Powerful praying is the forerunner of vitality in preaching. Who can deny that the remarkable power of John and Charles Wesley and George Whitefield in preaching was due to their mighty praying? An unknown writer penned these words: “Pentecost was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in answer to prayer, and not the result of preaching. The sermon of Peter followed the descent of the Spirit, and it was merely an explanation of the spiritual manifestation as seen by the convinced multitudes who stood trembling with fear.”
Peter’s address on Pentecost in Acts 2 came after the upper room prayer meeting (Acts 1:13–14), and the atmosphere was pregnant with power. Study and preparation are essential, but we should never diminish the importance of a prayer-prepared atmosphere. Things happen when God draws experientially near. Both Peter and those present were thoroughly cleansed before the Spirit was poured out. The ten days of prayer were the launching pad for their evangelistic harvest. Praying men are the best preachers.
Many today would rather preach than pray. But study church history, and you will find that those who were honored most in the ministry of reconciliation were those who prayed intensely, and often with unspeakable groans. A prayer-saturated atmosphere brings the life of God into the meeting. Bounds said, “Unction in the preacher puts God in the gospel.” Anointing, or preaching with divine unction (fervor), takes place when the Spirit of grace and supplication is operational. When men and women are moved to pray, they move the heavens, and power descends.
How should you pray for unsaved individuals? Here are a few points to guide your praying for the lost:
- Pray that the eyes of the unsaved would be opened to unseen spiritual realities (Ephesians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 4:4).
- Pray for the lost person to experience conviction of sin (John 16:8). One of the primary functions of the Holy Spirit is to convince people of their need for forgiveness.
- The Lord draws people to Himself. Ask for them to be drawn in undeniable ways (John 6:44).
- Pray that the veil of spiritual blindness be lifted (2 Corinthians 4:4). This is the place for wrestling prayer.
- Bind the strong man—pray against the enemy’s hold on the individual (Mark 3:27).
- Pray for grace and mercy to surround them. It’s the goodness of God that leads men to repentance (Romans 2:4).
- Ask God to empower you to show Christ and share the gospel with them (Acts 1:8).
- Ask God to send other people into their lives to witness to them (Luke 10:2)…
Harold Vaughan
*Taken from NEXT LEVEL PRAYING. Get your copy TODAY.
