The Prayer Journal

PRAYING WITH POWER

Anyone can pray. You dont have to use special words or adopt a religious tone. If you can talk you can pray. Would you like to see answers to your prayers? You can and you will, but it involves following certain rules.

Rule one is that we have to actually pray in the first place. We must ask. God answers desperate people. He cares about us even though we often ignore him until our lives are out of control. But is not that kind of asking or prayer life Im talking about. Im talking about a prayer life that grows out of knowing God as a friend. Its a prayer life that arises out of companionship with God on a daily basis. Its a prayer life in which you act as a special agent of Gods Kingdom praying Gods will into real life situations like your work, your university and your church. God wants your friendship.

In the garden of Eden Adam and Eve walked and talked with God. Satan wrecked that relationship. Jesus won it back again. Today we have the privilege of living in daily intimacy with God. The father desired it. We needed it. Jesus obtained it and the Holy Spirit makes it a real possibility in the life of every believer today. Its yours. He offers this to you. Are you going to grab hold of it?

Intimacy with God through the person of Jesus is the second rule of effective prayer. Jesus prayed, may they be one as we are one, before his cross. After his cross he ascended to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to give each of us the intimacy with Jesus that the disciples enjoyed. Because of his shed blood, any of us can say, Jesus and me are one. It is encouraging to know that Jesus, the God of the universe is not only God, but also a person like you and I. However Jesus does not push himself on to any one. We must choose to have him. We must say, Lord I choose to walk with you. I choose to know your ways and your will for my life, my family and my church. I choose to follow the ways you have outlined in your Word. I choose to have you speak your will into my thoughts, and I choose to obey. If youve never said that to our Lord before say it now. Re-read it again aloud as a prayer.

The third rule of effective prayer is praying in Gods will. James 4:3 says, When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. This is not an instruction forbidding us to pray that our marriage will not collapse or that our business will be a success. But it is a warning that we are not to make God an extension of our lusts. Prayer is not a handle that we can use to make God a servant of our desires. God is God. He is all knowing, all powerful and all loving. But he will not be manipulated by us. This is why we pray, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. God listens to us when we have a humble and submissive attitude. Pray this prayer. Lord, I want you to know your will and I want you to achieve your will in my life. I want to know you not only as saviour but as my ruler and Lord.

The fourth rule of effective prayer is listening. Jesus says, My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me ( John 10:27). Spiritual things are spiritually discerned. God speaks back to those who actively listen in faith and humility. You guessed it. Listening means that God talks back. He talks to people through events, putting words into the mouths of people we are conversing with, drawing our attention to Scriptures and phrases in the Bible, drawing our attention to phrases and words in books and on posters. He also gives people dreams and visions. The latter are especially mentioned as happening in the last days, that period of time between the ascension of Jesus and his return in glory. In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dream (Acts 2:17.

Prayer empowers us to make a difference. Jesus cursed a tree that was all foliage but fruitless. Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!" (Mark 11:21) This tree represents churches that are religious but powerless. Jesus promised that when connected to him we would produce much fruit. There are many who are trapped in obsessive but fruitless Bible study. The people who made it into the Bible got put in because they prayed passionately, they were on intimate terms with God, they prayed his will into their world, they heard his voice and acted on it. They lived his life and performed his works. Many of them performed Gods supernatural works. They were examples to be followed by us. Paul said it well. The Christian life is not about talk. Its about power. If you are a literary Christian used to its focus on talk, you will find relief and new hope in Paul's statement. Its and implied promise. Its saying, I will powerfully equip you to make a big difference when you launch out in obedience to my instructions and in the power of my Name. Pray. Listen to what God says. Pray his will into your situation and step out in faith doing your part to make his will reality.

PRAYING AS THE CHURCH

Why praying for your church at home as in individual is not as effective as the church praying as the church for the church at the church.

What is the purpose of prayer? Answer: To be intimate with God. Why do we need to be intimate?

Answer: So that he can share his plans and will with us.

Where does spiritual life come from?

