Issue 3 – Solid Foundation: the Power of Praying Scripture

ISSUE THREE, MARCH/APRIL 2012 PRAYERCONNECT Connecting to the Heart of Christ through Prayer SOLID FOUNDATION The Power of Praying Scripture

Do One Thing Right with Your Kids Suffering from Arrested Prayer Development Don’t Hold Back: PRAY IT OUT LOUD CAN PRAYER SAVE AMERICA? CONFERENCE

Times are troubling. Economic uncertainty, political anger, moral decline . . . What should believers do? Pray!

Come to a Can Prayer Save America? event near you and learn to: KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

• Pray God’s purposes for our nation • Seek revival for your church David Kubal • Pray more effectively for yourself and those you love President, Intercessors for America

2012 Conference Dates and Locations: John Bornschein Vice Chairman, Cartersville, GA March 16–17 National Day of Prayer Task Force Little Rock, AR April 20–21 Brownsburg, IN September 28–29 Denver, CO October 19–20 Dave Butts Chairman, America’s National Prayer Committee

Earlybird Registration Cost: $35 per person, $50 per married couple Jonathan Graf (free resources and lunch included) Publisher, Prayer Connect (Register early, as rates go up to Magazine $50 per person, $75 per couple two weeks prior to each event.)

For more information or to register: www.ONECRY.com SPONSORS

A Nationwide Call for Spiritual Awakening A OneCry Initiative PRAYERCONNECT CAN PRAYER SAVE AMERICA? March/April 2012 | Vol. 2, No.2 CONFERENCE Times are troubling. Economic uncertainty, political anger, moral decline . . . Solid What should believers do? Pray! 12 Foundation Features The Power of Praying Scripture, p.11 35 If Two of You 12 The Scripture Prescription Come to a Can Prayer Save America? event What It Really Means to Agree in Prayer Overcoming Arrested Prayer Development near you and learn to: KEYNOTE SPEAKERS By David Chotka By Dana Olson Plus: e Scripture Prescription at Church; A Jazz Pianist 38 31 Ways to Pray for Your Teen • Pray God’s purposes for our nation Learns to Pray Focus Your Best Parenting Eﬀ orts on Prayer • Seek revival for your church David Kubal 18 Blessing, Power, and Grace • Pray more effectively for yourself and those you love President, By Bob Hostetler Intercessors Inviting into Our Lives Everything that God Has Ever Planned for America By Cheri Fuller Plus: 9 Compelling Reasons to Pray the Word 2012 Conference Dates and Locations: John Bornschein 24 Declaring Prayer Vice Chairman, Cartersville, GA March 16–17 National Day of Th e Formidable Force of Praying the Word Out Loud Prayer Task Force By John T. Maempa Little Rock, AR April 20–21 Plus: How Jesus Used Scripture in His Greatest Battle Brownsburg, IN September 28–29 Denver, CO October 19–20 Dave Butts Chairman, 31 A Bible Study America’s National Praying Scripture Prayer Committee By Sandra Higley

Earlybird Registration Cost: $35 per person, $50 per married couple Jonathan Graf (free resources and lunch included) Publisher, 24 Prayer Connect (Register early, as rates go up to Magazine $50 per person, $75 per couple Departments 43 Tips & Tools two weeks prior to each event.) 5 Publisher’s Note • Prayer as Awareness of God’s Presence 35 • What One Th ing? For more information or to register: Why I Don’t Pray • How High Are Your Gates? www.ONECRY.com SPONSORS 7 News & Events • Consistent Prayer for Your Church Kids • Th ousands Pray for Miami • Eﬀ ective Evangelism: Triplet Praying • Prayer Leaders Meet • Arizona’s Mountaintop Experience 46 Prayer Leader • “Come Alongside” Prayer Ministry An Active Prayer Room Can Fuel Your • Prayer Calendar Church A Nationwide Call for Spiritual Awakening A OneCry Initiative 42 Surf’s Up 47 Classics Want to Socialize? No Substitute for Obedience

COVER PHOTO: Prayer leader Evelyn Christenson’s Bible, taken by her son Kurt Christenson PRAYERCONNECT.NET 3 ContactUS Business and Shipping Address PrayerConnect Do you long for the 3525 S. 3rd St. | Terre Haute, IN 47802 812.238.5504 | prayerconnect.net

Article Submissions ULTIMATE We are looking for general articles, ideas, and news stories on what God is doing as a result of prayer. As a start-up magazine, we are primarily looking for newly written pieces that have not appeared in other publications. Writer’s guidelines are available by CONNECTION? emailing Carol Madison at [email protected]. For news stories, we recommend emailing first to see if we have an interest in reporting on the event or item Let author you wish to write about. Send your submissions to: Carol Madison Barbara Ho’s Prayer Connect Submissions 4300 West 98th St. | Bloomington, MN 55437 easy-to-understand [email protected] prayer principles Subscriptions Prayer Connect is a bi-monthly publication, available in Church Prayer Leaders Network (CPLN) encourage you Membership ($30 per year), Print ($24.99 per year) or Digital ($19.99 per year) formats. Both CPLN and Print or your small group subscriptions include access to the Digital version. To subscribe, go to prayerconnect.net. We also have to experience multiple copy discounts available for individuals or churches who want to purchase copies for a prayer more of a team or small groups:

prayerconnect.net prayer connection Joanne Telle with Jesus. 800.217.5200 or 812.238.5504 Permissions Jonathan Graf [email protected] | 812.238.5504

Reprint Permissions If you are making copies for your small group or for church use, you have blanket permission to make up “Ultimate Connection deals with real life issues and to 100 copies without asking for permission (as long as the copies are not sold or in a for-sale product). Please stumbling blocks in our desire to have a fulﬁ lling prayer life. include the phrase: “Copied from Prayer Connect It is a practical tool for anyone struggling with the repeated (Issue #). Used with permission.” Contact us to gain permission for all other uses. including posting articles condemning thoughts, I can’t pray, or God doesn’t hear my on the Internet. We do encourage you to put links on Facebook and Twitter to articles that are open to the prayers. In 8 simple principles, Barb Ho clearly lays out the public at prayerconnect.net.

path for our ultimate connection with our Creator, God.” Advertising If you would like information on placing an ad in — Susan Lana Hafner, OneTouchAwakening, Inc. Prayer Connect, or if you have concerns or questions about our ads, please contact: Prayer Connect, 3525 S. 3rd St., Terre Haute, IN 47802 Retail Price: $10.99 [email protected] | 812.238.5504 Prayershop.org Price: $9.99 Need a Speaker for Your Prayer (Use code UC1211 to receive $1.00 off each book at PrayerShop.) Conference or Event? There are a number of gifted speakers associated with Prayer Connect. Jonathan Graf regularly Available through your local Christian bookstore ministers in churches of varying sizes. Carol or online at www.prayershop.org. Madison is also available to minister in the area of prayer for revival and community transformation. Our parent organizations, Harvest Prayer Ministries and the Church Prayer Leaders Network, have many speakers associated with their ministries. You can find their contact information at the respective emails or websites. Jonathan Graf | [email protected] Carol Madison | [email protected] harvestprayer.com | prayerleader.com

4 ISSUE Three 2012 PUBLISHER’SNOTE C PRAYERCONNECT p Issue Three • Vol. 2, No. 2

Sponsored by America’s National Prayer Committee Denominational Prayer Leaders Network International Prayer Council Why I Don’t Pray

Published by Church Prayer Leaders Network or the past 17 years, I have been in the “prayer mobiliza- Harvest Prayer Ministries tion” business. I am deeply involved in encouraging, PrayerShop Publishing equipping, and challenging both individual believers and The mission of PRAYERCONNECT is churches of the need to pray more and grow in prayer. 1. To encourage and equip believers toward a F e primary weapon we have as a believer is prayer. I believe deeper walk with Jesus Christ through prayer—our that. I fully buy into Oswald Chambers’ famous statement, experiential connection to God. “Prayer does not equip us for greater works. Prayer is the greater work.” I often teach 2. To resource prayer leaders and pastors with tools to help them motivate, disciple, and mobilize on Matthew 11:12, that the Kingdom of God is forcefully advancing—and the force- believers in churches to be a part of an army that ful people who lay hold of it, do so through prayer. seeks to pray the purposes of God for churches, But during the past two to three years, I prayed less than at any time in my 17 years communities, and the nations. of prayer mobilization. ankfully, since Prayer Connect’s rst issue launch in July 2011, 3. To be a unifying force between prayer ministries, community transformation groups, and churches. God has been doing a new work in me, reinvigorating my desires to connect with Him. But during the last few months I have been analyzing why I went through such a lull. Publisher/Editor-in-Chief I think it has something to do with why many believers—and especially churches—do Jonathan Graf [email protected] not work much on improving their passion for prayer and experience of prayer, even when they have statements in their core values a rming prayer as primary. Editor Carol Madison I think there are four main reasons why most believers or churches do not pray [email protected] much. e rst three reasons: Many are not truly converted; many are not surren-

Art Director dered, and a lot of believers are disappointed with God. J. Bridget Rennie e fourth reason relates to the truth that when we pray—serious prayer—we are doing what Matthew 16:18-19 implies: “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this Subscriptions/Orders Joanne Telle rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” We are entering a battle eld, going after the gates of hell. Prayer is attacking Sa- Previously in tan’s domain. We are binding and loosing, bringing heaven to earth. And he hates it. Prayer Connect So what does he do? He attacks. He comes after the person of prayer or the praying church far more than anyone else, because they are a threat. And that takes a toll The January/Feb- on pray-ers. ruary 2012 issue is For the past six to seven years, my wife and I, our family and lives, have experi- still available for enced unrelenting attack. And I got tired. So I pulled back some and was less aggres- purchase in single sive in my Kingdom praying. But I can’t stay there any longer. or bulk copies. ere are beaten-down churches and believers who raised the bar on prayer, but Articles by David got so attacked that they have lessened their e orts. It is easier, things seem to go more Bryant, Nancy smoothly when we don’t pray so aggressively, they reason. But we can’t stay there if we Leigh DeMoss, want to be Kingdom people and churches. We must pray. Claude King, and Doug Small Without our aggressive prayers, our people will stay in bondage and under strong- give a broad perspective on prin- holds. e lost don’t get saved. Communities will stay in Satan’s control. God has ciples of revival. You will also ﬁ nd called us to be forceful people who lay hold. information on OneCry, a national Send me your comments: [email protected]. movement of prayer for spiritual awakening in our nation. If we pray Jonathan Graf and seek the Lord, there is hope for a Christ-centered revival. Order at prayershop.org.

PRAYERCONNECT.NET 5 www.prayershop.org

Visit the Largest Prayer-Only Store on the Internet

We’re Everything Prayer!

■ Corporate Prayer ■ Bible Studies/Small Groups ■ Personal Prayer ■ Intercession ■ Prayer Guides ■ Spiritual Warfare ■ Prayer Ministry Teams ■ Church ■ Women ■ Children ■ Youth ■ Men ■ Conferences ■ Prayer Evangelism and ■ 24 other categories

Take an Join the CPLN Additional and save 20-40% on all products 15% O One Order Use Code PCPS1211 at Checkout to Receive Discount www.prayershop.org

CHURCH PRAYER LEADERS Pr ayerShop Sponsored by NETWORK Publishing News&EvEnts God’s Movement through Prayer

Th ousands Pray with Hope for Miami

ome might argue that Miami is an improbable place for revival. Th e city has long been a drug capital withS intensifying gang activity. Murders are far too common. Now Miami rivals Los Angeles as a hub for pornographic production and distribution. High rates of unemployment are accompanied by a simultaneous rise in theft and robberies. Visit the Largest Prayer-Only Gambling, though illegal, is pervasive. Abortion, even among Christian teens, Store on the Internet is a major challenge. Corruption is prevalent. of the pastors’ leadership. In addition to were called to be. We have failed to off er But there is a reason to rejoice. For two the pastors, other civil dignitaries par- the quality of witness with our own lives consecutive years, thousands of believers ticipated. so needed by the city and the world . . . . have gathered to pray. On a rainy week- Th e mayor of Miami, Carlos A. Gime- Forgive us, Father.” end in December 2011, about 20,000 nez, commended the role of faith for its Doug Small noted the signifi cance of people prayed in unity. Th ey marched. motivation “to do right, to love, to serve, the gathering. “Miami is a world-class, Th ey sang. A hundred choreographed to be humble,” and for the hope of “a gateway between two continents. If worshipers from dozens of congregations spiritual revival.” ‘awakening’ were to come—the nation We’re Everything Prayer! led in praise. Prayerful pleas were off ered Also in attendance were Ramon Ro- would notice,” he said. “Th e ripple eff ect in English, Spanish, Creole, and Portu- driguez, mayor of Medley; Congressman would rumble throughout South Amer- guese. Waving American, Christian, and David Rivera; Pastor Alberto Delzabo ica. Corrupt activities—the drug trade, Israeli fl ags, the crowd moved past secu- of the Hispanic Ministerial Association, human traﬃ cking, prostitution, and rity, carrying signs saying, “In God We and Rose Titus, a longtime city leader. vice—would be interrupted. But none of Trust!” Others declared, “Viva Cristo!” that will happen or be sustained without “One Church—Many Congregations!” Repentance and Hope repentance and change in the church. and 2 Chronicles 7:14. One of the highlights of the prayer time In the prayer tent, where 70 counselors was the moment when Doug Small of prayed for needs, 207 attendees made Pastors Prepare the Way Project Pray, called for repentance. “If commitments to follow Christ.” Sixteen years ago, pastors began to ear- you are physically able,” he urged, “go to For Pastor David Vega of Mission nestly pray together, going away annually your knees.” Quiet came to the gather- Miami, the highlight was thousands of for three days. Nick Woodbury of Latin ing, a stillness, as the mood changed. An people, from diff erent denominations, American Mission calls these “power- estimated 80 percent of the throng knelt. cultures, and diverse languages, stand- ful prayer times, tearful and passionate, One leader commented on the spontane- ing shoulder to shoulder, declaring their resulting in unity and spawning regional ous moment, “I sensed what was about love for Jesus and concern for the city. pastoral prayer groups.” More than 500 to happen. We were going to repent. It “It was remarkable,” he said. “We want pastors have attended these summits, was powerful and reverent. I dared not to see the spiritual transformation of conducting prayer missions in Miami, lift my head.” Miami, and if that is going to happen, and witnessing seamy establishments Another observer said, “Everyone then Christian people from diverse back- closed and adverse zoning issues favor- was stirred. I cried. Others were wiping grounds and cultures, diff erent denomi- ably reversed—all otherwise inexplicable tears. It was moving.” As thousands were nations, must gather for prayer!” interventions of God. on their knees before the Lord, collec- Th e most recent citywide prayer gath- tively they prayed: “We repent—we have DOUG sMALL is president of Alive Minis- ering in December was possible because sinned. We have failed to be the light we tries: Project Pray.

