When you think of prayer meetings, what memories flood your mind?
When I was a new Christian, I was encouraged to go to the church mid-week prayer meeting. I was excited to experience everything about my newfound faith and relationship with Holy Spirit. In the short time I’d given my life to Jesus, I had read my bible from Genesis to Revelation and being an avid reader, I had devoured several books, especially those about the Holy Spirit.
‘Good Morning Holy Spirit’ written by Benny Hinn was the one book that so revolutionised my understanding and relationship with Holy Spirit, causing me to believe that all churches and Christians were having the kind of encounters with Holy Spirit that he talked about in his book!
So, I went to my first ever prayer meeting, young, full of enthusiasm, eager to learn, fully expecting Holy Spirit to show up and do His thing!
Well, to my surprise the chairs were set out in a circle, around 12 of them, and one by one they were taken by what I considered at that time were very elderly ladies. They were really excited to welcome me!
I looked around the room, thinking, where are the men! is this it! There were a lot of people in the church, but very few apparently attended the weekly prayer meeting. A list of congregational requests for prayer were shared as well as the needs of the world. I didn’t realise that the expectation was that each person was expected to pray when it was their turn as we went around the room in a clockwise direction starting from the leader. I couldn’t fault their sincerity as they prayed. Some had what I would call a shopping list of requests, others prayed for what seemed like eternity for nations. It was good to pray but it didn't press any of my buttons, I was kinda disappointed, though not sure what to expect in the first place. I continued to go, hopeful that things would change! Its easy to be critical and walk away, rather than stay and build! That is until the Lord call syou out.
I suppose if I hadn’t read any books, if I hadn’t read my bible continuously then I may have settled into that style of prayer. They were lovely women, who welcomed me with open arms, and I loved them dearly. They were faithful to the church, especially the organisation that it belonged to and had no thought or desire to experience anything outside of what they had. In those days, it was considered ‘strange’ to attend anything outside of your own church!
I persevered, kept going to the prayer meeting, and often Holy Spirit would stir within me to stand up, walk around, declare scriptures. Words would come out of my mouth that I couldn’t take the credit for. There was a part of me that ‘felt’ bad because I was breaking the rules! We sat in a circle and took it in turns to pray!
I went to my local church every Sunday and attended the midweek meetings, but church wasn’t enough for me, so I began to seek out other meetings and events. I don’t think that I realised at that time that it was Holy Spirit leading me.
I experienced what some called ‘the faith camp’, I learnt to pray the word and declare scripture, to focus on the word rather than rehearsing the problem. There was the CFAN Fire Conference in 86, with Reinhard Bonnke.
Suzette Hattingh was leading the intercession meetings. A new word for me, Intercession and a new realm of the Spirit to experience!
“The term prayer can be used for all forms of speaking with God,” but to differentiate the term from intercession I would say that prayer is speaking with God about those things which concern us. Intercession, on the other hand, is speaking to God on behalf of another, another person, people group, situation, church, or community. Intercession is a sacrifice of our time and life's focus. It is an example of how we can lay down our life for another. It is a form of loving someone else.”
Well, that was a whole new experience for me. I decided to join that meeting while the main conference was going on. There were several hundred of us in that hall, having no idea of what was being spoken on in the main arena. She had us praying in tongues, the noise was incredible, she would point out areas to pray into and encourage us to pray as directed by Holy Spirit. Everyone was praying at the same time! I did find that difficult, so much noise and a variety of prayers, I found it difficult to concentrate and keep on track with my thoughts. She said it was ‘African’ style; it was how they prayed prior to an event. To be honest I was totally out of my depth, I didn’t really know what I was doing, I was following her lead, the best that I could, but it was so exciting, scarry but so exciting! Holy Spirit was in the room, orchestrating the prayer, through this woman. She was no wimp, she knew Holy Spirit and how to flow with Him.
Then when, we had finished praying, this is often preceded by an inner knowing that there is a breakthrough and it’s done! We watched a big screen to see the ministry time at the end of the main meeting. Everything that had been prayed in that room was being answered as individuals gave their lives to Jesus. Cigarette packets were being thrown onto the stage, people were being delivered of addictions. It was just amazing. What I was reading in the bible was coming alive before my very eyes!
