Bringing this interaction Kim started over from Facebook 🙂
Hello sweet ladies! I know we have covered a lot in prayer this week so I wanted to take a moment to do a quick Q&A! I have been praying about ways we can grow together as a team and in our prayers and intercession for D4Y and have come up with some conversation points :).
1. What does intercession mean to you and how does that apply to your commitment to D4Y?
2. What is your specific heart and/or burden for D4Y?
The purpose of these questions is so we can get to know each other better 🙂 and so I can better utilize your gifts and passions in regards to D4Y for specific prayers and covering! Please answer as you are comfortable- there are no expectations! Just a desire to grow in relationship and love on one another!
Here were the responses:
Kim Ochs ‎
1. For me intercession is setting aside a moment, an hour, a fast, a drive specifically for communication, supplication and praise to the Lord. Being sensitive to His desires and aligning my own and humbling myself before Him so I can get business done 🙂
In regards to D4Y, this means that I keep an open heart and spiritual “uplink” (if you will) to recognize and act on issues that need prayer, warring, intercession, or intervention. In addition I set aside time each day to pray over a list that I have compiled based on my time with the Lord, communications with Meghan and the team, and inspired by my study time :).
2. I have a HUGE desire to see D4Y art in public places. Specifically those dealing with mental and physical health. My heart is to see those in a vulnerable place be touched by the Father and blessed by the message and spirit of this art!
I also feel very passionate about the aspect of the silks produced by D4Y being understood as a special covering from the Lord. The Father has provided a physical representation of His covering through D4Y including His words, blessings and exhortations . . . that revelation is something I treasure and love to see others realize!
And lastly, YOU LADIES are a big part of my heart too 🙂 I desire to be a support to you, serve you to the best of my ability, learn from you, labor with you, and grow with you! You all bless my heart more than you know!
June 22 at 8:33pm
Tonia Gaston
Intercession for me, can be a planned event, i.e. praying at a certain time, way, with other(s), etc. And the other times, just as I feel impressed, i.e. driving down the highway, in the shower, washing dishes, etc. It can encompass reading scriptures aloud, making declarations, singing and praying in the Spirit, prophetic acts, and even silent times. Again, all of this and whatever else was planned and as the Lord leads.
Meghan, Allen and D4Y co. (co. meaning, the business, team, community, covering, suppliers, mail carriers, and related other businesses) are on my prayer list, so all are included in the general prayers with my family, then as I pray in tongues, whatever and whoever He gives me pray specifically for, that I do. In some seasons, this has been structured lists, the last few years, it is been more unstructured….mostly because I think the Lord is breaking me out of the box of things having to be a “certain” way and in a “certain” order…chipping away at the perfectionist law driven training in me. And no, there is nothing wrong with lists! I am sure I will be back on them at some point, it is just not that season for me right now. It seems that every time I have one of those Peter moments, “Lord lets us build a tabernacle for You and Moses and Elijah!!!” the Lord changes things up on me. 🙂
2. My heart is for Meghan and Allen to FLOURISH and out of that deep and intimate relationship with the Lord and each other, the Lord’s presence will flow like living rivers of water through them and into this world, via D4Y and however else the LORD directs. That they be the best unique individual that God created them to be and that HIS Kingdom come, HIS will be done in them and all that pertains to them.
And as Kim said already, the team is such a beautiful part of D4Y. I enjoy praying with y’all and for y’all. Each of you has blessed me and I praise the Lord for all of you.
June 24 at 6:53pm
Meghan Otto Williams
Bumping this post back up to the top. I know responding to this will take time for everybody but I think this is a really helpful exercise (one I almost wish was happening on the blog LOL – so I may move it there when it’s done).
Thank you all for taking time to do this – please remember this isn’t to assess if everyone is “pulling their weight” this is to better understand what the Father has shown each of you as being “your part” – so there’s no wrong answer here. Remember each person isn’t called to carry an EQUAL weight to each other, they are called to carry what the Father has EQUIPPED them to carry 🙂 Some will be led to do more, some less – and that is fine and as it should be! I am VERY grateful for each of you and the role you play in my life and this ministry 🙂
This exercise will show us not only what each person is being led to cover, but this also will highlight gaps that aren’t being covered that I may need to find a way to target.
