You might wonder how we as born again, Spirit-filled believers, could so badly misunderstand God’s plan that our praying could actually hinder it. After all, we’re not like Peter. We know the plan of redemption. We understand God’s will.
But do we?
Do we really know how God is going to bring all things together under the headship of Christ at the climax of the ages? Do we know how God is going to break the stranglehold of false religions that dominate so many nations of the world and gather in His end-time harvest of souls? Do we know exactly how God is going to transform believers worldwide into a glorious Church without spot or blemish or any such thing?
No, we don’t! Those things are as mysterious to us as the crucifixion was to Peter. And if you think you can handle those mysteries better than he did, put yourself in his shoes for a moment.
Imagine that you have been part of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Imagine you have seen it become the most beautiful, miraculous, life-giving ministry the earth has ever seen. Then imagine someone (even someone like Jesus!) telling you it’s God’s will to wreck that ministry. It’s His will to end it in its current form, to crucify its leader, and do something different than what you have seen in the past.
What would you say? What would I say?
We’d probably say the same thing Peter said. We’d say, “No, that’s not right! That can’t possibly be the will of God! The Bible says the Messiah will reign on earth. The Bible says He will rule the nations forever. Jesus, for You to die is completely contrary to the Bible. It just can’t happen!”
If we base our thoughts on information instead of revelation, we’ll be as confused about God’s plan today as Peter was about the need for Jesus to go to the cross. That’s why, if we want our prayers to be a help instead of a hindrance, we must be sure to follow the Holy Spirit as we pray out the mysteries of God.
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 4:1 – 2
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!”