One of the most important things the Lord has taught me about bringing God’s light to people is that it doesn’t always involve passing out tracts, quoting Bible verses, and preaching the plan of salvation. Romans 4:17 says God’s kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. So bringing His kingdom near to people means that we touch their lives with those qualities. It means we share with them the goodness, peace, and joy God has given us.
The first time I saw that, I said, “Okay, Lord. I’ll do it!” Then I headed out to the grocery store.
As I put my list in my purse, the Lord said to me, “Now, Lynne, I want you to go to the grocery store today with the understanding that your mission is not just to buy groceries. Your mission is to penetrate the darkness. Your mission is to bring the love, light, and life that’s inside you to people who don’t have it.”
Do you know that changed everything about my trip to the store? Usually when I go there, all I see are shelves lined with cans and jars. But that day, I saw people. I saw needs. I saw opportunities to be a blessing.
I realized I wasn’t just buying food, I was on assignment for Jesus. I was in the harvest field on a mission for God. And I don’t mind telling you, it made grocery shopping a lot more fun!
Scripture Reading: Titus 2:8
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!”