ThePrayerSeminarThisseminarisateambuildingBiblestudyforagroupthatalreadyhasalong-termprayertarget.Oneofthechallengesforlong-termprayerteamsistostayfreshandengaged, and this seminarwas designed to sharpen and refresh the fundamentalskills of individual prayerwarriorswhile building teamwork. By the close of theseminar we anticipate that Godwill give us a body of answers toward our teamprayer target. The individual team members will have grown in their faith,understanding and skill in intercessory prayer. The team itself will be growingdeeperinunityofvisionandpurposeasthememberspraytogetherweekbyweekfortheirsharedrequests.

During theseminar the teamwill takesixmonths topray towardthesametargetevery time foranhoureachweek. Typically the teamtakes tenminutes toreconnectwithoneanotherandsharerecentanswerstoprayer,15minutestolearnfromabiblicalexampleorteachingonprayerandthen35minutestopraytogethertoward the targetusing thepatternordoctrine theyhave just learned. Weneverwanttospendmoretimetalkingabouttherequeststhanwespendinactualprayer,sotheleaderhastokeepaneyeontheclockorelsetheteamneedstobudgetmoretimefortheprayermeeting. Theconclusionregardingthe“onething”prayermayneed tobe spreadover twoweeksand should includea timeof thanksgivingandcelebrationforthewaysGodhasansweredus. Theseminarschedulehasbeenthoughtoutandtestedwithseveralgroups,butitisnotinflexible.Someweekstheteammaybeunabletomeet.Sometimesitmaymakesensetotakeaparticularweekoutoforder.Forinstancethepatternofprayerwith fastingmaybemovedtocoincidewithapublic fastday for thewiderfellowship. If the whole church is fasting on a particular day, and if the churchleadership is willing to accept our prayer team’s target, it is spiritual wisdom toalignourdayofprayerandfastingwiththechurch-widefast.

1. Jesus:TheModelPrayer(Matthew6Forgiveness;Luke11Provision)JesustaughtustoprayasHisdisciples,andthemodelthatHegaveusisprobablythebestplacetostart.TheLord’sPrayerisnotaformulaforprayingbyrotebutapattern to help us, especially when we are just starting out as a prayer team.Whenacook ispreparingaparticularmeal for the first time,shewill followtherecipeveryclosely,butasshegainsconfidenceandexperienceshewillfeelfreetomake substitutions and to personalize the dish. In the same way we learn tofollowJesus’modelbyprayingtheLord’sPrayer.WelearntoaddressGodasourFather; we learn the areas of our greatest need where the Father is mostinterested in responding tous, but aswematurewewill personalize the recipeandemphasizedifferentaspectsdependingonourpresentsituation. I like to startby readingaloud theLord’sPrayer fromMatthew6,pointingout themeaningof each sentence. Then if I am leading the seminar Iwill startwith the prayer, “Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name.” I will pray asentenceprayerreflectingthatdesire, forexample,“Father, IworshipYouaboveallthings;IprayforYourNametobeknownandhonoredtodayinourchurchandourcitytoday.”Wheneachprayerteammemberhashadanopportunitytopraythehallowingprayer,thenIcanmoveontopray,“MayYourKingdomcomeandYourwillbedoneonearthasinheaven.” Often it is good to startbyprayingaround the circle, so the leader can tellwheneveryonehashadachance.Butsometimestherewillbenewmemberswhoare shy and don’t want to have to pray aloud. In those cases it is best to askmembers topray as they aremovedby the Spirit being sensitive tootherswhoalsowanttopray.YoumaywanttoremindtheteamoftheABCsofteampraying:makeyourprayerAudible,Brief,andClear.

Whenpraying,“MayYourKingdomcomeandYourwillbedoneonearthasitis in heaven,” we should all visualize how fully God’s will is being done at thepresentmomentinheaven.Thiswillaidusindevelopingaclearconceptofwhatweareaskingwhenwesay,“Yourwillbedoneonearth.”OneteamIprayedwithfor several years concentrated on praying, “may Your kingdom come” in theUnitedStateswherewewere livingat the time. This led toa studyofpreviousrevivalsinAmericaandanexpectationthattheLordwouldbringafreshrevivalinanswertoourprayers.

Mostteamsfinditeasiesttoprayforprovision.Givepeopleplentyoftimetopray, “Giveus todayourdailybread,” but remindeveryone that this is aprayerregarding immediate needs not wishes far into the future. Jesus HimselfemphasizedaskingtheFatherforprovisioninLuke11:3-8,butforgivenesswhenHepresentedthemodelinMatthew6:12-15.WhatwillwehearourprayerteamemphasizingwhenwepraytheModelPrayer?Asweusethispatterninourteamprayers today, let’snoticehowour teamprayer targetcorresponds to theneedsJesuspointsoutinHisprayer,andlet’stakeourexampledirectfromHim.

Atthecloseoftheprayertime,the leadershouldfollowJesus’patternwiththe benediction, “Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever.Amen.”

2. Zechariah:People’sAdvocatePrayerPattern(Zech3:1-5;Hebrews7:23-25)No matter what our prayer target, God will bring about the answer throughpeople,peoplewhomweknowandperhapscannameinourprayers.Sometimesthepeople involvedwillmakedisappointingdecisions, and sometimes theywillfail.OneclearexampleofadisappointingleaderwasJoshuatheHighPriestduringZechariah’sprayerministry. JoshuahadbeencommissionedbyGodtoreturntoJerusalemandre-buildtheTemplethathadbeendestroyed.HeobeyedandwenttoJerusalem,butbecauseofhardships, lackoffunds,andpoliticalopposition,heneverreallygot startedon theconstruction. Hesomehowmanaged tobuildhisownnicehouse,butafterfourteenyearshehaddonenothingaboutthehouseofGod!

