By Marsha West
Christians often gather to pray for a common cause. Even when that cause is political. There is nothing wrong with beseeching God to return America to biblical principles. Many Americans, especially people of faith, believe that there’s something diabolical going on, and that our country is in the grip of evil. Conservative Christians believe that spiritual forces of wickedness have invaded virtually every aspect of society which is why we’ve failed to win the culture war.
It’s safe to say that more than half the country is in rebellion against God. So people of faith are driven to their knees to plead with God to intervene to save our beloved nation from the ravages of cultural Marxism and the Left’s dream of a socialist utopia.
Christians plead 2 Chronicles 7:14, a verse professing Christians have been misusing for years. “If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
“Well-intentioned Christians (especially in the U.S.),” says apologist Tim Chaffey, “love to cite this verse as a promise from God that if believers in this nation would humble themselves and pray then God will fix our nation. Before you get upset with me for implying that this is not what this verse is about, ask yourself, ‘What is the context of this verse?’ Do you know when these words were spoken and to whom they were addressed? Do you know the occasion for these words or have you just repeated them thinking that they were meant for your particular situation?”
Most people would have to answer no. That includes Christian leaders, clergy, and prayer event organizers. There’s much more to say about the misuse of 2 Chronicles 7:14. But that’s not what I’m going to address here. If you wish to know why it is unwise to take verses out of context and apply a meaning never intended by the author, read Commonly Misused Bible Verses: 2 Chronicles 7:14.
My purpose in writing this piece is to alert my readers to two up-coming conferences both of which are steeped in dangerous New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)/Dominionism theology.
Unleashed
Paula White Ministries’ 2026 Unleashed Conference is coming to Apopka Florida February 18th through the 21st. “Come experience the revival happening NOW.”
Those who attend this conference, or any of her conferences, will be inspired by many NAR/Prosperity Gospel teachers. You’ll experience “Incredible Main Session Speakers as well as an incredible lineup of National Faith Advisory Board speakers coming to stand boldly with you for biblical truth, religious freedom, and the future of our nation. They will educate and inform you on the issues of parental rights and standing for our children, protecting your faith and freedom, what is really taking place in our nation, dealing with the cultural wars, making a difference in the community, how do we get involved, and much more!” (Bold theirs)
The incredible speakers include “Apostle” Paula White-Cain and husband and musician Johnathan Cain, Paula’s son Pastor Brad Knight, NAR “apostles” Guillermo Maldonado, David Brinson and Jenny Weaver, plus “Prophet” Gideon Danso. Attendees will also hear from women who claim the title pastor such as Noleen Sedra, the Cain’s daughter-in-law Rachel Knight, and Heather Schott. (Heather and Pastor Landon Schott, a married couple, are involved in Deliverance Ministry.) Other speakers include National Faith Advisory Board member and prosperity preacher Jentezen Franklin, popular podcaster and author Eric Metaxas, Ambassador Sam Brownback, Roman Catholic priest Calvin Robinson and controversial doctor Daniel Amen. Sidenote: Dr. Amen worked with Pastor Rick Warren and two other high-profile doctors, Mehmet Oz and Mark Hymen to create The Daniel Plan. Professing Christian Daniel Amen teaches “techniques that will improve ‘brain health,’ claiming that poor brain health is associated with a host of problems from overeating to depression. … He includes meditation (and in fact this is his primary tool) as a way to have a healthy brain.” Odd that a Christian would recommend a meditation that is from the Kundalini tradition called Kriya Kirtan. (Read more about KK here.)
The Courage Tour
Brought to us by Mario Murillo and Lance Wallnau. Other NAR leaders include Ché Ahn, Lou Engle, Jentezen Franklin, David Barton and Tim Barton.
