No matter how long the answer to our prayer seems to tarry, no matter how contrary conditions might seem, when we’re in faith, we refuse to give up on what God has promised. We keep on believing for it day after day and year after year, keeping in mind that Hebrews 10:35 – 36 says:
Do not, therefore, fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward. For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised. (Amp)
That’s what Abraham did. He spent much of his life waiting expectantly and confidently looking forward to living in the city whose architect and builder is God. Abraham had seen that city in his heart. God had shown it to him. Although he’d never laid eyes on it in the natural and he didn’t know where it was, he kept looking, and looking, and looking for it.
Think of it! Abraham never built a house. He just went from town to town searching for what was in his heart. He refused to lower his standards. He would not settle for second best.
If we’re in faith, we’ll do that too. We’ll persevere. We’ll keep looking until we see the manifestation of what God has promised us. If somebody tries to talk us into settling for something else, we’ll refuse. We’ll say, “No, I’m going to have exactly what God put in my heart and nothing less!”
Through our faith in God and His mighty Word, we will do what faith heroes have done throughout history. We will subdue kingdoms, administer justice, and obtain promised blessings in our lives, our families, our churches, our communities, and our nations. By faith, we will change the world.
Scripture Reading: Romans 4:16 – 21
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!”