Matthew 16:24 – 25
Some time ago, I had an unexpected and enlightening visitation of the Lord. At the time it happened, I was praying about the last days’ outpouring of the Holy Spirit. I was hungering for more of God, not just for myself but for all people. I was desiring the spiritualoutpouring upon “all flesh” that is spoken of in Joel 2:28.
As I prayed, I kept asking God to “come down,” when suddenly I heard Him speak to me in my heart. I’ve already come down, He said. You come up. His words startled me. “What do you mean, Lord?” I asked. “What must I do to come up?”
Give your all to Me, He answered. Give yourself to Me. Don’t just give Me this thing or that thing. Don’t come to Me simply to get My wisdom so you can carry out your plans. I want you to get self out of the way. I want you to practice giving yourself to Me.
Since then, I’ve been obeying those instructions. When I come to God I say, “Lord, I give You all of me. I give You my heart. I give You my mind. I give You My hands, my feet, my eyes, and my mouth. I surrender my whole self to You.”
Scripture Reading: Matthew 10:37–39
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!”