Kim – thank you for thinking to do this. Tonia – thank you for taking time to answer 🙂 And Allissa, Amanda, Stephanie, Tami, Elaine and Donelda – I look forward to your responses when you’re able to have a moment to respond 🙂
In the mean while, I’ll keep bumping this back up so it doesn’t get lost 😉 Thank you guys!
June 25 at 1:38pm
Allissa Anderson
Intercession for me is taking time to pray and lift up someone else or a group of people. It is hearing what the Father is saying for them and praying that or praying in the spirit for things i do not know or understand. I think for me I try to live a life of intercession in that I try to be open to what I sense/hear/feel/see in the spiritual realm as well as the physical then acting on that with prayeras I feel lead.
For me the act of intercession does not always look like me sitting in my prayer chair praying (sometimes it does though!) Many times it means me out in the woods and suddenly I think of a person or situation or thing and I pray that – or sing on that. I have been singing more spontaneous things lately and have started to branch out from only singing for me and Yahweh. I also many times play a flute for whatever has been placed on my heart. Sometimes I do not have words and cannot find words suitable enough so I play.
In short I do that with Dyed4you as well.
My specific heart toward D4y is sales. I feel to pray for both the amount of sales and for the recipients. I find myself praying that new people would buy from or receive silks from D4y and that they are blessed. I want to see people touched by His hand and what He is wanting to do in their lives.
I also find myself praying that the words contained in the letters are a blessing and that they hit home or drive a point or comfort – whatever He is doing in that silk is what I pray gets released and the recipient accepts and “understands”.
I also pray for Meghan and Allen and also for the members of the team. Mostly that is whatever He has on my heart and mind at that time.
June 25 at 2:32pm
Allissa Anderson
Kim – if I get that mental health job I sense that I will wear silks tied in my hair or tied somewhere. 🙂
I say tied because i would not be able to wear them as scares for safety reasons.
June 25 at 2:35pm
Kim Ochs
I am loving reading these! You guys are showing me areas of prayer I hadn’t even thought of! WOW! God is so good 😉
Allissa – I have taken one of my “purse” scarves (6×24) and wrapped it around a large headband to make it a “D4Y Silkband” to wear when I could not wear a silk otherwise 🙂
June 25 at 4:51pm
Stephanie Carey Ozbirn
I love the D4Y silkband idea! I want one!!!
I read this during our softball tournament. I want time to focus and meditate. I am very encouraged and excited by this form of learning and practice for me, personally. I like being stretched this way. It’s good for us!!! 😉
June 25 at 4:56pm
Tami Cunningham Lane
Intercession to me is standing in the gap for a person that needs prayer, someone that is broken and needs healing from God, a special touch that I am not able to do “like when I was standing in the gap for my son and his drug addiction”. I pray for memebers of the team as God places them on my heart, this can be anytime of the day or night. I pray for D4Y, for incress, that each silk will touch and bless the person that they go to. May God’s Glory shine upon them.
June 25 at 7:56pm
Kim Ochs
That is beautiful Tami! Your tender heart is an inspiration to me!
June 25 at 8:02pm
Amanda Estep ‎
1. What does intercession mean to you and how does that apply to your commitment to D4Y?
Intercession, for me and the Lord, is definitely many of the things listed above: setting time aside, fasting & praying, etc. But for me, most of the time I find that my times of intercession come when He prompts me out of nowhere and I need to “drop” things and start praying until I feel the burden lift. It’s not that I don’t have times set aside to pray for and over things, but I’ve found that is how He and I work together and flow. I just stay open and available to whenever He needs me.
