Thanksgiving is an American holiday designed for giving thanks, specifically to thank God. But often, during family get-togethers and what are supposed to be happy holiday meals, there can be tension in our families: different points of view, conflict and unresolved hurts. What if there was a way to bring everyone back into unity and focus on thanking God for all He’s given us? The answer to this question—and quite possibly our holiday tensions—lies in a story about Jesus meeting a woman who became the first evangelist. She was from a group of people often discriminated against, who lived in a territory that Jews typically avoided. She was controversial—because of her gender, ethnicity and ZIP code. And yet, Jesus invited her into His world and into the kingdom of God. Watching how Jesus deals with the tension inherent in these controversies, we can discover how to bring unity to our family gatherings.

When Jesus Made Peace

In John 4, the Scripture tells us that Jesus left Judea and went back to Galilee, but on His way, He detoured through Samaria—an unusual and bold move because Jews normally never went through Samaria. To understand why, in the Old Testament the nation of Israel was divided into two kingdoms—the Northern Kingdom, called Israel, and the Southern Kingdom, called Judah. Jesus was from Judah, and when Jesus walked the earth, there was a little piece of land sandwiched between Galilee and Judah to the south called Samaria. Today, it’s where the West Bank is in Israel, and this is where Jesus veered off the beaten path and our story unfolds.

“Eventually He came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’ He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, ‘You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?’” (verses 5-9).

This woman got right to the point, didn’t she? But so did Jesus. The Samaritans were Jewish, but not full-blooded Jews like people who lived in Judea. They believed in the Torah, but they interpreted the Torah differently than the Jews from the south—from Judea. And both groups consider the other heretics.

Sound familiar? In our countries, we have differences of opinion about our government leaders and what they should do. We have differences of opinion about our spiritual leaders and what they should say. We have differences of opinion in how we interpret the Bible and individual scriptures. All this trickles down to our families and friends, doesn’t it? It even trickles down to our Thanksgiving gatherings.

When the woman questioned how Jesus, being a Jew, could even speak to her, Jesus answered her by saying, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water” (verse 10). The woman went on: “’But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,’ she said, ‘and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water?’” (verse 11). Jesus answered her, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life” (verses 13-14).

This was great news! So, she asked Jesus to give her this everlasting water. But Jesus didn’t just quickly agree. Instead, He told her things about her life that she would have liked to hide, namely that she’d had multiple husbands. Knowing this to be evidence of the supernatural, she named Him as a prophet. But now she took the conversation a step further. She brought up the tension, the difference of opinion, the conflict that had gone on for generations—much like our friends and family do around our Thanksgiving tables. She asked Jesus to resolve an argument that had gone on forever in her community. She asked Him where they were to worship God.

When Jesus Redirected a Woman’s Focus

The Samaritan woman lived in a divided nation with divided people, and she asked Jesus a loaded question. A debate had gone on for generations as to where God wanted them to worship. She had grown up focused on what she could see and on all that she had been told. When Jesus answered her, He redirected her focus to the truth. He lifted her eyes from what she could see to whom she could trust. Imagine if we could do that with everyone gathered around our table this holiday season!

“Jesus replied, ‘Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews.But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth’” (verses 21-24). Processing this information through what she already knew, she replied, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us” (verse 25). Jesus then changed her entire perspective and showed her who to trust when He said: “I AM the Messiah!” (verse 4:26).

Do What Jesus Did This Thanksgiving

It’s quite possible this holiday season that as you gather with friends and family, there will be differences of opinion. It’s quite possible that as you shop and stand in line patiently waiting to purchase holiday groceries and gifts, there will be tension. It’s quite possible that while you want nothing more than everyone’s hearts to be full of thanksgiving, love and gratitude around your table, there will be questions. When that happens, do what Jesus did.

1. Lift people’s eyes from what they can see to whom they can trust.

“Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
–Hebrews 12:1 (AMPC)

2. Lift their focus from what divides you to what unites you.

“I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.” –Ephesians 4:1-6

3. Lift their hearts to God in prayer so that they will say yes to His standing offer of living water.

“Asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty powerthat raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” –Ephesians 1:17-20

4. Lift their questions to God and listen for the Holy Spirit to give you what to say.

“But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!” –Luke 21:13-15

Here at KCM, our prayer for you is that this holiday season is one of peace, love and joy—characteristics of God’s love for us that can unite us all. Whether you gather with friends and family, are stationed away from home fulfilling your military duties, or are spending the day alone, know that we are lifting you up in prayer. We never cease speaking God’s blessings over your life and giving thanks for you and how God placed you on this earth for such a time as this, for His purpose and His glory.

© 1997 – 2023 Eagle Mountain International Church Inc. Aka Kenneth Copeland Ministries. All Rights Reserved.

When it comes to speaking and praying for protection in our everyday lives, we have several tools in our faith arsenal. For example, we can pray Psalm 91 in faith. We can put on the whole armor of God and having done all to stand, stand therefore (Ephesians 6). We can bind the work of the devil and loose what God wants done in the earth (Matthew 16:19). And we can plead the blood of Jesus.

