Luke 2:36–37
I wish I had time to write here about all the people in the Bible who found their purpose and fulfilled it:
- People like Hannah who caught sight of the fact that her purpose was to have a baby and travailed until she brought forth a child—a prophet who spoke the very words of God.
- People like Daniel whose purpose was to help free Israel from Babylonian captivity and was driven by that purpose to pray until that release prophesied years before by Jeremiah finally came to pass.
- People like Anna who was so possessed by her purpose, which was to pray about and prophesy the birth of the Messiah, that she never left the temple, day or night.
You might well say that these people did more than take hold of their purpose. They allowed their purpose to take hold of them. And in doing so, they changed the world.
Why not set your heart on following in their footsteps? Why not seek the Lord with unceasing fervency about your divine purpose by praying often the prayer the apostle Paul prayed in his letter to the Ephesians. Pray that the Father will “grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him, by having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you…” (Eph. 1:17–18 Amp)
If it doesn’t come instantly, don’t be discouraged. These things are the precious pearls of God. He doesn’t leave them lying around where just any casual observer can see them. So, as the scripture says, keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find… (Matthew 7:8).
Keep praying and you will surely discover the details of your divine purpose.
Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 1:1–28
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!”