How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”
Romans 10:14 – 15
As we’ve already seen, the manifestation of God’s glory and power that the Church is destined to walk in will not just fall on us like a ripe apple off a tree. Even though it’s been prophesied, even though it’s been promised, we must battle spiritually to possess it much like the Israelites had to battle to possess their Promised Land. They didn’t just stroll in and casually tell their enemies, “Okay, here we are. You all move out of the way now.”
No, even though the Lord had already given them that land, the children of Israel had to go in and fight for it. But that was all right because it was a land worth fighting for. It was a land flowing with milk and honey, a land where they could have days of heaven on earth (Deuteronomy 11:21). Truly it was a wonderful place.
As wonderful as the Promised Land was, the spiritual place of God’s glory that has been promised to the Church in our day is even better. It’s the place where we will fulfill our purpose and destiny. It’s the place the apostle Paul wrote about where the Church will be without spot or blemish.
In that wonderful place of glory and power, the Church will arise from her sleepiness and awake unto righteousness. She’ll be fired up by evangelistic zeal and loosed across the earth by the mighty Holy Spirit. Individual believers—people like you!—will be sent throughout the world, as Romans 10:15 says, to proclaim the Gospel of peace, bring glad tidings of good things, and do the works of Jesus.
You could be sitting in your living room reading this right now all nice and comfortable, and next year, you could be preaching the Gospel in China.
Why would you be in China?
Because somebody fought on their knees until the way was made for Jesus Himself to manifest in His glory, tap you on the shoulder and get your beautiful, good-news bearing feet moving. Somebody prayed for the Church to rise up in power and take her Promised Land.
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:14 – 21
Source: Devotions for the Praying Heart by Lynne Hammond.
Excerpt permission granted by Lynne Hammond Ministries
On the chilly March night in 1972 when Lynne Hammond took her first step into a life of Spirit-led prayer, she had no idea what was about to happen. All she knew was the hunger in her heart for God wouldn’t let her sleep. In the few short months she’d been born again, her desire to fellowship with Him had grown so strong she could hardly contain it. “Help me, God!” she cried. “I want to know you. I want to be able to talk to you. Please, teach me to pray!”
Suddenly, a heavenly presence flooded the room. Lynne sensed waves of spiritual fire sweeping over her and a beautiful language began to flow like a river from within her. Although she’d never heard of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, she knew instantly, without a doubt—this was God!
What began that night soon blossomed into a life of prayer that ultimately became a ministry of prayer when, in 1980, Lynne and her husband, Mac, founded Living Word Christian Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Under Lynne’s leadership, the prayer ministry at Living Word has become an internationally recognized model for developing effective pray-ers in the local church.
A teacher and an author, Lynne publishes a newsletter called Prayer Notes, has written numerous books, and currently serves as the national prayer director for Daughters for Zion. Her passion for inspiring and leading others into the life of Spirit-led prayer continues to take her around the world to minister to believers whose heart cry, like hers, is “Lord, teach me to pray!”