A recent trip to Washington D.C. put me in the center of power of this nation. Listening to Congressmen and their chiefs of staff share their hearts was both disconcerting and encouraging. Simply put, they are at the center of power, but they have pulled the curtain back and found little power to make change or to make a difference.
These leaders are exhausted. Life within The Beltway or on The Hill has left them with little hope of seeing the turn around of their nation. They are in the belly of the beast, and they have seen the futility of making a difference in their lifetime, UNLESS there is a change sent from God.
Note to self: Pray for them, and with them. They need it, and you need the practice.
One after another, I heard leaders calling out to pastors to pray, and to seek God for a Great Awakening as the only hope for our nation and the world. Their front row view to the seat of power has convinced them that there is no hope to be found in Washington D.C. It must come from Heaven.
Prayer warriors seek The Seat of Power, but they are not fooled by earthly illusions of it. Through prayer they find The Purpose, The Power, and The Presence of Jesus.
Prayer is not a futile gesture, or a devotional discipline. It is immediate access to a place of humility before The Seat of Jesus. He lives to intercede for His followers. Through Jesus there is hope of a God ordained, Heaven sent, Spirit empowered Awakening that is able to transform a single heart, every home, and an entire nation.
Praying for the next Great Awakening begins with a dead person seeking new life. The very idea of revival is built upon the concept of a person who has had “the things above” sucked out of them. They have been choked and suffocated by “the things that are on the earth.” They are in need of the renewal of life that only Jesus can give.
“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.” Colossians 3: 1-4
Prayer is a matter of life or death. Those who die to self find renewed life in prayer. They are drawn to prayer because their hearts are filled with the purpose of Jesus. Their eyes are focused on finding The Seat of Jesus. Their heart beats to the rhythm of the heart of Jesus.
Jesus is The Intercessor, and those who long to be in His Presence are driven by His will to take part in what He does. Those who have no heart for prayer have an empty heart. Those who have died to their own way of life “have been raised up with Christ.” The essential power of the resurrection is the new life that is found in prayer. Through prayer, those dead to self but alive in Christ, discover The Purpose, The Presence and The Power of Jesus.
THE PURPOSE - “When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Hebrews 1:3
“Christ Jesus is He who died, yes rather who was raised who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.” Romans 8:34
THE PRESENCE - “Therefore He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25
THE POWER – “From now on THE SON OF MAN will be seated at the right hand of the power of God. “ Luke 22:69
Prayerless people are without purpose, presence or power. They soon lose hope in the capacity of the world to right itself, and their personal power to change themselves. The more they focus on all that is wrong, the less power they see released to make things right.
Prayer is the breath of life, the hope for change, and the means by which God makes a difference one life, one home, and one nation at a time. Prayerful people have a view of The Seat of Jesus, and they join Him in doing what He does best. He prays for His people to discover His Purpose, His Presence and His Power. TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!