Several years ago I was sitting in front of the television watching an NFL football game. This wasn’t just any game. This was my team, the Kansas City Chiefs, playing in a very critical playoff game.
As a Christian I knew I had authority over the powers of the enemy and the other team was my enemy. Of course, I knew the truth that my true enemy was actually the powers of darkness, but this was an important game!
I decided that I would use every weapon in my arsenal. Yes, I know that praying in the spirit for an NFL football game may not be fair to the other team, but I reasoned that they could pray too if they wanted to. I decided that just in case there were Christians praying for the opposing team, I would nullify their prayers by praying better.
Somewhere in this “spiritual moment” I asked God if He would answer this prayer and then I heard this inaudible response in my heart. God told me He loved me. God told me He wanted me to be happy, but trying to manipulate the circumstances and Him through prayer was not His best.
All of a sudden, the game wasn’t really all that important. I began to realize that in the overall plan that God had placed before me for my life, somehow I had begun to think of prayer as a method of meeting the whims of my flesh rather than the desires of my heart. And if we are truly seeking God and His purpose for our life, then the desire of our heart will be the desire of His heart also.
I suppose that every NFL football team has players, employees and fans that are Christians and non-Christians. I know God answers prayer and I know He wants us to enjoy life. However, we must see things from God’s perspective.
God is not sitting on His throne with a set of scales in front of Him weighing the prayers of two opposing groups of Christians praying for their team and the Christian fans that pray the strongest and longest receive grace for victory. No! To the contrary, God wants all of His children to be victorious.
So, see things from God’s perspective and then your perspective will be correct.
“No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (2 Tim. 2:4-5).
(P.S. The Kansas City Chiefs won the game that day.)
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Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.