Category Archives: Impact Prayer

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3 Steps Toward Intimacy in Prayer

For the Times When You Feel Distant from God

Courtesy Canstockphoto.com

Courtesy Canstockphoto.com

Do you ever go through times when you feel like you have lost your intimacy in prayer?  Or, that your prayers aren’t making it any higher than the ceiling?  You can take some comfort in knowing it’s not an uncommon feeling.

Instead of giving up, we have found great encouragement by reminding ourselves of the following 3 truths about God’s loving interest in our talking to Him about whatever difficulty we are facing at the time. 

Before we even begin to pray we assure ourselves from scripture that:  

1. God is looking

2. God is listening

3. God will answer  

As illustrated below, when the Psalmist felt his prayers were going unnoticed by God, he quickly reminded himself that the above three truths were part of the very nature of God.

Ps 10:1  says Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? However, it is then followed by Ps 10:17 saying, You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.

Ps 22:1-2 says My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the  words of my groaning? O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent. However,  it is followed by Ps 22:24 saying, For he has not despised or disdained  the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.

It is no coincidence that these 3 truths are woven into the rest of the book of Psalms.  In the first 40 Psalms alone there are continual, repeated examples which assure us God does take notice when we cry out to him in prayer.  In those times, he quickly and intentionally reminded himself that God looks for, hears, and answers those who seek Him in prayer.

During those times when you too feel like there’s a barrier between Heaven and Earth, encourage yourself by reading the following verses aloud and picture God doing exactly what the scripture promises.

1.  GOD LOOKS for those who will seek Him:

  • The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. (Ps 14:2)
  • For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (Ps 1:6)
  • I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction  and knew the anguish of my soul. (Ps 31:7)
  • The eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love. (Ps 33:18)        
  • The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous. (Ps 34:15)

2.  Not only are the eyes of God watching over you, but GOD HEARS every word you are speaking to Him:  

  • In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.  (Ps 5:3)                     
  • The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer.  (Ps 6:9)
  • He does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.  (Ps 9:12b)
  • In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple   he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ear. (Ps 18:6)
  • The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry. The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. (Ps 34:15,17)
  • I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. (Ps 40:1)

 3.  As He watches over you, and listens to your cry, His heart is moved and you can be assured that GOD WILL ANSWER you (whether or not your circumstances change immediately):  

  • To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. (Ps 3:4)
  • Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. (Ps 9:10) 
  • I call on you, O God, for you will answer me. (Ps 17:6)    
  • O LORD, the king rejoices in your strength. How great is his joy in the victories you give! You have granted him the desire of his heart and have not withheld the request of his lips. (Ps 21:1-2)
  • O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.  (Ps 30:2)
  • I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. (Ps 34:4-6)

Reading these verses aloud will increase your faith, deepen your intimacy with the Lord, and enrich your spirit.  You will also grow in your assurance that God is right there in the room with you and you have his undivided attention as your remind yourself that:

  1. GOD IS LOOKING
  2. GOD IS LISTENING
  3. GOD IS ANSWERING

We have found that point number 3 is most likely the most difficult to deal with especially when we have a prayer that has gone seemingly unanswered for quite sometime.  If that’s the case you might find the following posts to be encouraging:

Designed for Answered Prayer

The Power of Prayer

Additional faith building truths to increase your intimacy with the Lord are presented in our book “Where Heaven Meets Earth”.

WHME 3d Cover Revised

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Designed for Answered Prayer

Designed for Answered PryaerYou were designed for answered prayer.  Answered prayer begins in the place where God first moves upon our heart with the revelation of His will, and then moves upon us to work in cooperation with His will and release it in prayer.  It is the place where we are most certain God is moving by His Spirit when we pray, even though we may not see an immediate change in the physical circumstances.

Romans 8:26-27 puts it this way. ‘The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.’

From the above scripture we learn two important truths concerning prayer:

a. We do not know (in the natural) what we ought to pray for.
b. We must allow the Holy Spirit to teach us.

When we do not receive an immediate answer to prayer we must begin by acknowledging that it is never because of a shortcoming on God’s part.  There may be a reason for the delay, or there may be a work that God is wanting to do in our hearts.  But do not think that you or your prayers have to be perfect. The truth is that God is not looking for children who never make a mistake. On the contrary, He is looking for children who are eager to learn and have a longing to please Him. When we error, He lovingly corrects us and leads us into the place of meeting with Him so He can teach us His ways.