PRAYERCONNECT.NET 7 News&Events

Prayer Leaders Meet to Encourage Each Other

rayer leaders of national prayer United States for a greater ministries, as well as leaders of urgency of unified prayer. the prayer movements of several OneCry (onecry.com) launched denominations,P met in Orlando, FL, in February 2012, with many in late January 2012 to encourage ministries and denominations each other through relationships and calling for prayer for spiritual reports of God at work in the nation. awakening. National Day of The Denominational Prayer Leaders Prayer (nationaldayofprayer. Network (DPLN) and the National org) is sponsoring “The Prayer Committee (NPC) meetings were Summons” in October 2012, hosted at the Cru headquarters (formerly designed to call leaders from Campus Crusade for Christ), with all states to Washington, D.C., s

Vonette Bright of Cru bringing a warm to pray with concern for the n welcome to her prayer colleagues. state of the nation prior to the ur Dave Butts, NPC chairman, elections. encouraged leaders to share reports of Jonathan Graf, publisher advances in prayer ministries, including of Prayer Connect, reported on greater cooperation in prayer for spiritual the launch of the new prayer awakening through OneCry and the magazine, which is sponsored Photos Gary by B National Day of Prayer. Both of these by both the NPC and DPLN. movements recognize the need in the He invited prayer leaders to support need for a unified voice to foster greater the publication prayer. through The National Prayer Committee will promotion and host its next meeting on the National Day contribution of of Prayer, May 3, in Washington, D.C. articles for future Many of the NPC prayer leaders will also issues. Leaders gather at the World Prayer Assembly May enthusiastically 14-18 in Jakarta, Indonesia, with other embraced the new international prayer leaders eager to see prayer magazine, spiritual awakening in all nations of the National prayer leaders pray in unity for a fresh work of God. recognizing the earth (worldprayerassembly.com).

Arizona’s Mountaintop Experience

or more than a decade teams of began publicly in 2000, but some intercessors have climbed moun- intercessors have been doing this taintops around Arizona to usher on their own for 20 years or more. inF the New Year at sunrise. With Micah Certainly Arizona’s warmer climate 4:2 in mind—“Come, let us go up to the and many accessible hilltops facilitate mountain of the Lord”—intercessors this tradition, but some participants consider this a literal mountaintop expe- choose high places not so easily rience and a fantastic way to start off the scaled. One participant set out hours year by honoring God and praying over before sunrise and braved sub-zero the land. temperatures and blizzard conditions The call for mountaintop prayer to snowshoe four-and-a-half miles up

8 ISSUE Three 2012 News&EvEnts

the highest point of Arizona, near Flag- utes prior to sunrise. Just before sunrise Mexico. Isaiah 42 speaks of the “coast- staff , in time for sunrise—Humphrey’s everyone regathers in time for the blow- lands” as partners with those praying on Peak at 12,633 feet! ing of the shofar precisely at the oﬃ cial the mountains: sunrise time as determined by the U.S. Biblical High Places Naval Observatory website (7:32 a.m. in Let them shout for joy from the tops of More than 700 Bible passages speak Phoenix, Arizona, on Jan. 1, 2012). the mountains. Let them give glory to of mountaintops, hilltops, and “high It is inspiring to hear the shofar the LORD and declare His praise in the places” where vision, warfare, sacrifi ce, sound at daybreak on a mountain, and coastlands. Th e LORD will go forth like authority and many other powerful con- sometimes participants even hear an- a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a cepts are illustrated. Every year Arizona other shofar in the distance. After the man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, Call to Prayer desires to honor God and shofar sounds, a simple communion is He will raise a war cry. He will prevail lift up His name over Arizona. Th is min- celebrated, followed by short prayers and against His enemies (vs. 11-13, nasb). istry receives many testimonies of mov- petitions for good government, healthy ing experiences and answers to prayer. families, and other blessings and declara- To join in this call to prayer in Janu- A typical mountaintop prayer sched- tions over the land. ary 2013 or for more information, go to ule begins with a team assembling at the In recent years the New Year’s moun- bridgebuilders.net. base of the mountain and then hiking up taintop prayer event has spread to loca- GUY CHADWICK to the top together, allowing for personal tions in California, New Mexico, Texas, is director of Arizona Call to Prayer, a ministry of BridgeBuilders, Int’l. time with the Lord for about 20 min- and even a few cities along the border in Photos Gary by burNs A “Come Alongside” Prayer Ministry Launches

new prayer Mentoring Possibilities pastor’ who develops leaders and ministry, Parakletos off ers a number congregations with a passion for prayer. I Parakletos, was of levels of mentorship. First, strongly recommend Dick, especially to Alaunched February 2012 LaFountain is available to young pastors who want to do ministry by longtime missionary speak for a prayer weekend under the power of the Holy Spirit. Look and pastor, Richard at any church, but with the into being mentored by Dick.” LaFountain. Based idea that he will maintain an For more information on Parakletos, on the Greek word ongoing relationship with the go to ministrytoday.org and prayertoday. parakletos, which means church to help the prayer leader org. To contact LaFountain, email him at “one called alongside to and pastor continue developing [email protected]. help,” the mission is to provide personal prayer. On a deeper level, LaFountain mentorship to churches, and especially will personally mentor 20 pastors a pastors, in developing a passion for year in the areas of personal disciplines, prayer and God’s presence. personal prayer life, sermon planning and LaFountain has pastored multiple development, and vision development Prayer Calendar churches toward becoming healthy, and casting in their churches. life-giving churches with a prayer While run by LaFountain, Seek God for the City foundation. Th ese churches have Parakletos, is under the spiritual February 22 to April 1 been revitalized by seeing healings, covering of Harvest Prayer Ministries waymakers.org souls saved, and people passionate and works alongside the Church Prayer National Day of Prayer May 3 about fostering the presence of the Leaders Network (CPLN). “We are nationaldayofprayer.org Lord in their midst. LaFountain has excited to have such a man of prayer Global Day of Prayer May 27 also developed a number of powerful as Dick LaFountain join our ministry globaldayofprayer.com

resources on personal prayer and team,” says CPLN president Jonathan For more information on these prayer events, spending time with God, used by Graf. “Dick is highly recognized within go to the event website. thousands to deepen their prayer lives. his own denomination as a ‘pastor’s

PRAYERCONNECT.NET 9 EHCPrayerCorps.org

EHCPrayerCorps_fullpage_ad.indd 1 11/14/2011 3:53:47 PM THEMEq INTRODUCTION Solid Foundation The Power of Praying Scripture

ecades ago, she prayed a She understood the power of pray- Testament, I began embracing very bold prayer. Evelyn ing God’s Word. repentance, obedience, holiness, D Christenson asked the and fear of the Lord. When I em- Lord to let her teach the world to MY OWN JOURNEY barked on the New Testament, my pray. She had a moment of think- A few years ago the Lord convicted longing for the manifest presence ing perhaps the prayer was not me about how much I did not know of Jesus Christ through revival right, but then the Lord con rmed of His Word. My prayer life was and spiritual awakening started that He was the One who put that rooted in my own thoughts and consuming my prayers. After three prayer on her heart. desires, but rarely did it ow out of years, I nally prayed the ultimate When Evelyn passed away in my interaction with Scripture. invitation, “Come, Lord Jesus,” at November 2011 at age 89, it was However, during an intense the end of Revelation. clear that God had granted her re- season of prayer, God impressed quest. She was the author of several upon me to turn to His Word in SATUR ATED IN best-selling books on prayer, she a dramatic way. I unplugged the THE WORD traveled internationally to teach distraction of my television, and for Both Evelyn and I discovered principles of prayer, and even today the next several weeks I learned to a foundational truth to prayer. her material is broadcast by radio pray Scripture. I started in Genesis When on your knees in prayer, into various countries of the earth. and began praying my way through keep God’s Word in one hand as God granted me the privilege the Bible. God spoke to me and you extend the other hand in wor- of sitting under Evelyn’s mentor- profoundly changed my heart. I fell ship of God and His great mercies. ship for the last few years. Not in love with Jesus as He revealed In this issue, many faithful pray- only did I experience her passion Himself to me through His Word. ers and students of Scripture will for prayer, but I also heard often of God answered my prayers share their experiences of the power her love for God’s Word. e two in an amazing way during that and authority of prayer grounded in were inseparable. All of Evelyn’s season. But even after God had God’s promises. May you discover deep and impassioned prayer life captured my heart, I continued the joy of saturating your prayer life owed out of the rich truths she praying through the Bible, book with the Lord Himself as revealed discovered daily in Scripture. As after book. Daily I read passages by the Holy Spirit through His rich you can see by her Bible, pictured and then prayed back to Him the and treasured Word. EHCPrayerCorps.org on our cover, Evelyn treasured the truths I discovered. Word and let it saturate her life. As I prayed through the Old —Carol Madison, editor, Prayer Connect

PRAYERCONNECT.NET 11

EHCPrayerCorps_fullpage_ad.indd 1 11/14/2011 3:53:47 PM 12 ISSUE three 2012 q The Scripture Prescription Overcoming Arrested Prayer Development

TODD FELT HELPLESS. HE SAT IN HIS TINY apartment, staring through the dirty window at the partly cloudy day outside. e call had taken him by surprise. “Son, there’s no reason for you to be shook up by this—you’ve got so much to do with your youth work and studies—but Mom has a lump on her breast, and we thought you should know. Her appointment to get it checked out is next week. Your sister’s nearby, so you don’t need to feel like you have to come. Wait until we know more.”

By Dana Olson

PRAYERCONNECt.NEt 13 Solomon in calling upon the Lord for help. More of Todd’s notes from Dr. Warren: • Compare 2 Chronicles 20 (Je- THE POWER OF hoshaphat) with 2 Chronicles 6 (Solomon). His dad’s voice PRAYING THE TRUTH • We can echo the prayers of Jesus, sounded the same as al- Paul, Hannah, the kings, and more. An example of Scripture praying in the ways, but with those last Bible: As a school of praise and lament: words, out came a deep • Acts 4, the church responds to per- • The Psalms can teach us to rejoice sob. “Please, Todd, just secution by praying Psalm 2:1-2. and adore—and to lament and cry pray for us. Please pray. • It gave them boldness and conﬁ - out. You know how to pray.” dence that God was in control! • David was amazingly blunt and Todd hadn’t moved honest with God as he prayed. from his chair in the hour Responding to temptation with Scripture: • Learning to praise (“Your greatness • Jesus Himself answered the tempta- since the call, hadn’t cried is unsearchable”) and complain tions of Satan with truth from God’s (“Where are You, oh God?”). either. is must be what Word. shock feels like, he thought. • “It is written . . .” Jesus said again and God’s Word is an extraordinary textbook His mother . . . cancer . . . again. We can say, “It is written!” and model for building a praying life— his dad’s rare emotion . . . incomparable! what must his sister be feel- When faced with a grave threat: ing? e stream of thoughts • Jehoshaphat echoed the prayer of repeated in his mind, but what haunted him most were his father’s words: “You know Dr. Warren. “I understand completely. how to pray.” “Dr. Warren, thanks for taking time. I’ve been where you are,” he said. Suddenly a very plain, unadorned So good to see you.” “Believe me, one can write books on thought hit Todd hard: I don’t know how “Todd, I’m delighted you called.” theology and Bible commentaries and to pray. ough all alone, Todd blushed ey shook hands rmly, then Todd sat scholarly articles—and still not have the red with the realization. It embarrassed in the ancient upholstered chair, where foggiest notion how to pray.” him. He was a seminary student, youth hundreds of students had sat before him. “But Doc, you do know how to pray. worker at a small church, graduate of a Todd spent many hours as a student in You prayed with us in class, here in your well-known Christian university, raised that chair, exploring the mind of his o ce, even in the hallway! You are one in a good church by committed Chris- favorite professor, getting advice and per- of the godliest men I know. Something tian parents, yet he was at a loss to know spective. at’s what Todd needed now. must have changed.” how to pray! e two caught up quickly. en Dr. “It did. And I’m going to tell you Warren shifted the conversation. “Now, what it was. You have a very common tell me why you’ve come.” condition, rampant in the church. I once A CASE OF APD It didn’t take long for the former stu- had it. It’s called APD.” Todd steered his old red pickup through dent to lay the circumstances before “the Dr. Warren smiled, then turned the tra c and across the city to his old good Doctor” as Todd often called him. serious. “Arrested Prayer Development. university. He searched high and low, Before he was done, he found himself APD. Arrested development is the nally discovering a lone parking spot in overcome with emotion, his head in his termination or interruption of a normal a packed lot. An odd mix of emotions hit hands. development process.1 It’s common in him as he passed through the doorway “Here’s the hard truth, Doc. I don’t many disciplines, such as psychology, and into the halls: familiarity and weird- know how to pray. I mean, I pray every physical therapy, and speech. Arrested ness, home and “you don’t belong here day, several times a day. But really, beyond Prayer Development is the termination anymore.” He knew right where to go, ‘God bless the food and thanks and please or interruption of a healthy, growing past the philosophy department o ce give us a great youth night,’ I don’t know prayer life.” and into the Bible department hallway. how to pray.” Todd said the last three “Yes, that’s me all right,” Todd ad- He knocked gently, and a familiar voice words slowly, deliberately, even harshly. mitted. “But what do I do about it?” responded, “Come in.” He looked up now to the pondering “It’s very simple, Todd. I won’t even

