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written by John Buhler
Alabama State Seal
The Reformer and Justice State
Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; But the Lord will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. NASB
Preamble 1901:
We, the people of the State of Alabama, in order to establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution and form of government for the State of Alabama:
Motto:
Audemus jura nostra defendere (We Dare Defend Our Rights)
Alabama History:
Statehood: December 14, 1819
22nd State
Alabama: (Name of Indian tribe)
Alabama from the Native Choctaw tongue meaning “thicket clearer” one who clears a path, prepares the way, or clears a field.
The earliest inhabitants of what is now called Alabama were Native American mound builders. The first Europeans to reach Alabama were Spanish explorers in the 16th century, who journeyed inland in 1539 under Hernando De Soto in search of gold. An initial settlement in 1559 by Spanish colonists from Mexico in the Mobile Bay area was abandoned, and Spain made little further effort to settle the area.
Native Americans had little immunity to new diseases brought by Europeans and their society suffered greatly - thousands became ill and died, and many villages were abandoned. Survivors merged into larger tribes/nations, so that by the 18th century few of the peoples De Soto met were still organized under the same names. Most Native Americans became members of four major Native American Nations (the Cherokee, the Chickasaw, the Choctaw, and the Creek Confederacy). The French were the first successful colonizers in Alabama and in 1682 claimed Louisiana, which included Alabama and extended from the Gulf Coast to Canada. Early settlements were fortified trading posts along the Mobile River and included the initial French seat of government for the territory, but the French influence waned as the Native Americans began to favor British traders from the Carolinas and Georgia who provided better quality products at a lower price. Great Britain and France fought a series of wars climaxing with the French Indian War (1754-1763), which was a decisive British victory that removed the French from North America. While Mobile was incorporated into West Florida (a colony that Spain ceded to Britain at that time), all of Alabama north of the panhandle became Reservation Lands for the Indians. White settlement in this reservation without permission of the Native Americans was forbidden by king’s order, bringing resentment from British colonists. Following the Revolutionary War (1775-1783) West Florida was returned to Spain and Alabama was given to the United States, who formed the Mississippi Territory including present-day Alabama and Mississippi.
In the early 1800s the Louisiana Purchase, the War of 1812, and the Creek War all had a profound impact on Alabama which became a separate Territory, and then on December 14, 1819, the 22nd state of the Union. The state capital moved from Huntsville, to Cahaba, to Tuscaloosa, and finally to Montgomery. With an influx of settlers the population more than doubled, and pressure intensified with the Native Americans. Under the administration of Andrew Jackson (1829-1837) these Indian nations were forced to give up their lands and move west of the Mississippi. This was a radical departure from previous purchase and trade agreements, and this forced removal to designated Indian territories further west led to both the Creek removal and Trail of Tears.
Cotton became the cash crop of Alabama and the plantation system, organized around slave labor, was adopted from Virginia. Slavery was one of the most divisive political issues nationally during this half of the century and the Southern states were convinced slavery was essential for agriculture and the North was trying to dominate the economy. The platform of Southern Rights led the way to Alabama finally seceding from the Union following Lincoln’s election in 1860. Alabama invited the other seceding states to Montgomery in 1861 to consider forming a Southern nation. There they established a confederacy, the Confederate States of America, and elected as their president Jefferson Davis, who took the oath of office at the Alabama state capitol. Montgomery became the first capital of the Confederacy, which later moved to Virginia. In the reconstruction following the Civil War, Alabama refused to ratify the 14th Amendment extending rights to blacks, and in 1867 was put under military rule until finally readmitted to the union in 1868 when blacks and pro-Union southerners joined to form the Republican Party and gained control. Railroads were built and industry began to emerge afterward and Democrats regained control in 1874. A system of sharecropping soon emerged as an endless cycle of debt (until around WWII), and segregation of public facilities was the standard at the end of the century.
