68. Words that change the world.

Welcome to a short series on prayer. It is such a privilege to share some thoughts on the subject of prayer. I would like to emphasize that what is written here could never be comprehensive or complete. Prayer is the golden thread that brings every good thing and every true promise into our grasp. Let us leap up in the joy of anticipation for the word in season that the Holy Spirit brings.

Pray without ceasing – 1 Thessalonians 5:17

We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with daily life and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

From The Weight of Glory: CS Lewis.

From the very first moment, I would like to pray that your imagination and mind would be freed to receive the full impact of the Word. Let your mind pictures be loosed by the Holy Spirit to partake and enter into the mystery of God’s word and work.

In this moment – take your thoughts captive and submit them to the Word of God. …bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

MOMENT OF PRAYER: Full surrender, express your desire to be obedient and to learn, invite the Holy Spirit to teach.

PRINCIPLE for a life of excellence: listen for the Voice in the voice. We can frantically take comprehensive notes on everything that is said, but I would prefer that you listen carefully to the Holy Spirit and hear what you are supposed to hear NOW. You do not need to learn everything there is on prayer. You need to learn the next vital step to boost you prayer life to another level of victorious communication with God.

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ. (Philippians 1:9-10)

The Word of God and the ministry of the Holy Spirit have priority in your prayer life. To know what is important is a basic life skill for which we have to trust God. Switch off the TV in the middle of the programme to listen to the child. Leave the housework when emotions run high and give full attention. Stop and pray to halt the enemy attack when a pattern of evil is identified. Chase the devil out when you see his handiwork. Stretch the minutes on praise and thanksgiving when the Holy Spirit ministers to your heart and mind.

PRAYER is a conversation.

Conversation is a form of interactive, spontaneous communication between two or more people. Typically, it occurs in spoken communication, written exchanges are not usually called conversation, but these days email and messaging in so many possible ways, also boils down to conversation.

Have you heard people say: I’ve tried prayer – it doesn’t work. From the shelf of magic wands, amongst the horoscope, the cards and the crystals, they pull out prayer. What could be the words to accompany the magic spell – oh yes – our father which art in heaven…

And the conclusion – it doesn’t work.

Or you may have heard – I don’t think God answers prayer, He doesn’t listen to me. I have prayed for years, prayed my knees raw and nothing happened.

Let us, here in this sacred gathering of believers, whose names are written in the Book of Remembrance by the great Scribe of heaven, know forever more – there is no such thing as unanswered prayer.

PRINCIPLE for a life of excellence: there is no such thing as unanswered prayer.

MOMENT OF PRAYER: Write it on your palm, tattoo it in your mind, burn it in your heart. The adjective – unanswered – can never be used with the noun – prayer.

God is not a liar that we should doubt Him ever.

Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things you do not know. (Jeremiah 33:3)

God hears all prayer. Let us note Revelation 5:8 and never forget this verse.

Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Meditate on these few thoughts. Ask the Holy Spirit to quicken the Word of God to your mind. Pray the Word of God right back to God and you will be established in all your ways.

As I am writing this, my supscription to Jack Hayford Ministries comes into my inbox. Our God is faithful to confirm His word. I share it with you:

February 28 – Pray Now

Men always ought to pray and not lose heart. Luke 18:1





Why do we get so busy at everything other than prayer? Why do we say so often, “Well, I’ve prayed, but what can I do?” Answer: Begin to pray and praise immediately when challenging situations arise. Start now. Speak to Jesus about each matter that begins to trouble you. Don’t wait. Cease from the exhausting toil of carrying worries and cares on your shoulders. Release them. Seize every opportunity to pray with and for people. Get alone with the Savior—in the Word and in prayer.