When Zechariah is allowed to see into the heavenly courtroom, it is nosurprise thatwe see Joshuadressed in filthy clothes and suffering interrogationand defamation from the prosecuting attorney, Satan the Accuser. Butwewantourprayerteamtoentertheheavenlycourtroomonthesideofthedefense,whereJesusistheAngeloftheLordandthePeople’sAdvocate.HeistheOnewhostandsup todefend JoshuaandHe is theOnewhodefendsus fromSatan’saccusationswhenwe fail andwhenwedisappoint (Heb.7:25). Today,asweprayour teamrequest, let us be aware of the heavenly courtroom where we have taken ourplace,andletusstandupwithJesusonthesideofHispeople,especiallyinareaswheretheyarespirituallyweakorareaswheretheyhavedisappointedus. This is the only vision in the Bible that I know of where the prophet isallowed toparticipateandaffect the courseof thevision. Notice thatZechariahpipesup fromthebackbenchandtells theangelshowto improvetheircleanupoperation—andtheyfollowhisdirections! Prettycoolanswertoprayer, isn’t it?OncewhenIwas leadingateamtopraythePeople’sAdvocatepattern, theLordshowedmethattherewasonepersonIcouldnoteffectivelyadvocatefor.IwouldstartoutprayingforhisministrytobeestablishedandtwosentenceslaterIwouldbe criticizinghim inmyheart. Ithelpedmea lot to followZechariah’sexampleandasktheLordto“putacleanturbanonhishead.” Wecanstartfollowingthisexamplebyprayingforourleaders.Thenwecanprayforourfamilymembers.Thenwecanprayforthosewhohavebeenchargedwithelementsoftheteam’sprayertarget.Itisnotnecessarytomentionanyofthewaysthesebrothersandsistershavefailed(inthevisiononlySatandidthat)butwecansimplyprayfortheLordtocleansethem,strengthenthem,andestablishtheirleadership. Let’sdecidetogethernottobringanyaccusationagainstanyofJesus’peoplebeforetheLord,buttosaywhatJesussays,“ThisoneisMine,snatchedoutofthefire.”

3. Elijah:Watch&PrayPattern(IKings18:41-45;Col4:2)Thereisa lot inthisshortpassage,but forthepurposesofourteamwewanttonoticewhat itmeant forElijah topraywith “vigilance” (Col4:2). Firstofall,hecommittedhimselftotheprayerrequest,goingonrecordwithKingAhabthatrainwas on itsway in answer to his prayers. Secondly, hewas not just sending upgeneral prayer, but was asking for a particular blessing with definite timeconstraints. Thirdly, because he was so thoroughly committed to seeing theanswer, he kept asking for updates until he saw the tiny beginning of God’sanswer. Finally, as soon as he started to seeGodmoving, he himselfwent intohigh gear, putting into effect his plan to get down themountain and away fromJezebel’scounterattack. IliketopointouttoveteranprayerwarriorsthatasElijahgrewinhisprayerministry,itactuallytookmoretimeforhisrequeststobeanswered.WhenElijahprayedat thebeginningof thedrought(1Kings17:1),heonlyhadtoprayonce.Thenwhenheprayedforthehealingofthewidow’sson(1Kings17:21),hehadtopraythreetimes.Butnowattheendofthedrought(1Kings18:44),Elijahhadtoprayseventimesbeforehesawhisprayerbegintobeanswered. Weshouldbeencouragedaswenoticethatourperseveranceinprayerisgrowing;itmeansthattheLordtrustsustokeeponprayingnomatterhowlongittakes.

TheWatch&PraypatternreallyresonatedwithoneofourprayerteamsinAfrica,andtheteambeganincorporatingasortof“weatherlookout”duringeveryprayermeeting.Onedaytheteamrealizedthatwehadbeenprayingforweekstohave20peoplereadingtheBiblewithus,butwehadnevergoneoutandboughttheBibles.IftheLordhadimmediatelyansweredourprayerasHedidforElijah,wewouldnothavehadenoughBiblestogoaround.SopartofWatch&Prayforthat teamwas to purchase 20 Bibles and dedicate them before the Lord whilecontinuingtoaskforHimtosendthereaders.

Today we want to see the Holy Spirit stir this kind of expectancy in ourheartsandwewanttopraywithvigilance.Havetheteam“getupandlooktowardthesea”bysharingsomeof thewaystheyarebeginningtoseeprogresstowardtheteamprayertarget. Ask,“WhatifGodstartedtosendouranswerthisweek?Would we be ready to move into high gear? What preparations should we bemakingnowincaseweseethetinycloudthesizeofaman’shand?”

4. PrayingintheNameofJesus(John16:23-24;James4:2-3;Phil4:6)JesuspromisestogiveuswhateverweaskinHisname.ThisdoesnotmeanthatweshoulduseHisnameaspartofaprayerformulaasthoughHehadgivenusthemagicwords.InsteaditmeansthatHispromiserelatestothoserequestswebringonHisbehalfforthesakeofHispeopleandHiskingdom.TheoppositeofprayinginJesus’nameistoprayforourownpersonalbenefitandeaseof life. Weoftenasktobesparedproblemsandtohaveasmoothroadthroughlife.Itisnotwrongtoprayforsafetyandsmoothtransitions,andinfactPhilippians4tellsusthatourFatherinheavenwantstohearourheartsaboutwhateveriscurrentlymakingusanxiousorcausinguspain.OfcourseHedoes—anyFatherwould—butthesearenot theprayers Jesushas inmindwhenHe tells us topray inHisname. Theseprayersarepurelyforourowneaseandourownkingdom.TheLorddoeswanttohearustalkwithHimaboutwhateverconcernsus;butthepromiseisnotthatourliveswillbemadeeasy,but thatwheneverweasksomething for Jesus’sake,Hewilldoitforoursake. Wecanillustratewhat itmeanstopray inJesusnamewiththepictureofacompany expense account. Let’s say you have been entrusted with a creditaccounttoprintadvertisingforyourcompany,andyoucangointotheprintshopatanytimeandgetbrochuresandpostersprintedonthecompanycreditaccount.Youareplacingrequestsandordersinthenameofthecompanyandforthegoodofthecompany.Butifyouneedtoprintinvitationstoyourson’sbirthdayparty,you are expected to make those orders on your own account and not on thecompanyaccount. Jesus’promiseisthatyouhaveanunlimitedcreditlinetoaskwhateveryouneedtocarryout theministryofHiskingdom. Hewillmakesureyouget it. But ifwhatyoureallywant is justaneasylife,Heneverpromiseduseasy.

Asateam,let’stakeastepforwardintospiritualmaturity,andprayourteamrequest,notforourbenefitandcomfortbutforthegloryofJesusandHiskingdom.

PS. PrayinginJesus’nameisagoodexampleofhowtoprayaccordingtoapromisemadeintheScripture.ButtherearedozensofpromisesintheScripturethatcanguideandconfirmourprayers,andnextweekwewillbepracticingwithsomeofthem.Atthecloseofyourmeetingtoday,telltheteamthattheyshoulddosome research and come prepared next week with a promise or two from theScripturethatmeansalottothem.

5. Daniel:StandingonthePromisesPattern(Daniel9;Jer25:8-11)HaveyounoticedhowfullofpromisestheOldTestamentis?GodgivesHispeopleapromiseandthenjusta fewpages laterwecanseeHimdeliveronit. But justliketoday, thereweresomepromises intheOldTestamentthatGodtooka longtimetofulfill.Jeremiah25:11isoneofthose.GodhadtoldJeremiahthatHewasabout topunish Israelby forcing themto leave theirhomes forseventyyearsofexile. Daniel was just a teenager when this exile occurred, but at some point(perhapsonhisbirthday!)whenDanieladdedtheyearsup(Dan9:2)hefeltthatthe70-yeartimeperiodwasupandtheanswerwasdue! Whatwashappening?WasGoddelayingtohonorHispromises?