Answer: It comes from God through Jesus and is applied by the Holy Spirit.

Why do we need spiritual life and power?

Answer: Because our efforts are filled with deadness due to the fall.

Is praying at home as an individual enough to bring life and success to us as a church?

Answer: It's better than nothing, but no.. this kind of prayer is not effective as a power source for church growth.

Why isn't it?

Answer: Because the church needs to pray as the church for the church. God respects our free will and our authority to be what we want to be. He does not pour out his Spirit on the church unless the assembled church desires it.

While the church is composed of individuals the assembled church is more than the sum of its parts. You might be a church member praying in bed for your church, but you are not that collective group called church unless you are meeting as the church. When we pray together as the church big things happen. Effective and dynamic churches have a prayer life that involves large numbers of the congregation.

Recently a colleague remarked to me that he thought we'd had enough sermons on prayer for the time being. I'd agree with him if week by week I could see large numbers of our church members imploring God for life, healing and power for our church. But I don't. And it's not my role to coerce or manipulate anyone into doing anything against their will.

But I will say this. All churches that are growing and vibrant have a concerted prayer life. Until we learn that prayer is not an optional extra, but that it is the life line through which all power flows, we will have to put up with the results of our own prayerlessness. That is, a church where the norm is, alienation of members, lack of focus, lack of harmony, inability to carry out vision, inability to touch the unsaved, Christian workaholism, continual frustration, inertia and paralysis.

Does anyone really want this?

INTERCESSORY PRAYER

I am indebted to the book, INTERCESSORY PRAYER by Dutch Sheets for much of the material in this section of the PRAYER JOURNAL.

Why pray? Whats the point of praying to a God who knows everything already? There are some good reasons I can think of. One is that many of our churches are not making a difference. Another is that prayer allows genuine spiritual power to flow into our lives. A third is that we need the unity and harmony that empowers us to be Gods weapon against the Kingdom of evil. In other words, we need a spiritual cure for strife and division. In Ephesians Paul clearly states that the core of the gospel is forgiveness and reconciliation. Jesus said that the church would impress the world wherever people could see that church members love each other in real and practical ways. To access his forgiveness we must access him. A fourth reason for praying is that we need to hear what God has in mind for our specific church. No one hears this by doctrinal study alone. We hear this as we ask to hear as a church.

There is a reason for prayer that is more compelling that all of the above though. Its this. God wants us to intercede. One of the best books I have read on any kind of prayer is Dutch Sheets book entitled, Intercessory Prayer. Sheets writes that intercessory prayer is a special variety of prayer. When we understand the reason for intercession, we understand the reason why it is important to pray in the first place. We could easily say, and many have said it - If God knows all, why tell him what he already knows? This is a good question. It is answered by reviewing Gods original plan for human beings.

This is it. Adam and Eve were to be Lords of the earth. They were to exercise a kingly reign over this world. They were the vice-regents and assistants of God. God would exercise his power through their decisions and authority. Gods power was to be exercised through the initiative of human beings. God had given them authority over everything. By disobedience in the garden, this authority was lost. Satan usurped this authority by lies and tricks. Humanity lost its authority over things in the spiritual and natural world.

But Jesus won our authority back again. When Jesus died on the cross, then rose again, it was a victory for God and man. Jesus is the second Adam victorious and authoritative. Jesus bridged the gap between man and God. He also re-established the authority of human beings in the natural and spiritual arena. Jesus got our lost authority back again. He desires that we exercise it. We are vehicles of his will. Just as Jesus sits at the right hand of God so do we, in a manner of speaking on earth. We are his right hand men and woman. His assistants. His hit men. Our role and privilege is to act in the world in the power and authority of God. We are sons and daughters of God. We are his vice-regents. That is our task to pray his will into real life situations. Sheets argument is the best I have ever read on the reason for praying to an all-knowing God.

