Entry 9
Istanbul
In the early morning hours as the ship neared the port of Istanbul, I was coming out of a deep sleep, Holy Spirit began singing these lyrics to a familiar worship song:
“The world will say “where is your God?”, we will say “He’s right here with us…”
Since 2001 we’ve hoped to return to Istanbul, Türkiye. My husband and I spent the last glorious days of our honeymoon mystified by this beautiful city, its people and culture. Visiting this exotic place marked the beginning of a beautiful story written for us by the hand of God.
“You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”
Psalms 139:16 NLT
Not long after this point in time I was radically saved and baptized with the fire of God. I began passionately pursuing the presence of the Master running faster and faster, getting knocked down several times, but each time being lifted up by His hand and quickening my pace to a sprint again and again!
As we return today carrying 22 wonderful years of marriage and our two sons I remember what the Lord promised before we embarked on this great voyage across the globe:
“You go as a scout to discover the new moves of God in ancient realms. Something brand new and unexpected will be seen. You will be recognized, known when you enter these places. Your initial visit 22 years ago was as a prodigal but you return as a blazing believer with a redeemed family of believers!”
Before leaving the ship we prayed as a family and called on Michael and the warring angels of Heaven to surround and protect us. We decreed that everywhere we go the Kingdom of God has come to that place.
Our tour began with a visit to Blue Mosque. Removing our shoes we entered the lavishly ornamented massive building. Covering my head, chest and shoulders with a wrap I entered and marveled at the elegance. My son Charlie reminded me to pray in tongues. After a moment of silent prayer hearing the many foreign languages being spoken all around me I quickly reported to my boys to pray out loud in tongues, no one would know! So we did!
We repeated the same type of prayer in Hagia Sofia. Looking at the Christian imagery still covering the highest parts of the dome we noticed something significant. I believe the four corners of the upper dome depict images of the Four Living Creatures who surround the throne of God night and day crying out: “holy, holy, holy”. One of the Four has the face of a man which is shown in one corner.
We later toured the palace grounds of the Sultans walking through museums filled with enormous jewels and gold furniture, swords, guns and even a crib!
The elegant hotel which hosted our tour group for lunch was originally built for the guests of the Orient Express.
Our love for this lively city, culture, and people was again kindled during our visit. The Lord deposited something precious into each of our hearts.
After returning home my oldest son finished a prayer call and came to me reporting that during the meeting the Lord put it on his heart to decree that these places we visited would again be dominated by the Kingdom of God!
“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
II Corinthians 4:6 NKJV