In terms of my commitment, I am always committed to the ministry and team, but with different seasons of my life I think the “amount” of my commitment in intercession looks different and changes according to life issues that arise (like right now) that shift the “weight” of intercession more to one side than the other. I’m seeing where when I am weighted more towards family, He shifts some of my ministry weight proportionately onto all of you and there are no gaps 🙂 It’s really neat (and a relief) to see. I’ve learned to not feel pressured to appear like I “have it all together” with you ladies and appreciate that I can be real and open 🙂
2. What is your specific heart and/or burden for D4Y?
Again, I think the burden for me shifts and changes with the seasons of D4Y, the team, and my own personal life. I pray for it all but the specifics change as the seasons of the ministry and our lives change. I just try to stay in His flow and follow His lead for what He burdens on my heart from day to day. I trust that He shifts the burdens and needs appropriately on each of us and even if I’m carrying a smaller load and you’re carrying a bigger one for awhile, there will come a day it will change and shift the opposite way.
Lately, my heart has been on the prophetic teams (music & silks). That’s a HUGE responsibility to shoulder as His mouthpiece: to maintain yourself as a willing, obedient vessel who hears clearly from Him and then deliver that message to the recipients. With Allissa and Tonia on both teams, I’ve been very prayerful that the amount that is being poured out of them into both teams is being poured right back into them in fresh ways and that they are able to balance between the two teams. I’ve been praying Stephanie’s gifting continues to grow through the music team and her eyes and ears are sharpened as her heart enlarges and softens. I’ve also been praying that NONE of us will start getting into a performance gear or feel pressured to “deliver a word”. Been praying that Kim continues to lead and balance well in both the Prayer Team and Prophetic team and Meghan is able to continue to oversee things as she’s focusing on running other areas of the ministry.
Another thing I pray about is that as we hear and read things through out our days from other teachers, etc. that we carefully consider those through the filter of His Word; that we very carefully weigh and consider prayerfully those things and do not add them to letters because we thought they were “cool” or something “amazingly revelatory” especially if we feel a performance gear kicking in or something to that effect.
I also pray for Carol at SoH frequently. I think I may be biased though because I love her greatly and she is special to me 🙂
June 25 at 10:51pm
Stephanie Carey Ozbirn ‎
1. For me, intercession is speaking specifically to/about an immediate need and bringing it straight to Abba’s feet. Spending time praying for a need(s) that are spoken that need push bc they are brought to light by someone’s obedience in that they have made it to a place where they are to ask for coverage. It is standing between the enemy and the one in need and asking Papa for His magnificent hand to shield and cover and protect and heal His lambs. It applies to my commitment to D4Y in that I am lifting up needs as I see or feel led to pray about that I had no idea about before, ie: warring with weapons created for specific people for specific reasons, lifting a specific warrior for their immediate needs, etc. I was committed to praying before. I am committed to seeing His kingdom advance in a wonderful way through things that will touch many, some without even being aware. He is using things like silks, jewelry, purses, arrangements, etc., to speak His words and His life into people’s lives in creative new ways that I never dreamed of. I am definitely committed to interceding for His work through D4Y and Allen and Meghan!!!
2. My specific desire for D4Y is for people to have FREEDOM through His word and His individual message to each one. One of the very things that attracted me to D4Y was the ability to ask for something 7made for me specifically through His direction. What was He speaking specifically to ME? what beautiful love letter was Abba sending me??? The very first time I touched my own D4Y silk, I felt the most beautiful release or freedom. He had spoken to me; Sent me a personal note. It lined up with what I felt Him saying to me and I felt as though I could fly that very moment.
~I want to see His heart shine through the words and the fabrics and dye.
I may have more to add in a wee bit. There’s more I have to think on. I am tired and hitting a brick wall right about now. I love you ladies and I am headed to CRASH!!!!!! :-/
June 25 at 11:08pm
Stephanie Carey Ozbirn
Please excuse any errors above…
I was typing one-eyed through most of it.
June 25 at 11:12pm
Donelda Lea
Probably can’t just say DITTO huh? 😀
June 26 at 12:38pm
Amanda Estep ‎
Donelda I think it’s just fine to say Ditto 🙂
June 26 at 12:39pm
Donelda Lea
Intercession for me is much of the above. But I think of it as a standing in the gap. Many times we stand for people that are having trouble standing or speak for people who are having trouble speaking. Praying as if we are the only one (knowing most the time we are not, but the urgency as if we were) and agreeing with heaven for the situation. It is laying something before the Father and trusting his hand to move. It is singing, praying, declaring, tongues, all as the spirit moves with words that the spirit gives.