We are his representatives! This is why we are to pray. This is the chief reason for prayer. This is why prayer has a place, even though God knows all in the first place. Jesus told us to pray, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. He doesnt have to work this way, but thats the way he has set things up. God honours our free will and our position of authority in the earth. This fact explains why God awakens people in the middle of the night to pray for other people or other situations. God wishes to enlist us in his plans for expanding his Kingdom and defeating evil. He prompts us to join him. Can you think of anything more exciting than being the assistant of the mighty God of the universe? Have you ever thought of yourself as Gods helper? You should get used to thinking that way for thats what we are.

I do not consider myself to have the gift of intercession to the extent that God is calling me to be a full time intercessor. Such intercessors spend more than three hours a day interceding for projects and people. And they are making a big difference. They have the motivation and the opportunity to pray extensively. For these folk, praying is their food and drink. But I can intercede as can we all. We are all asked to pray and expected to pray. There are different levels of intercession. God wants to enlist the aid of all of us. There are also some who have the gift in a big way. Such intercessors often have a prophetic gift as well. There may be people in our church whom God will ask to intercede in this manner. However God wants all of us to intercede in our way. For example, twice I have woken up at night with the clear impression to pray for certain people. A couple of days later I have learned that these folks had a crisis in their lives which necessitated strong, focused prayer. Any of us in the church can do this. God wants us all to cultivate the gift of intercession and hearing his voice. When several people are impressed to pray about a person or a matter, and it aligns with Gods general will as revealed in his word, this is confirmation that what we are sensing is God speaking and not just the effect of too much pizza!!

WORKING SMARTER

We make a big mistake if we think that working hard and being clever is all that is required to build a church. Working smart is knowing that success begins in heaven. The battle is won or lost in the heavenlies. Paul says, .. our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [Eph. 6:12]. In others words we are fighting against beings who manipulate situations, individuals and groups on earth in their war against Gods kingdom. This kind of fighting is called spiritual warfare and it is done on our knees.

Events in the spirit world effect everything in the natural world. Weve always talked about the Great Controversy between Christ and Satan. Shouldnt we act as though it is real; as though its not just a topic of lesson study? Christ has already one the battle. But we are enlisted to affirm and confirm this victory. In the beginning we brought defeat on ourselves by disbelief in God. We believed Satans lie about God and have reaped the consequences to this day. Now is the time to reverse this. A wave of intercession is spreading around the world. Is this the prelude to another great Revival? As we believe Gods truth in the present by applying Christs victory from the past, we bring pray Kingdom of life and power into the places where we live, work and worship.

Who will pray Gods will into our families and our churches? Who in our churches will form new groups to pray and hear from God? Will it be you?

GOOD BOOKS

If you have ever wondered if there is any more to your spiritual life than going to church and studying the lesson, you will enjoy the following books, most of which are available at Christian bookshops.

Praying The Price, by Stuart Robinson.

This book will kick-start your prayer life. Its a primer on prayer. It shows that prayer does work and why it works. The Principles outlined in this book can energise your church, school and family with the life of God. It gives the main principles of spiritual warfare and how we can fight Gods battles on our knees. Gives many examples on ways in which prayer makes a critical difference.

Churches That Pray, by C. Peter Wagner.

This is but one of Wagners Prayer Warrior series. Wagner writes at length on many of the prayer principles that are mentioned in Praying The Price. He gives clear instruction on the principles of effective prayer. He shows how prayer can be used to boost church growth and make evangelism more effective. He explains how to do prayer walks and the fundamentals of intercession and also why prayer is crucial in defeating the devils schemes.

Intercessory Prayer, by Dutch Sheets.

Published in 1997, this book has achieved wide acclaim across all segments of the Christian church. If you have ever wondered why you should pray, this is the book for you. Basically it explains why it makes sense to pray to a sovereign God who knows our needs before we pray about them. Sheets does and excellent job of explaining what it means for us to be Gods agents or representatives in the earth. This book can help anyone pray with authority, and pray Gods will into their church or school.