From the website: “In a world increasingly challenged by the erosion of core values like faith, family, and freedom, The Courage Tour emerges as a beacon of hope, uniting those feeling sidelined to harness a divine strength against the prevailing fear and division. This movement transcends mere gatherings, aiming to significantly alter the spiritual atmosphere across seven states and nineteen counties by empowering attendees from diverse backgrounds with clarity and inspiration. Its mission extends to strengthening churches, supporting independent entrepreneurs, guiding parents in protecting their families, and motivating individuals to positively impact their communities. Central to The Courage Tour is the celebration of Jesus Christ’s courage and triumph, providing powerful teachings to inspire attendees to boldly live out their faith. As a collective force rooted in shared values, the tour is a clarion call to stand in unity for what truly matters, reinforcing that with God, we access an unparalleled source of strength and courage, reminding us that courage, indeed, is contagious.”
The following is an excerpt from God and QR Codes for Trump; The Courage Tour Goes to Michigan:
…the Courage Tour looks like an updated version of an old-fashioned Elmer Gantry-style revival, complete with Bible verses, Christian rock, and the promise of faith healing for sufferers of anything from arthritis to sciatica. But within minutes it took on all of the characteristics of a political rally, recruiting worshippers for door-knocking, letter-writing, phone banking, and election oversight, driven by Pentecostal fervor and fear of the devil. …
The tour’s official website promises, “Experience revival in 7 key states with The Courage Tour, marking the dawn of our nation’s Third Great Awakening.” … Enlisting conservative churches in support of Republican candidates is nothing new, but the Courage Tour reflects some innovations. The Courage Tour is the product of the New Apostolic Reformation branch of Pentecostalism, a fairly modern and often misunderstood current of American Christianity. In his recent book, American Evangelicals for Trump: Dominion, Spiritual Warfare and the End Times, André Gagné explains that the term “New Apostolic Reformation” was coined by the late theologian C. Peter Wagner to describe a theology that stressed apostolic leadership and networks, in which charismatic pastors led non-denominational churches with the authority of a CEO. In addition to Gagné, experts on the movement include Bruce Wilson, Frederick Clarkson, Matthew Taylor, Elle Hardy, and Jennifer Cohn.
In the past, much of the modern Religious Right was rooted in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and other fundamentalist denominations. Their voters have been long targeted by strategists such as Ralph Reed, enabled by pastors such as Robert Jeffress. But these votes may be tapped out. The number of Pentecostals in the US is difficult to estimate (believed to be well over 10 million), but there’s little doubt that it’s the fastest growing religious movement in the US, and in the world. Its growth comes at a time when the numbers of Southern Baptists, mainline Protestants, and Catholics have been dramatically shrinking. Furthermore, Pentecostalism is the most racially and ethnically mixed religious movement in America, with large numbers of the African-American, Hispanic and immigrant voters now targeted by both parties. Not all Pentecostal churches have been politicized, but the New Apostolic Reformation is functioning almost like a political party, and one with an extremist agenda. <end>
Even though large groups of conservatives from many religious systems have joined hands to pray, it’s clear that God has not spared America.
The Sin Of Syncretism:
The Old Testament warns against syncretism. In Deuteronomy 12:30-31 God admonishes the Israelites against adopting religious and cultural practices of pagan nations. “Take care that you be not ensnared to follow them, after they have been destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire about their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods?—that I also may do the same.’ 31You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way, for every abominable thing that the Lord hates they have done for their gods, for they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods.”
During conferences many professing Christians get together in large groups to pray with people who reject the God of the Bible including cults such as Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists, as well as Jews, Catholics and New Agers. What is worth noting is that those who profess faith in Jesus Christ show no concern that people from other religious faiths are not praying to the same God Christians pray to – the God of the Bible.
Sidenote: Many evangelicals are unaware that NAR so-called apostles and prophets, such as those named above, believe they have more authority than the scriptures and that new revelation from God is considered authoritative, even the revelation that expressly contradicts Scripture and much of it does. “Prophetic illumination,” says Holly Pevic, “is the belief that the “prophets” and “apostles” receive new illumination.”