14 ISSUE thrEE 2012 charge you for it,” Dr. Warren said play- discipline of praying the Bible,” Dr. War- “ en, from reading about Chris- fully. “You need the Scripture Prescrip- ren continued. “Martin Luther. George tians of the past, and their prayer lives, tion.” Müller. Hudson Taylor. Taylor’s children and also re ecting on my study of the Todd had a small notebook with him would wake up in the night and nd him Bible, there it was. So obvious, I had to and he wrote the words down as Dr. reading the Bible and praying by candle- try it. Soon I was praying with God’s Warren said them. light. Müller said he struggled to keep his Kingdom agenda in mind! I was pray- mind on prayer until he learned to pray ing God’s will as God gave it to me. e Bible is God’s prescription for with his Bible open. He would read, then More than that—as I prayed Scripture APD. e way to break through in pray, read, then pray. Müller realized that I was getting to know God personally. your prayer life is to pray Scripture. letting the Bible set the agenda led into all He spoke to me through His Word as Read Ephesians 6:17-18. Take the kinds of prayer, such as exaltation, con- never before! e Scripture Prescription sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, fession of sin, making various requests, is the way to overcome Arrested Prayer praying in the Spirit. What God thanking God, and the like.” Development.” has brought together we ought not Dr. Warren’s o ce was now a class- Todd looked up from his notes to separate—the Bible and prayer. Pray room. “Understand, Todd: is is what see Dr. Warren’s eyes almost dancing. the Bible! changed my prayer life. I was where you He couldn’t help smiling. “Tell me are now for a long time. I felt stuck in what to do.” “Church history is full of examples a giant rut. ‘God bless the missionar- As the teacher spoke, his student of great people of faith whose lives were ies. God bless my family. God help me. continued to scratch the words onto the revolutionized when they began the anks for the food.’ page.

e Scripture Prescription at Church

Since returning to pastoral ministry two years ago (after more demonstrated in “ e Scripture Prescription” article. than 20 years in local church prayer mobilization), we have Our weekly prayer meeting is now called “Praying taken steps to teach our entire congregation to pray Scripture. 3. God’s Word.” e rst half is spent discussing a pas- Only time will tell of the Kingdom impact, but here are the sage of Scripture (lately we’ve been in Ecclesiastes, which can steps we’ve taken: be tough). en the second half of the time we pray what we found in the Bible. We also pray from our church’s daily We publish a daily Bible reading guide with “think prayer list. 1. about it” questions and prayer points. Our goal is to As a leader, I take opportunities to model praying help people spend time in their Bibles and learn to pray 4. Scripture for people. Sometimes I pray from a passage Scripture on a daily basis. (Unfortunately, studies show that during our worship time. I will conclude my message by most Bibles are rarely opened and seldom read.) praying a prayer based on the passage I preached. Even in When our Faith Groups meet (home cell groups), counseling, I will guide individuals to Scripture and encour- 2. instead of Bible study, they talk about these daily read- age them to pray it back to God. ings. Because all are reading the same passages and praying the same prayer points, groups can discuss things such as, “At Given time, we believe our church family can all learn to work there are some people who are really hard to love; that’s pray God’s Word. We hope to have an army of more than 400 what I found most challenging in 1 John 3,” or “I just don’t Christians equipped to pray, using “the Scripture Prescription.” get why that passage led to praying for persecuted Chris- God help us! tians.” After talking it over, the groups pray insights from —DANA OLSON the Scriptures together. All our Faith Group leaders have A daily Bible reading with prayer points is posted at prayerconnect.net. been taught the simple method of praying the Bible, which is View it there or have it emailed to you each day.

PRAYERCONNECt.NEt 15 • Don’t make this complicated! Keep it taking a medication day after day, over 1 John, so that’s where he turned. But simple. NOT reciting memorized por- time a whole new world of prayer will instead of reading for a few minutes and tions (the Lord’s Prayer). open up to you. You will be amazed.” then praying brie y for the day as he • Choose a book of the Bible. normally did, today he tried Dr. War- • Read a few verses each day (a para- ren’s method. Here is what he wrote graph or literary unit). A GREATER KINGDOM down in the notebook for that day: • Reﬂ ect on what you’ve read, jotting a AGENDA few notes as thoughts come to mind. Todd reviewed his notes early the next • 1 John 3:16-18 • Ask, “Lord, how should I pray?” morning, sitting at his simple kitchen • Jesus is our great example of love. • Read the verses again, slowly, chew on table. He fondly thought of Dr. Warren’s • What does it mean to “lay down our them. big bear hug when Todd left the o ce. lives for the brothers”? • Then PRAY! “God will heal your mother, Todd, on • Pray for persecuted Christians who earth here, or in glory forever. Either are laying down their lives today for “As you do this, Todd, it may seem way, I am excited for you because you’re Christ. awkward at rst. It was for me. But, I going to learn to pray in a way that can • Help me be generous with others— can’t stress this enough, keep on doing it! transform your life, and all those you don’t let me “walk on by.” Don’t stop. Make it a daily habit. A few in uence, for years to come.” • Why are we tempted to talk about love verses a day, read-re ect-pray. And like Todd had already been reading in but not really live that way?

He read the passage twice, reviewed the notes he had jotted, re ected for a few moments, and then prayed. After praying through these thoughts, a couple speci c examples came to mind of people he re- A Jazz Pianist Learns to Pray ally needed God’s help to love. He prayed for them by name. en he prayed for his mother’s health, his dad and sister, and a had spoken at this large, suburban church the year before. My text was few other items he kept on a list. Ephesians 6:17-18 regarding the sword of the Spirit and prayer. I ended the Afterward, Todd had a clear realiza- I message by inviting people to their knees, following along in their Bibles tion: With his old way of praying, he as I prayed through a section of the Sermon on the Mount. I exhorted them to would not have prayed about loving the consider praying through Scripture, a few verses a day, on a daily basis. di cult people in his life. He would not Now I was back in this Rocky Mountain city, and standing before me was the have prayed for persecuted Christians, church keyboardist. I was familiar with this gifted musician because I had been a and he probably wouldn’t have thanked guest at one of her jazz concerts. She played an awesome “Sweet Georgia Brown”! God that Jesus laid down His life for I thanked her for attending our Concert of Prayer that evening. I was truly him. Praying the Bible had pushed him blessed and thankful for her response: to pray with a greater Kingdom agenda, to pray speci cs he wouldn’t have I came tonight to tell you how your message last year impacted me. I was raised thought of otherwise. in the kind of church where the only prayers prayed were read out of the bulle- It was a start for Todd. Day after day tin. I knew nothing about personal prayer. I wandered far from God. Eventually, he continued. Some days the praying came the ministry of this church helped me come to Christ. quickly and easily. Other days it felt pain- But I still had no idea how to pray. What do you say? What do you talk ful! But Todd didn’t stop. First, 2 and 3 about? en last year, you challenged us to pray Scripture. I went home and told John, then Ezra and Nehemiah in the Old the Lord, “I’ll pray through the Psalms if You’ll help me to pray.” And so I did. I Testament, then back to Jude and Revela- prayed through the Psalms. tion. Todd prayed through them all. And I’m here to tell you, it changed my life.

e Scripture Prescription can help you overcome Arrested Prayer Develop- PR AYER FOR REAL ment, too! Give it a try. It’s known to change lives. “Todd, thanks for your call. How’s your —DANA OLSON mother doing?”

16 ISSUE thrEE 2012 Praying Scripture “ anks for asking. She had surgery, TO and is doing fairly well. ere is follow- BACK GOD up treatment. I spent Christmas there, and it was a special time for our family.” The Apostle Paul, more than any “And how’s your prayer life, my New Testament writer, wrote friend?” “So-That” Prayers. He prayed a “Doc, that’s why I called. I can’t Spiritual Truth, “So-That” a Practical Reality would occur. thank you enough. It’s awesome. Praying Today, CTM has captured these God’s Word has completely changed my for you in an easy to use, prayer life. It’s been several months now, easy to carry 25 card assortment and I’m sure I’ve got a lot more to learn, So-That but wow, I can pray for an hour and not even think about it. And when I’m praying with others in my small group— or with our church sta , or the youth— consistently things I’ve been praying in TO ORDER: the Bible will come out of me. Our pastor VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT even said, ‘Todd, you pray with such www.CTMPrayer.org/12 insight and depth, please tell us about it.’ “As a result, I got to teach the

Scripture Prescription to our sta . I’m Size: teaching our youth council leaders, too! 3.5’ X 2.5’ Doc, I’m not saying it’s perfection every [email protected] • 404-606-2322 Price $7.00 packet day. But you were so right. Over time my prayer life has gotten healthier and my walk with God deeper. My walk with God is so much more intimate, and How did the personal, and real!” Todd could hear Dr. Warren’s smile Apostle Paul in his voice: “Whatever you do, don’t stopping battling APD. is prescription has changed you, and it can change your DO IT? youth group, and your church. anks God used Paul to change the Gentile be to God!” world. Prayer was the key. What did he pray for those under his care? What 1 anks to Dr. Ned Stringham for his did he ask friends to pray for him? explanation of arrested development, many Now you can learn to pray like Paul. years ago. Also, seed ideas for this method of praying Scripture were discovered long ago in Written by the publisher of Prayer Connect, Retail Price: $9.99 the powerful sermon, “ e Power at Wields Jonathan Graf, Praying Like Paul can radically PrayerShop Price: $8.99 the Weapon,” by Dr. John Piper. change the way you view prayer and how you (Multiple Copy Discounts Available) pray for others. (Use code PCPP1202 for an additional DANA OLSON is senior pastor $1.00 off at prayershop.org) of Faith Baptist Fellowship, Sioux Falls, SD. He directed LEARN TO: Available in your local Christian bookstore, Prayer First, the prayer mobi- at prayershop.org and on Kindle. lization ministry of Converge Pray Scripture Worldwide (BGC), for 13 Pray more than ﬁ x-it prayers years. He is chairman emeritus of the Denomi- Pr ayerShop national Prayer Leaders Network. is story is Pray the purposes of God Publishing a compilation of prayer experiences. Dana’s use into those you love of the name Dr. Warren is a tribute to his friend www.prayershop.org and mentor Dr. Warren Wiersbe.

PRAYERCONNECt.NEt 17 Inviting into our lives everything that God has ever planned

18 ISSUE THREE 2012 q Blessing, Power, & Grace

ST. AUGUSTINE ONCE BLAMED HIMSELF FOR all the lost time trying to fi nd God’s will when, from the very begin- ning, he could have found it by praying the Word. Th roughout our years of marriage, my husband and I have found that praying biblical prayers is a way to invite God’s blessing, power, and grace into our lives. Many years ago, in our 20s, when we recom- mitted our lives to Christ and began a daily walk in His Word, I began praying biblical prayers for our marriage, for my husband Holmes, and for our three children.

