Romans 13:12
No doubt, my dear, praying friend, you are already taking the light of the Gospel to those around you. You are already laboring in the harvest fields of God. But even so, I want to encourage you to do it more and more. Live every day like you’re on a mission to penetrate the darkness, and “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
You don’t have to go on a missions trip overseas to do it. You just have to look around and reach out in love to those you meet every day. As you do, God will put them in your heart as never before. He will speak to you about those precious lost souls, and you’ll come into a deeper knowledge of His love for them. More and more, you will pray for them, not just with your lips but with your life.
And that is the most powerful prayer of all.
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 2:9 – 12
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!”