By Kathi Pelton
On the evening of Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) I was in San Diego to finish our West Coast prayer tour. We were there to decree a “sealing of redemption, mercy, and a returning to God” for California and for our nation. We were decreeing something that only God could do and that was aligned with the verse, Ephesains 3:20:
“Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us…”
That day we found out that the very same evening (at sunset on Yom Kippur), at the San Diego amphitheater in Jacobs Park, a musical group was performing that is named, “Above & Beyond”. Their headline read, “Above & Beyond: Bigger Than All Of Us”— we were amazed how even the world was announcing what the Lord asked us to decree and seal for California and for our nation.
I also found it very interesting to read that it was being held in the amphitheater in a place called, Jacobs Park. Jacob means “supplanter” which is to take a position of authority or a throne by force.
“From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize].” Matthew 11:12
Now we know that in the Bible Jacob used deception to take that place but I believe that God was having us take out deception by force to see the “above and beyond” begin to occur amid what seems impossible. We also know that God changed Jacob’s name to Israel (which means “to contend with God”). Jacob wrestled with God— he contended, struggled to overcome, until the new identity was birthed.
Many have been contending for California (which is a spiritual and cultural pipeline to our nation)— contending to see a turnaround. To go from a place of deception and evil to being a land that stands for what is right and true.
Can it happen?
With God it can and He sent us there on Yom Kippur to decree mercy and to seal forgiveness and a returning (turning point) for not only California— but for the entire nation.
As I awoke today (10/08/2025), the words, “Above and beyond” echoed in my spirit once again. I saw his sons and daughters, who have been contending/wrestling with impossible odds and circumstance. And suddenly they overcame and entered into the “above and beyond blessing” that we read of in Ephesians 3:20.
This is your turning point, your miraculous moment and the time of your name being changed to reflect who God truly intended you to be. You may walk with a limp from the long and intense wrestle but you will be victorious as you have not backed down or given up— you have taken it by force. This force may merely look like contending in prayer, remaining in peace and trust, posturing your heart in faith and believing for his promise.
His force (power) is with us to defeat every stronghold and overcome ever obstacle set up against us.
Decree this with me, “Today, by faith, I enter into the blessing of ‘above and beyond’ that changes everything!”
AMEN!
Help us to finish covering the expenses for the prayer tour that we just completed through Washington, Oregon and California— to decree the turnaround. Thank you so much!
Oceans in the Desert 
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