By Cheri Fuller

PHOTO KURT BY CHRISTENSON (Evelyn Christenson’s Bible) PRAYERCONNECT.NET 19 Daily as I would read the Bible, I’d and over the years I have prayed it scores I discovered Holmes means “from the notice a special verse and I’d put a date by of times for him: “Lord, may Holmes be river” or “with roots going into the river.” By Kim Butts it—“For Holmes 5/88” or “For our mar- a man who delights in your Word and I didn’t know this at the time I began riage, 10/95.” Th en I’d write the verse on meditates on it day and night—so he will praying Psalm 1, but God knew my hus- my current index prayer card or in a jour- be like a tree planted along the riverbank, band was going to go through very trying nal and pray it, often many times. bearing fruit in every season of his life. times in his business life—and He want- One of the fi rst passages God led me May his leaves never wither, and may he ed his roots to sink deep into the soil of to—as if He took a big highlighter and prosper in all he does” (see vs. 1-3). Christ’s love, feed on the truth of Scrip- said, “Th is is what I want for Holmes”— A few years later, in a search at the ture, and drink from the River of Life. was Psalm 1. So I wrote his name by it, library to fi nd the meaning of his name, When Holmes later suﬀ ered through several years of serious depression and seasons of fi nancial drought as a builder, I continued to pray these verses for him. I’ve seen the fruits of those prayers and USE THIS ISSUE TO God’s faithfulness. DISCIPLE YOUR PEOPLE God KnoWs oUr CHildren God can show us how to target our chil- TO PRAY dren’s needs with just the right Scripture, even when they live away—on campus or across the world. I had prayed and GOD’S WORD prayed for our college son Chris (second oldest), but needed new direction from Move them away the Lord. So I asked Him to reveal a special verse that would be right in line with from viewing prayer His heart toward our son. as a fix-it tool. One night soon after, I had a dream. In it, Chris was standing beside me, Give it to your small group holding a Bible and pointing out a verse as if to say, “Th at’s me, Mom.” Th e verse PrayerShop Publishing has put just was Acts 17:28: “For in him we live and the theme articles of Solid Founda- move and have our being.” I sensed the tion into a small 48-page, 4 x 6 Spirit saying that this is the truth about booklet to make it aﬀ ordable for our son and I should pray that he would every church to put into the hands realize who he is in Christ. For many years since, I’ve prayed Acts 17:28 for of their people. Chris—when he was in medical school, serving in Iraq as a battalion surgeon Multiple Copy Discounts: saving Marines’ lives, and as a father 1 copy: $2.99 and husband in medical practice. As the 2-9 copies: $1.99 Spirit continues to point me back to this 10 – 24 copies: $1.49 verse, He reminds me to remember that 25 – 99 copies: $.99 He is the One who began a good work in 100 or more copies: .59 Chris and He will complete it (Phil. 1:6)! I’ve never run out of scriptural prayers SHIP IN EARLY APRIL to pray—especially when praying our Pr ayerShop three children through childhood and www.prayershop.org Publishing adolescence, college years, marriage, and continued on page 22

20 ISSUE THREE 2012 9 Compelling Reasons to Pray the Word By Kim Butts

Years ago, I was taught how to pray the you ask for in prayer” (Matt. 21:22). It is (Rom. 10:17). When we hear the Word of Word of God—and it revolutionized my much easier for me to believe in God’s Christ, it builds our faith. When we pray prayer life. It is the ultimate prayer man- Word as I pray than to depend solely upon the Word of Christ, it demonstrates our ual written by God Himself. Th e Bible what is in my own heart, which can some- faith in what He will do. always makes His will clear to us through times be selfi sh and not focused upon the the written Word. Anything the Holy plans and purposes of God. Praying the Word of God pro- Spirit makes known to us will always be tects us from sin: “I have hidden in agreement with God’s revealed Word. e Word of God gives us a your word in my heart that I might Praying the Word sets people free! beautiful, full, rich vocabulary 7.not sin against you” (Ps. 119:11). We can Wouldn’t you like to pray with complete 3. of prayer: Pray Psalm 145 back use Scripture in our prayer lives if the confi dence and assurance that the Lord to the Lord. As you do, focus all of the Word is hidden in our hearts, reminding God Almighty will hear and answer the words back on Him as a prayer of praise! us of righteous living. Kingdom-advancing prayers that are on Th en, as you pray through this psalm and His heart? others, write down words and phrases Praying the Word boldly Following are some reasons why pray- that speak of God and His character. Do- strengthens our witness to un- ing Scripture can empower your prayer ing so will help you learn ways to describe 8. believers: “For it is God’s will that life individually and corporately. As you Him so that your prayers don’t wither by doing good you should silence the ignorant incorporate the Word into your prayers, from repetition. talk of foolish people” (1 Peter 2:15). As you you will pray with greater boldness and ef- begin to pray bold prayers from the Word fectiveness because you will be interceding e Word of God helps us to of God and He begins to answer, those in God’s “good, pleasing and perfect will” keep our prayer lives fresh and who doubt or are uncertain of who Jesus (Rom. 12:2). 4. exciting: “For the Word of God is is, will have to take another look. alive and active. Sharper than any double- edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing We should pray Scripture so that pr AYinG sCriptUre is soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges God is honored and glori ed! poWerFUl BeCAUse . . . the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” 9. “All your works praise you, LORD ; It reveals God’s will for His (Heb. 4:12). Have you experienced dry your faithful people extol you. Th ey tell of Kingdom: What is on God’s heart? seasons in your prayer life? Applying the the glory of your kingdom and speak of your 1. We need to discover the will of God vocabulary of Scripture to your prayer life might, so that all men may know of your through His revealed Word and pray it for will enliven it! mighty acts and the glorious splendor of the sake of His Kingdom! Here are just a your kingdom” (Ps. 145:10-12, emphasis few things that are on the heart of God: His Word reminds us to stay fo- added). Whenever you pray Scripture, • He wants us to love one another cused upon Him in prayer: “But you bring glory and honor to the Father! (John 13:34-35). 5. my eyes are fi xed on you, sovereign Th e “so that” prayer makes every prayer a • He wants all people to be saved and LORD . . .” (Ps. 141:8). In good times or Kingdom prayer—a God-honoring prayer to come to a knowledge of the truth bad, we need to have our eyes fi xed and that touches the heart of the Father! (1 Tim. 2:1-4). focused upon the Lord. Take everything to • He wants us to pray for workers to the Lord prayerfully, asking Him to take When you pray God’s will for your life be sent into His harvest ﬁ eld (Matt. charge and work His will in every situation and the lives of others, be prepared to be 9:37-38). that arises. Be sure that prayer is always yielded and obedient if He should ask you • He wants unity in the Body of your fi rst response, not your last resort. to be the answer to the prayers you pray! Christ (John 17:20-26). KIM BUTTS is the cofounder of Harvest Prayer Praying the Word of God and Ministries (with her husband Dave) and the au- Praying the Word gives us hearing it prayed, builds our thor of Th e Praying Family: Creative Ways to Pray con dence and power in our faith in God’s ability to hear Together. She and Dave are coauthors of Revolu- 6. tion on Our Knees: 30 Days of Prayer for Neighbors 2. prayers: When you pray Scrip- and answer: “Consequently, faith comes and Nations and Pray Like the King: Lessons from ture, you can be confi dent that it is power- from hearing the message, and the message the Prayers of Israel’s Kings. Th ese books are avail- ful! “If you believe, you will receive whatever is heard through the word about Christ” able from prayershop.org.

PRAYERCONNECT.NET 21 When we pray now praying for their children. A verse I prayed continually during my seven-year God’s Word. . . journey of prayer for our oldest son was Ephesians 1:17-18: Lord, open the eyes of we breathe the life of his heart and give him spiritual wisdom and Jesus into them and into understanding so he will grow in the knowledge of You. I pray that his heart will be our hearts. fl ooded with light so he can understand the wonderful future You have for him. Justin did not appear to be walk- homa, when I was driving him across the not only for ourselves and our children, ing in the light at the time nor did he city to get his overheated car stuck on but also for friends, family, and sisters seem spiritually inclined. In fact, he was the highway, he turned to me and said, and brothers in Christ that we’ve had the enamored with the world and all it had “You know, Mom, I’ve been feeling so opportunity to pray for in healing ser- to off er from high school through his empty and lonely, being so far from God vices, conferences in other countries and fi rst two years of college. As I continued and trying to do everything on my own. in our own community. Each time, I’ve praying Ephesians 1:17-18 and other I know that God hasn’t moved; I have. been fi lled with faith and hope, in the verses for him, I gathered other mothers, But what I want more than anything best of times and the worst of times. concerned about their teens, to pray in is to have an intimate relationship with Praying God’s Word transformed my agreement together each week. When my Christ, to really know Him.” spiritual life and did something else: It spirits fl agged, God seemed to say, “Per- Justin has never looked back and got my focus off the problems or situa- severe in prayer and trust Me.” has been following the Lord ever since. tions and onto the One who could help Th en one summer day after his Watching this devoted husband and us, transform us, and—when needed— sophomore year at University of Okla- father of two, who now also prays God’s restore us. I knew praying Scripture Word for his own children, I have been wasn’t an overnight quick fi x, but my constantly encouraged by the Lord’s confi dence in the Lord increased as I faithfulness and grace in Justin’s life and grew to trust Him to fulfi ll His prom- family. ises in His way and time. And I was As I discovered more of the treasures assured—even when the answers were of God’s Word and promises, one of my long in coming—that He who said He is favorite prayers is based in 1 Peter 5:7: able to keep safe what we entrust to Him “Lord, thank You for inviting me to cast will do more than we can ask, think, or all of my cares upon You! Here’s what I imagine, because of His riches in glory am burdened and worried about today . . . .” in Christ Jesus (Eph. 3:20-21). And then I roll my concerns, workload, You, too, can fi nd the blessing of and anxieties upon the Lord. Praying this praying God’s Word for your family and BE NATION verse on countless days has brought more personal life. When we pray God’s words CHANGERS! peace into my heart than anything else I and then love those around us through Pray God’s purposes can think of—and certainly more than prayer, we breathe life—the life of Jesus, any stress relief the world might off er. the living Word—into them and into for the U.S. elections. our hearts. Who among us doesn’t need more of Christ in our lives and His bless- This Scripture-based, BreAtHinG tHe ing in our family? liFe oF JesUs non-partisan guide is available in packs of 50 In his book Pierced by the Word, John Piper said that our general prayers “be- it tAKes A little or online at come powerful when they are fi lled up pr ACtiCe www.prayerconnect.net/ with concrete, radical biblical goals for While it may not come naturally for you Resources/Prayer-Guides. the people we are praying for.” to pray biblical prayers, it takes only a We just celebrated 42 years of mar- little practice to become comfortable www.prayerconnect.net riage and can look back on praying hun- with using God’s Word as a powerful dreds and hundreds of biblical prayers, prayer prompt. For instance:

22 ISSUE THREE 2012 • Take the verse in which Jesus said, the recovery room. That prayer for are opened and each of us is given access “I am leaving you with a gift—peace God’s tenderhearted mercies echoes to Almighty God, who hung the stars of mind and heart. And the peace I from my spirit whenever anyone and moon in the sky and upholds the give is a gift the world cannot give. I know is in the ER, in personal entire universe by His very Word! So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John distress, or in physical pain. What a marvelous gift God has given 14:27, n l t ). Then pray it back to • Pray God’s attributes. A verse such us in the treasure of His Word to guide God in your own words and from the as Psalm 46:1 assures us that God and shape our prayers. In it we can dis- sincerity of your heart. For example, will be our “refuge and strength, a cover His will for our marriages, fami- “Thank You, Jesus, for Your match- very present help in trouble” (n k j v ). lies, ministries, and all areas of our lives. less gift of peace. I receive Your peace We can call upon God’s very nature Even more, when we pray His Word, we in my mind and in my heart so I and character when we pray it back are asking that all He’s planned in heav- won’t be troubled or afraid.” to Him: “Lord, You said You will en will come into our lives on earth! • When we pray for someone who is be our refuge and strength, a very suffering or in need, the Bible is full present help in trouble. I ask You to CHERI FULLER is a popular of compassionate prayers. Recently let me experience Your sustaining speaker and award-winning author of more than 40 books, I was struck by reading Psalm 79:8 grace, strength, and power so that including The One Year Book when a friend had major surgery problems won’t weigh me down.” of Praying Through the Bible, and I prayed it right back to God on When Mothers Pray, and A Busy Woman’s Guide to Prayer. As executive her behalf: “Let your tenderhearted His Word Upholds director of Redeeming the Family, Cheri has mercies quickly meet Janet’s need, been a frequent guest on national radio and TV. Lord.” I sent that prayer to her via the Universe Her passion is to encourage women and inspire text message in the hospital, and people of all ages to impact their world through How incredible it is that through Jesus’ prayer (cherifuller.com). she received it when she got out of sacrifice on the cross, heaven’s windows

PRAYERCONNECT.NET 23 24 ISSUE thrEE 2012 q Declaring Prayer The Formidable Force of Praying the Word Out Loud

ANYONE WHO ACCEPTS JESUS CHRIST AS LORD and Savior soon learns that the Christian life is not without opposition. Evil spiritual forces opposed to the work of Christ are active in our world. Constant opposition comes from an enemy who, though usually unseen, is very real. Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:12, “Our struggle is not against fl esh 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.” Th ese forces are pervasive and powerful, and must

