National and State Leadership The Illinois Apostolic Prayer Network (IAPN – formerly ISPN) operates under the direction of the US Global Apostolic Prayer Network (USGAPN – formerly USSPN) led by Dr. C. Peter Wagner of Global Harvest Ministries. In the summer of 1989, a concerned group of Christian leaders dared to believe the United States could once again be a nation "under God." The idea for a network of intercessors dedicated to strategic-level spiritual warfare emerged from the Lausanne II Congress on World Evangelization held in Manila, Philippines. Less than a year later, it was birthed. Led by C. Peter Wagner, the initial phase of the International Spiritual Warfare Network took place in California in February 12, 1990. More than two dozen recognized spiritual leaders attended. Following several years of annual gatherings, the official United States Spiritual Warfare Network was launched in January, 1997, under the direction of Cindy Jacobs. In 2000, Dr. Wagner changed the name of the network from the USSWN to the United States Strategic Prayer Network (USSPN). Since their inaugural sessions, the USSPN has established 14 Task Forces and 50 State Coordinators (plus the District of Columbia), along with the teams of strategic-level intercessors. Because America is a federation of states, it's believed each state must be dealt with individually for the healing of the nation. The U.S. SPN Members are spiritual leaders from across America who meet annually to strategies and hear from God for the nation of America and implement strategies in their spheres of influence. The U.S. SPN Task Forces are teams designed to deal with the strongholds that beset ethnic groups, specific sectors of society, etc. The structure chart lists these Task Force groups and their respective leaders. State Coordinators support the USSPN's initiative to facilitate revival across America through promoting state-wide unity and networking prayer leaders. Over 40 states have had local sacred assemblies to repent for the sins of their states. Intercessors have identified the sins committed in that state since its inception and repent to open the paths of reconciliation and bridge any gaps created by these sins (i.e. gender, racial, denominational, etc.).   Until recently, the Prayer Network was known as the United States Strategic Prayer Network (USSPN) and has been changed to US Global Apostolic Prayer Network (USGAPN) to reflect the apostolic/prophetic nature of the function and leadership of the Prayer Network. In March 2004, Dr. Wagner appointed Chuck Pierce as National Apostle to lead the National Apostolic Council for the USSPN, now the USGAPN. Apostle Lyon, assisted by the staff at Faith Center, regional Hub leaders and IAPN Mobilization Coordinators, serves as the State Apostolic Coordinator for the Illinois Apostolic Prayer Network or IAPN. Functions of the State Network 1. Mobilize a state-wide apostolic strategic prayer network, by connecting with various churches, ministries, pastors, intercessors and leaders, in the church and marketplace, to organize payer efforts across the state to release the harvest of souls and revival in the state. 2. Pray through specific issues, which hold back revival and the harvest, and are causing the territory to go in wrong directions. Examples include wrongful shedding of blood, idolatry, broken covenants and sexual strongholds. 3. Set watchmen in place who are able to see afar off and receive revelation for the purpose of strategy, protection, and receiving the blessings of the Lord for their regions and the state. 4. Hold city-wide and regional sacred assemblies to pray and repent of sins which are holding the area in captivity. 5. Respond to the national initiative of the USGAPN – formerly USSPN, and mobilize city, regional and state-wide initiatives essential to breaking through and transforming the city, region and state. The Strategy 1. Organize a state-wide network of communication among all existing prayer networks who desire to participate. 2. Mobilize city-wide and regional prayer networks where there are none in existence. 3. Hold city, regional and state-wide intercessory and worship events, teaching seminars, and various conferences for the purpose of turning the territory toward God in obedience to His Word, to release His blessings, revival and the harvest. 4. Identify apostolic and prophetic leaders, intercessors, spiritual mappers and watchmen who desire to participate in each city, county and region, as well as provide leadership for the different territories of the state. 5. Hold annual state-wide and regional meetings for strategic training, impartation and spiritual direction.

Illinois State Prayer Focus

Illinois has been a more conservative (than liberal) state for many, many years. However, I blieve Satan has targeted this state (at the heart of the nation) to tear down the values we’ve always stood for. For the first time in many, many years, the entire political structure is in the hand of a more liberal element. However, as our state is uniting in intercessory prayer, we are watching signs of the turn-around take place.

When you see the videos of transformation around the world, one of the signs is the reproductivity of the crops and the environment. Illinois is the largest corn producing state in the nation, and we must guard our ability to feed the nation and the world.

Illinois, under God’s blessing, can and will be stronger than it has ever been, and we declare Jesus, Lord over Illinois.

Just as we are praying for a new political climate that will honor God, we are praying for new values to come back to our land. Several boats for gambling have been licensed in the last few years. Now they are targeting cities for casinos. We are praying intensely against this move, which would only cause moral decline in our state. As the Illinois Strategic Prayer Network is rising up over the entire state, there is awareness throughout the intercessors’ leadership that there is already coming a shift in the heavenlies that is manifesting in many areas.

One of our targets has been the establishment of new businesses to take the place of many jobs that have been lost to foreign countries. THIS IS HAPPENING!! In spite of bad political leadership, God is honoring the prayers of believers to restore Illinois completely.

We have dealt with several areas in the state where sins have been committed against the Native Americans here. We still have more to do, but progress is being made there, too. Continue to lift us up in prayer for that.

Our Legislature recently passed a law allowing homosexuals, lesbians and transvestites, to be protected by Civil Rights. This bill was slipped through very quickly and without much attention. Now that it is passed, our Legislators are doing their best to undo some of this un-Godly establishment in our state law. It doesn’t go into effect until January 2006, and we believe by then to reverse this bill and bring God’s favor back in Illinois. Some of our legislators, who are believers, have entered a bill to make our public libraries free from pornography, so that children and youth will not have ready access to this destructive and un-Godly appetite. Along with that, there is an Embryonic Stem Cell Referendum Bill before our house. We are confident God is turning Illinois around, and we solicit your corporate prayers for us.
 
During the Chuck Pierce and Dutch Sheets’ 50 State Tour to Illinois in August, 2003, Chuck gave the following word to John Eckhardt and the state of Illinois. We are standing and believing that what the Lord has spoken will not return to Him void:
 
“I'm about to visit Illinois a second time. You will be a prototype for the states. You'll begin to build what it takes to house My glory. There will be six weeks of rearranging. You will have an order and an anointing to put things in order. Many will come to this state to be a part of that glory. The glory will not only be in the house, but without this house, says the Lord. From this state My glory shall proceed forth as a wheel that shall turn this nation.”