CELEBRATION OF DISCIPLINE

Richard Foster comes from a Quaker background. The Quakers follow the admirable practise of remaining silent in public gatherings until the Lord inspires them to speak. In this tradition of stillness before the Lord, Foster addresses his message to hassled Christians who feel the need for more peace, more of God in everyday things and a greater depth of spirituality in their lives.

RECLAIMING WHAT BELONGS TO THE CHURCH

At the start of the book Foster shows how New Age folks have stolen the discipline of meditation from Christianity. Before the technological age most Christians fasted, prayed and mediated. Meditation and fasting was common in the New Testament church and up to fairly recent times, but faded out with the onset of the hectic nature of modern industrial life. All believers who have ever made a difference have spent much time in meditation and prayer, says Foster. The writer emphasises the need to take time to be still before the Lord. He is not talking about grabbing snatches of time between appointments. He means taking time to soak up God, to absorb his peace, strength and healing to be filled with his courage. This kind of time may be anything from an hour to three days. If you think this is a lot remember that Jesus fasted for 40 days following the baptism of the Holy Spirit before the start of his ministry.

REPLENISHING OUR HUMAN SPIRIT

A key point made by the author is the difference between New Age meditation and Christian meditation. The former are pre-occupied with emptying the self and withdrawing from the world. Christian mediation seeks to be still before God. It seeks to quiet the tumult of our thoughts, to rest in Gods might in order to replenish our spirit before advancing to bear fruit. Meditation is not the same as prayer. Meditation is a conscious stilling of the spirit. It is a drawing near to God and an openness to his voice. Mediation may lead to prayer but it should not be confused with talk. Neither is it the same as Bible study as it is not the enumeration of factual knowledge. In meditation we simply seek to know and receive God as the Great Being who desires to live in us. Then to go forth renewed and empowered to advance His Kingdom wherever we happen to be. Foster does not claim that this is the only way to receive God. But he does urge that is a grossly neglected way and that our person and church lives would be much empowered if we were to make such discipline part of our lives.

This book challenges the superficiality of much Christian life. Although we are saved by grace, notes Foster, we must discipline ourselves to place ourselves within the river of His grace.

IF MY PEOPLE PRAY By Randy Maxwell, Pacific Press 1995.

This book is specifically written for Adventists. In the introduction Maxwell openly acknowledged the spiritual bankruptcy of much Adventist church life. If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways-then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Maxwell uses this scripture as the starting point to build a case for committed, passionate, persistent prayer life in our denomination.

Maxwells manner is direct. He writes, The half hearted, hit and miss, self centred prayers that were accustomed to, wont bring revival. Prayer is work. We are lazy about prayer. We are lazy about changing ourselves and were lazy about praying for a great spiritual awakening. LIVING WATER FOR BURNED OUT LEADERS

The author of this extract has been used by God to bring revival to Argentina and the world.

Y e a r s a g o, although the worship services in our church were touching the hearts of our congregation, I thought, I'm thirsty and unsatisfied. I would go home after the services, kneel down, and pray, "Lord, I want more and more. I'm unsatisfied. I know there are rivers and springs.... Lord, I want to know You!' God had put a thirst in me, and when I sought passionately for the Lord to fill me, I found what I needed.

IN THE PRESENCE OF THE SPIRIT

One day my eyes were opened, and I understood that a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit was deeper than merely addressing words to God. I was radically transformed. I began a new phase in my life and ministry. The Holy Spirit filled me, and I recovered my first love, a place beyond religious routine or stereotypical services, where everything was fresh and renewed. It was such a vivid experience that I did not sleep for many nights in order to have fellowship with God. Even today, His presence enthrals me so much that I keep watch on my eyes and my heart so that I will not find myself again out of His presence.