Railroads spawned further industrial growth in the early 1900s though economic expansion was quenched by the Depression. Alabama’s delegation in Congress provided leadership in the recovery programs of the New Deal to diversify the economy (which also included TVA) allowing recovery and expansion to continue. In the 1950s Civil Rights efforts began to focus on integration and with the flashpoint of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Dr. Martin Luther King led both the state and nation toward radical reform, persevering through violent opposition. Integration in Alabama came late, though the Supreme Court had ruled it mandatory. Resistance to this order required President Kennedy to send the National Guard to enforce the ruling, but it wasn’t until 1970 that blacks attending integrated schools reached 80% (from only 15% a year earlier).
From the early 19th century, Alabama’s economy was dominated by one crop-cotton. After 1915, however, the boll weevil, a beetle that infests cotton plants, so damaged the state’s cotton crop that farmers began to concentrate on raising livestock and crops other than cotton. Manufacturing began to be important to Alabama with the growth of the iron and steel industry during the early 20th century. Beginning in the 1930s low-cost power provided by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), a federal agency, encouraged industrial development. In the late 1990s manufacturing remained the dominant economic sector, with significant contributions to Alabama’s gross product also from the government and service sectors.
In 1943, five years before Israel became a nation, the state of Alabama passed a resolution unanimously calling for the creation of the state of Israel. Alabama led the Nation in supporting Israel back then and they are doing it again now.
93 percent of Alabama counties have no abortion provider. Pro Choice America gives Alabama an F.
Alabama’s Redemptive Gift:
Alabama received its name from a Native American tribe that inhabited the region at the time the first Europeans arrived. The tribal name must be sought in the Choctaw tongue and is translated as “thicket clearers,” (Alba, “a thick or mass vegetation,” and amo, “to clear, to collect, or gather”). In scripture, the concept of “clearing a path” or “preparing the way” is associated with a prophetic gift or mantle. In addition, the concept of “clearing a field” is associated in scripture with “preparation” for planting or building. If we may look past the perversion, this call has tremendous possibility when in right-relationship to God.
Much of Alabama history gives additional witness to this call. Without justifying the reproach of the past, we must see the common threads in Alabama history that reveal the characteristics of this gift that (when redeemed and aligned with righteousness) may glorify God, and be used to bless, minister to, and serve another, with divine purpose and godly intention.
Alabama’s role in the Civil War reveals several things. The platform by which the state seceded from the Union was Southern Rights, and was “perceived” (rightly or wrongly) as an attack on the freedom and rights of the people (though still blinded to the injustice of slavery because it was entrenched in culture and considered an economic necessity). It was Alabama that initiated a call to the separate states to join in Montgomery and was instrumental in seeing them galvanized in forming the Southern Nation, the Confederate States of America. Montgomery became known as the “Cradle of the Confederacy” for the birthing role and as the first Capital of the Confederacy (which later moved to Virginia), and Alabama became known as the “Heart of Dixie.” It may be significant that “heart” in scripture (vs. head) implies a prophet/priestly role (vs. king/ruling role) and is “intended” to be a voice of morality. Though much in this was a reproach, the role must be understood, for when redeemed it has potential for great good. Similarly, with the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born and educated in Georgia and elsewhere, but it was while serving as pastor in Montgomery, AL that the flashpoint of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott provided the catalyst to birth the movement that revolutionized the state and nation, and galvanized a national coalition (the building of which later then moved to Atlanta).
Another case may be seen in 1943 (during World War II) when Alabama was the first (and possibly only) state to officially call for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. The unanimous joint resolution from the Alabama legislature led the way in the U.S. - and eventually the U.N. - five years before Israel became a nation. Alabama again led the way in 2002 when the legislature did the same, urging President Bush to support Israel during the rising Palestinian conflict drawing international attention after the terrorism of 9/11. (It has been said that the only flag to fly in Israel at the Knesset other than her national flag is the flag of the state of Alabama).