In the place of intimacy with God, He imparts understanding and grace to follow the leading of His Spirit, both in our prayer time, as well as in our lives.  It is in the meeting place with Him that hindrances to answered prayer are removed as we remain open to the leading of His Spirit in the following ways:

1. Anticipate that the Holy Spirit will make known to you the will of God.

1 John 5:13-15 ‘This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask- we know that we have what we asked of him.’
(See also John 16:13, Matt 6:33 and John 6:38-39)

The focus of our prayers should be our Father’s Kingdom. It is the very essence of why we should long to meet with Him.  Whether we believe that we already know the will of God, or we are seeking Him for His will, we must remember that prayer is not our attempt to convince God to do something. On the contrary, included in the purpose of prayer is the aligning of ourselves with His will.

Leonard Ravenhill said,
“Prayer is not an argument with God to persuade
Him to move things our way,
but an exercise by which we are enabled
by the Holy Spirit to move ourselves His way.”

2. Believe that the Holy Spirit will help you to pray in faith.

Matt 21:22 ‘If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.’ (see also Heb 12:2 and Matt 13:58)

Faith is not something you work up to. Faith is something you receive as His Word is made alive in you (Romans 10:17). For this reason it is best to read the Word of God before you even begin to pray. In fact, your entire prayer time should be infused with scriptures which God has made alive to you at some point in your life.
Meditate on any Word that stands out to you and allow His Holy Spirit to pray His word through you in faith. Reword it to fit your situation and it will cause you to pray in faith, as well as to continue in prayer until you have reassurance from the Holy Spirit that He is moving on the prayer need.

3. Trust that the Holy Spirit will give you the grace to be persistent.

Luke 11:8 ‘I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.’

Persistence is not a tool for convincing God to do something. Instead, it is part of the process God uses to mature us and prepare us for the answer.

George Mueller said,
“It is not enough to begin to pray, or to pray aright,
nor is it enough to continue for a time to pray,
but we must patiently, believingly, continue in
prayer until we receive an answer.”

Never give up, God’s timing is perfect, not only for your situation but also for your heart.

4. Entrust that the Holy Spirit will give you grace (enabling power) to listen and obey what He says.

1 John 3:21-23 ‘Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.’ (See also Zech 7:13, Jeremiah 15:1 and Proverbs 28:9)

We can’t expect to pray and receive answers if we are not willing to live in obedience to Him. Living in rebellion discredits God and His provision. Living in obedience honors Him and what He does for us.

5. Seek guidance from the Holy Spirit to pray in Jesus’ Name. (His Name stands for His authority, power, character, attributes, and renown; and we have been given His Name.)

John 14: 12-14 ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, “he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”’  See also 16:26-28)

Praying in Jesus’ Name means that after meeting with Him, we are changed more into His likeness, and we are enabled to go out into our world as His representatives to impact our world in the same manner Jesus would impact it if His feet were standing on the earth in the midst of your circumstances.

For now, focus on the truth that He wants to meet with you. And while meeting with you He will graciously reveal anything that could hinder your prayers—prayers that have been ordained by God to impact your world.

6. Be open to the Holy Spirit showing you hindrances in your heart. (Jeremiah 17:9-10, Ps 139:23)

Remember, God accepts you in the place where you are, but He loves you too much to leave you there. He does not reveal hindrances in your heart to condemn you. Quite the opposite is true. He reveals what is in your heart to make you more like Him in prayer.

Ps 24:3-4 ‘Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart.’

Ps 66:17-20 ‘If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.  (I John 1:6-9, 2 Tim 2:22)

James 5:16 ‘Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.’

Do not let the previous list overwhelm you as though you have to examine each one every day to receive answers to prayer. Simply be aware of them and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal anything you need to make right with God. As we will see in future blogs, it is from this meeting place with God that power will flow through you to impact your world.

WHME 3d Cover RevisedIn our book, we cover 4 additional aspects of answered prayer.  For further study order your copy of “Where Heaven Meets Earth – Intimacy and Impact through Prayer”

Contact us about hosting a “Where Heaven Meets Earth” Prayer Conference.

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The Power of Prayer (Part 3)

In speaking on the power of prayer, Andrew Murray said, “Is it not wonderful beyond all thought, this divine partnership in which God commits the fulfillment of His desires to our keeping?”