TO KNOW HIM

The apostle Paul experienced wonderful things with the Lord. His marvellous conversion on the way to Damascus placed him face-to-face with the risen Christ. His ministry witnessed the supernatural through revelations in the Word (2 Corinthians I2:I), and signs and wonders accompanied his preaching (I2:I2). The passion produced in him consumed him to the point that he was willing to give up everything. His deepest longing was set on the very person of his King. He earnestly longed to know Him:

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.-Philippians 3:7-8

SEEK MY FACE

What is the difference between a mature Christian and one who is not? The immature Christian seeks only the Lord's hands (His benefits and His works). The spiritual Christian has his eyes set on the Lord's face, on His very being. An immature Christian wants only the benefits-the power. A spiritual Christian seeks to know the God of power, His character and His will. Many Christians splash their feet in two inches of water when they could plunge down into the depths of God.

The Lord wants to have fellowship with us. He longs to have our love, our attention. We cannot be negligent in such matters. Jesus taught us, "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen" (Matthew 6:6). Our dialogue with God requires a special time. Think about your daily relationships. How do you communicate with your neighbour? We often invite someone to our home or to sit together with a cup of coffee and talk about our activities.

It is the same with God. We need to find time to spend only with Him. Do not be surprised if the Holy Spirit says to you quietly, "Today you left without praying!" Don't forget the main guest in your life. God will give you spiritual power when you deny yourself and submit your flesh in order to seek Him. To this effect, you must order your priorities. If you can do so, go to bed early and get up early in time to pray. Devote the first part of your day to the Lord. D. L. Moody, the great preacher, -said, "The Christian who kneels more, stands better." This is true. If you begin your day on your knees in fellowship with God, you will be in a position of strength to face the day before you. You will have spiritual life and be able to discern God's will. Welcome His fellowship.

INNER FULLNESS

The real impact of a human being in the world does not depend on his appearance or his human abilities. None of this will be of any use to him if he is empty within. Real strength is received by "those who hope in the Lord" (Isaiah 40:3I), those who feel the glory of God and have the fragrance of Christ in their hearts.

You need this experience. Throughout this article I have tried to emphasise one truth: God wants you to seek Him. He wants you to hunger for the Holy Spirit. Only then will you discover the glory of God in your life and the hidden treasures He has reserved for those who love Him. Seek God, and you will know victory. The Lord longs to make Himself known, but He reveals Himself by spiritual means only, not by natural means. We can get to know the Lord's true character only by seeking Him "in spirit and truth' (John 4:23). As we seek Him, we will experience the joy of knowing Him.

This is what the Lord says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23-24

A CONTRITE HEART

In God's presence we learn that He is light (I John:5). And in His light we walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8). We see His holiness and desire to emulate Him (I Peter I:I6). Witnessing signs and wonders is not enough to change us, nor will taking part in a wonderful worship service change us. The key is within us: "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him" (John 7:38, italics added). Only an attitude of brokenness as we search for God will make these rivers of life flow in and out of our lives.

You may think you have no great qualities or charisma that the Lord could use, but He has a purpose for your life. He watches your heart. God is interested in your life. Today the Holy Spirit invites you to make one of the most important decisions of your life, a decision that will make it possible for you to enjoy a glorious future. This decision is a commitment, a covenant of love with the Lord to lift up your eyes daily and seek Him. The Holy Spirit wants to quench your inner thirst and take you to a glorious dimension where you can speak with Him as Moses did face-to-face.

He desires to hear you say passionately, sincerely, and from the depths of a loving heart, "Holy Spirit, I hunger for You!"

Extract from Claudio Freidzons classic, HOLY SPIRIT, IN HUNGER FOR YOU, Creation House, Florida, 1997.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR CHURCH A HOUSE OF PRAYER

1. Create an environment in your church that welcomes the Holy Spirit.
2. Actively seek the presence of God through prayer, song and reading of the Word.
3. Constantly aim for a God centred atmosphere rather than a man centred atmosphere.
4. Speak to God as though he is there so that he will be there.
5. Talk to God in public prayer rather than talking about him.
6. Encourage prayer for the felt needs of the people.
7. Allow time for testimonies by people whose lives have been touched by God.
8. Learn to wait in silence before the Lord in order to hear what he may wish to say to the congregation.
9. Pray for spiritual and physical healing of the people.
10. Come in an attitude of humility and repentance.