Another recent example may be seen in the issue of the lottery, where again a perceived moral issue and exploitation of poor galvanized the state. In addition, the modern example of Judge Roy Moore is very much in line with this historical precedence. Here again is a strong voice emerging in defense of perceived rights and justice, the issue being over right and jurisdiction of the federal and state courts and the misrepresentation that has occurred in complete contradiction to both U.S. history and the explicit writings and clarifications of our founders and writers of the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence. It is interesting to note the Alabama State Motto, “We Dare Defend Our Rights,” has been proven to be repeatedly the case (whether for good or for evil). This pursuit is both noble and according to the scripture (to judge/defend the cause/right of another), but also carries with it the danger of rebellion to proper authority, if not in right-relationship to God.
The Alabama State Seal gives another hint at a repeated characteristic showing Alabama not as an isolated state, standing alone, but including all four state borders AND the names of the four bordering states as well. This is not only unique for a state seal, but is yet another witness to the significance of Alabama both being joined and joining with others. Whether for good or evil this has been evident repeatedly in her past, and is why sectarianism/division in some form has often been the chief strategy of the enemy. In addition to several previous examples of joining or connecting, another modern one is that Alabama has the most cities of any state in the nation that have gone to Summit (meaning have initiated Pastoral Prayer Summits in their city, which includes an annual gathering of pastors from across the city joining in prayer together for four days in an isolated place, and has been a primary catalyst in stirring both relationship and city-wide vision for the Kingdom).
These and other examples reveal several characteristics that continue to emerge regarding the state of Alabama including:
1) quick to confront, or take initiative in conflict
2) driven by principle or ideology (whether right or wrong) and by perceived morality or heart issues
3) resentment of anything resembling injustice or control, when understood as such
4) fierce opposition to (real or perceived) loss of freedom or rights
5) catalytic and able to galvanize
These characteristics imply Alabama, when truly walking in her calling, may be a strong guiding voice of morality with the Father’s heart, and a true catalyst toward right relationship, covenant, and brotherhood. When driven by divine principle, Alabama will be a fierce voice for freedom and against all manner of injustice. Her compassion on the poor and needy will then reveal her as a Joseph in times of famine, and a passionate defender of truth and righteousness. This is but a glimpse of the destiny God has put within our reach!
Alabama Prophetic Words:
Beauty - “Alabama will be known as one that rose from the ashes and became a beautiful gate to this land.” -Chuck D. Pierce
Bridges - “And I am going to change your barriers into bridges - the dividing wall and barriers shall be changed into bridges”. -James Goll
Gates of Justice - “...I am opening these gates to usher in Justice to the South…Justice is coming through the Southern Gates.” -Negiel Bigpond, Yuchi Peace Chief
It has pleased the Lord to bring redemption from where such injustice and atrocity first found entrance. Healing and purpose are coming; purpose and destiny are at hand.
“In my dream I was digging in the earth for treasure, for wells of national revival, and hit something that hindered all progress. Upon looking closer, I discovered it was bones…bones of injustice .... And then I was something written .... Upon the bones was inscribed, ALABAMA”. -Lou Engle
Please agree with us in prayer that Alabama will not hide or bury her past, but face it and be willing to do what is necessary to see true healing and restoration come, both for our state and for the nation. Please pray that it would please the LORD to raise up a voice and “exceeding great army” from these bones as in the days of Ezekiel.
Reformer - “There is a reformer anointing on Alabama, a true Hezekiah reformer anointing, the ability to tear down the old and establish the new” -Dutch Sheets
Voice - “Ask the Lord for a full voice in Alabama - to become a complete forerunning, reforming people with a full voice to deal with the old and bring in the new”. -Dutch Sheets
Alabama State Wide Meeting in Montgomery July 2009
Alabama has not been forsaken; her God has heard her groaning and has come down to deliver.
God will lift the veil off the bride in this region and we are headed for face-to-face encounter with him.
God wants to raise up 10 freedom outposts throughout the state that are apostolic centers blazing with the glory of God.
These apostolic centers would be so full of God’s glory that the very cell structure would have change as people enter.
God will uproot that deep root of division that has divided the state for so many years.
Alabama will be full of life and vibrancy.