Are you familiar with this phrase? When we plead the blood of Jesus, we are invoking the power that’s in the blood. We’re releasing our faith in the blood. We’re using the authority and power God gave us. We’re walking in His divine protection. It can sound strange to our ears to use such a phrase, but when we understand where it comes from and the power it holds, we’ll want to use it every day—especially when we fully realize that God wants us to Have Faith In the Blood.

Where It All Started

Having faith in the blood is something that began in the Old Testament. When Moses confronted Pharaoh about letting the children of Israel leave Egypt—where they had been enslaved for 400 years—Moses spoke as God had directed him, saying, “Let my people go!” But Pharaoh would not agree. He had no desire to let the children of Israel leave. After all, they were the nation’s entire labor force—all 3 million of them!

If you’re familiar with this portion of Scripture and the story of Exodus, then you know that next came the 10 plagues, with the final one being the death of the firstborn male from every household, including livestock. This plague involved an angel passing by every home, and as the angel did, the firstborn male died. To protect the children of Israel from the plague and the angel of death, God instructed every Hebrew household to kill an unblemished, 1-year-old male lamb, put some of its blood on the doorposts and lintel of their houses, and remain inside until the next morning (Exodus 12:7, 22). They were to roast the lamb and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. And they were to do it all in a hurry (even standing up), each person dressed and ready to go—believing to be released from their bondage that night.

The Lord promised them, “The blood shall be for a token or sign to you upon [the doorposts of] the houses where you are, [that] when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall be upon you to destroy you when I smite the land of Egypt” (Exodus 12:13, AMPC).

When we speak or pray the phrase, “I plead the blood of Jesus over ______________,” whether for a person, place, circumstance or area of our lives, such as our finances or health, we are spiritually applying the blood over someone or something the way the children of Israel literally did over their doorposts. We’re releasing our faith in the blood—Jesus’ blood—and standing for all that His blood provides for us…which is everything provided for us in THE BLESSING, such as healing, financial breakthrough and abundant life.

What It Means

When we plead the blood, we are releasing our faith in the blood. We’re speaking and declaring what is made possible by the sacrificial blood of Jesus shed for us. Revelation 12:11 tells us that we overcome the devil by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony or confession. So, when the devil comes to attack us in any area of our lives, our response should include pleading the blood of Jesus. When he tries to tempt us, we should plead the blood. When he tries to bring fear or torment, we should plead the blood.

Just like a lawyer might plead a case in court, we should plead the blood. Any right the devil might have to steal, kill or destroy (John 10:10) in our lives, the blood of Jesus has the power to stop it. So, we release the power of the blood by faith, with our words, because we have faith in the blood.

Pleading the Blood

Hebrews 11 tells us “Now faith is.” Faith is always now.

Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. For by [faith—trust and holy fervor born of faith] the men of old had divine testimony borne to them and obtained a good report. By faith we understand that the worlds [during the successive ages] were framed (fashioned, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose) by the word of God, so that what we see was not made out of things which are visible (verses 1-3, AMPC).

Faith is now, and it’s something we use all the time. It’s something we want to release all the time. And when we do, what we’re releasing is faith in the blood, in the finished work of the cross, in the covenant that Jesus fulfilled so that we might walk in THE BLESSING. We release this faith when we speak, when we declare, when we pray and when we plead the blood.

Kenneth Copeland does this throughout his day—every day. When he gets in an airplane, whether he’s a passenger in the cabin or sitting in the cockpit, before an engine is started, he prays in faith:

Father, in the Name of Jesus, I plead the blood of Jesus over this airplane for protection against every evil spirit; every evil, wicked plan of the devil; every wicked person, in the Name of Jesus. Now, I have the mind of Christ, and today I receive the flying mind of Christ, and all the things that You’ve taught me, and all the things that my instructors have taught me over these many, many, many years. And I will not forget anything because I praise You and thank You that flying is a discipline, and safety is an attitude. And I thank You for it.

Brother Copeland does the same thing if he’s in a car, and you can too:

Father, in the Name of Jesus, I plead the blood of Jesus over this car for protection against every wicked plan of the devil. Ministering spirits, lift us up in your hands lest we dash our foot against a stone, and keep us in all our ways according to the 91st Psalm.

You can do this before going inside a grocery store, before stepping foot in a stadium, a mall or anywhere else life takes you and your family members, potentially putting you in harm’s way. You can plead the blood of Jesus over your children every day before they go to school, before a sports practice and before they drive off in a car:

Father, in the Name of Jesus, I plead the blood of Jesus over my children. Based on Your Word, they are safe, blessed and protected everywhere they go. No weapon formed against them will prosper. Every work of the devil is brought to naught. Nothing shall harm them wherever they go. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Have faith in the blood because the blood protects you and your loved ones. Have faith in the blood, because it is the blood of Jesus that fulfilled the first covenant. Have faith in the blood, because it’s the blood that saved you and gave you a life of faith. Have faith in the blood because it’s another way you walk in God’s power and authority. Have faith in the blood!

© 1997 – 2023 Eagle Mountain International Church Inc. Aka Kenneth Copeland Ministries. All Rights Reserved.