By John T. Maempa

PRAYERCONNECt.NEt 25 be taken seriously. We can be thankful, were the naval bombardments used to personal perspective: “In praying Scrip- however, that God equips us with the “soften” enemy beachheads. Positioned ture, I not only find myself in intimate ability to both protect ourselves from, miles from shore, the great guns on the communication with God, but my mind and do battle against, the enemy of our naval warships would hurl round after is being retrained, or renewed (Rom. By Thomas E. Trask soul. round of explosive projectiles, breaking 12:2), to think His thoughts about my Our principal weapon in the battle is down enemy fortifications and allowing situation rather than mine” (p. 8). the Word of God. Immediately follow- foot soldiers to move onto the beach- Indeed, as we pray God’s thoughts, ing his alert to believers in Ephesians 6, heads, press inland, and take territory for we are greatly strengthened and encour- Paul instructed his readers to “put on freedom. aged despite the circumstances we face. the full armor of God, so that when the In much the same way, strategic Praying Scripture aloud is much more day of evil comes, you may be able to intercessory prayer, enhanced by praying than just whistling in the dark when stand your ground, and after you have Scripture, can be directed at the strong- we’re afraid or in difficult circumstances. done everything, to stand” (v. 13). Paul holds of the enemy in spiritual warfare. As we boldly declare God’s Word in then described the pieces of armor to be Just as David cried out, “May God arise, sincerity and truth, God releases power worn—the belt of truth, the breastplate may his enemies be scattered; may his that provides deliverance, victory, and of righteousness, the footgear represent- foes flee before him” (Ps. 68:1), we can freedom in the spiritual realms. There is ing readiness for battle, the shield of openly and boldly declare God’s Word tremendous power in God’s Word; there faith, and the helmet of salvation. when confronting the enemy. As we do is tremendous power in prayer. When Notably, each piece of armor is for so, the strongholds are broken. combined, there is nothing Satan and his defense or protection from the “flaming But why declare Scripture audibly? forces can do to destroy us. arrows of the evil one” (v. 16). Then Paul instructs his readers to take the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (v. Declare Scripture Apply the Searchlight 17)—the only weapon for offense in the by Voice As noted earlier, Hebrews 4:12 describes Christian soldier’s armament. Declaring Scripture aloud sharpens our the Word of God as “alive and active,” Without breaking stride, Paul adds focus. For example, when I pray for my and “sharper than any double-edged in verse 18, “And pray in the Spirit on own healing or for the healing of others, sword.” God’s Holy Word is much more all occasions with all kinds of prayers I often declare the familiar words of 1 than words on paper; it is living and dy- and requests.” Clearly, there is a vital Peter 2:24: “By his wounds [stripes] you namic, and able to reveal what lurks at the relationship in spiritual warfare between have been healed.” When praying for core of our being. The writer adds that the wielding the Word and praying Spirit-led provision, I declare Matthew 6:33: “Seek Word “judges the thoughts and attitudes prayers. Prayer, coupled with the Word, first his kingdom and his righteousness, of the heart. Nothing in all creation is is a formidable force. and all these things will be given to you hidden from God’s sight. Everything is as well.” uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Praying Scripture aligns our prayers him to whom we must give account.” Declare Scripture with God’s Word. As we pray God’s In order for our prayers to be effec- with Power promises and truths back to Him, He is tive, we must regularly apply the search- Because God’s Word is alive, dynamic, pleased to respond with His grace and light of God’s Word to our own lives. and powerful, as Hebrews 4:12 describes, favor. Of course, we must be careful We must pray as did David, “Search me, we can wield it boldly in warfare prayer. that we pray Scripture to God and not at God, and know my heart; test me and While our enemies, Satan and his forces, Him, expecting Him to answer simply know my anxious thoughts. See if there cannot read our thoughts, they can hear because we have used His Word in our is any offensive way in me, and lead me our declarations in prayer. And while we prayer. God will not be manipulated. in the way everlasting” (Ps. 139:23). As do not pray to our enemies, we certainly However, when we declare His Word in we pray God’s Word in our times of can direct prayer at them, declaring the sincerity, He is pleased to answer. communion with Him, the Holy Spirit truths and promises of Scripture. Declaring Scripture audibly in prayer will direct His piercing light to reveal I am intrigued by war documenta- also helps to confirm God’s Word in our things that displease God and hinder our ries, particularly those that focus on the hearts and minds and strengthens our relationship with Him. Much of the time various kinds of weaponry used, espe- trust in His promises. Beth Moore, in our thought life is where the greatest cially during World War II. Among the her book, Praying Scripture: Breaking Free problem lies. most amazing displays of military power from Spiritual Strongholds, relates this continued on page 28

26 ISSUE three 2012 How Jesus Used Scripture in His Greatest Battle By Thomas E. Trask

F YOU ARE A FOLLOWER OF JESUS, IT IS VERY to this enemy of the soul. Jeremiah 23:29 (kjv) states, “Is not my word like as a important for you to understand that you are in a battle, and that fi re? saith the Lord; and like a hammer battle is against the forces of the devil and the powers of evil. Th ese that breaketh the rock in pieces?” I When Satan initially tried to tempt powers are very real. Jesus knew this as He encountered Satan. Jesus (Luke 4:3), Jesus spoke out loud to Yet Jesus was victorious, and He left us with instructions to experi- Satan by quoting Scripture. “It is written, Th at man shall not live by bread alone, ence that same victory over Satan. In His greatest moment of battle, Jesus but by every word of God” (v. 4, kjv). called upon the authority of the Word of God. In the second temptation crafted by Satan, Jesus again gave us some wonder- Th e account of how Jesus defeated masses shouting “Sieg, Heil!” . . . . ful words of instruction. First, He said, Satan is found in Luke 4:1-14. It should One night, as I sat on the platform, “Get thee behind me, Satan.” He used fi rst be noted that Jesus was full of the Satan worshippers dressed in black the principle also stated in James 4:7: Holy Spirit before being tempted: “And assembled just outside the stadium “Resist the devil, and he will fl ee from Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost re- doors. Using ancient, evil rites, you.” Th en Jesus again quoted Scripture turned from Jordan” (Luke 4:1, kjv). We they tried to put a hex on the meet- to Satan: “For it is written, Th ou shalt also read in verse 14, “Jesus returned in ing. Th e rumor of their presence worship the Lord thy God, and him only the power of the Spirit into Galilee.” spread, Christians prayed, and in shalt thou serve” (Luke 4:8, kjv). Th is is a crucial lesson in the matter answer to those prayers, nothing It is interesting to note in Jesus’ third of spiritual warfare: We are no match for came of the incident.1 temptation, Satan tried using Scripture Satan, who, “as a roaring lion, walketh (although wrested from context) to tempt about, seeking whom he may devour” Dr. Graham goes on to relate another Jesus. Again Jesus uses Scripture: “It is (1 Peter 5:8, kjv). In this account, Jesus incident, this time in Chicago, when 300 said, Th ou shall not tempt the Lord thy shows us that we cannot defeat Satan Satan worshippers tried to force their way God” (vs. 12, kjv). Christ’s victory over on our own. We must be fi lled with the into a youth night at McCormick Place. Satan came as a result of Jesus speaking power of the Spirit—just as Jesus was. Instead of accepting the police off er to out the truth of the Word of God. handle the intruders headed toward the When one speaks the Word of God stage, Dr. Graham interrupted the choir out loud, it serves as a reminder of how coNFroNtiNg DarK and encouraged the Christian youth to powerful the Word is—and it changes powerS pray for the Satan worshippers, show love not. Th e Scripture is true: “Greater is Billy Graham has preached the gospel to them, sing to them, and gradually ease he that is in you than he that is in the throughout the world and encountered them back toward the doors. world” (1 John 4:4, kjv). We are assured many direct confl icts with the power of Dr. Graham was blessed to watch of winning the battle, for in Romans Satan. In his book, Storm Warning, Dr. hundreds of students begin praying, 8:37 (kjv) we read, “Nay, in all these Graham writes about a direct confronta- sharing their faith, and lovingly surround- things we are more than conquerors tion with the enemy during two of his ing those who meant harm. God’s Spirit through him that loved us.” crusades. began to move in the place and confound So we are victorious! those who were intent on disruption. 1Billy Graham, Storm Warning, (Nashville: Th omas One night in Nuremberg, Ger- Nelson, 2010), 147-149. Used by permission. All many, we were holding a crusade in rights reserved. the same stadium . . . Hitler used SpeaKiNg out DR. THOMAS TRASK is chairman of the Global to stage his infamous rallies. It was the truth Prayer Initiative of Convoy of Hope and the diffi cult to sit in that place and When it comes to defeating Satan, the former general superintendent of the Assemblies hear in the echoes of memory the power of the Word of God is far superior of God.

PRAYERCONNECt.NEt 27 61st ANNUAL OBSERVANCE

Experience salvation, and that Your wonderful gift of salvation includes the blessing the power of of Your healing touch. Th ank You for sending Your Son to die on the wielding both the sword cross not only for my sins, but for my of the Spirit and prayer. healing as well (1 Peter 2:24-25). As I come to You in prayer for healing, oh God, I am so grateful that Our mind is a battleground on which arsenal with these and other passages. Your Word declares that the prayer the enemy easily prevails if we do not fi ll Experience the power of wielding both oﬀ ered in faith will make me well; our thoughts with God’s Word. While the sword of the Spirit and prayer. that You will raise me up. I trust in many thoughts we entertain originate that promise today (James 5:15). with us, the enemy is also able to inject Anxiety or Worry thoughts that are impure, untrue, and Th ank You, oh God, for inviting Spiritual Warfare unholy. Paul instructed in 2 Corinthians me to cast my cares and burdens Help me, oh God, to be self-con- 10:5 that victory in our spiritual battle upon You. Th ank You for sustaining trolled and on the alert for the en- is achieved when we “demolish argu- me by Your great power. Please help emy Satan who prowls around like ments and every pretension that sets itself me to stand and not fall in this time a roaring lion seeking whom he can up against the knowledge of God, and of worry and care (Ps. 55:22). destroy. Help me resist him by stand- we take captive every thought to make ing fi rm in my faith just as many it obedient to Christ.” Taking those Help me, oh God, to be anxious others have done (1 Peter 5:8-9). thoughts captive requires intentional about nothing. In the face of this test eff ort on our part as we counter Satan’s and trial, I bring my request for help In my walk with You, oh God, may attacks. We can successfully resist and to You with a thankful heart. Th ank I always be in submission to You reject unwholesome thoughts as we focus You for the awesome peace You give and resist the devil. Help me to stay upon Jesus Christ and His Word and me even when it doesn’t make sense close to You and know the power fi ll our minds with things that are true, to be at peace (Phil. 4:6-7). and protection of Your presence day noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, by day (James 4:7-8). excellent, and praiseworthy (Phil. 4:8). Guidance and Wisdom Father God, I thank You for order- As you fi ll your spiritual arsenal with ing my steps and guiding me in the verses like these and many others, you Fill the arSeNal way I should take. I look to You will be well prepared to counter Satan’s In view of this, it is important that we again today for Your guidance and attack, demolish strongholds, receive commit Scripture to memory. Th en, in direction (Ps. 37:23). help and healing, and live in victory. Re- those times of testing which sometimes member, “Th e prayer of a righteous man come when we do not have access to a Oh God, I really need wisdom [and woman] is powerful and eff ective” printed copy of God’s Word, the Holy today to make a right decision. You (James 5:16). Spirit can help bring to our mind what promise that if I lack wisdom, I we have stored in memory and do eff ec- can ask of You and You will give it Note: A daily audio “prayervotional” is avail- tive, victorious battle against the enemy. generously—realizing I don’t always able at prayer.ag.org. Each day, a Scripture In so doing, we follow Jesus’ example know what to do. Please grant me selection is shared followed by a prayer based when He encountered Satan in the Wil- Your wisdom today. Th ank You upon that selection. Th is also can be heard by derness Temptation (Matt. 4:1-11). As for the marvelous help You provide calling 1-800-4-PRAYER and selecting the each temptation was placed before Him, (James 1:5). Scripture and prayer for the day. Jesus responded with Scripture. Th e end result was that “the devil left him, and Healing JOHN T. MAEMPA is director angels came and attended him” (vs. 11). I need Your healing touch today, of the Offi ce of Prayer and Spiritual Care for the General Here are some Scriptures put to prayer oh God. Your Word declares that Council of the Assemblies of that pertain to specifi c issues or circum- Your Son Jesus bore my sins on the God, Springfi eld, MO. stances we might face. Fill your spiritual cross so that I might receive Your

28 ISSUE thrEE 2012 61st ANNUAL OBSERVANCE TURN// PRAY// UNITE// in humble repentance with urgency for with other believers in from every sin God spiritual recovery spreading the hope reveals to us and awakening of revival

A Nationwide Call for Spiritual Awakening

To learn more about OneCry and to join the movement, visit

is Bible study is formatted for small group open discussion. If you use this study by TURN// PRAY// UNITE// yourself, we suggest that you journal your answers to the discussion questions. in humble repentance with urgency for with other believers in from every sin God spiritual recovery spreading the hope reveals to us and awakening of revival WHAT’S THE CATCH? Matthew 21:22 tells us that if we believe, we will receive whatever we ask for in prayer. Yet how many times have we prayed—desperately and in earnest—only to experience disappointment? If prayer is an actual weapon of warfare with divine power (2 Cor. 10:3-5), why don’t we see more answers?