Thisisanimportantprayerpatternforustolearnandfollow.Danieldidthehard work to study and determine exactly what the Lord had promised.Sometimes we are lazy Bible students and just latch on to any sentence in theScripturesthatsoundscomfortingtooursituation.ButDanielshowsushowtobediligent in discerning the Scriptural promises that apply most directly to ourprayer target. Then Daniel stood firmly on the promise of God and refused toacceptanyfurtherdelay.HisdiligenceinapplyingtheScripturebyfaithgavehimboldnessinprayer.

This is amore challenging prayer pattern than the earlier ones because itrequires some independent Bible study and willingness to do our homework.Someteammembersmayhaveanumberofpromisesbymemoryandsomemaybeatalosstorecallany.Invitesomeonetoleadoutinprayerandthentherestoftheteamcancomealongbehindandsupportthatprayerwiththepromises.Hereisa listofafewBiblepromiseswecanstandon,butalsoencouragetheteamtoaddtothis list. LetusfindthepromisesofGodforoursituationandletusprayGod’s mercy and urge His action (Dan 9:19) regarding our team prayer targettoday.

PromisesWeCanStandUpon

Psalm23:1“TheLordismyShepherd,Ishallnotlackanything.”Psalm34:17-18“Theycryout,andtheLordhearsanddeliversthemoutofalltheirtroubles.TheLordisneartothebroken-heartedandsavesthosewhohaveacontriteheart.”John10:28Jesuspromised,“Igivethemeternallife,andtheyshallneverperish,neithershallanyonesnatchthemoutofmyhand.”John14:13-14Jesuspromised,“IfyouaskanythinginMyname,Iwilldoit.”Romans8:28“AllthingsworktogetherforgoodtothosewholoveGod,thosewhoarecalledaccordingtoHispurpose.”Philippians4:6-7Ifyouprayinsteadofworrying,“thepeaceofGodwhichsurpassesallunderstandingwillguardyourheartandmindthroughChristJesus.”Mark13:10-11Jesuspromised,“Thegospelmustfirstbepreachedtoallnations.Whentheyarrestyou,donotworrybeforehandwhatyouwillspeak.Butwhateverisgivenyouinthathour,speakit;foritisnotyouwhospeakbuttheHolySpirit.”ICorinthians15:58b“YourlaborisnotinvainintheLord.”Matthew28:20Jesuspromised,“Iamwithyoualwayseventotheendoftheage.”

Matthew11:28-29Jesuspromised,“CometoMe,allyouwholaborandareheavyladen,andIwillgiveyourest.”

6. PrayingAccordingtotheWillofGod(IJohn5:13-15;Rom8:26-28)Jesusmadeagoing-awaypromiseandrepeated it threetimes(John15:7;15:16;16:23-24)so thatwecouldalwaysknow for sure thatwhateverwepray forwewillreceive.Theconditionsarenotonerous:wearetoprayinJesus’name;weareto pray according to His will, andwe are to abide in Him. But sometimes ourexperienceofprayerdoesnotseemtobearthisout.Wethinkwearefulfillingtheconditions,sowhydon’twegetwhatweareaskingfor?

PaulexplainsinRomans8thatwhenwepray,bothChristandtheHolySpiritintercedeforusinperfectaccordwiththewillofGod,somethingwecouldneverdoforourselves.InthiswayourtruespiritualdesiresarealwaysgrantedbytheFatherwho can’t say no toHis children or toHis Spirit or toHis Son. But thisexplains why sometimes our prayers are not answered according to the exactwordsweprayedwhenweasked,becauseinourweaknesswedon’tknowhowtoprayasweought.ThewordsofourprayersareinterpretedandtranslatedbytheLord Jesus and by His Spirit so that our prayers always reach the Father inaccordancewithHiswill.

During the years 2003-2011 I led a churchmissions team thatwas askingGodfortenfamiliestosendoutby2010. DuringthisperiodtheLordtestedourfaithinmanywaysandallowedustosendmanyfamiliesoverseas,butattheendof 2010wehad only sent out half of the familieswehad asked for. Wehad toadmitthatwedidnotgetthepreciseanswertoourliteralprayerrequest,butwealsowere able to see thatby the endof 2010manymore than ten familieshadbeen sent out tomakedisciples around theUS andoverseas. Theywent out inJesus’nameandtheywentouttofulfillHiscommission;theyjustdidn’tgooutasfinanciallysupportedoverseasmissionaries.TheninthefouryearsthatfollowedtheLordallowedustocontinuesendingoursupportedmissionaries. Hedidnotgiveusexactlywhatweasked,andHedidnot respondaccording toour timing;butHedidgiveusoverandabovewhatweoriginallyimagined.

Whentheprayerteamgatherstoday,wewanttoincorporatesomeskillswepracticedforprayinginJesus’nameandprayingoutthepromisesofGod.Butwealsowanttorelax inthistruth:theSpiritknowswhatwewantandJesusknowswhat we need and they are both interpreting our prayers before the throne ofgrace.Thereisnochancethatourprayingwillfail.

Youcanbuildteamworkintoyourprayertimebyusingadrillthatvolleyballteamsoftenpractice.Acommonvolleyballdrillrequiresoneteammembertoset(topoptheballclearabovethenet)andasecondteammembertohit(tospiketheballpowerfullyontarget).Withyourprayerteam,trytohaveoneteammemberprayouthisrequestfromtheheart,andthenotherteammemberscanfollowhimpraying out the promises and praying the request in Jesus’ name and for Hiskingdom. This allows the “setter” to just think about what he is asking for,knowingthathisteammateswillcomealongbehindhimandhitthatrequestwillall the power of the promises of God. When several have prayed out the firstprayeraccordingtothepromisesandinthenameofJesus,thenasecondpersoncansetfortheteambymentioninganotherprayer.

7. Moses:ReasonsandGroundsPattern(Exodus32:7-14)In Moses’ intercession we see a pattern of prayer that employs logic andreasoning. I’m glad to see that prayer is not just a way to express to God ourfeelings, but thatHealsowants tohearour reasons, andHe canbemovedbyareasonableargument. Moseswasstarting fromaverydifficultposition,becausehe was praying on behalf of people who had just rejected God’s provision andwanted to worship a golden calf-idol instead. God pointed out to him thejudgmentthatshouldfollowfromthepeople’srejectionofHiminfavorofthegoldidolthattheyhadmade.God’splanforjudgmentwasentirelyreasonableandjust.