5 Examples of Powerful Prayer

The Power of Prayer (2)In our previous blog (Power of Prayer Part 2) we listed 5 examples from our book Where Heaven Meets Earth (Intimacy and Impact through Prayer) where a child of God exercised their privileged position as God’s representatives here on earth to release His will.  As we promised you in that blog, 5 additional examples are listed below to once again encourage you in exercising this great privilege and right given to each one of us.

1.  It was the will of God to fill the Disciples with the Holy Spirit, but it happened after prayer.

John 14:16 ‘And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor.’

 Matthew 3:11 ‘Jesus will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with Fire.’

 Acts 1:4 ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised.’

  Acts 1:8 ‘And you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.’

 Acts 1:14 ‘They all joined together constantly in prayer.’

Acts 2:4 ‘All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.’ (Acts 2:32-33)

The disciples had a promise from Jesus, yet they still had to pray. We can’t afford to think that when God gives us a specific promise concerning our need, that we can simply wait on its fulfillment. Instead He wants us to experience the power of declaring His promise with the expectancy that it is going to happen as He says.

2.  It was the will of God to send His Spirit to the Gentiles, but it happened after prayer.

Acts 10:1a, 2b, 4b,9-10, 44 ‘At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius…; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly…The angel answered, ‘Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.‘ Peter went upon the roof to pray…he fell into a trance…While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.’

Following the example of Jesus and the disciples, the early church continued to meet with God to seek His indwelling power. They knew by example that it was a relationship to be greatly desired.

3.  It is the will of God to perform miracles, save souls, and deliver, but it happened after prayer.

 Acts 2:42-47 ‘They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together…the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.’

Acts 4:31 ‘After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.’

When we submit ourselves to God, and seek to glorify Him as our Father, He promises to do what we cannot do on our own – wonders and miraculous signs. It is not something we seek as a test for God to prove Himself, but to reveal His love and care for the people He created.

4.  It was the will of God to deliver Peter from prison, but it happened after prayer.

 Acts 12:5 – 7a ‘So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him…. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. Quick, get up‘ he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.’

We have heard the above story mentioned in messages with a focus on the ministry of the angels. But just as important as the fact that Angels released Peter, is the fact that our prayers dispatch Angels. We don’t command them, God does, but He does so in response to the prayers of His people.

5.  It was the will of God to deliver Paul, but it happened after prayer.

2 Cor 1:10-11 ‘He has delivered us from such a deadly peril and will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.’

Phil 1:19-20 ‘for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.’

If you missed out on Parts 1 or 2, click on the following links:

The Power of Prayer Part 1

The Power of Prayer Part 2

In our next blog we will discover the amazing truth that “You are Destined for Answered Prayer!”

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The Power of Prayer (Part 2)

“The power of prayer is still largely undiscovered and little understood by many of His dear children. We live so far below our spiritual capacity, our privileges and rights as children of God.” (Wesley Duewel)

5 Examples of Powerful Prayer

The Power of Prayer (2)In our book Where Heaven Meets Earth (Intimacy and Impact through Prayer) we list 10 examples in Scripture where a child of God exercised their privileged position as God’s representatives here on earth to release His will.  As they accepted this wonderful privilege and right, they experienced first hand His power being released as a direct result of their prayer. Below is listed 5 of those examples for your study.

1.  It was the will of God to fill the Temple with His glory but Scripture makes note that it happened after prayer.

2 Chron 7:1 When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.

2 Chron 7:11-12 the LORD appeared to him at night and said: I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices.’

Our Heavenly Father wants us know to that we have an amazing destiny which involves us inviting and releasing His will on the earth.  It’s not another task to be dreaded but a relationship and privilege to be desired.

 2.  It was the will of God to send rain on the earth, but it happened after prayer.

1 Kings 18:42-45 Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees… Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel.

James 5:17-18 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

Elijah had a prophetic word given to him by God, yet he still prayed to see it fulfilled.  Too often we receive a prophetic word and then just sit back and wait for it to happen.  But the truth is, God wants you to experience His power moving through you to release it!

3. It is the will of God to deliver His people but it happened after prayer.

 Dan 9:2-3  I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

Daniel 9:23 While I was still in prayer, Gabriel…came to me…As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given.    

Daniel received a truth as well as a time frame right from the Scriptures, yet he understood that he still needed to pray.  He was willing to be the vessel Where Heaven Meets Earth for the impact of deliverance brought to a nation.

