When A Reflecting Pool Becomes A Battlefield

by Nathan Shaw

A Prophetic Picture

Sometimes events in the natural world form prophetic pictures that reveal greater spiritual realities. This is true of the recent events surrounding the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. The 619-meter-long pool—built in 1922—is situated between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. Recent repairs and upgrades to the Reflecting Pool have been fraught with difficulties, and a spate of vandalism has only added to these difficulties.

Washington and Lincoln

The Reflecting Pool is intentionally situated between the memorials for George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. This has been done for the express purpose of highlighting the significance of their leadership.

George Washington was the first President of the United States and is considered by many to be the Father of the Nation. He led the Continental Army to victory against the British Empire during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783). As a result of this war, the United States gained her independence.

Despite this great victory, the blight of slavery continued to exist within the United States. That’s where Abraham Lincoln comes in. Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth President of the United States and led the nation through the American Civil War (1861-1865). He is credited with two major feats: preserving the Union and abolishing slavery.

Freedom and liberty are embedded in the DNA of the United States. They are foundational. The American Revolutionary War resulted in freedom from an external enemy—the British Empire. The American Civil War resulted in freedom from an internal enemy—slavery. Having freedom from an external oppressor, while still allowing the internal oppression of slavery, created an intolerable contradiction the nation could not endure.

Reflecting Pools Prophesy Destiny

There is a “reflecting pool” in heaven. It is called the sea of glass. “Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal” (Revelation 4:6). The sea of glass reflects everything that God is and everything that His rule represents. Four living creatures fly around the throne continually crying, “Holy!” The living creatures are full of eyes. Their eyes look deep into the One who sits on the throne. They see who He is. They declare what they see through their cry. Heaven reverberates with the revelation. But take note: the sea of glass also reflects the One seated on the throne.

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is intended to reflect the legacies of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Both men stood at crossroads in U.S. history, and both men did the right thing. Their lives prophesy to God’s prophetic destiny for the United States. Similarly, the lives of Moses and Elijah prophesy to God’s prophetic destiny for Israel.

Moses was used to deliver Israel from Egypt. Egypt was an external oppressor that had enslaved the nation. Elijah was used to deliver Israel from Baal worship. Baal worship was an internal enemy that had infiltrated the nation. Moses’ rallying cry to Pharaoh was, “Let My people go!” (Exodus 5:1, 8:1, 9:13). Elijah’s rallying cry to the nation was, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” (1 Kings 18:21). Moses, Elijah, Washington and Lincoln were all messengers of freedom.

The “reflecting pool” of legacy instructs people about who they are. For a nation to walk in God-ordained destiny, its citizens must absolutely know who they are. Many noble attempts have been made to highlight the legacy of the United States, but great contention is clouding the waters. The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has been upgraded to have clear blue water, but despite this, algae continues to make the water murky. Clear blue water speaks of clear revelation. Algae-infested water speaks of confusion and contamination. The Reflecting Pool has become a political battlefield. The situation reflects the fierce spiritual battle over the direction and destiny of the United States.

Reflecting Pools and Mirrors

Reflecting pools and mirrors are similar. The most powerful mirror is God’s word: “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do” (James 1:23-25). God’s word is the mirror that reflects truth. Those who look, and remember, walk in truth, identity and freedom. The same principle applies to nations.

The whole of God’s word speaks to the whole of the nations. But God also speaks specific words of destiny over each nation. The battle for freedom in the United States is far from over. Many forces are trying to muddy and pollute the waters. The legacies of Washington and Lincoln are significant “reflecting pools.” Clear reflections awaken true identity.

Seers and Freedom Fighters

In Elijah’s day, the contention was between serving Yahweh or Baal. Elijah didn’t just pray; he prayed earnestly. Elijah didn’t just pray earnestly; he spoke. Elijah didn’t just speak; he spoke with clarity and authority. Elijah didn’t just speak with clarity and authority; he took action. Elijah didn’t just take action; he anointed men of action. Elijah’s praying, speaking and acting exposed and defeated high-level demonic powers, but the contention was fierce. The greater the contention, the more Elijah prayed (James 1:16-18). The battle required anointed prayer, anointed speaking and anointed action.

Pray that the church finds her voice—before God in heaven and before humans on earth. Pray for an increase in earnest prayer. Pray that legacy prophesies with clarity. Pray that clarity exposes lies. Pray that truth awakens identity. Call forth a generation of seers—seers look right through murky waters and discern the truth. Call forth a generation of freedom fighters—freedom fighters speak and act with courage. Pray as if the present and the future depend on it, because they do.

© 2026 Nathan Shaw.

Related Articles:
A New Sound and a New Season (A Word for the United States)
"Fight! Fight! Fight!" Three Words, Two Miracles

Related Videos:

Related Book:

A Defining Moment in History

Endorsement from Linda Valen (Master Potter Ministries):

Many prophetic voices in America are trumpeting the heart of God in this hour, but Nathan Shaw is from New Zealand! God has given him His heart for America to sound the trumpet, too!

This is not a book to be read quickly; time is needed to ponder the prophecies and let them marinate in your spirit. Their significance, along with the scriptures, teachings, revelations, and insights, make this a very important book to read.

Some of these prophecies were given four years ago, and their current fulfillment attests to their accuracy. Additionally, the book contains many 'now' words for both America and other nations.

I highly recommend Nathan’s book.

Purchase from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle

Back to Words for Nation