Prayer Journal, September 5, 2025
2024.09.12 – The 19th North America Businesspersons Evangelism Conference, Lecture 1
Scripture Reading: Acts 1:1-14
In America right now, pluralism that seeks to eliminate Christ is rampant, and America is exporting this to the entire world. Also, the three organizations are spreading the Nephilim movement globally. Moreover, there’s a strong movement in America advocating for the elimination of gender and religious discrimination. Darkness has covered the situation. Recently, the New York Times reported that by 2030, about one-third of the churches in the U.S. will close. Will it really happen? The gospel has never stopped even once. Even during the Middle Ages when the gospel seemed absent, it was testified to most powerfully. You must realize that in every generation, God always raised up church leaders and workers. Before Moses, God had already raised up people like Jochebed and Jethro. Before Samuel and David, God raised Hannah and Jesse. Before Elijah and Elisha, God established a church leader named Obadiah. For the evangelization of Rome, God first raised the church leaders and workers in Romans 16. God can fulfill His work even with just one person. During the Remnant Age, God worked through just one Remnant. God’s power is not in numbers. So, why are American churches closing? Naturally, they will close. Korean churches are also becoming more serious. Many churches are closing. We have entered this crisis, this age of darkness. And in this era, God has called you.
This time, you must know three things. What is the first?
▣ Introduction – Reason
What is the reason that churches are closing? You must know the reason. Why are Korean churches closing? Of course, they are bound to close. Why? Because they keep doing everything except what Jesus taught. All you need is to open your spiritual eyes. Even when they go to church, people continually do the very things Jesus told them not to do. The things Jesus commanded us to do, they absolutely refuse to do. It’s not that it’s impossible; it’s just inevitable that they fail. Jesus told us to forgive seventy times seven, yet churches refuse to forgive even once. Isn’t that true? Jesus told us to bless many people and preach the gospel, but instead, we keep gossiping and talking about others. People keep doing only the things Jesus forbade.
1) Jews
Especially the Jews—their entire ideology was wrong from the start. They developed this chosen-people superiority complex. That ideology eventually became one that brought hatred from the entire world. Right? They believed, “Jehovah is the God of Israel only,” and “The Messiah is only to save Israel.” This was such a distorted belief.
2) Pharisees
Especially the Pharisees—the so-called orthodox church leaders of the time. Even today, if you listen to the most conservative denominations in Korea, their speech is exactly the same as the Pharisees. Even the words are identical. It’s shocking. Nobody even taught them this, yet they sound just like Pharisees, which means the church cannot thrive. Simply put, they cannot receive answers. No matter how much they pray, they will not receive answers. Why? Because they are doing the wrong things.
As soon as Jesus called His disciples, He said this in Matthew chapter 5: “The blessing you think you have—it’s not a blessing. You’re under Roman occupation and will soon perish, yet you think you’re blessed just because you hold a high position? That’s not blessing. Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are those who mourn. Blessed are those who are persecuted, for they will inherit the kingdom of God.” And regarding prayer, He told them: “Do not pray like you are doing now. Do not pray to be seen by people—that’s not prayer. Do not keep babbling meaningless requests—your Father already knows what you need.” Then in Matthew chapter 7, He said: “Seeking to prove who’s right and wrong in church—that is not faith. That’s why you can’t see the plank in your own eye but notice the speck in your brother’s eye.” That’s not faith. He gave a parable: it’s like building a house on sand. It looks solid, but when storms come, it collapses.
During His three years of ministry, Jesus did two main things besides dying on the cross: He taught and He changed everything. He even ate with tax collectors—the people Jews despised—because they loved the Word. He forgave the woman who wept at His feet, while the Jews came ready to stone her. On the Sabbath, He healed the sick—completely overturning their distorted understanding. But today, we are living our faith exactly like the Pharisees. Naturally, there are no answers. I can usually tell right away whether a church will experience revival or decline. It’s inevitable. People must discern this quickly. Once you understand, God’s works naturally follow.
Just like it is natural for a man and woman to get married and have children—there’s no need to attend training or academies to make it happen—spiritual life is the same. Life gives birth to life. If you truly have the gospel, spiritual fruit naturally comes forth.
