Brethren,
A young African prophet stated to me that here in the USA pastors and other leaders pray less than 15 minutes a day. My personal experience with Christians in my life bears this out. Even in my own life living in America my discouragement can be so great I can often avoid prayer out of sinful frustration.
When you gather with other believers, how much time do you all (or by yourself, or with your family) spend imploring, begging and beseeching the Father?
It’s rare to see more than 15-20 minutes total with little if any power of the Holy Spirit present. A lot of talk, but little prayer.
Lots of smoke, but little fire.
How important is this to our God? Here’s but a few of the dozens of examples:
Luke 18:5-8 yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’ ” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said; now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to him day and night, and will He delay long over them? “I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
Luke 21:36 “But keep on the ALERT at ALL times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Luke 22:32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
One of the main Greek words uses to translate the word prayer (like those verses above) is “deomai;” and renders the following words and their frequency in the NT: ask(1), beg(6), begged(1), begging(2), beseech(2), implored(1), making request(1), please(1), pray(2), prayed(3), praying(2). It’s most often a passionate outcry.
Guess how many times among the thousands of believers I know here in the USA in the over two decades since I’ve been saved that another brother has proactively requested our presence at a solid, Holy Spirit fueled prayer time where time seems to evaporate?
Zero.
How about any other type prayer time?
Zero.
We’ve had many we’ve generated ourselves. Is there any wonder we’re in the Laodicean stupor we see everywhere?
It’s time to change the devil’s current victory in this. The Father is honoring efforts in other areas of the world. The number one reason for every revival and meaningful work of God in the world today? Prayer, passionate Holy Ghost filled petitions with praise, sustained over time by those willing to offer up the sacrifice of their lives.
Here’s one of Jesus’ redeemed communities I’ve seen highlighted in the Transformation Videos (a must to view) from George Otis’ Sentinel Group.
“Almolonga is a town of only 20,000 people in Guatemala. Twenty years ago, this city was one of the worst cities in the nation. The poverty, violence and spirit worship resulted in a people and community that were spiritually and physically bankrupt. ..There was a pastor in that city that began to pray. He began to fast with other intercessors three or four times a week.
“Over a period of time people began to get saved. Lives began change. The intercessors PRAYED against the spirit worship that had so impacted this city. As more and more people became changed by the power of the gospel, the city began to plant seeds of new life.
“The negative influences began to be overcome. Miracle stories of healings and other extraordinary happenings were reported. People were interested to know more because of the change they saw in their friends.
”Now, twenty years later, the community of Almolonga is a transformed model city. Pastors and other Christian leaders pray together and fast three or four times a week, and 80% of the town are born again Christians.”
Here’s a recent report from George Otis from “The Challenge of the Western Church”
157 Cities and Nations on 5 continents are experiencing Transforming Revival. Restored community life and hope, reduced crime and addiction, thousands coming to faith…
This is the report from George Otis Jr, producer of the Transformations Videos, in Melbourne recently. He said he receives reports every day of more cities around the world where transformation is happening as God responds to the passionate prayer of His people.
But – none of the stories are from western cities! There is no sign of significant community transformation in the West.
In studying all the stories of real revival, he finds a number of conditions that are always present before the powerful intervention of God. These include Holiness, Humility, Repentance, People Passionate for His Presence, sustained united prayer and Persevering Servant Leaders.
George’s research shows many obstacles to Revival in the West, especially the influence of western culture in the Church. He says our obsession with time, success and programmes, our apathy and low expectation of God acting powerfully are all barriers to God’s sovereign intervention.
How do we start? Let’s ask Jesus for more grace, and to show you and I very specifically what is blocking the way. Ask Him for other soldiers to pray with. You must persevere in this.
The enemy hates prayer. Hates it. And he’s been too successful in keeping us from it. Are you willing to accept that he’s winning this battle with us? Are you angry about it?
We should be.
Ask Him for others you can call and arrange some consistent times with them for a few hours each time. Arise early in the morning yourself (Mark 1:35) to seek Him.
Are you sick and in anguish of the way it is now? We are too. It’s time to beg and beseech Him, dear brethren. Are we willing to lay aside every time stealing encumbrance (Heb 12:1) like our social media, books (if we still read), videos, audio, TV shows, games, etc.? Let us call down the Holy Spirit of Pentecost. The Father seeks those who really seek Him.
“When man works, man works; when man prays, God works.” Hans von Staden
If you have a desire for this type of deeper intimacy and crying out to our Lord, please write us and we’ll find a way to pray with you all now. God will make it happen for His honor, His glory. His grace is fully available for this.
May the God of all the world do right.
Please comment on this post right below. Feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion.
Your friend and brother in fighting the good fight,
Marc
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Saints, we’re one day closer to Home, and Him! Love Him wholeheartedly!
You may view our Archives here: MONDAY MANNA – ARCHIVES; Complete Archives; feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion. May our Father richly bless you with His grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in order to walk worthy of His name.
Marc White, Director, Walk Worthy Ministries, www.WalkWorthy.org