When we give room to Holy Spirit, and allow Him to lead, then whatever it is that we are doing for God, will be powerful and productive even if facing adversity.
Prayer is the engine room, it drives the vision, gives strategies, momentum and enables us to have the wisdom, favour and authority to change atmospheres’, for bodies and minds to be healed, to change communities, families, our churches, our cities and nations.
Prayer isn’t boring! If you find it boring, then maybe you need to ask yourself some serious questions! It’s not always the fault of the other people!
The primary scripture that describes the Holy Spirit as an intercessor is
Romans 8:26-27, which states: "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words."
The key point about this verse is the:
"Spirit helps us in our weakness":
This indicates that the Holy Spirit assists us when we don't know how to properly express our needs in prayer.
Some people have problems with connecting to Holy Spirit or are afraid of his presence or even afraid of being deceived. Too often people call the things of the Spirit, especially some of the manifestations of the Spirit, like shaking, or falling over, or laughter or people ho-ing, demonic and end up throwing the baby out with the bathwater! If that’s you, then I would encourage you to read Manifestations & Prophetic Symbolism by John Arnott. His book is extremely well written and full of biblical examples from the old and New Testament!
We can be very dismissive of spiritual things we are afraid of or have had little experience of or even teaching on the Holy Spirit. Also, not everyone is comfortable relating to God as father! God himself is also referred as the breasted one. The scripture that refers to God as "the breasted one" is the Hebrew name "El Shaddai," which appears in the Bible, most notably in Genesis 17:1, where God says to Abram, "I am El Shaddai" - meaning "God Almighty" or "the Sufficient One," with "Shaddai" being interpreted as relating to the concept of a nourishing breast, The breasted one signifying God's ability to provide and sustain. It is also said of God that:
‘For your Maker is your husband—
the Lord Almighty is his name—
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
he is called the God of all the earth’. Isaiah 54:5 NIV
There was a time that the thought of God being my husband wasn’t appealing! We worked that out though!
We can learn much from looking at the prayer life of Jesus.
He rose very early in the morning, sometimes he went up a mountain or to a secluded place. (The secret place).
He prayed throughout the day and the evening; he prayed before meals and before making decisions.
Jesus was totally at ease with his father. Prayer gave him the perspective from above, he never wondered like some do, if God really existed or if he was even listening. He was totally God conscious, he knew who he was, he knew his authority and he walked in it through his relationship with Holy Spirit.
‘Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]
Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained,
But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being.
And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!’
Philippians 2:5-8 AMPC
‘So Jesus answered them by saying, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the Son is able to do nothing of Himself (of His own accord); but He is able to do only what He sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father does is what the Son does in the same way [in His turn].’
John 16:13 AMPC
It was Holy Spirit who enabled him to see and hear what the father was doing and saying!
And it’s the same pattern for you and me.
‘But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].’
John 16:13 AMPC
When we ask Jesus into our life, the Holy Spirit comes and lives on the inside of us.
‘Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own.’
1 Corinthians 6:19AMPC
We can know the reality of the power and presence of Holy Spirit as we have fellowship with him in the secret place:
‘Nor will people say, Look! Here [it is]! or, See, [it is] there! For behold, the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]’ Luke 17:21
If Jesus needed the Holy Spirt how much more do we!
Paul’s words to the Corinthian church is as relevant today as it was then.
‘May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.’ 2 Corinthians 13-14 NLT
The Holy Spirit is the one who breaths life on the scriptures, he releases the anointing through us as we speak God’s word under his direction and flows through our hands as we lay hands on others to bless, to heal to deliver! He's a great best friend with a wonderful sense of humour!
Jesus, although in heaven seated at the right hand of the father, continues to pray for each one of us.
‘Who is there to condemn [us]? Will Christ Jesus (the Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us?’ Romans 8:34 AMPC
When we pray, as we fellowship with Holy Spirit, he then hears and see’s what Jesus is praying and reveals to us the insights, revelations, strategies answers that we need for our own breakthroughs as well as others!
God the Holy Spirit was there before the foundations of the world, he was there when God made man in his image and likeness. He was part of the conversation when God the father said, to God the son and God the Holy Spirit 'Let's make man in our image and likeness....'Gen 1:26
It’s the Holy Spirit who enables us to become who the word says we are as we spend time with the word in the secret place.