Jesus often used parables because people had the wrong understanding. He said, “Your faith may seem small like a mustard seed, but that life will grow into a tree.” The true gospel and covenant you hold may seem invisible now, but it spreads like yeast. It may look like you are sacrificing for the Lord, but beneath that sacrifice is an eternal treasure hidden for you. It may seem like you’re carrying just a bag, but inside, you have the most precious pearl. Jesus used parables so that those with ears to hear would understand—and also so that those who shouldn’t understand, wouldn’t. He said clearly: “Not everyone should grasp this. If the wicked and violent understand this mystery, they’ll misuse it.”
This year, you must seriously find the answer as to why things haven’t worked for decades. Why are American churches closing? Because they’re not doing what Christ commanded. And before Jesus gathered them to the Mark’s Upper Room, He first called them to Mt Olive and gave them the complete message. But they are not doing this.
3) Temple
Now, let’s talk about Herod’s Temple. The problem was that it became an idol. What’s the most critical issue here? The three courtyards were missing. God Himself designed them, yet they were completely corrupted. In the Temple, they started selling animals and exchanging money. The Gentiles’ courtyard, the children’s courtyard, and the prayer courtyard were completely taken over by business. In any nation, if people don’t know God’s power, money becomes god. They were making profit inside the Temple itself.
When you offered sacrifices, you had to buy animals there. Inspectors would reject animals brought from outside, forcing you to buy theirs. They even demanded Temple-specific currency, charging commission on every exchange. The profits were enormous. That’s why Jesus flipped the tables in anger, driving them out with a whip. A church without the three courtyards must close its doors.
Satan’s bartizan
Do you know what’s even more important? Jesus Himself said it: the bartizan of Satan inside us. If this remains, failure is inevitable.
1) Matthew 12:28–30
Here, Jesus wasn’t speaking to unbelievers. He was speaking directly to Pharisees who thought they were faithful: “There is a strong man, Satan, in your house. Unless the Spirit of God comes and binds him, you cannot overcome him. But when the Spirit comes, the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Satan builds his stronghold inside people.
2) Matthew 12:43–45
Evil spirits also build their homes inside us. You can repent, strive harder, clean yourself outwardly, and even have fellowship—but without Christ, seven stronger spirits return. It’s useless. Satan grips people like their master. The reason there are no answers is simple: people are not doing what Jesus taught.
3) 2 Corinthians 10:1–5
Paul said, “We demolish strongholds,” because Satan sets up a fortress inside us. Without destroying that fortress, nothing works.
Check yourself carefully. If answers aren’t coming, you cannot receive them. No matter how much you serve, nothing will work. No matter how much you pray, there will be no results. Churches will close. Members will leave. Evangelism won’t happen. It’s inevitable as long as Satan’s bartizan stands. That must be completely broken.
▣ Main – New bartizan (John 14:16, 26; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Acts 19:8; 1 Corinthians 3:16)
So what must we do? We must do what Christ commanded. You must firmly remember this and build an entirely new bartizan—the one Christ Himself gave. You must quickly discern this.
Before His death, Jesus said, “Do not tell anyone about the confession of Christ yet, for you are not ready.” After Peter confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” Jesus praised him greatly, yet He said, “Do not tell anyone yet” (Matthew 16:20). But after the resurrection, everything changed. On Mt Olive, He called them and gave His command: “You will receive power, and you will be My witnesses to the ends of the earth.” That’s the turning point.
Where must this new bartizan be built? Inside you. This is critical. At the end, Jesus emphasized only one thing: “I will send you the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, and He will be with you forever.” In John 14:16, He said the Holy Spirit would make you understand all things. When the Holy Spirit comes upon you, He will not only give you understanding but also remain with you forever. Just as John baptized with water, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit and receive power to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth.
Paul understood this deeply. In Acts 19:8, he boldly proclaimed the kingdom of God. And in 1 Corinthians 3:16, Paul said: “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” You must be conscious of this reality. It’s shocking: even among the Pharisees who seemed faithful, Jesus said, “Satan has built a house inside you. That fortress must be broken.”
Pastor Jang Hyun-tae, who ministered extensively in America, once said this on his first day there: “America is impossible.” And he was right—it’s impossible as long as this bartizan remains. But he also said, “It is absolutely possible if even one elder understands this.” That’s biblical. God always worked through one person who truly understood the gospel.
