Prevailing prayer brings perpetual power
May 25th, 2007Upon my return from Kazakhstan I have been asked the normal question several times a day, “How was your trip?” As I look back and reflect I have come away with several things. However, one stands out in my mind. The key to victorious Christian living anywhere around the globe is prayer. And I do not do enough of that. Nor do I believe our church at Olive has come to maturity in this discipline. We have much to learn and experience in prayer.
As we met for the three-day conference the KGB showed up to ask for a list of names of all who would be in attendance. The Central Asian leaders told them they would not surrender the names and appealed to the rights they have to assemble freely. They invited the police officers to join us in the meetings if they wanted to know what was going on. They did not accept the invitation. The 700 participants began to pray for protection and wisdom. One hour before each session began the pastors met on their knees to cry out to the Father. It was holy ground!
As I returned home I have come with several renewed commitments. I will work to be a better preacher, soul winner and pastor. But at the top of the list is my prayer life. I realize I must go deeper and learn greater intimacy with the Heavenly Father so as to have the power of God on my life and the ministry of our church. I invite you to join me at the throne of grace on a daily basis. We must pray in the Spirit without ceasing.
We have true friends in the Gospel who partner with us in Central Asia. They do not have much in the way of material goods. The church houses, they call them prayer houses, are often small and far from elaborate. Yet they meet with God and see lives changed. These Christians have planted 400 churches in the past three years. God is at work. If we could ever come to God with total abandonment in Pensacola we would see a mighty move of grace. God had favored us with material goods. Now may He breathe life into all of it. I exhort you to pray fervently.
Pastor Ted Traylor
May 25th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Bro. Teddy……….
I just read this blog entry, probably in less time than it takes you to introduce your sermon on Sunday morning. BUT, in four paragraphs, twenty-eight lines, you have preached to my heart and I am sure many others. Oh, if we could just let self go and concentrate on the lost and the many ills of society, how much better off we would be. I too am pledging myself to more prayer and study. I know we have heard you say numerous times, “you might be the only Christian that some folks meet”, and that might be a little scary. Thank you again for your unrelenting work to preach and teach the Bible and for your dedication to leading Olive Baptist. Love to Liz and the children
/s/JoAnn & Reuben