4. It was the will of God to fill the Disciples with the Holy Spirit but it happened after prayer.

 John 14:16  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor.

Matthew 3:11 Jesus will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with Fire.

Acts 1:4 Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised.

Acts 1:8  And you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.

Acts 1:14 They all joined together constantly in prayer,

Acts 2:4  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.  (Acts 2:32-33)

The disciples had a promise from Jesus, yet they still had to pray.  We can’t afford to think that when God gives us a promise, we can just sit back and wait.  Instead He wants us to experience the intimacy of declaring His promise with the expectancy that it is going to happen as He says.

5. It was the will of God to send His Spirit to the Gentiles, but it happened after prayer.

Acts 10:1a, 2b, 4b,9-10, 44  At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius…; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly…The angel answered, ‘Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.‘  Peter went upon the  roof to pray…he fell into a trance…While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.

Following the example of Jesus and the disciples, the early church continued to meet with God to seek His indwelling power.  They knew by example that it was a relationship to be greatly desired. 

The Power of Prayer Part 1

The Power of Prayer Part 3

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The Power of Prayer (Part 1)

The Divine and the Human Side of Prayer

The power of prayer through ordinary people is made evident in the story of Elijah.  James 5:17-18 says, “Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.”  

The Power of Prayer (2)

On the following blogs you will learn about the power of prayer which is afforded to every Christian.  You will be inspired to begin your own journey of ascertaining God’s will and then releasing His will on Earth. What an exciting journey!

When you study the story of Elijah, you learn that he was an ordinary man who ascertained the will of God and prayed according to what God said.  What a comfort it is to know we do not have to be a spiritual giant to pray effective prayers.

From this story we learn that there are two sides to prayer.

The Divine (God’s part – His will that He is wanting to release upon the earth.)

The Human (Our part – Discerning the heart of God and releasing His will in prayer and in deed.)

There are some events within the Kingdom of God that are His will and are going to happen no matter what we do.  For instance, the Son of God is going to return to this earth someday.  I can agree or disagree, but it is going to happen no matter what I say.

However, there are other events through which God has chosen in His sovereignty to work through the prayers and declarations of man, not separate from them.  This truth about the power of prayer is repeated over and over again in the gospels:

Matthew 18:19 Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.

John 14:13-14 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.  You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

 John 16:23-24 My Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.  Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

I John 5:14-16  This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.  And if we know that he hears us–whatever we ask–we know that we have what we asked of him.

Mark 11:24  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Learn to see from Heaven’s perspective)

Matthew 21:22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.

In following blogs on The Power of Prayer we will examine 10 examples from scripture which support the truth that there are events in life through which God chose to work through the prayers of a man, not independent of them.  Click on the following links to discover on how your prayers impact the world around you!

The Power of Prayer Part 2

The Power of Prayer Part 3

To order a copy of Where Heaven Meets Earth click here

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5 Things that Can Keep You from Spending Time in Prayer

Motivating and equipping churches and individuals toward spending time in prayer can be a daunting task. This blog is designed to address this issue.  We believe it is the heartbeat of God to make His presence known among His people in a powerful way as well as empower them to participate with Him in the releasing of His will on the earth.

WHME 3d Cover RevisedOver the next several months we will be sharing excerpts from Don and Vicki’s book, Where Heaven Meets Earth.  Don and Vicki use the materials in this book for teaching a prayer conference which has inspired many people to pursue a deeper and more meaningful relationship with the Lord in prayer

In our first series of prayer blogs we will be talking a great deal about The Power of Prayer.  But first it’s important to address some of the reasons why people do not pray which are as follows:

1.  They think it will not change things: Within the contents of this blog it is our desire to bring about a change in this mindset through teaching about The Power of Prayer.

2.  They have never set a time and a place to pray: To overcome this, set a time before you continue.  It may change, but consider this goal as your starting point.

3.  They have experienced unanswered prayer in the past: It’s important not to focus on what you feel God hasn’t done.  Focus on the times you have received answers to your own prayer, or have head of others receiving an answer to their prayers.

4. They lack a Biblical understanding concerning prayer: In addition to our series on The Power of Prayer we will address your role in prayer and God’s design for you as His representative here on Earth.

 5.  They don’t know where to begin: Lastly, we will then learn principles from scripture that will guide you in your prayer time.

To begin the journey of addressing each one of the above issues continue reading by clicking here.