I’ve been persecuted for 30 years, from every direction, but all those who opposed the gospel eventually collapsed, while the gospel movement continues. People tried to stop Darakbang and criticized me, saying, “Pastor Ryu, you’re pushing too hard. At this rate, you’ll collapse within three years.” Ironically, many of those very people are no longer here, and I’m still preaching today. Why? Because God’s plan continues.
We are preparing for world evangelization, especially for the 5,000 tribes. I personally cannot reach all 5,000, which is why America must rise and send missionaries. We must raise talents from among the nations already here. That’s why RU was established—to discover true workers. The day RU raises the true ones, God will pour out His blessings.
1. 3 Concentration
First, elders and workers, from now on, you must commit to 3 concentrations. Don’t just set fixed prayer times—begin the moment you open your eyes in the morning. Don’t rely on a specific place either. Just start. Keep praying until you meet someone. Keep praying until you receive answers. Throughout the day, turn your conversations, thoughts, and actions into prayer. This is true concentration.
1) 7 Bartizans
(1) God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit promised to dwell within us—pray for that fulfillment.
(2) Through the power of the throne, He promised to be with us.
(3) From that comes the power to break the past, present, and future curses. Only Christ can resolve your past and secure your future.
(4) Inside this blessing are the 5 powers—spiritual, intellectual, physical, financial, and manpower strength.
(5) You receive authority to overcome the ruler of the air.
(6) Then comes CVDIP—discovering your covenant, vision, dream, image, and practice.
(7) Finally, you build the three courtyards in your workplace, church, and studies. These are the 7 bartizans.
This is what you concentrate on—not by setting aside special hours but by constantly enjoying them. As you work, you can do this continuously.
2) 7 Journeys
(1) My life journey follows the path where the Triune God works.
(2) The 10 foundations of the throne are my journey.
(3) The 10 secrets of the throne are my journey.
(4) The five assurances of victory are my journey.
(5) The constant flow from the throne is my journey.
(6) The journey where I receive and give lifelong answers.
(7) My entire life becomes a camp of the throne.
Why aren’t people doing this? Instead, they do everything except what Jesus taught. This journey includes your business, your health, your family—everything. If you worry night and day, it will destroy you and those around you. But if you enjoy this journey, answers naturally come, and the future is secured.
3) 7 Guideposts
(1) The covenant of Mount Calvary is my guidepost.
(2) The mission of Mt Olive is my guidepost.
(3) The Mark’s Upper Room experience is my guidepost.
(4) Antioch is my guidepost.
(5) The start of Asia is my guidepost.
(6) Macedonia is my guidepost.
(7) Rome is my final guidepost.
These 7 guideposts mark God’s roadmap for evangelism. Focus on these in your 3 concentrations. This is simple, powerful, and unstoppable.
2. 3 Setting
Second, what is it? If you enjoy the above, the 3 settings will naturally be established. As you keep enjoying this, the 3 settings are formed.
1) Platform (Only)
At last, a platform is built. What is the name of this platform? Only. Your business—only. Your work—only. There isn’t a lot you need to do; do only what you must. The people I’m most wary of are those who spread themselves too thin and try to do everything. Why? Do what you’re truly called to do, and then the setting emerges.
2) Watchtower (Uniqueness)
When this emerges, a watchtower that shines the light is raised. It’s the same essence as the bartizan, and from here, uniqueness appears.
3) Antenna (Recreation)
Then comes the communication that saves the world. This is the antenna. This is re-creation. It will surely come.
Elders, you must do this. Don’t try to receive answers; rather, let the kingdom of God come. Let the darkness be destroyed. Shine the light. Let the curses depart. Personally, I can’t point to a single case where I said, “I prayed and got this answer.” Yet the doors for evangelism open perfectly. Isn’t that enough? I never once prayed, “Give me this,” and yet as I kept 24-hour prayer, my height even shrank by 1 cm—but now, everything is clear. Exactly as I held to the covenant: this year the age of the 5,000 tribes will begin—watch next year.
3. 3 Answer
There are 3 answers you will visibly see.
1) Problems
Before, you avoided them; now you seek them out. You go to the problems—because you have the answer.
2) Conflict
You go into places of conflict and strife and give the answer. Then renewal naturally follows.
