Plucking the Eagle's Wings

The Zero Cycle and the Deaths of American Presidents

that there were a large number of Christians on Reagan's staff who prayed for him regularly. Scripture teaches that people can win spiritual battles as they walk out their prophetic destiny. For example, Paul wrote to young Timothy when he was having difficulty being accepted as pastor of a large church. Paul reminded Timothy that, "With the prophecy that went before you, war a good warfare" (1 Timothy 1:18). If one is certain of God's prophetic destiny, then prayer and intercession will thwart the enemy's efforts to stop its fulfillment. This is especially important with regard to our nation's highest leaders. A prayer strike force should ask God to form a hedge of protection around spiritual and political leaders in our nation. How Long Can a Curse Continue? In Scripture, a spiritual curse can result from God's disfavor. He can lift His protective hedge or permit the enemy to rise up against a nation or a person. Scripture teaches that a curse can continue for several generations. When Joshua conquered Jericho, he pronounced a curse upon any person who rebuilt the wicked city. Joshua spoke the curse, "...Cursed be the man before the Lord, that raiseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it" (Joshua 6:26). After its destruction, Jericho sat in ruins until 400 years later when Ahab instructed Hiel to rebuild it. As Hiel began to rebuild the city, his oldest son died. When the project was completed, his youngest son died. "In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the Lord, which he had spoken by Joshua the son of Nun." (1 Kings 16:34) If the "zero cycle" results from a verbal curse, its cause must be identified and then it must be broken. President Reagan broke the "zero cycle" while in office. I believe it was because of his personal commitment to Christ, along with much fervent prayer during his term in office. Reagan gave special honor to the Bible and sought the counsel of several godly ministers. Every leader needs Spirit-filled Christians to surround him or her with continual prayer, to expose the plans of the

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