope Francis in his heart to see the joining together of Catholics and Protestants. We continue to have faith for and work with believers to expand this oneness in the Body of Christ.
2. The deep division in Christianity between Protestants and Catholics is something very destructive to the oneness we need as the Body of Christ. Our oneness is what makes our intercession effective in changing the world. We must see this division come to an end.
3. Protestants need to come to grips with the fact that the selection of a new pope will greatly impact the faith of the Body of Christ moving forward. Instead of focusing on doctrinal issues, we need to see the will of God and the Kingdom of God brought to bear in what is taking place in Rome. Do not think that satan will not be fighting with everything within him to prevent the will of God from happening.
4. Let your prayers turn loose the creative power of God within you. He is in you to will and to do of His good pleasure. Therefore, do not just pray for God to do something. In your meditation move by the Spirit to create the new pope by your prayers.