If you are going to go the distance and build longevity into your life, your personal relationship with Christ must be a priority. It is easy to stay so involved with the work of the ministry that we overlook our intimate times with Jesus. The pace can become so hectic that our lives resemble a never-ending merry-go-round.

I find it very interesting that in Luke 11:1, the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. Jesus’ ministry was very well known at that time, with miracles, signs, and wonders occurring regularly. However, the Bible never says even one time that the disciples asked Jesus for His anointing.

Today, we see great men of God flowing in major healing and deliverance anointings. It is amazing how many people I hear who desire, covet, want, and would do anything if these ministers would lay hands on them and “transfer” the anointing.

No one alive has ever flowed in the gifts of the Holy Spirit to the degree that Jesus did. If we covet that kind of anointing, we must do as the disciples did and ask Jesus how to pray. We must follow the pattern set by Jesus. Ministers are falling because they have lost their intimacy with the Lord. Many have fallen into sin simply because they substituted the work of the ministry for an intimate relationship with Him. Don’t allow yourself to fall into this trap!

We receive God’s plan, will, and direction by establishing a habit of prayer and study of the Word. It is the way we become intimate with Him. Pressures are coming at Christians today in a greater intensity than we have ever experienced. That is because the devil knows his time is short. The key to our being able to walk in victory is to cry out, “Lord, teach us to pray,” and then begin praying.

Take some time to do that right now.

• A good way to learn how to pray is to study the examples of prayer in the Bible, such as Luke 11:1-4; John 17; Ephesians 1:15-19; Ephesians 3:14-19; Philippians 1:9-11; and Colossians 1:9-11. In addition, many of the psalms are prayers offered by David to God.

• Some also find it helpful to journal their prayers. This provides a written record of your thoughts as you pour out your heart to the Father. You can also record the things you believe God is saying to you. Through the ages, written letters have been the vehicle through which many intimate relationships have been nurtured. Why should it be any different between you and the Father

Heavenly Father, like many other people, I want to flow in the anointing to set captives free. I will follow the examples of the disciples and develop my relationship with You through prayer and spending time in Your Word. I thank You that as I become more and more intimate with You, Your anointing will be a byproduct of our relationship as it was with the disciples. Amen.

Terry Nance

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Terry has served as senior associate minister of a thriving congregation for over 23 years with over 40 years of experience in local church ministry. He is currently the senior pastor of Impact Church in Sherwood, Arkansas. Terry has authored four books. On the bestselling list, these books have motivated thousands of Christians to stand with their leaders in faithful service, helping them to fulfill God's purpose for their lives.

Terry is the Founder and President of Focus on the Harvest, Inc. He's traveled extensively, awakening believers to this strategic generation. Through his God-given passion, believers are ignited to discover their gifts and callings, commit to the vision of their local church, and focus on the harvest of souls throughout their city, state, nation, and world.

Terry holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southwestern University, where he met his wife, Kim. They've been married for over 40 years and have three children; McCall, Alex, and McKenna.

In May 2008, Terry and Kim began Impact Church, a dynamic and growing, multicultural body of believers in Sherwood, AR. We believe that Christianity is not a religion; it's a relationship. God loves each person individually. He desires everyone to know him personally.