PROPHETIC WORDS

PRAISE AS A WEAPON OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE

by Sarah Cheesman

March 2025

This prophetic word was given at the NZ Council of Prophets gathering and Behold Conference in Christchurch, March 2025.

The Love of the Father

As I was praying for your land I saw a picture of the Father coming close to embrace Aotearoa. He stooped down and wrapped His arms around the land mass of New Zealand. “His left hand draws me in, his right hand embraces me” (Song of Songs 2:6)

I heard the Lord say, “You are a sheep nation!” The Lord is releasing the voice of his kindness and many will respond. The voice of the good shepherd will be known throughout the land as He moves to draw all men unto Himself. “My sheep hear my voice and a strangers they will not follow” (John 10:4).

I sense that as His great kindness draws near, it will lead many to repentance (Rom. 2:4). By putting an end to the enmity between us, through the blood of Jesus (Eph. 2:14-16), the compassion of the cross will be received throughout the nation.

Praise as a weapon of Spiritual Warfare

I saw a picture of the Lord opening up a well of praise out of New Zealand. It came bursting up like a geyser from the earth. I feel that the Church in New Zealand is entering a season where the high praises of God will be key in the lordship of Jesus being further established in the land. This will take place in your corporate gatherings, personal lives and intercession. In doing so it will push back the powers of darkness, as the victory of the cross is proclaimed across the land!

I saw a picture of a red banner representing the blood of Jesus covering the nation. You will know Him as Jehovah Nissi – the Lord our Banner – in this season. There is a covering and enveloping that is hovering over you. Just as you are named Aotearoa, the Land of the Long White Cloud, there is a glory hovering over you that will cover and shield you in this season.

“When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Lord raises up a standard” Isa 59:19.

I believe there is a call for our partnership in praise to see His Kingdom come and His will done in New Zealand.

The Army of the Lord Arising

I sensed that as the nation rages, and the people plot in vain, He laughs at their plans (Psa 2:1,4). I was reminded that His ways are higher than ours and heard the Lord say, “The sound of the army rising is a sound of love.”

There is a call to intercession in this season, as a call to war, but the sound is a song of love! I sense it is being released throughout the great Southlands (Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Island nations). This intercession will be marked and moved by love. This song of love will draw the people in.

“Then may your awakening breath blow upon my life until I am fully yours. Breathe upon me with your Spirit wind. Stir up the sweet spice of your life within me. Spare nothing as you make me your fruitful garden. Hold nothing back until I release your fragrance. Come walk with me as you walked with Adam in your paradise garden” (Song of Songs 4:16).

The Lord reminded me of a dream I had a few years ago, outlined in my book, The Lifestyle of a Happy Prophet. It is below:

"A couple of years ago I had a dream in which I was playing tennis at a regional tournament, the Brisbane International. It’s one of those tournaments that are played before a Grand Slam and, in this case, the Australian Open. Out on the court I looked up to see my opponent on the other side of the net was Roger Federer.

We were in a warm up session, and although he was going easy on me I just couldn’t keep up with the speed and strength with which he was hitting the balls. A little while into playing he motioned toward his bag, inviting me to use his equipment. At first I thought he was suggesting we use his tennis balls. Being able to read my thoughts, he shook his head and motioned again. I then realised he was inviting me to use his tennis racket. Without hesitation, I ran over and picked up his Nike racket and woke up from the dream.

Immediately the Holy Spirit began to reveal the different symbolism in the dream and its interpretation to me. At the time of writing, Roger Federer is considered the greatest tennis player of the Open era—if not of all time. In this dream, I sensed he represented the Holy Spirit. In the natural, Wilson is the sponsor of Federer’s tennis racket, but in the dream it was Nike, which means victory.

The tennis court represents prayer and winning the battle in the courts of heaven—in the realm of the spirit. I heard the Holy Spirit say, “You have been playing in the semi-pro, regional tournaments, but I’ve designed you for the Grand Slams. Come, learn from My Holy Spirit, learn from the best, and I will give you the tools of victory to win battles at a global level.”

– S. Cheesman, The Lifestyle of a Happy Prophet (published by Destiny Image, 2023)

This is where I believe the Lord desires to position the Church of New Zealand in this season. He is shifting and preparing you to win battles in the heavenlies that would impact the destiny of your nation. As a gateway nation, you are called to lead the Pacific nations into this victory also.

I also saw the linking of the ANZACs again, and the beautiful partnership that we carry in the Spirit will cause us to run alongside one another in intercession for the Kingdom!

BIO