A Nationwide Call for Spiritual Awakening e word for power in those verses is dunatos (our word dynamite comes from this root word). Other places in the New Testament

To learn more about OneCry and to join the movement, visit

OneCry is a partnership led by Life Action Ministries PRAYERCONNECT.NET 31 www.onecry.com ©2011 OneCry: A Nationwide Call for Spiritual Awakening. All rights reserved. dunatos is translated possible: “With God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26). God invites us repeat- edly to partner with Him to do the impossible—so According to omas Trask, when it comes to defeating Satan, the power of the Word of God is unbeatable. He what’s the catch? cites Jeremiah 23:29. Read this verse as well as the fol- e key to praying powder-keg prayers is simple: lowing passages and discuss why praying God’s Word is fundamental to powerful prayer (Ps. 33:4, 119:105; Prov. pray God’s will. God is looking for men and wom- 30:5-6; Isa. 55:11; John 6:63, 15:7, 17:17). ______en of radical faith who will ask for His will to be ______done on earth—right here, right now. ______

Declaring Scripture aloud sharpens our focus, con rms God’s Word to our hearts, and strengthens our trust, according to John Maempa. He says that the spoken Word releases power DISCUSSION QUESTIONS that provides deliverance, victory, and freedom. How do Prov- You can be bold and tenacious when you are praying God’s will. erbs 18:21a and Mark 11:23 con rm this? Prayers in sync with His heart will not be denied. Based on ______1 John 5:14-15, what gives us con dence as we approach God? ______Schedule Your To pray God’s will, you have to know God’s will—and that’s In his article, Dana Olson talks about a common condition simple, too. He has already revealed Himself to us in His rampant in the church: Arrested Prayer Development. His pre- Word. Praying Scripture is praying His heart. scription for this ailment consists of reading a few verses each School of Prayer Obviously, we won’t know, this side of heaven, how all of day, re ecting on what you’ve read, and then asking the Lord  Enriching Your Personal Prayer Life … our prayers were answered. But generally speaking, do you how to pray, based on those verses. How might this method  Praying thru the Tabernacle … think your current prayer life is e ective? Why or why not? alter the way you pray now?  Heaven is a Courtroom … ______ The Prayer Encounter … ______

Describe your greatest struggles when it comes to prayer. ACTION STEPS ______Ready to give it a try? ______Use the following Scriptures to shape prayers for your own life or Transforming Your Church into a House of Prayer with 8 DVD sessions Cheri Fuller speaks of God’s Word as the ultimate guide to for individuals the Lord brings to mind: Ephesians 1:17-19, 3:6- (Book - $14.99; Both book and DVD $39.99)… Prayer—the Heartbeat shape our prayers because in Scripture we discover what He 18; Colossians 1:9-10; 2 essalonians 2:16-17, 3:5; 2 Timothy of the Church (Book, DVD, Devotional Guide, 6 DVD Sessions - $25.00) wants for every area of our lives. Praying God’s Word means we 2:22-23; 1 Peter 1:22. … Prayer—Entertaining God: In uencing Cities (Book - $14.99; with give up our desires—our control—in exchange for His. Read DVD and CD - $30.00) … Wet Eyes and Caring Hands … $14.99 … Isaiah 55:8-9 and discuss what giving up control feels like to Intercession—the Uncomfortable, Middle … $12.99 you. Do you fear it? SANDRA HIGLEY is the author of several Scripture prayer guides in bookmark form, including Prayers of Repentance, Partnering with God in the All ve books - ______Struggle over Sin, and Life-Giving Prayers for Your Church. You can order $60.00 All Products Listed - $99.99 ______them from navpress.com. (O er Good thru Feb. 15, 2012)

32 ISSUE THREE 2012 Schedule Your School of Prayer  Enriching Your Personal Prayer Life …  Praying thru the Tabernacle …  Heaven is a Courtroom …  The Prayer Encounter …

Transforming Your Church into a House of Prayer with 8 DVD sessions (Book - $14.99; Both book and DVD $39.99)… Prayer—the Heartbeat of the Church (Book, DVD, Devotional Guide, 6 DVD Sessions - $25.00) … Prayer—Entertaining God: In uencing Cities (Book - $14.99; with DVD and CD - $30.00) … Wet Eyes and Caring Hands … $14.99 … Intercession—the Uncomfortable, Middle … $12.99 All ve books - $60.00 All Products Listed - $99.99 (O er Good thru Feb. 15, 2012) If Two of You . . .

34 ISSUE three 2012 By David Chotka

young single mom named Tammy started coming

to our church at the end of the summer of 1996. She

was very new to the “things of God,” but wanted

to help out somewhere in the church. She became Two a helper in Sunday school, “herding children” while the teacher concentrated on teaching the Word. It was perfect for her and for the teacher. Tammy knew the

children and could help with them, while at the same time she could also learn

more of the Bible. of At a training seminar for teachers and helpers one Saturday morning, Tam- my showed up with a patch on her eye, obviously in terrible pain. She explained

that she had been decorating her home for Halloween on the previous Thursday You . . . What It Really Means to Agree in Prayer

evening, and in a moment of revelation, realized that the decorations were pri-

marily focused on the occult—things God condemned in the Bible. She sud-

denly understood that God was not pleased with that, and so she determined to

take the objects down quickly. One decoration was attached to a wooden shutter

by a tack with a string—and she gave it a strong yank. The tack immediately

dislodged and landed in her eye.

It takes no imagination to know that Tammy screamed in pain. The damage

PRAYERCONNECT.NET 35 hen the name and reputation of God Himself is at stake many seasoned prayer leaders and intercessors to reorder their prayer lives in a moment of revelation. It is that moment “Do you want us to keep praying?” of understanding that Jesus really means was done. All the peripheral vision from someone asked. what He says—and we must take serious- that eye was gone, and her forward sight, “Oh, please!” she said. ly His astonishing words and start stand- marred by a scratch across the cornea, And so we prayed for 20 minutes— ing on the Word. If you have a heart to was terribly impaired. Th e doctor said she until the pain completely vanished. Sud- pray, you are familiar with this promise: lost all of her side vision, and he couldn’t denly the intense presence of the Lord be sure what could be recovered with her lifted, and we knew we were done. Tam- “Again I say to you, that if two of forward sight. Her vision was blurry and my kept the patch on her eye, but all the you agree on earth about anything extremely sensitive to any kind of light. pain and sensitivity to light disappeared. that they may ask, it shall be done for It was a strange turn of events. Th is We had just experienced powerful agree- them by My Father who is in heaven. happened because Tammy believed she ment in prayer with each other. For where two or three have gath- was obeying the Lord’s command not to Of course, as anyone would, Tammy ered in My name, I am there in their be involved with the occult. went to the doctor to determine how to midst” (Matt. 18:19-20, nasb). adapt to the damaged eye. Th e doctor removed the patch. His But what does it really mean? All of AN AGREEING MoMENT jaw dropped. us can testify of times when we thought Brent (an elder), his wife Barb, another “Doctor,” she said, “what’s wrong?” we had agreed and it wasn’t done. elder named Ralph, and my wife and I “Wrong?” he said. “Why there’s And so we have this tension— listened to her story. We were all people nothing wrong.” In astonishment, he knowing the fear of the Lord, standing of prayer, and more specifi cally, Brent, repeated, “Th ere is absolutely nothing on and insisting on the completion of a Ralph and Barb were lead-teachers of our wrong!” God-honoring promise, and not know- prayer ministry. We realized that God’s He checked her vision and found she ing what prevents the answer. reputation was at stake in this matter. had 20/20 vision straight ahead, with 100 Th is promise is vast beyond human When someone in the group spoke up percent peripheral vision on the sides. imagining, and we know it. We also and said, “God wants to heal Tammy’s “What did you do between Th ursday know we must embrace its realities and eye,” the fi ve of us sensed an increase of and now?” he said. live it out, for it is the Word of the Lord. the presence of God. His compassion “Well, on Saturday morning, 14 peo- Let’s be clear: It is imperative that we began to well up inside of us. ple asked the Lord Jesus to heal my eye,” pray together. Praying alone in the hidden “Tammy,” Barb said, “may we pray she replied. place was a common practice of the Lord for God to heal you?” Th e doctor declared that he didn’t Jesus Christ—and most intercessors do “Oh, please!” Tammy replied. know about Jesus, but that he knew for this. Praying together, however, is some- Our numbers had increased by now sure there was no longer anything wrong thing Jesus requires us to do in order to with more people walking in for the with her eye. see the unlimited power of God released seminar. So 14 of us gathered around our We invited Tammy to testify to the and to “open earth to heaven.” friend, placed our hands upon her, and rest of the church about what the Lord Th ere are conditions in this expansive began to beseech the Lord that this attack had done. We were all as astonished promise. Most of God’s promises work on Tammy’s new faith would not have its as the doctor. Th e Lord healed her eye this way: God initiates; we respond. full eﬀ ect. We prayed for God to heal and through the prayer ministry of two or Please note that the text does not say restore her eye. Th e manifest presence of three who agreed that this must be done. “two or more” (as a justifi cation of the the Lord was very tangible and palpable, If two of you agree . . . it shall be done. need to gather for a public worship). while each of us in turn asked the Lord So says the Lord. Rather the text says “two or three,” refer- for mercy on this new believer. ring to an ancient Hebrew legal prin- “What’s happening while we are pray- ciple. For a “fact to be established” there ing, Tammy?” I asked. CoNDITIoNS To needed to be “two or three witnesses” “Fiery heat is fl owing into my body AGREEMENT PRAYER (see Deut. 17:6, 19:15; Num. 35:30, and and going into my eye!” she said. “Th e It is a promise that is familiar yet aston- its New Testament applications in Matt. pain is subsiding!” ishing. Th ese words of Jesus have caused 18:16; 1 Tim. 5:19; Heb. 10:28).

36 ISSUE thrEE 2012 hen the name and reputation of God Th e Lord had just taught that sin is- would be useful. Jesus’ power doesn’t HIS WORD Himself is at stake sues being corrected needed two or three fl ow around what is merely “nice.” Jesus’ witnesses. Th en He extended that to presence, power, and promises are mani- indicate that “the fact” of His presence is festly present to a mutually submitted DELIVERED! guaranteed by the intentional gathering of gathering of focused believers who make two or three. To paraphrase the teaching God’s glory their only agenda. Th is is What better way to reach of the Lord, “to agree in prayer that any- what it means to “gather in His name.” today’s mobile generation thing on earth will be done, two or three Jesus’ power is released through than via text message? of you must ‘establish a fact’—fi rst, the profound unity between the pray-ers. Now you can receive daily fact of the presence of Jesus among them, Without this kind of agreement, we have scripture and devotionals on and then the fact of the urgency of the no power in our prayer together. Th e any cell phone! prayer need before the God who hears.” best this can do is kindle the faint hope Two or three must agree that God’s that perhaps our single prayers might be reputation is at stake and something eﬀ ective when we say them aloud with Content Created by: must be done for God’s glory! someone else in the room. 1 NEW MESSAGE: You may not THE PowER of THE AN uRGENT APPEAL always know NAME of JESuS Our asking and agreeing together must where life’s road will lead you. But Here then is what is required: Th ere not merely be an asking after some need. keep moving. must be two believers in the Lord Jesus Rather, our asking must be an urgent God is walking who have determined to ensure their appeal to the Lord of the universe that with you. lives belong completely to the Lordship God Himself must intervene around an of their Savior. Th is is what it means to agreed issue for the Lord’s glory. It is “pray in the name.” Th e name of Jesus fi lled with urgency that this prayer must is not merely a string of syllables uttered be answered—because the name and the like a magic charm. Th e name is the reputation of God Himself is at stake. character, nature, personality, and pres- Th ose who utter this prayer together RAISE FUNDS ence of God Himself. must be prepared to do anything or sac- Within God’s character lies the key rifi ce anything in their power to be a part FOR YOUR CHURCH to God’s power. It must be made clear of the answer. And if it is beyond their Greater Texting donates to a then that to “gather in His name” is to resources, they must surrender anything Partner Church everytime do far more than merely meet in a room that God asks of them to see it done. someone subscribes to with some ideas about what might be Th is is “the prayer of agreement.” It receive daily devotionals. helpful. Rather, it is to enter into the is mutual submission around the Word It’s a great way to reward character of Jesus Christ Himself, and to of God, in the presence of the Spirit, your supporters with do this together. Sin issues must be dealt through the name of Christ the Lord— valuable Christian content. with, confessed, and surrendered. Nag- for the glory of God! Our corporate ging troubles and doubts must be taken praying refl ects this magnifi cent reality. Becoming a partner ministry to the cross of Christ and left there. Brent, Ralph, and Barb prayed this is FREE and Greater Texting Sharing life together around the things way for Tammy—and God heard their will provide you with of God must take center stage. prayer. materials to reach out and Once it is clear that two (or three) God has called us to agree. And when instruct your supporters on believers are “in Christ” singly and “in we do, God will hear our prayer too! how to donate and Christ” together as far as they are aware, subscribe. To sign up visit: DAVID CHOTKA is lead pas- the second condition must be met: e y greatertexting.com/partners must jointly discern what God wants done; tor of Spruce Grove Alliance Church (AB, Canada) and part Or call: 800-230-3428 they must be “agreed”! of the Alliance Pray! Team All must be utterly convinced God with the Christian & Mis- wants something done. Th is is not mere- sionary Alliance, Canada. His book Power Praying is available at prayershop.org. GREATERTEXTING COM ly something a couple of people think .