Mosesansweredwithalogicofhisown:“Whatwilltheheathennationsthinkabout You if you destroy Your own people? Won’t all Your hard work ofdeliverance be lost? Won’t this rash action tarnish Your reputation and glory?Plus,Youmadeasolemnpromise toAbraham, Isaacand JacobandYoucan’tgobackonthat!”DoyounoticehowMoses’logicincludesbothprayinginGod’sname(forthesakeofHiskingdomandglory)andstandingonthepromisesofGod?Canyou thinkofexamples fromtheparent-childrelationships thatyouknow,wherechildrenhavetheconfidencetostatenotonlytheirrequestsbutalsogoodreasonswhy theirparents should respond? TheReasonsandGroundspattern seems tocometomostyoungchildrenquitenaturally.

ForseveralyearsIledateamthatwasaskingGodfortenfamiliestosendouttothemissionfield.Overtheyearswedevelopedaseriesofreasonsandgroundsto express to Godwhywe felt our prayerwas important forHis kingdom. Forinstance, we pointed out to Him that many of our current missionaries wereapproachingretirement,andweneedednewreinforcementsjusttostayeven.WeremindedHimthatJesustoldustoprayformoreworkerstogointotheharvestandthatJesusHimselfhadrecognizedthattheharvestwasready.Westooduponthe promise of Jesus in Mark 13:10, “The gospel must first be preached to allnations.”Oncewestartedtodevelopourprayingtowardareasonablerequest,wegainedalotofconfidencetoprayourprayerfortenfamiliesbyfaith.

This is another prayer pattern that requires teamwork. Somemembers ofyourprayerteamaremoreemotionalandsomearemorelogical.Thisisanothergoodopportunityfortheteammemberstohelponeanother.Perhapsonepersoncanleadoutwithaclearprayertowardtheteam’starget.Thenotherscancomebehind that prayer and mention reasons why the prayer is important for thekingdomofGodandforHisreputation.

Beforewego toprayer today, let’s think logicallyabout the reasonswhy itwouldbegoodforGodtoanswerourcentralprayerrequests.Let’slistthoseoutand in our praying, let’s followMoses’ example and show the Lord all thewaysthatourprayer request redounds toHisgloryand fulfillsHis revealedpurposesand increasesHiskingdom. Nooneshould leave theprayermeeting todaywithanydoubtaboutwhatwearerequestingandwhywefeelGodshouldbepleasedtograntourrequest.

8. Abraham:GroundingPrayerintheCharacterofGod(Gen18:23-26)TherearecertainsimilaritiesintheprayerpatternwelearnedfromMosesandthepatternwewillstudytodayintheexampleofAbraham,butinsteadofrelyingonlogicorGod’sstatedpromises,AbrahamreliedonhisrelationshipasthefriendofGod. Thismodelprayercomesattheendofabigday,afterSarahandAbrahamhad put on a banquet for the Lord and a couple of angels, and after the LordconfirmedHispromiseofasonbytellingthecouplethatthesonwouldbebornwithintwelvemonths. ThentheLordtookAbrahamaside,dismissedHisangelsandloweredHisvoicetoletAbrahaminonsomeconfidentialinformation:HewasabouttodestroySodomandeveryonelivinginthearea.

Abraham’sbelovednephewLotlivedinSodomwithhisfamily,andAbrahamrelied on his relationship with the Lord and all that they had been through tonegotiate a protection clause for his nephew. As you read the account ofAbraham’sprayer,noticehowcarefulAbrahamistohonortheLordandhumblehimself. ButeventhoughheworshipsandreverestheLordGod,heiswillingtoboldly make his requests to Him. Today we especially want to notice Genesis18:25whereAbrahamisabletosay,“ItwouldbeoutofcharacterforYounottosavearighteousman.”

What do we know from personal experience about God’s character thatwouldmakeHimwanttoanswerourteamprayer?RecentlyIwasleadingateamin prayer for their ministry to children. They were seeking the Lord for morevolunteers to work with the children, and they were also trying to put wisepoliciesinplacetoprotectthesafetyofthekids.WerecalledanumberoftruthsaboutGod’s character thathelpedus topray for these requests:God is aFatherwho cares aboutHis children; Jesus loves the children andwelcomes them; theguardianangelsof thesechildrenhavespecial24-houraccess to thepresenceofGod;God’swrathburnsagainstanyonewhowouldharmachild;childrenaretheoneswhocharacterizeandcompriseGod’skingdom;theLordJesusgrewupasachildundertheprotectionofparents.Theteamprayedtogetherforhalfanhourand just kept coming up with more and more truths about God that we knewwould cause Him to answer our prayer for the nurture and protection of thechildren.

Today,werelyonourpersonalfriendshipwithGodandallHehasshownusofHischaractertopleadourcase.Wearenotjustmentioningthereasonswhywethink itwouldbegoodforHimtoanswerourprayer,butwearealsotakingtheopportunity to praiseHim forHis righteous character. It is on the basis of Hischaracterthatwewillbepraying. AndwehaveeveryconfidencethatHewillbefaithfultoanswerus,becauseHecannotdenyHimself(2Timothy2:13).

9. Ezekiel:TheManintheGapPattern(Ezek22:28-31;James5:14-20)ThroughoutthecourseofthisseminarwediscoversomethingpreciousaboutthecharacterofGod—whenHeactsupontheearth,HelovestoactinresponsetotheprayersofHischildren.InthefirsthalfofthebookofEzekiel,HemakesHiscaseagainst thesinsof thepeople,usingvisionstoshowEzekiel thewickedness thatHispeopledidinsecret.AtmanytimesHeseemstodefyEzekieltointercedeforpeoplewho lived sowickedly. He says to Ezekiel, “Son ofman, do you see thewickedthingstheydo?Turnaroundandyouwillseeevengreaterabominationsthattheydo”(forexample,Ezekiel8:5-14).

The “Man in the Gap” pattern brings out a strange but important prayerprinciple: the men and women of faith who are called upon to intercede forsinnersoftenhave the clearest appreciationofhowmuch those sinnersdeservecondemnation.Thefalseprophetsdidnotbuildupaconcretewallofintercession,theyjustplasteredoverthesinproblemwithmudandclay.GodwaslookingforaMoses,amanwhocouldseethesinandstillprayforthesinner.ThefirsthalfofEzekielmightleadustobelievethatGodjustwantedtomakealegalcasesothatHewouldbejustifiedindestroyingthepeople;butthatwasnotHispurposeatall.HetoldEzekiel thatHewas lookingforamantostandinthegapforHispeopleandwasdisappointednottofindone.GodwantedEzekieltorealizetheextentofhis people’s sin, butwhatHe reallywantedwas for Ezekiel to intercede for thepeoplelikeMoseshaddone.Ezekiel22:30isagreatversetochallengeourprayerteam,butitwasahardwordforEzekielhimselftohear,becauseEzekielhadnotbeenabletocontinueintercedingforthepeopleafterseeingalltheirwickedness;hecouldnotkeepstandinginthegap,protectinghispeoplefromthewrathofGod.

