My relationship with my Father had been strong for many years, some times better than others. I had a prayer life that in retrospect it was much more intellectual than spiritual. That was changed one morning as I responded to a challenge delivered by guest speaker one Sunday morning in April, 2007. The man was Richard Simmons, of Men for Nations, a man of God who has dedicated his life to calling men to a pray, specifically what he calls a pre-dawn offensive. He has for several decades had a special calling on his life to mobilize men for early morning prayer daily from 5-7 to protect America and usher in revival. As he spoke to our congregation that morning something rose up inside stirring me to answer the call.
He spoke about power of prayer and what faith filled committed Christians throughout history had accomplished for the Kingdom as they unified in prayer. His direction was to ask God for a spirit of prayer and that He has given us the keys to the Kingdom. The keys could be found in the Gospel of Mathew – Mt 16:19 the keys are promised; Mt 17:20 we need faith; Mt 18:19 two or more in agreement. He encouraged us emphatically that God will answer specific prayer.
This kind of intercession was very foreign to me and I had many doubts about how effective I would be. I had never prayed for two hours and certainly not before dawn. Over the next six months this time of worship and devotion would transform me, and bring my faith from my head to my heart. The fellowship I experienced with faith filled prayer warriors crying out to Lord to move in our lives, our city and our nation was such an inspiration.
My prayer life began to deepen as I asked God for a spirit for prayer. My desire was that He show me how to pray; to say what He says, to go where He goes and to do what He does. This was a time great revelation in my life. I received the fruit of the Spirit, the gift of tongues, dreams and visions. Little did I know what I was being equipped for or how God planned to answer my prayer.
He began to reveal to me the power of prayer in small but specific ways. As I asked for His help in small things, He increased my faith to believe in Him for more. A simple request for assistance in finding a lost item led to healing of minor ailments for myself and others and would ultimately lead to “My Miracle”. A miracle that would have Him show me how to pray, increase my faith by delivering me from a truly broken heart.
