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William Ford III

@wwillford

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Helping you pray the history God wants to write ✍️
Husband of @dehavillandford
Pastor @mercycultureeastfortworth
The Dream King film · 2027 ⬇️

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In 1906, God dug a well on Azusa Street through the son of enslaved parents. In the very same window, another system was born — and for a century, a lid of oaths and covenants has sat over the well. Finney testified that where the lodge was renounced, revival continued. Frederick Douglass called the lodges “glittering follies” swallowing the best energies of our best men. And C.O.G.I.C. Mother Lizzie Robinson — jailed, egged, and beaten for exposing the lodges — preached against them to her dying day. By two or three witnesses, every word is established. What’s happening right now across the Black church is not an attack on our institutions. It is a recovery of our own mothers’ and fathers’ testimony. The yoke was entered by the mouth, and it leaves by the mouth. Renounce it. Break it. Trade it for the yoke that is easy. Lord, uncap the well. by @wwillford

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My family still has our kettle. Sixty pounds of cast iron. It was passed down because my Christian ancestors in slavery prayed underneath it — not just for their freedom, but for ours.

For over thirty years I’ve searched more than 2,000 WPA slave narratives at the Library of Congress, looking for others. I found over 400 accounts of enslaved believers risking their lives in secret prayer meetings. At least half of them turned down a wash pot, a barrel, or a kettle to catch the sound. Nine states. Mississippi to the Carolinas.

This was not folklore. Princeton’s Albert Raboteau documented it as the most common device enslaved Christians used to keep their worship from being heard. People ask me where the practice came from. The witnesses answered that question themselves. One formerly enslaved man, asked where they learned it, said: “I kinda think the Lord put them things in their minds to do for themselves, just like he helps us Christians in other ways.”

And here’s what settles it. When slavery ended, the pots were put away. Other traditions carried over into freedom. The prayer pot didn’t — because secrecy was the only reason it ever existed. Take away the oppression and you don’t need to muffle voices with pots.

The pot was never the point. The Person they were praying to was.
Part 3 is the harder half: what it cost them, and where those muffled prayers ended up. Swipe through, then go read it.
#kettleprayers #hushharbor #prayer #churchhistory #blackchurchhistory revival 818thesign by @wwillford

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Because of their love for Jesus, in spite of the danger, nothing stopped them from praying. Whether enclosed in wet quilts or praying underneath cast-iron kettles, our Christian ancestors prayed prayers during slavery that are still being answered today. So we’re connecting with history — and through the connection, we’re making history. We are recipients, but hopefully we also become a resource. We’re the answer to yesterday’s prayers, but we are also a question: Will we move the prayer chain forward? Revelation 5:8 says the prayers of the saints are kept in golden bowls before the throne. Nothing you pray in secret is wasted. Nothing. 🔥 What prayer are you sowing for a generation you’ll never meet? The commitment of our forefathers has now become the calling of our time. by @wwillford

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Jesus is Jewish, descended from Judah (Hebrews 7:14), and our risen Savior is still called the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5). The prophets of Israel and the twelve apostles were Jewish. Romans 11:18 warns Gentile believers against arrogance toward Israel, and 1 John 4:20 exposes the contradiction of claiming to love God while hating a brother. Antisemitism has no place in Christianity. Love Jewish people. Pray for them. Stand against the hate. by @wwillford

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Stop chasing prophetic words and start pursuing God

Many are looking for God to say something new while neglecting what He has already spoken.

Steward what God has said and watch Him move! by @wwillford

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🚨It isn't warfare, it's joyfare!

We believe this is the year God is returning the joy of your salvation. Let Him search your heart, and let the joy of the Lord be your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)

Comment SERMON for the link to the full message. 🙌

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#MercyCulture #LoveMercy #BeAPartOfIt by @wwillford

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❤️‍🔥 Joy is a Spiritual Warfare Strategy!

Do you know how to war in joy?

Comment SERMON for the link to the full message: Joy-Based Warfare.

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#MercyCulture #LoveMercy #BeAPartOfIt by @wwillford

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🕊️ Comment SERMON for the link to the full message!

Do you know what aroma you carry?

In Christ, we carry the aroma of LIFE.
In Christ, we carry the aroma of VICTORY.

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#MercyCulture #LoveMercy #BeAPartOfIt by @wwillford

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Jesus Christ is not one of many ways to God. HE IS GOD. He is not merely a prophet, a good teacher, or a religious figure. He is the eternal Son of God, the Word made flesh, the King of kings and Lord of lords. No other name can save you. No other name has conquered sin and death. No other name is worthy of all glory, honor, and worship. Jesus Himself declared, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6, ESV). And Acts 4:12 makes it clear that salvation is found in no one else. The world can call that narrow, offensive, or intolerant, but the truth doesn’t change to accommodate culture. JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, AND EVERY KNEE WILL BOW BEFORE HIM. Philippians 2:10–11. by @wwillford

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Jesus didn’t die for you so you could keep the gospel to yourself. Someone in your life needs to hear about the hope you’ve found in Him. Don’t let fear of an awkward conversation keep you silent. Love people enough to tell them about Jesus. by @wwillford

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We were never called to please people or man, but to walk boldly in the obedience of God. Don’t allow the fear of displeasing people keep you from fulfilling what God has called you to do.

Your anointing is meant to Glorify God, not man.

Comment SERMON to watch the full message, "Joy-Based Warfare". ⚔️

“...and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.”
Ephesians 5:10 ESV

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#MercyCulture #LoveMercy #BeAPartOfIt by @wwillford

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Have you lost your Joy?

We are anointed by Christ to spread the aroma of the joyful knowledge of His victory everywhere. The Anointing makes you God’s joyful representative of His victorious Kingdom.

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#MercyCulture #LoveMercy #BeAPartOfIt by @wwillford

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