InJames5wefindouthowmuchGodwantstohealandrescuesinners,butHewantstodothisinresponsetoprayer.ApparentlyeventodayHeislookingforsomeone to stand in the gap for His people and to intercede for them. As theprayerleader,youareresponsibletoprotecttheintegrityoftheteamfromgossip.You need to ensure that your teammembers understand how to intercede forindividualswithoutbetrayingtheirconfidencesandhowtoprayforthefailingsofthechurchasawholewithoutcreatingdivisions.Butthereareprobablysomesinpatterns that your prayer group has noticed that you can confess together andtogetherplead forGod’smercyandhealing.Forexample ifyourchurch isgoingthrough a timewhenmarriages are being tested, you can certainly confess thefractures anddivorces in a generalwaywithout exposing individual sins.Recallthatourpurposeistobuildawallofdefense,andthatwemightputourselvesintoharm’swaytoprotectthesinner,coverthesin(James5:20)andbringhimhome.

CouldourprayerteamblesstheFather’shearttodaybystandinginthegapand interceding on behalf ofHis children? Let’s explore theways inwhich ourprayertargetisreallynotaboutourselfishneeds,butinsteadweareprayingonbehalfofthepeopleofGodoronbehalfofthenationswhodeserveGod’swrath.Let’sbuildupawallbyprayerandstandinthegapbetweenGodandHiswrathtoinsteadbegHimforthegiftofmercy.HowcanHerefuse?

10. Jacob&Hezekiah:TheWill-Not-Be-DeniedPattern(Gen32:24-29;Isaiah38)Atthispointintheseminarourteamhashopefullydevelopedasolidfoundationfor expectingGod’s answers toprayer, andwehavebegun to see someways inwhichGod isbeginning tomove. During thenextmonthwewant to encouragegreaterboldnessinprayeronthepartofalltheteammembers,andtodaywewillbe following the pattern of Jacob and of KingHezekiah,menwho refused to bedenied.

AtacrisispointinJacob’slife,whenhewasonthebrinkoflosingeverything,theLordmethimandwrestledwithhimallnight.TheBibleaccountindicatesthattheLordwasunabletodefeatJacob,soHedislocatedJacob’slegatthehipjoint.AtdawntheLordsaid tohim, “Letmego,”but Jacob inagony fromhisdislocation,refused to letgountilhe first receivedablessing (Gen32:26). It cost Jacob thevery last ounce of strength and it cost him a permanent injury, but he got hisanswertoprayer. TheaccountofJacob’swrestlingmatchissurprisingtomeonmany levels, but theprofoundpoint is thatnomatterhowexhaustedhewasorhow painful his injury, he simply would not be denied. Can we pray our teamprayerwithsuchboldnessandsuchenergy?

Many times Christianswill say something like, “I don’t like asking God forspecific gifts or results, because it seemspresumptuous. I just say, ‘Thywill bedone,Lord.’”Thissoundspiousonthesurface,but itcertainlydoesn’t followthepatternofanyofthegreatprayersoftheBible.EvenwhenJesusprayed,“Thywillbe done,” it was after He hadwrestledwith God for an extended period to thepoint of sweating blood! It is notwrong to pray, “Thywill be done,” but it is ashameforthesoldiersofthecrosstogiveupwithoutastruggle.

KingHezekiah turnedhis face to thewallandprayedagainst thepropheticwordfromthemouthofIsaiah(Isaiah38:1-3)—nowthatisgreatboldness!MostofuswholovethewordofGodandrecognizethatHiswordis foreversealed inheaven,wouldneverconsiderprayingagainsttherevealedwillofGod.Infact,IdonotrecommendtomyprayerpartnersthattheyprayagainstthewordofGod,butwecancertainlyfollowHezekiah’sexampleofrefusingtobedenied.

TheprayersandthetearsofHezekiahwhorefusedtotakenoforananswer,movedtheLordtogranthisrequest.Haveweownedourteamprayerrequesttothe point that wewill not be denied? The teammaywant to spend some timetalkingthisthrough.Theteamleadermustnotuseguilttomanipulatetheclimateof the prayer team, but he should certainly present the pattern of Jacob and ofHezekiah as a model for the team to pursue. Spiritual leaders need to call forenergeticandheartfeltprayersthatlayholdofGodanddonoteasilyletgo.Ifwecannotprayenergeticallyfortheteamprayerrequest,perhapsweneedtomodifyituntilwehaveaprayerthatwecanabsolutelycommitto.Thenhavingidentifiedourprayer request, let’s takeholdofGodby faithandsay, “Iwillnot letyougountilyoublessme.”

11. Jeremiah:TheNowhere-Else-to-TurnPattern(Jeremiah33:1-3)Jeremiahwasamanofprayerwhofacedmorediscouragementsandsetbacksthananyone on our team will face during our lifetimes, but he never gave upinterceding for his people. The message God gave Jeremiah to preach was amessageof judgment: the city of Jerusalemwould fall to theChaldeans, and thepeoplewouldbetakencaptive.JeremiahhadthefewestconvertsofanyprophetintheBible,buthedidnot losehope.HebelievedGod’spromisethatafterseventyyearsofcaptivity,Hewouldbringthepeoplebacktotheirland.

Jeremiah33:3 is thewell-knownpromise“Call toMeandIwillansweryouandshowyougreatandmighty thingswhichyoudonotknow.” But today it isimportant to help our team see the context of this promise: God gave thisencouragement of mighty answers to prayer when Jeremiah was hopelesslysidelinedandconfinedinprison!Jeremiahwasinapositionofzeroinfluenceoverthecourseofhumanevents,butduring thedepthofhiscaptivity,Godpromisedhiminfluenceinthecourtofheaven.

Todaywewillbeprayingthe“NowhereElsetoTurn”patternthatGodtaughtJeremiah.Oncetheybegintothinkalongtheselines,mostofyourteammemberswillalsohavestoriesofanswerstoprayerwhentheyhadnowhereelsetoturn—thisisagoodopportunityfortheteamtosharetheirexperiences.ComepreparedtomentiononeofyourownpersonalexperiencesofbeingsidelinedwithnowheretoturnexceptprayertoGodandyourtestimonyofhowHecamethroughforyou.You canalso remind themofotherBible examples likeMosesat theRedSeaorPaul’sprayersfromprison.