PRAYERCONNECt.NEt 37 to Pray for Your Teen By Bob Hostetler He had been raised in a Christian home and had come to faith in Jesus Christ at an early age. He was baptized at a church camp, and had even survived being a preacher’s kid. But early in his high school years, my wife and I could sense him slipping away—from us and from God. We did our best, of course, to steer him away from danger- ous friendships. We watched him struggle with depression. We tried to love and encourage him as much as we could. But every e ort failed—and sometimes seemed to make matters worse. So after a couple years of proving our inadequacy as parents, we stopped trying. Instead, we focused our best e orts on praying. I scheduled a weekend prayer retreat at a retreat center about an hour from home. I took with me only my

38 ISSUE THREE 2012 Focus Your Best Parenting Efforts on Prayer to Pray for Your Teen

Bible and one other resource: a 31-day prayer calendar I had 1 Salvation ● First and foremost, Lord, let my children devised years ago and had used since my children were small. know and experience that salvation that comes by grace, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ For three days I focused my prayers on my son. I prayed as (Eph. 2:8). I knelt in the spartan room provided for me. I prayed as I lay 2 Self-control prostrate in the prayer chapel on the retreat center grounds. ● God, help my children to “think clearly and exercise self-control” in all they do (1 Peter I prayed as I walked wooded paths, ate simple vegetarian 1:13, ). meals, and rocked in a chair on the porch. By the end of the 3 Protection from peer pressure ● Lord, strengthen my children against weekend, I had prayed my way through many Bible verses peer pressure, that they may always stand strong against enticements to do wrong (Prov. 1:10). and had compiled a brand-new list, tailored to the needs of Constructive friendships my teenage son. 4 ● Father, lead my children into construc- I have since realized that many parents of teenagers—even tive friendships; lead them away from “bad company” (1 Cor. 15:33). those not in the desperate straits I felt myself in—might pro t 5 Honesty and integrity from a 31-day prayer plan for their teenagers. I hope the fol- ● God, help my children walk blamelessly, do what is right, and speak truth in their hearts lowing 31 ways to pray will help you in that holy task: (Ps. 15:2-5).

PRAYERCONNECT.NET 39 6 Protection from 9 Protection from talents, and abilities, based on the strength ● irreversible mistakes ● unbiblical standards You give them in Christ (Phil. 4:13). Lord, I know my children will make Father, protect my children from unbib- mistakes, but please save them from lical standards of beauty, conduct, and 13 Strong sense of decisions that cannot be reversed and speech (2 Tim. 2:22). ● responsibility mistakes that cannot be corrected. Let Father, make my children wise and them be among the righteous who may 10 Strong sense of identity responsible servants, who ful ll their fall seven times but always rise again ● Help my children develop a promises and take care of their responsi- (Prov. 24:16). strong sense of identity that is rooted in bilities (Luke 12:42). the knowledge of who they are in Christ Ability to study hard Jesus (Eph. 2:10). Protection from sexual ●7 and learn well ●14 temptation God, teach my children to study hard and 11 Strong sense of Lord, may my children “ ee youth- learn well in both their schoolwork and ● belonging ful lusts” and remain sexually pure in their study of Your Word (2 Tim. 2:15). God, give my children a strong sense of thought, word, and deed (2 Tim. 2:22, belonging to their family, church, and to ). 8 Healthy independence the Kingdom of God (1 Peter 2:9). ● As my children become more 15 Godly inﬂ uences independent, in preparation for adult- 12 Strong sense of ability ● Let men and women of godly hood, let it always be a healthy indepen- ● Lord, please instill in my chil- character cross paths with my children dence, and never rebellion (Prov. 17:11). dren a strong sense of their own gifts, and become their trusted counselors and mentors (Prov. 1:20-33). Protection from ●16 loneliness “Teach Us to Pray” God, protect my children from the pain of Words that have forever changed history. loneliness, and teach them to nd comfort in Your companionship (Ps. 23:4). Let them change you and your church! Power Praying is the Protection from most unique treatment ●17 popularity of the Lord’s Prayer available today. This Lord, please protect my children from the powerful 8-week study pursuit of popularity and from the dan- will challenge you to truly pray and live “your gers of “too many friends.” Let them stay kingdom come on earth close, instead, to the Friend who sticks as it is in heaven.” closer than a brother (Prov. 18:24, ). With its Teacher’s Single Master DVD Pack, complete 18 with 8 presentations ● Let my children make Jesus Book DVD to stimulate group Christ their Lord and Master early in Retail Price: $15.99 Retail Price: $25.00 discussion, Power Praying is a great resource for life and serve only Him, all their days Our Price: $12.99 Our Price: $22.50 group study. (Luke 16:13). Multiple Copy Discounts Available Use Code PP1211 at PrayerShop for an additional $1.00 off each book purchased. 19 Godly mate Available through your local Christian bookstore or ● Father, lead my children to the at www.prayershop.org. mate of Your choosing (Gen. 2:24).

www.prayershop.org 20 Life mission ● Lord, instill in my children a

40 ISSUE THREE 2012 strong and clear purpose to ful ll Your gospel of peace; teach them to share Neither of my children are teens plan for their lives (Deut. 13:4). the good news with those around them anymore. Both are committed followers (Eph. 6:15). of Jesus. And my son is now the worship 21 Protection from leader in the church that my wife and ● depression 29 Shield of faith I helped start when he was still in high Deliver my children from discourage- ● Arm my children, Lord, with school. God has abundantly answered my ment and depression during their turbu- the shield of faith, with which they can prayers for him. lent teenage years (Ps. 25:16-17). extinguish all the aming arrows of the I pray that He will do the same for evil one (Eph. 6:16). you, as you commit to doing the one 22 Commitment to the thing I believe I did right as a parent of ● Church 30 Helmet of salvation my teenage children: pray. God, give my children a strong and ● Fit my children, Lord, with the lasting commitment to the Body of the helmet of salvation; let the assurance of BOB HOSTETLER is the Christ, the Church (Ps. 122:1). their salvation accompany them in all author of 27 books, including they do (Eph. 6:14). American Idols: e Worship of Compassion for the less the American Dream (Broad- 23 man & Holman). He and his ● fortunate 31 Sword of the Spirit wife Robin helped cofound Please give my children soft hearts and ● Lord, arm my children with the Cobblestone Community Church in Oxford, OH, where he serves in a teaching pastor role. compassionate spirits for those who are sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Let in need (Matt. 25:31-46, James 1:27). them love Your Word and hide it deep in their hearts (Eph. 6:16, Ps. 119:11). 24 Protection from others ● Please protect my children from bullies, daredevils, false friends, and even from the mistakes of foolish friends Start Your Day (Ps. 59:1-2).

25 Godly work ethic ● Lord, please nurture in my Praying the Word children a strong, godly work ethic that will serve them well as they enter the workforce (1 ess. 4:11).

26 Belt of truth Join Thousands Praying the ● Arm my children, Lord, with the belt of truth; teach them to know truth Same Daily Scriptures from error in all they do (Eph. 6:14). The daily Scripture prayer-guide used by Breastplate of ●27 righteousness FAITH BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP AND AUTHOR DANA OLSON is now available at Lord God, arm my children with the breastplate of righteousness; grant that www.prayerconnect.net/blog/scripture-prayer they may make the right decisions, wher- View it at Prayer Connect or sign up to have it ever they go (Eph. 6:14). emailed or RSS-fed to you. 28 Readiness to share the ● gospel of peace PRAYERCONNECT www.prayerconnect.net Father, let my children’s feet be tted with the readiness that comes from the

PRAYERCONNECT.NET 41 SURF’SUP Prayer on the Internet

Want to Socialize?

lot of people are taken with add people to your prayer list—and they to pray for America. When you sign up, social networks these days. can add you. When you type in a prayer you will see how many are praying at Facebook is a huge success or request, it goes to those on your list. any given time of the day or night. IFA’s Abecause it allows people to reconnect When they pray, a notice comes to you. desire is to coordinate 24-7 prayer for the with high school and college friends and You can also send a prayer post to only United States. In addition, you can sign keep up with friends and family like one person on your list. up for some prayer initiatives (such as never before. Not surprisingly, ministries Because this site has a singular focus, First Friday). and organizations have jumped into this it is very user friendly. It has a simple Get America Praying has member social network technology and phe- setup that allows you to receive your pro le pages where you can put a photo nomenon for prayer purposes. ere are friends’ prayer posts in di erent for- and information about yourself and those thousands of prayer opportunities within mats: Instant Messenger, email, or SMS. in your groups. Your personal pages are Facebook. Another nice feature: no advertising or kept free from ads, but you will see ad A few ministries have tried to tap other information blocks on your page. links for IFA materials and resources. into this social networking craze by establishing their own prayer social Get America Pray! Network networks outside of Facebook. ree Praying Praynetwork.org is the social network that worth checking out are: prayerplanet.net, Getamericapraying.com is functions most like Facebook. You can praynetwork.org, and sponsored by Intercessors make up a pro le page and invite people getamericapray- for America. Its primary use to be your friend. Of the three networks ing.com. Prayer is to network and link praying people listed here, Pray! has the most options Planet and Get and prayer groups within regions and to make your page your own. You can communities. You upload photos and video clips, write blogs, are encouraged and post messages for all or only some to The Role of Networking to start a prayer see. Its privacy settings also allow you to Besides the obvious bene ts of having social group in your area. control what you see. networks devoted to prayer, groups that are ere are plenty Pray! Network launched in 2010, on Facebook seem to grow the quickest. For example, Pray of public prayer is now approaching 3,500 members. Every Day, a Facebook group launched in March 2011 by groups all over the You can see blog/article links and join Dean Ridings (author of the Pray! Prayer Journal), today country to join. groups such as prayer leaders or CryOut has more than 17,000 members. Find it at facebook.com/ You can also America. e site’s interactive features prayerjournal. form a private include instant chat messaging. intercessory prayer America Praying are designed primarily group that allows you to send out re- to set up prayer groups and send prayers quests only to the people you’ve invited What’s and requests back and forth. Pray! Net- to join your prayer team. Not to Like? work is much closer to Facebook in its Another unique feature is the na- Here are some prayer pages on functionality. tional prayer map, where you can see a Facebook we encourage you to red symbol for individual intercessors, “Like.” (Add www.facebook.com Prayer Planet yellow for prayer mobilizers, blue for before the / on each address.) Prayerplanet.net primarily prayer groups, and orange for commu- Prayer Connect /prayerconnect focuses on setting up a group nity prayer watches (only rst names Harvest Prayer Ministries of people who will pray for each other. As of individuals are listed). You can also /harvestprayer a user, you have a home page, where you sign up on IFA’s Prayer Wall, and pick a OneCry Revival Voices /theonecry can post a photo of yourself. You can then speci c time and day when you promise

42 ISSUE THREE 2012 TIPS&TOOLS Ideas to Stimulate Prayer

Prayer as Awareness of God’s Presence

ost of us learned to pray in everything in between—we can make • Fast for a meal or longer, asking God segmented blocks of time: space for God in our hearts? Here are to make you aware of His presence morning quiet times, meal some ways to practice such wakefulness: and draw you closer to Him with Mtime, and bedtime prayers. Oth- • Set the alarm on your watch or every hunger pang. ers have regular rhythms of cellphone at regular intervals. • Find Scriptures that place you in prayer at various times of Begin with once per hour and the presence of God, Scriptures the day: morning o ce, work your way to once every such as Psalm 16:11: “You make noon prayer, vespers, or 15 minutes. When the alarm known to me the path of life; you compline. All of these goes off, take a few seconds will ﬁ ll me with joy in your pres- are valuable to our spir- FOCUS to focus on being aware of ence, with eternal pleasures at your its and are important PRAYER God’s presence—the God right hand.” Meditate on these pas- practices, yet they still who lives within you. Don’t sages throughout the day, memo- leave gaps in our awareness ask Him for anything. Simply rizing them and allowing God to of the presence of God. be aware that He is your com- manifest Himself in their practical Is it possible to narrow the gaps of panion in this moment. With this application to your life. “unawareness” of God’s presence so that discipline you will soon ﬁ nd your every moment from mundane daily activ- thoughts turning toward God even KIM BUTTS is cofounder of Harvest ity to intentional times of prayer—and without the alarm. Prayer Ministries.

What One ing? s a prayer team, we pose this question to our con- mail all the cards back to people, with a gregation each January: What one thing would you note that their prayer requests were lifted like to see God do in your family in the coming year? to the Lord often in the past year. WeA invite families to discuss their one request, and then write it on an index card. A Welcome Surprise When the cards are returned, we simply take a church Our church averages almost 300 in directory and cut it apart. We place family photos and attendance—and last year 60 cards were lled out by fami- names on each card, with the request on the back. e lies and individuals (a pretty high percentage considering cards are then placed in a box in our prayer room, where the average family size). Some families had forgotten about at various times people will grab a stack of cards, pray their prayer requests over the course of a year. ey were through them, and then return them to the back of the le surprised to receive the cards, and then rejoiced to look (to ensure rotation of the cards). back and see how God had answered. People were greatly Each time a card is prayed over, that person initials encouraged that so many di erent prayer warriors had tak- and dates the card. We pass out the cards in our mid-week en their requests seriously by faithfully praying for them. prayer gathering. Our sta prays over them during their After a year, we start with blank cards and a new invita- weekly sta prayer times. e elders regularly pray over tion to o er a new family prayer request: What one thing cards as a part of their meetings. may we pray on behalf of your family? By the end of the year, most cards had been prayed over MIKE RICHARD leads the prayer team at Hillside Church, at least once a month—often more than that. We then Bloomington, MN.