My specific prayer burden for D4Y is that of financial provision for Allen and Meghan and all the D4Y ministries. That the time of this ministry NOT be cut short due to finances. That it would continue and flourish and that there would be a freedom from limitations/bondage/worry/stress from lack that is not meant to be there. That nothing be stopped or stolen and abundance would flow into their hands for the provision and continuation of this ministry.
June 26 at 12:51pm
Donelda Lea
After talking to Meghan, I realized that I needed to add this. I answered the first half “What does intercession mean to me” but not the second “How does that apply to your commitment to D4Y”. My answer to the first part is my hearts desire of how I would like to be interceding for D4Y all the time. But honestly, in the season that I am in right now, I don’t feel adequate to step into that gap and to be a front linesman. I am just trying to keep my head above water and my faith intact through everything that is happening in my life.
I am agreeing with you all in prayer and purpose but to be able to hold up a a shield, I am struggling. To give a word picture, you will probably find me huddled on the ground with my shield lying on top of me, wounded and tired, but still whispering the name of my God, and waiting to see the salvation of the Lord in the land of the living. So there you have the honest truth. The good, the bad, and the ugly. And praying some day soon that I will stand in the gap again with strength and fortitude of one that has overcome the battle and become stronger for it.
June 26 at 5:36pm
Kim Ochs
Donelda-your honesty is a treasure, I wish I could hug you right now!!! Bless you for speaking truth and continuing to declare the Lord’s name!
June 26 at 6:53pm
Meghan Otto Williams
Just got to read all of what you guys have shared. Literally in tears. You guys are such a blessing to me ♥ Thank you for ALL you do!!!
June 26 at 7:12pm
Elaine Howell
OK, so where to begin…..Hmmmmm first Donelda your honesty about wher you are is truly refreshing and in some weird way, encouraging. It helps me to see that each of us mayhave our turn in the center by the fire while the rest of us encircle the one who needs extra love, care and protection! I gladly will stand with the others and surround you and any other the other ladies needing respite!
Now to answer the questions. Intercession means to me much of what has already been said. Standing in the gap for those you know but also standing in the gap when Abba calls you even when you have no idea who, what or why! Fasting, set aside time, but also just praying when a person or place comes to mind. How does this show in my commitment to D4Y? Well as I go through my day and see a post come across from any one of you, I pray as I can, encourage where possible. I pray for the team and Espeially for Meghan, Allen and all aspects of D4Y.
My specific desire(s) for D4Y, started as a desire to see anybody that received a silk touched in a mighty way. As I have been on the team, my desires have changed and grown. It now encompasses many things including Meghan’s physical and spiritual health, Allen’s health, the health of their marriage. Financial and Spiritual Prosperity for them and D4Y. The health and safety of each team member and their families. Spiritual and Financial prosperity for each team member.
I can’t explain it all I know what sits in my heart but can’t put it into words. I like, Allissa, often sing in intercession I love the feeling it gives me and when I sung for somebody, I love watching their face. I only wish I could do that with each of you.
I hope what I’ve said makes sense to each of you. I Love you all, and I am feel honored to be a part of such a fantastic group of ladies! I loved reading what each of you had to say. Blessings to each of you and your families!
June 28 at 7:27pm
Kim Ochs
I cannot thank you ladies enough for doing this! I am still digesting all that has been written and prayerfully taking it before the Lord. I am seeking His strategy for prayer/intercession coverage for D4Y instead of trying to map out what I “think” it should be 🙂 and also asking Him what He would like me to do to best support you individually! If you feel led to do so, prayers of wisdom over this process are very much appreciated!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your honesty, bravery, and time you put into your answers. I seriously wish I could hug each of you! (starting to tear up) Your commitment to the Father humbles and ministers to me in many ways. Blessings on you all!!!
June 29 at 1:49pm