When you feel that the group has caught the essence of “nowhere else toturn,” it is timetoapplythisrealizationtotheircurrentprayerrequestsandtheteam’scentralbreakthroughrequest.Taketimetoconfessyourteam’sinabilitytocontroltheoutcomeandyourrecognitionthatGodistheonlyonewhocanrescuethesituation.MypastorusedtogobacktoJeremiah33:3andaskGodforasignofencouragement,remindingGodofHispromise,“Iwillshowyougreatandmightythings which you do not know.” Today our prayer team can stand upon thispromiseandaskGodforasignofencouragement,somethingHewillshowusthatwecouldrecognizeasoneofHisgreatandmightyworks. At our next meeting we will be considering the importance of fastingtogether for our breakthrough prayer request. Let’s come hungry to our nextmeeting and learn from theOldTestament saintswhoprayedwith fasting. Wewill also be learning how a public fast can be used to temporarily widen thenetworkofprayerpartners.Duringthenextweekwewouldlikeeachmemberoftheprayer team to inviteat least twootherpeople to faston theappointeddayand join our team in our breakthrough prayer. The team leader should decidewhethertoinvitethewiderprayernetworktoattendourteamprayermeetingorwhether we should simply invite them to fast and pray in partnership with usfromwherevertheyhappentobe.

12. Esther&Ezra:FastingTogetherPattern(Ezra8:21-23;Esther4:16)Hopefullyourteamisabletocometothemeetingfastingtodaysothatwegetthefullbenefitfromthestudyandpracticeofthisprayerpattern.PrayerandfastingwasoneveryimportantwayintheOldTestamentforalargegroupofbelieverstounitebehindasingleprayertarget.Weseeprayerwith fastingagain intheNewTestament in Acts 13when the leaders of the Antioch Churchmet together fordirectionfromtheHolySpirit,andwhenthoseleaderssentPaulandBarnabasoutastheir firstmissionaries.(Ifyourprayerteamismissionary innature,youmaywanttouseActs13asyourpatternfortoday’smeeting.)

We are studying Ezra and Esther because of their choice to rely on Godrather than the human interventions that were available to them. Ezra wascarrying a great deal of gold, silver and other valuables through some verydangerouscountryfullofbandits.Hecouldhavereliedonthekingforamilitaryescort,but insteadhewantedtoclearlydemonstratethat Israeldependedsolelyupon God. His prayer in Ezra 8:21 was for direction (“the right way”) andprotection on their long journey that would last several weeks. He felt that itwould dishonorGod if he asked for a protective escort, because he had alreadytestified before the king that God was their Protector. He did not want to giveanyone the impression that God’s protection was not sufficient. He called forprayerunifiedbyfastingfromallofthosewhowouldbetravelingwithhim.

WhenIsraelwasthreatenedwithgenocide,Esthercouldhavehidbehindherroyalstatusandentrustedherselftothecareofherhusbandtheking;butinsteadsheputher life inGod’shandalongwith the livesofallherpeople. Inorder todemonstratesolidarityinprayer,sheaskedthatthepeoplefasttogetherwithher.The ones who fasted were the ones who would either live or die, entirelydependentuponGod’sanswertotheirprayer.Esthercountedherselfamongthoseunderthethreatofdeathwhenshesaid,“IfIperish,Iperish”(Esther4:16).Youcanseehowtheprayersofthosepeoplewhosharedthesentenceofdeathwerefocusedandunifiedthroughfasting.

In the same way that Ezra and Esther did, we can use the fasting prayerpatterntoexpandthebaseofourprayersbyaskingawidernetworkofpartnerstopraywithus.Thewidernetworkmaynotbeabletobepresentforourprayermeeting,but if theyare fastingwithus,wehaveaspiritual solidaritybefore thethrone of grace. At various crisis points during my outreach ministry in EastAfrica, Ihavecalledmyprayerpartners toprayonaparticulardaywith fasting,especially when our lives were threatened or when it appeared that the entireenterprisewas indanger.LikeEzraandEsther, Icantestifythat thehandof theLordwasuponusforgood,andthatHeansweredourprayerforrescue.Thereismysteryhere,buttherearesomanyexamples intheBibleandinourownlives,thatwefeelweareonsolidgroundwhenweencouragetheteamandthewidernetworktofasttogetherwithusasweprayourteamprayerrequest.

13. TheTogetherPattern(Heb13:18-19;Matthew18:19;2Cor1:11)Many of the examples in this prayer seminar focus on the prayers of a singleperson, but last week we saw how a praying leader can bring a large grouptogetherbehindasinglerequest. EzrademonstratedhistotalrelianceuponGodbycallingtogetherthepeopletofastandprayforsafetyontheroad,andheisagoodexampleofhowprayercanunitetheheartsofourpeople.Ontheotherhand,Ezra could just as easilyhaveprayedaloneand receivedhis requests. SomeonourteammaynoticeGod’smightyanswerstoindividualprayerandwonderwhywe have to rearrange our schedules to pray together. Are our together prayersmorepowerfulthanourindividualprayers?Whatdifferencedoesitmakethatweareprayingasateam? I don’t knowof any one passage in theBible thatwould teach us how theTogether pattern increases the effectiveness of our prayers, but there are a fewpassagesthattelluswhatwecanexpectfromTogetherprayer.AtthecloseofthelettertotheHebrews,theapostlerequeststhebelieverstopraytogetherforhimandhispartners. HeisconfidentthattheLordwillanswerhisindividualprayerfor deliverance, but he also knows that if they pray for him together hewill bedeliveredsoonerthanifhedoesnothavetheirpartnership(Hebrews13:19).PaulalsoknewthattheLordwouldanswerhisindividualprayerregardinghisjourneyto Rome, but he still begged the Roman Christians to join him in the Togetherprayer(Romans15:29-30).Theanswertoourprayerscomesmoreeffectivelyandmorequicklywhenweagreeinprayertogether. Jesusalsogivesaspecialpromiseregarding theTogetherpattern. Hesaid,“AssuredlyIsaytoyouthatiftwoofyouagreeonearthconcerninganythingthattheyask,itwillbedoneforthembyMyFatherinheaven”(Matt.18:19).ItpleasestheLordtoseeusdiscussingourdesirestogetherandtakingtimetodevelopthedetails of our prayer request, lining it up with what we know of His will. Hepromisestoactontheseprayerdecisionsthatwemakeinconsultationtogether.