PRAYERCONNECT.NET 43 TIPS&TOOLS

How High Are Your Gates?

hile speaking at a Church So that adds a signi cant meaning the King of glory come in.” Or “Lift up Prayer Leaders Network to the declaration of the phrase. What your head, oh gate of fear; be lifted up conference, David Bryant the psalmist might be saying is, “Lift up you ancient door of anxiety. Let the King W(of Proclaim Hope) taught attendees your heads, gates, because you aren’t big of glory come in.” how to declare Scripture over situations enough for our God! e King of glory e group then together, out loud and that are troubling in life. He encouraged can’t pass through those puny gates, so all at once, started declaring what gate them to pray out of Psalm 24. open them wide.” they needed to see opened. It was a pow- First, Bryant explained the signi - erful time of each person declaring that cance of the phrase “lift up your heads, Turn Scripture to Prayer Jesus Christ was bigger than any problem. O you gates” (v. 7, 9). When building a How does this translate into a great He was going to enter the circumstances temple to their god, ancient peoples be- prayer idea? Bryant encouraged partici- of their lives. It built their faith! lieved an intimidating sign to outsiders was pants to insert into the phrase whatever You can lead groups in this exercise of to make the gates to the temple as high wall, stronghold, or circumstance was turning Scripture into prayer, or use it in as possible and the headplate or mantle of weighing them down—and declare it. your own personal prayer time when you the gate as large as possible. ey believed For example, one might pray, “Lift up feel you need an extra measure of faith that the bigger the headplate or “head,” your head, you gate of doubt; be lifted or a reminder of the awesomeness and the more powerful their god. up you ancient door of uncertainty. Let power of God.

Consistent Prayer for Your Church Kids

any churches are getting more name, number of siblings, school name, serious about seeing their kids etc.). For older children and teens, prayed for. One of the most you might include other facts such as eM ective ways is to assign adult interces- their dreams and desires. Don’t write sors to each child in the church, using anything a child or parent might be information cards as prayer reminders. uncomfortable having others see. A few years ago, the church I was After these prayer cards are com- going to at the time set up a prayer card pleted, give them to adults to pray. program. I took a card of a four-year-old If possible, make an announcement boy named Jonathan (my name). After about the program in church ser- church one day, about six months later, vices, the bulletin, etc. If you can I introduced myself to him. I shook his have some platform time, make sure hand and told him I was praying for adults know why the church be- him. His mom was especially blessed lieves this is important to do. PHOTO PAUL BY CHUA by our connection. Today, nine years Set up a sign-up table in the foyer of other children's leaders to in- later and living a thousand miles away, the church, where adults can pick up the form you when new kids come to church I still have that card in my Bible. I pray cards. Keep a master list so you know so that you can make cards for them whenever I see it. which adult is praying for which child. as well. I also recommend making new You may want to add the phone number cards—with a new sign-up each year Designing a Prayer Card of each intercessor so that the church (allowing people to sign up again for Here is a simple way to get you started in can call him or her if anything signi - the same child if they prefer). And if ap- praying more e ectively for the children cant (such as an emergency health need) propriate, encourage the adults to make of your church. Using a digital camera, comes up in the life of the child. Keep contact with the children through a note take photos of each child and develop an setting up the table each week until all in the mail or a greeting in the hallway. information card, using 5.5 x 8.5 card the cards are gone. JON GRAF stock paper. Add important facts (child’s Instruct Sunday school teachers and is publisher of Prayer Connect.

44 ISSUE THREE 2012 TIPS&TOOLS

Eﬀ ective Evangelism: Triplet Praying

long-espoused form of evange- 18:20), triplet praying encourages list, you can keep your lism praying is called “triplet three people to commit to pray prayer times purposeful praying,” as promoted by long- with each other for 15 minutes and concise. And when Atime prayer leader Evelyn Christenson. each week for three people each someone on your list (Her Bible is pictured on the cover of (total of nine on a triplet list). accepts Christ, have a this issue of Prayer Connect.) To form a triplet, nd two other time of rejoicing—and roughout her years of ministry, people in close proximity to you then add a new person Christenson taught and wrote about (neighborhood, o ce, Bible study, to the list! praying for the lost through her books school, church, etc.). e key is Determine in ad- Praying God’s Way and A Study Guide for for three people to nd a way to vance the period of time Evangelism Praying. Her stated mission conveniently get together once a praying together (such as was “to transfer souls from the Kingdom week to pray for a short time—and to six months or one year), and then decide of Darkness to the Kingdom of Light stay consistent. Fifteen minutes a week is at the end of that time whether to re-up through prayer and evangelism.” an easy time commitment if you include for another period of praying together. Triplet praying is a simple and ef- simple logistics for getting together. If Used throughout the world by many fective way to consistently bring family you are unable to be physically present in people and churches over the years, trip- and friends before the Lord, praying for the same place, three-way calling is also let praying is one the most e ective and their salvation. Based on Jesus’ declara- an option. easiest ways to pray evangelistically. You tion that He is present “where two or By staying focused on the salva- can order materials from unitedprayer- three come together in my name” (Matt. tion of the nine people on your triplet ministries.org. Fresh ways to pray. Get equipped to pray with promise for others.

Practical prayers in a portable format. Only $2.00 each. Signiﬁ cant quantity discounts.

Six different titles by Steve Hawthorne: Blessings What Would Jesus Pray? Open My City Prompts for Prayerwalkers The Lord is Their Shepherd Light from My House

Preparing God’s Way by Prayer

The “Ways to Pray” series of 16-page booklets helps you put words to the prayers Order at forming in your heart for others. Each booklet puts select scriptures at your ﬁ ngertips www.waymakers.org next to simple, freshly-worded prayers springing directly from biblical promise. or call 800-264-5214. The pocket-sized format makes it easy to pray openly where you work or live. PRAYERLEADER Encouragement for Prayer Mobilizers

An Active Prayer Room Can Fuel Your Church | By Esther Leonard

t Mountain View Church be excellent and creative. prayer jargon that intimidates most we believe the prayer room is 3. roughout the course of a year, re- people. the boiler room, the furnace, sources in the room should regularly 9. Use the prayer room only for and the nuclear power plant change to track the sermons and personal prayer or speci c prayer ofA the church. Because of this, we keep it follow national and international meetings. Try not to let it become a fueled and ready. days of prayer. Resources should also meeting room for various groups in Naturally there are many questions focus on revival, evangelism, mis- the church. Instead, reserve it as a about establishing a speci c, designated sions, etc. As your church changes, special place for individuals to pray room in your church for prayer. Why your prayer room should also change at any time. would a church have a prayer room? How to match the emphases. 10. Have a sign-in book so you can big should it be? Who will maintain it? 4. Be creative in setting up the prayer track real numbers—not just what How creative does it need to be? How do room. Recruit a team of people who you think is happening. is will we get people to use it? will help resource it so there is variety keep you encouraged and provide e answers are harder to come up and clear instruction on what to do accountability to you, your sta , with than the questions. At our church when you enter the room. Encourage and leadership about the actual use we have addressed these questions and prayers of praise, prayers of repen- of the room. People track what they many others around the issue of prayer tance, prayers for the lost, missions, value. us, if we value the prayer with one answer: “It’s not our problem to youth, preaching, Sunday services, room we will track its use. solve. e prayer room is one way we en- the world, and nances. Be sure to 11. Enjoy the room. Make it fun. God is courage people to enter into God’s most include a children’s section so they not a hard, di cult Lord and Lead- Holy Presence." can come with their parents and not er. It is fun to hang out with Him! If our questions revolve around be bored. whether people are excited about it or 5. Faithfully use the prayer room your- Prayer is not a ministry of the church how many are lining up to get in, then self and invite your sta , leadership, that we delegate to a few or pass on to a we will nd ourselves discouraged. Just and ministry leaders to use it as well. select group. e priesthood of all believ- as we can’t create revival, we can’t create Model your enthusiasm for making ers is the center of everyone’s life and a prayer culture that all will embrace. use of the room by inviting others to calling. It is the intimate communication join you. part of our relationship with God— Creative and Ever-changing 6. Preach about the power of the prayer connecting our lives and our hearts. We Prayer Room room in Sunday messages and other can never delegate this to an individual We are committed, however, to our teaching opportunities. or a committee. church's passion to be a “house of prayer 7. O er prayer room “open houses” to Each follower of Jesus is to have his for all the nations.” So let me o er a give people tours and entry into a or her own personal lifeline of commu- few suggestions for establishing a prayer prayer experience. is means the nication with Jesus as our Leader, spend- room in your church: room must be clean, organized, and ing time each day interacting with our always ready for guests—just like Savior. And the prayer room is one inten- 1. Pray for people to receive a God- your home. tional way we are blessed to do this. glorifying, Jesus-given, Holy Spirit- 8. Communicate often that the prayer empowered passion to pray. room is not only for the super- ESTHER LEONARD serves as 2. Put passionate service into your spiritual or those who are mature in prayer coordinator at Mountain View Community Church in prayer room preparation even if you their faith. It is crucial that inter- Fresno, CA—a Mennonite and a few prayer leaders are the only cessors be sensitive when speaking of Brethren Church that she and ones who will use it. Remember, we “great joys and spiritual experiences” her husband Fred (lead pastor) founded in 1994. are doing this for God. It needs to in the prayer room. Avoid using

46 ISSUE THREE 2012 CLASSICS Time-tested Truths

No Substitute for Obedience | By A. W. Tozer

ave you noticed how much praying for revival has been going on of claims. Or more accurately, it makes every legitimate claim on the Christian’s late—and how little revival has resulted? life conditional, and without hesitation Considering the volume of prayer that is ascending these days, decides the place each claim shall have in the total scheme. Hrivers of revival should be owing in blessing throughout the land. at no such e act of committal to Christ in results are in evidence should not discourage us; rather it should stir us to nd salvation releases the believing man out why our prayers are not answered. from the penalty of sin, but it does not release him from the obligation to obey Everything has its proper cause in the be on the way. But it fails to arrive and the words of Christ. Rather it brings him Kingdom of God as well as in the natu- the zeal for prayer begins to ag. Soon the under the joyous necessity to obey. ral world. e reason for God’s obvious church is back where it was before, and a Look at the epistles of the New Testa- refusal to send revival may lie deep, but numb discouragement settles over every- ment and notice how largely they are giv- surely not too deep to discover. one. What has gone wrong? en over to what is erroneously called “hor- I believe our problem is that we have Simply this: Neither the leaders nor tatory” matter. By dividing the epistles been trying to substitute praying for the people have made any e ort to obey the into “doctrinal” and “hortatory” passages, obeying; and it simply will not work. Word of God. ey felt that their only we have relieved ourselves of any necessity weakness was failure to pray, when actu- to obey. e doctrinal passages require A Waste of Words ally in a score of ways they were falling from us nothing except that we believe A church, for instance, follows its tra- short in the vital matter of obedience. them. e so-called hortatory passages ditions without much thought about “To obey is better than sacri ce” (1 are harmless enough, for the very word by whether they are scriptural or not. Or Sam. 15:22). which they are described declares them it surrenders to pressure from public to be words of advice and encouragement opinion and falls in with popular trends God will not rather than commandments to be obeyed. which carry it far from the New Testa- is is a palpable error. ment pattern. en the leaders notice a accept praying in e exhortations in the epistles are to lack of spiritual power among the people be understood as apostolic injunctions and become concerned about it. lieu of obeying. carrying the weight of mandatory charges What to do? How can they achieve from the Head of the Church. ey are that revitalization of spirit they need Prayer is never an acceptable substi- intended to be obeyed, not weighed as so badly? How can they bring down tute for obedience. e sovereign Lord bits of good advice which we are at lib- refreshing showers to quicken their faint- accepts no o ering from His creatures erty to accept or reject as we will. ing souls? that is not accompanied by obedience. If we would have God’s blessing upon e answer is all ready for them. e To pray for revival while ignoring or us, we must begin to obey. Prayer will books tell them how—pray! e passing actually outing the plain precept laid become e ective when we stop using it evangelist con rms what the books have down in the Scriptures is to waste a lot of as a substitute for obedience. God will said—pray! e word is echoed back and words and get nothing for our trouble. not accept praying in lieu of obeying. We forth, growing in volume until it be- only deceive ourselves when we try to comes a roar—pray! Joyous Necessity of Obedience make the substitution. So the pastor calls his people to prayer. It has been quite overlooked in recent Days and nights are spent begging God times that the faith of Christ is an ab- A.W. TOZER (1897-1963) was an American to be merciful and send revival upon His solute arbiter. It preempts the whole pastor, magazine editor, and author of more than 40 books, including the Christian classics Pursuit people. e tide of feeling runs high and redeemed personality and seizes upon the of God and e Knowledge of the Holy. it looks for a while as if the revival might individual to the exclusion of all other

PRAYERCONNECT.NET 47 Start with a Complete Set

GET EVERY BACK ISSUE OF PRAYER CONNECT

P I I 2 Issue 3 CAN PRAYER SAVE FRESH FIRE: SOLID FOUNDATION: AMERICA? Hope for a The Power of Praying Christ-Centered Revival Scripture

COVER PRICE: $6.00 Multiple Copy Discounts: PRAYER SHOP PRICE: $5.00 5 - 24 copies: $4.00 each 25 - 99 copies: $3.50 each www.prayershop.org 100 - 499 copies: $3.00 each Click on “Prayer Connect Magazine” 500 - 999 copies: $2.50 each “Back Issues” 1000 or more copies: $2.00 each 812-238-5504 (Free shipping in U.S. on orders over $30)

Prayer Connect and PrayerShop Publishing are ministries of Harvest Prayer Ministries