These illumined ones believe they have the same gifts as the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament apostles. In Dominionists are on the move…and they mean business I brought to light some of what NAR/dominionists teach:
NAR/dominionists aim to transform society into the kingdom of God on earth. How? By controlling various aspects of society. The term they use is the “Seven Mountains,” or “Seven Spheres” of society. The Seven Mountains are: 1) Arts and Entertainment; 2) Business/Economy; 3) Education; 4) Family; 5) Government; 6) Media; 7) Religion. The NAR holds that as they accomplish ridding the world of evil, things will get better and better and then Jesus Christ will return to set up His kingdom.
Lance Wallnau is a driving force behind the Seven Mountain Mandate. “The best example of the NAR — the ‘incarnation’ of the movement — is Lance Wallnau. If you want to understand or if you want to see what the NAR looks and sounds like, just follow Wallnau on his Facebook rants or look at his show on his Rumble platform….”
According to Protestia, Wallnau has been a leader in the International Coalition of Apostolic Leaders (ICAL) a regional leader in the US Coalition of Apostolic Leaders (USCAL), a contributor to the Bethel Marketplace Apostles and a member of the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders (APCE).
Mario Murillo is an author, speaker and evangelist who puts on tent revivals. His ministry emphasizes healing, revival and deliverance in the Church. In 2023 his ministry merged political rallies with Christian revival meetings to help President Trump win the election. At one point in his ministry, he took to Bethel Redding’s stage during a healing event “When A Good Revival Becomes A Great Revival. A New Healing Prayer” to pray a prayer of healing for those in attendance. Murillo rebuked and came against a lot of illnesses that day. Watch the event here. Justin Peters reveals what is fundamentally wrong with the charismatic movement here (slide the bar to 5:22).
Lest we not forget 2Thessalonians 2:9-10: The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. (Emphasis mine.)
Ecumenical Prayer
Point of fact. The Bible teaches that those who aren’t born again are not indwelled by the Holy Spirit. I tackled this subject in Are you praying to the only true God:
Scripture speaks of God the Holy Spirit residing within all who believe in the Son of God. The Spirit guides, instructs and empowers believers. (John 14:16-17) As well, the “Spirit of truth” confirms everything about Jesus. (John 15:26) The unregenerate (unsaved) person is not Spirit filled. God does not hear anyone’s prayer unless it is put into words by the Holy Spirit. So if we want our prayers to be heard and answered we must pray to the right God.
Paul drives home the point in1Timothy 2:5: For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
As mediator, Jesus Christ stands between God and men to reconcile man to God. According to Scripture, God does not hear the prayers of the unrepentant sinner. “Sin had made a quarrel between us and God; Jesus Christ is the Mediator who makes peace.”
Perhaps the NAR and Christian Right leaders should put their priorities in order and do what the Bible commands. First and foremost, followers of Jesus Christ must share the Good News of the Gospel with the lost. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Mark 16:15) We may defeat the evils of our day through political means and we may change laws. But unless man’s sinful heart is changed, evil will persist.
I’ll close with a quote from my 2012 column Should Christians Hold Prayer Vigils With Apostates?
Over the years religious renegades have shared the platform with GOP candidates, congressmen, entertainers, heads of pro-family groups, and other conservative superstars. Now, I’m not saying that people on stage with renegades share their beliefs; what I’m saying is that when highly regarded leaders unite with word-faith/health & wealth/prosperity gospel heretics, the public sees it as an endorsement! Anyone who holds to word-faith theology is not committed to sound biblical doctrine. What they teach is heretical!
Related
President Trump appoints Paula White, who has been rubbing shoulders with NAR ne’er do wells for decades, to head new faith office by Marsha West
What is the New Apostolic Reformation? – Michelle Lesley & Amy Spreeman
Paula White’s UPCOMING Conference is Pure EVIL!
CRN has compiled a list of false teachers and several other professing Christians we’ve warned you about over the years. The list also contains those we must keep an eye on plus movements, organizations and “frauds, phonies and money-grubbing religious quacks” to mark and avoid as per Romans 16:17-18