We have been given power and authority.
‘And God blessed them [granting them certain authority] and said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subjugate it [putting it under your power]; and rule over (dominate) the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves upon the earth.” Gen 1:28 AMP
Great spiritual intelligence and creativity.
“Who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
Who knows enough to teach him?”
But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. 1Cor 2:16
‘And out of the ground the Lord God formed every [wild] beast and living creature of the field and every bird of the air and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them; and whatever Adam called every living creature, that was its name.’ Gen 2:19 AMP
‘See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.
And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and ability, in understanding and intelligence, and in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship,
To devise skillful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in bronze,
And in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all kinds of craftsmanship.
And behold, I have appointed with him Aholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and to all who are wisehearted I have given wisdom and ability to make all that I have commanded you:’ Exodus 31
‘And in all matters of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king asked them, he found them ten times better than all the [learned] magicians and enchanters who were in his whole realm.’ Dan 1:20 AMPC
‘For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.’
Col 2:9:23NLT
Find your secret place and fellowship with the Holy Spirit, let him teach you how to pray, what to pray and how to wait in his presence till the answer comes, then believe it, receive it and declare it.
More than anything fall in love with Holy Spirit and as you do your love for Jesus and the father will increase. Then you can really walk in God’s love and give it away.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit will begin to flow through us.
' Now there are distinctive varieties and distributions of endowments (gifts, extraordinary powers distinguishing certain Christians, due to the power of divine grace operating in their souls by the Holy Spirit) and they vary, but the [Holy] Spirit remains the same.
And there are distinctive varieties of service and ministration, but it is the same Lord [Who is served].
And there are distinctive varieties of operation [of working to accomplish things], but it is the same God Who inspires and energizes them all in all.
But to each one is given the manifestation of the [Holy] Spirit [the evidence, the spiritual illumination of the Spirit] for good and profit.
To one is given in and through the [Holy] Spirit [the power to speak] a message of wisdom, and to another [the power to express] a word of knowledge and understanding according to the same [Holy] Spirit;
To another [wonder-working] faith by the same [Holy] Spirit, to another the extraordinary powers of healing by the one Spirit;
To another the working of miracles, to another prophetic insight (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose); to another the ability to discern and distinguish between [the utterances of true] spirits [and false ones], to another various kinds of [unknown] tongues, to another the ability to interpret [such] tongues.
All these [gifts, achievements, abilities] are inspired and brought to pass by one and the same [Holy] Spirit, Who apportions to each person individually [exactly] as He chooses.
For just as the body is a unity and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
1 Cor 12 AMPC
Recently I was in a prayer training meeting in Liverpool. Over 100 people were in attendance on a cold January evening.
I was deeply touched and moved by what I saw in that room. There was so much hunger and excitement in that room. People were lost in worship, some on their knees. The speaker that night was on fire with the Holy Spirit, people were taking notes, leaning forward in their seats and when invited to have ministry so many went forward, people didn’t want to go home that night! Wow, when was the last time you attended a prayer training event and didn't want to go home?
The Holy Spirit is stirring hearts again to pray, praying when walking, praying around classrooms, praying in stores, praying in coffee shops, in homes, praying with vision and purpose, praying for individuals, businesses and churches, having an expectation that lives will be touched.
Testimonies are springing up all over the place of a renewed excitement and boldness about prayer.
Those that have been faithful and prayed in the secret place with little or no recognition may your hearts be warmed that you did not labour in vain, that people all over the country, men, women, and young people are praying like never before as the Holy Spirit leads.
The times they are a changin’, we are in a season of prayer being restored to its rightful place and the engine room is being stoked with Holy Fire!
I want to thank those special people in my life, (you know who you are) who God has used to release in me into a renewed sense of excitement and desire to pioneer again! To pray with renewed vision! Thank you.
‘And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race].
He who believes [who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] and is baptized will be saved []from the penalty of eternal death]; but he who does not believe [who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] will be condemned.
And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages;
They will pick up serpents; and [even] if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and He sat down at the right hand of God.
And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied [it]. Amen (so be it).
In the secret
in the quiet place
in the stillness
you are there
in the secret
in the quiet hour I wait
only for you
cause, I want to know you more
Andy Park
‘We owe the world an encounter with God.’ Bill Johnson
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