The other important reason why we pray together is so that we can givethankstogetherfortheanswers,andGodwillreceivethatmuchmoreglory.In2Cor1:11Paulagainmentionshisbeliefthatwhenwepraytogetherweaddtotheeffectivenessofour individualprayers;andsincethis is true,wecanallshare inboth theprayingand therejoicing inGod’sanswer.Weallhavepart together inthepraying,soweallhavepartinthepraisingandthanksgiving.ThisisanotherreasonwhytheTogetherpatternissoimportant,becauseitresultsinmorepeoplegivingmorepraisetoGod.

By this point in the seminar our teammateswill be able to share personaltestimonies of how our prayer team hasmotivated them to stay persistent andtargeted,andtodaywewanttogiveopportunityforseveralofthosetestimonies.We also want to read the prayer request in Hebrews 13, where the apostleexpresseshisbeliefthattheLordwillanswerhisindividualprayerfordeliverance,but that the unified prayer of his team will result in an earlier answer thanindividualprayeralone.Todaywewanttoputthisintoeffectbynotonlyprayingtogether toward our target, but also by thanking God together for all of theevidenceHehasshownusthatHeismovinginanswertoourprayers.

14. Bartimaeus:Bold&SpecificPattern(Mark10:46-52)Wearenowwell past thehalfwaypoint of ourprayer seminar, andweneed toguardagainstacommonfailingofprayerteams:visiondrift.Duringthepastthreemonths there have probably been personal needs arising among the teammembers; and out of concern for our friends we have taken time to pray withthemforthoseneeds.BelieversinJesusarealwaysreadytopauseandprayfortheurgentneedsthatsurroundus,butwealsoneedtoregularlybringbackthefocus.Whatisthisprayerteamabout?WhatarewemeetingtogethertoaskGodtodo?

IthinkJesusoftenhastoaskusthesamequestionHeaskedJamesandJohn(Mark10:36)andBartimaeus(10:51):“Whatdoyouwantmetodoforyou?”Jesusasked this question as He was climbing the long road through Jericho up toJerusalemwhereHewouldbeput todeath. WhenblindBartimaeusheard thatJesuswas passing by he called out to Him formercy. People tried to quiet himdown,buthecalledoutallthemoreloudly,beggingJesustohearhisprayer.Whenhe came face to facewith Jesus, his blindnessmust have been obvious, but stillJesusaskedhimthecrucialquestion,“WhatdoyouwantMetodo?”Howwillourteamanswer thatquestion? Canwebeasboldandasspecificas theblindmanwas?

BlindBartimaeuscouldhavewaffledat the crucialmoment. Realizing thathisblindnesswasincurablehecouldhaveinsteadaskedformoneyorforfood.Hecould have asked Jesus’ help in landing a job or getting some appropriatevocationaltraining.YouandIareoftenfacedbythetemptationtoholdbackfromourboldestprayers and toask for somethinga little less audacious.Bartimaeusreceived his sight because hewas bold enough to ask the impossible, right outloud,rightinpublic,andhetrustedJesusfortheanswer:“Rabbi,Iwanttoreceivemysight!”

AboutfiveyearsagoIwasprayingwithaverysmallgroupthatmetforsixmonthsforprayeranddiscipleship.OneprojectthatwedidtogetherwastoplacebeforetheLordour“BlueSkyAssignment,”ourdreamjobintheKingdomofGod;whatwouldbeourassignmentfromGodfiveyearsfromnowifHewouldgiveusthedesireofourheart.IwishIcouldsaythataftertheperiodofdiscipleshipwascomplete,weall continued topray regularly forour special assignment, but thetruthisIjustfiledmineaway.Fourandahalfyearslater,tomysurpriseIreceivedaphonecallofferingmetheveryassignmentIhadaskedforandthestartdatewasalmostexactlyfiveyearsfromthedateofourteam’s“BlueSky”prayers.IamsogladthatIwascompletelyhonestwithGodandwithmypartners. Also,thefactthat theassignment came inanswer toboldandspecificprayinggivesmegreatconfidencethattheLordisgoingtogivemeeverythingIneedinordertocompletetheassignmentforHisglory.

TodayJesusisaskingourprayerteam,“WhatdoyouwantMetodoforyou?”LetustrytobeasspecificaboutwhatweareaskingasBartimaeuswas,andlet’sprayitboldy,outloudtogether.

15. Becarefulwhatyouaskfor?(Mark10:35-45;Luke22:28-30)LastweekweansweredJesus’questiontoJames,JohnandBartimaeus,“Whatdoyou want me to do for you?” This week we will reinforce our answer to thatquestionfromtheoutrageousrequestofJamesandJohn:“WewanttositonYourrightandleftinYourglory.” Their timingwasnot thegreatest. Jesuswasgoingup to Jerusalem todie,andthatwasverymuchonHismind.HehadjustbeentellingHisteamabouttheagonyahead(Mark10:33-34),andafterabriefpause,JamesandJohntookJesusasidetomaketheirrequest.

We can’t judge the heart motives of these two brothers, but their closestfriendsthought thatpartof theirdesirewastogetpreferential treatment, togetpromoted above the othermembers of the team.What James and John did notrealizewasthatJesus’glorywasinthecrossandthattheplacesonHisrightandleftwerealreadyreservedfortwomurderingthieves!Hetriedtoimpressthisonthem by asking whether they were ready to drink His cup of suffering and bebaptizedintotheterribledeaththatawaitedHim,buttheydidnotgetit.TheykeptinsistingthattheywantedtheplacesonJesus’rightandleft. Wemighttake fromthisawarningtobecarefulwhatyouask for. I’msurethere aremany timeswhen Imake requestswithout fully thinking through theconsequences,butthatisnotthepointthatJesuswantedustotakeaway.Insteadwe learn that Jesus knew how to interpret even themost outrageous prayer offaith and to give His friends what they wanted, even when their exact wordsmissed themark. Ifwe turn toLuke22:28-30,we see that Jesuspreserved thebrothers fromtheplacesonHisrightand left,butgrantedthemeverythingtheyreallywanted.InLuke22Jesuspromisedthemakingdom,athrone,nearnessandfellowship with Him. Don’t you think that promise fulfilled all of the holyambitionsintheiraudaciousrequest?Whatmorecouldtheyhavewanted?

InMark10:41-45Jesusdealtwiththeissueofjealousyandselfishambition,divisivequalitiesthatHesimplewillnottolerate.IfinfactJamesandJohnselfishlydesiredpromotionabovetheotherdisciples,thatdesirewasrejectedandfilteredout,buteverythingelsewas fullygranted.Nowif Jesuswilldothat for themostoutrageousprayerintheBible,whatwillHedoforusifwemakeourteamrequestboldly and specifically?Give the teaman opportunity to express anymisgivingstheyhaveabout theteamprayerrequest.Let’sgoto Jesus forassurancethatHewillfilteroutanyselfishambitionsandprotectusfromunforeseenconsequences,andthenletusanswerHisquestion:“WhatdoyouwantMetodoforyou?”