3) Crisis
And then what? Crisis. You don’t avoid it—you seek it out. Does your church seem to be facing difficulties? Go all-in. Hold fast in prayer and go all-in. The answer will come from the opposite side. If someone is facing problems, go all-in to save them. Don’t ever engage in what destroys. Then the works will surely arise.
Is this difficult? Do what Christ has given. Do what Christ commanded—what He ordered. I’m using the word Order intentionally: it’s what He gave to each individual. Why do people keep doing other things instead of this? It’s strange. Whatever grudge they carry, they refuse to do what Christ told them to do and keep doing only what He told them not to do. What kind of spirit is that? And yet, that’s the majority of people. Naturally, there are no answers. The door of evangelism won’t open. Even if there is just one living worker or church leader, it is enough. That’s certain. There’s nothing complicated about it. Usually, those who don’t truly know make things complicated. Those who have truly risen don’t do that. The half-trained monk talks the most; the true master doesn’t speak.
▣ Conclusion: 300%
Such blessings will come upon your work. 300%—whatever you do in business, do it like this; study like this; evangelize like this; do missions like this. Your boldness is good, and sometimes surging ahead may be led by the Holy Spirit—but it often bears no fruit. You must truly prepare this 300%. Then it becomes truly exciting. Answers begin before you even go out to evangelize. Wow—when you set up the gospel settings 100% for a certain region, and then you survey the field, you’ll be shocked—so many people are prepared. When I started in Busan, I had more than a dozen places lined up. I held back from moving forward only because the opposition was so fierce; I thought, “God must have a plan.”
1) Edit/Plan/Design
Keep editing until this becomes reality. And once you have a complete answer through the Word of God, keep planning. And what then? Keep designing. Keep going until the Word gives you a clear answer; keep planning until your prayer topics become crystal clear; keep designing until the field becomes visible. Evangelism, missions, studies, work—do everything this way. If it’s not visible, don’t go yet. Especially workers, from now on, do it like this.
2) 3 Courtyard
You must become the main figures of the three courtyards. The three courtyards have two expressions: one inside the church and one in the field. Paul began with prayer. What was it? The Gentiles’ courtyard—he carried out healing there. That’s the courtyard of healing and the courtyard of prayer. And then where did he go? To the synagogue—that’s the children’s courtyard. You must do it exactly like this. So, in a sense, you workers should establish memorials for the three courtyards. But never only outside—do it within the church. What you do outside will not remain eternally.
At Immanuel Seoul Church, when someone passed away, they entrusted their money to be used for the Lord’s work. So I instructed the church: “Create a TCK House bearing that person’s name.” That isn’t to glorify the person—it’s to leave footprints. From now on, workers, pray in this way. Do it within your church. Establish a Healing House bearing your family name, a TCK House bearing your family name. It can be done. These are memorials, not bragging. In some big countries, you’ll even see streets named after individuals.
3) 237- 5,000
Church leaders and workers, choose one nation among the 237 nations and 5,000 tribes. In the largest church in Los Angeles, raise 237 elders—assign each one nation. That’s the reason you live in America. Christ said to go to all nations, but we are not going because we lack the system. And raise Mexican and multiethnic pastors. People will come when there is a platform. That’s how we prepare for world evangelization. Answers cannot fail to come—because within us, the bartizan of God is standing. Therefore, I walk God’s journey and set up God’s guideposts everywhere. It cannot fail.
Think carefully. Even thinking correctly is enough. This is not first about practice; it begins with right thinking. Thought is everything, because it moves our brain, and the brain communicates with the soul—and that settles it. I need no other prayer within me—this alone is enough. I pray only this prayer. This is formed naturally. Since we already have this, it comes like this. Preparation is 300%. As these doors open one by one for church leaders and workers, your church cannot help but be revived. Every day, people keep doing what Jesus did not teach. Because they do this daily, the church doesn’t grow; it keeps shrinking; evangelism doesn’t happen; people fall into trials. Where is there time to be tested? We’re too busy receiving blessings. Try this—and you will see God’s astounding works begin.
Tomorrow, there are two things we must surely know—I will confirm them. Let’s give a round of applause to our Triune God who will save the world. I will pray.
Prayer. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of kings, and the infinite love of God, and the powerful working of the Holy Spirit, be with our American workers who will save the world, from now and to eternity, always. Amen.