What happens when the need looks bigger than your faith?
The power of prayer in the natural and in the spirit
Over the past months there have been a number of serious events in the lives of my family and friends. These ranged from serious medical conditions to major relationship issues. The magnitude of each seemed overwhelming. My wife and I immediately went to battle in prayer and we enlisted others to join with us. We know that nothing is too difficult for the Lord, so no issue is too big for Him! I believe, and I have seen miracles many times in the past. But sometimes I feel the need is too large and my prayers are too small. I can relate to the man who said to Jesus, “Help my unbelief!” This is what the Lord said to me about praying about such difficult situations (His words are in italics):
The value of continuing prayer
My work is ongoing and progressive. I love it when there is concerted, unified prayer. This is a time to pray with continued vigor and fervency. Continued prayer is the way – sustained, ongoing prayer, not just for the need of the moment. This means keep praying, keep coming to Me until we’re done. You will know when we are finished; I will show you. Then in the midst of these overarching prayers there are the needs of the moment. These are acute needs. These too need fervency, but their scope and duration changes as the need changes. The important thing is to keep praying. Keep praying with intensity and focus. Keep the specifics before Me. Keep your focus, do not grow weary. You will see the reward for your faithfulness in prayer.
Keys to powerful prayer
It is important to incorporate two approaches to prayer. First pray in the Spirit each day, repeatedly and at different times. This covers all areas of the situation, even those you forget or don’t even think of. I am the author of these prayers so they will be perfect, effective, right on the mark! Secondly, is the activating prayer for the person’s spirit to be involved. Incorporate all of the person’s faculties and physiological functions under the direction of his or her spirit in concert with Holy Spirit.
The power of group prayer
How you pray in a group is “seen” in the spirit realm. Your prayers set the tone, give specific direction in the spirit that touches everyone who is praying. How you pray actually impacts, inspires, and leads others in their prayers. It is communicated in the spirit by Holy Spirit, and impacts those who are committed to praying with you. This is agreement in prayer. It is not accidental, but highly orchestrated in the spirit realm. It enhances the prayers of others. This is how a true concert of prayer on a particular theme comes into being. This orchestrated teamwork produces much fruit.
When we allow the Holy Spirit to inspire our prayers, nothing seems impossible. I like to think of praying “BHAPs” — Big Hairy Audacious Prayers. (I think that came from something I heard Bill Hybels say). My challenge is for you to put these approaches into practice. Are you praying in a spiritual language? When interceding for specific personal needs, do your prayers include activating the person’s spirit? Have you enlisted or joined with others in your prayers? Are you taking a leader’s role either naturally or in the spirit? Is your confidence and faith increasing so you can now take on more challenging prayer needs?
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