Alabama will be an irrigation source to the nation in days ahead.
Alabama is invited to be one of the first places God pours out his Spirit in this last day awakening.
This is a Shechem season for the State of Alabama.
The root of the word Shechem means shoulder which biblically symbolizes government but also represents a place of choice. Shechem was where Joshua brought the elders and the children of Israel and told them “choose you this day whom you will serve.” Joshua 24:1,15. Shechem is also between the two mountains Mount Ebal and Mount Gerazim. These mountains represented the blessing and the curses. The children of Israel were divided into two sections of six tribes each. Six were sent to Mt. Ebal to pronounce curses and six to Mt. Gerazim to pronounce blessings. God was saying choose what you want blessings or curses.
If the Lord is saying Alabama has entered into a Shechem season this means we must choose to line up with God’s purposes for this State or else. As you know every prophetic word is conditional. We must be diligent to meet the conditions of this hour so we do not miss God.
God began by saying “I remember you Alabama”.
While Dutch was praying in the Spirit, Chuck began to hear this interpretation:
I am ready to lift the veil off of the bride of this region. You are headed into a face-to-face confrontation…and I will go deep to remove the ... deep root of division that has kept… my people from seeing what I am attempting to do in this area, but I will remove this veil, and that root of separation that has occurred, will be uprooted…Alabama get ready! The veil that’s been on you is coming off. I will confront you, and the nation will now see that you are here.
There would be a glory movement that would attach to 10 Freedom Outposts within the State.
These Freedom Outposts would be so charged with the glory and power of God when people go into them their very cell structure would change. When they came out they would be 7 times brighter.
In the future this State would be one that would create a testimony for this nation.
Alabama is a first fruits State and is to be one of the first States God pours out His Spirit upon as a testimony to the entire nation
You (Alabama) will be an irrigation source to the whole nation in days ahead.
Things that have never been bridged before in this State will now be bridged.
Alabama Prayer Focuses:
Alabama the Beautiful
Prophetic Word for Alabama by Ruth Ward Heflin
Come and go with me to Alabama, for I shall make the state a beautiful way. I shall rise her up, and the wind of God shall blow up on her and through her the many shall come alive with my love- and I, the Lord, shall be a blazing fire running through Alabama.
Alabama, know ye this- that even now- the winds of God that blow up on thee shall be the power of God that sets many free. For I, the Lord, shall run through you, run with my power, run with my joy and run with strength and bring people out- and they shall come out in the strength and witness of my glory and the blessing and fire of my Spirit- and they will say what they couldn’t say before.- and do what they couldn’t do before- and be who they have never been before- and they shall be naturally supernatural and work the works of the impossible and turn the heads of the children of men.
Listen to me- keep your eyes upon Alabama- for I say she shall be one that will make the news and many shall come from far and wide- and they shall come in cars and planes and trains to see what God is doing. I say she shall be like a banjo upon my knee- and I will play a song in her that shall reach around the world. Come and go with me and see Alabama set men free.
Please continue to agree in prayer that Alabama would perceive truly, and see as the LORD sees that she would “judge righteous judgment”) for her greatest stumbling blocks have been when blinded by her own strength or in standing rightly, but perceiving wrongly (as in zeal for state’s rights but blinded to the injustice of slave’s rights).
Please continue to agree in prayer that Alabama will judge with righteous judgment and not according to appearance, and that she will execute justice toward the stranger, widow, and orphan in pleading their cause. Also may she take up the right and cause of the Native American, the African American, the wavering courts of our nation, and the unborn who cannot speak for themselves.
Alabama has not been forsaken; her God has heard her groaning and has come down to deliver.
Become familiar with the prophetic word that was released over the state of Alabama.
Use whatever influence God has given you to mobilize groups of leaders, intercessors and prayer warriors to pray concerning these prophetic words.
Seek God as to what he’s saying to you and your ministry about your part in what he plans to do in this state.
“Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shalt thy land any more be termed Desolate; but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah; for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.” Isaiah 62:4
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