1 John 2:6
There is one particular prayer I’ve prayed countless times in my life. It is composed of just two words: Move, Lord!
I don’t know about you, but I think I’ve spent half my life praying that prayer. I’ve asked God more times than I can possibly count to move on people, on situations, on churches, and on nations. But lately, it seems the more I pray that way, the more the Lord impresses me with this one most vital truth.
God moves through people.
When we move, He moves. So many times when we think we are waiting for God to do something, He is actually waiting for us.
Think about the life of the Lord Jesus and you’ll see what I mean. God moved powerfully during His earthly ministry. Lives were touched and changed, bodies were healed, and demons were cast out. God did so many things during His three amazing years on earth that “… even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written” about them (John 21:25).
But God didn’t do those things on His own. He didn’t just move all over Israel working miracles willy-nilly wherever He pleased. He worked those wonders through Jesus. Everywhere He went (except for unbelieving Nazareth) God was able to do mighty things because Jesus walked in such a way that God could freely move through Him.
And we’re supposed to be walking the same way today.
Really. The Bible leaves no doubt about it. It says that those of us who say we abide in Jesus ought “also to walk, even as He walked.”
Considering how desperately the world needs a move of God, I believe it’s time we got moving, don’t you?
Scripture Reading: 1 John 2:1–14
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!”