16. Therequirementsoffaithandforgiveness(Mark11:22-25)A prayer team is like a squad that is training to use high explosives: we arehandling the greatest power known to man, a very dangerous grace. Wesometimes worry about whether we are asking for the wrong thing, as thoughthroughourignorancethedynamitewillcausedamage.Lastweek’spassagefromMark 10 showed us how that even a misplaced prayer like James’ and John’srequestfortheplaceonJesus’rightandleftwouldbetranslatedtoprotectthemfrom the cross and to give themevenmore than theyhaddared tohope for. InMark11JesusplacedachargeofdynamiteagainstthetrunkofafigtreeandgaveHismenavisiblepictureofthepowerofprayer,andHetoldthemthattheyalsohadbeenentrustedwiththisdangerousgrace.

InJesus’mindthegreatestdangeristhatwewillprayandtheexplosivewillnotignite—wewillhavereliedfullyuponGod’sanswerandinsteadwewillhearatinypopandnoexplosion. Jesus tellsus inMark11:25-26 that thisoftencomesaboutbecausewehaveaspiritofunforgivenesstowardanotherperson.Godhasnodesiretoactonourbehalftoforgiveoursinswhileweareharboringbitternessand unforgiveness towards other people, and our prayers fall to the ground asduds.Todayletustakesomequiettimetosearchourheartsandensurenoteammemberharborsbitternessagainstanyone. The other reason our prayers can fail to ignite is for lack of faith in God’sanswer. Jesussaysplainly inMark11:23-24thatGodisreadytodoanythingweask,andHeisnotheldbackbyanyinabilityonHispart.ButthekeytoreceivinganswerstoourprayersistohavefaiththatGodwilldowhatweareasking.BythispointinourseminarweshouldallbeconvincedthatGodwantstodowhatweareasking,butthereneedstobefreedomtodiscussthespecificsincasesomeofourteammateshavedoubtsaboutthedetails.TheteamneedstobewillingtoadjusttheprayertargetiftheSpiritisgivingfaithtoaskformoreortomovethetargetinsomeway. IrecallthatoneyearourchurchwasaskingGodforabreakthroughrequest,that He would give us 500 worshipers in our weekly service. The pastors andelders could see that there was a psychological barrier preventing our churchfromexpanding,andwewantedGod tobreak through thatbarrier.Butmanyofourprayerpartnersinthecongregationfeltthisprayerrepresentedanunhealthyfocusonnumbers.Weneededtodiscusstheprayerrequesttogetherandfindnewwaysofexpressingitsothatourheartdesirewasevidentandallofuscouldagreewithonevoice.

ChildrenofGodfind itverydifficultandhypocritical toprayforthingsthattheydonotthinkGodisreallygoingtogivethem.Forthisreasonallmembersofthe team need to lay hold on the team requests by faith in order to pray themwholeheartedly.Let’s take time tohear fromthe teamand together to focusourprayingonthoseelementsthatweknowbyfaithGodwantstodo.Nomatterhowimpossiblethosethingsseem,ifweknowthatweareprayingGod’sdesire,wecanbesurethatwewillseeHisanswerifwedon’tgiveup.

17. TheImportanceofBotheringGod(Luke11:1-8;18:1-8)After fourmonthsofprayinghas theLord fullyansweredourprayeryet? IfHehas, this isagood time todecide tocall fora thanksgivingserviceandclose theseminar. Surely it is a sign that our seminar has accomplished its good work,whentheLordmovesquicklytobringouranswer. If however, thereare still elementsof ourprayer that remainunanswered,JesuscommandsustolayholdonHimandnotgiveuptooearly. Whenthefirstdisciples asked Jesus to teach them the prayer seminar, He gave them amodelprayerandthenemphasizedtheneedforpersistence. HetoldtheparableoftheFriendatMidnighttoteachusthatoftenGodwaitsforustoseeifwearewillingtowaitforHim.ReadLuke11:5-8andseeifyoucanidentifyeachofthepersonsinthe story. Clearly God is the Onewith the bread, andwe are the oneswho arepoundingonheaven’sdoor.Butnoticethatthereisathirdpersoninthestory:theonewhoarrivedhungryafteralongjourney.Forourprayerteam,whoistheonewho is hungry atmidnight? Forwhom arewe interceding? Let’s think clearlytodayabouttheoneswhowillbenefitthemostwhentheLordanswersourteamprayer.Thenlet’sprayourheartsoutonbehalfofthoseneedyones,havingeveryconfidencethatGodislisteningandalreadyhasthebiscuitsintheoven,ifonlywewillwaitalittlelonger,standingandpoundingonthedoor!

TheFriendatMidnightteachesusthatGodactuallywantsustobotherHimatallhoursandtokeeponaskinginthefaceofinitialobstacles.Oneofourprayerpartners felt that theHolySpiritwas tying this truthback toElijah’sWatchandPraypattern.ShefeltthatGodwascallingtheteamtothekindofpersistencethatElijahshowedwhenhesenthisservantbackseventimestocheckontheprogressofhisanswertoprayer.Aswemeetforprayertoday,let’skeepourheartsopentohearwhattheHolySpiritmightbesayingtoourteamthroughJesus’words.

Again in Jesus’ Parable of the Unjust Judge (Luke 18:1-8) we learn moreaboutpersistence,andinthiscaseHeteachesusaboutpersistenceinthefaceofinjustice. It may take some prompting for our team to be able to think of ourprayer target in terms of injustice, but this is an important discussion for us tohave. Inwhatwaysisourprayertargetaresponsetosinandevil intheworld?Whyisitintolerablethatourprayershouldgounansweredandpeopleremaininthemidstofsuchwrong? Doesourprayertargetseekthedeliveranceofpeoplewho are being held in bondage to sin and to the devil, people forwhom Christdied?DoesourprayertargetseekthegloryofGodindarkplaceswhereHisnameisnownotpraised? InwhatwaydoesourprayertargetseekthegoodofyoungchildrenwhoaretheVIPsofGod’skingdom,butwhodonotyetknowHim?Astheteamdiscussestheseissues,let’sallowasenseofindignationandwrongtoburninour hearts to the point thatwe are able to pour out to God the injustice of thestatusquo,andwhyweneedtherighteousJudgetotakeaction.Jesus’promiseisthatHewillavengeHispeopleandHewon’tbeslowaboutit!

18. Irresistible:theprayerofahumblechild(Psalm131;Luke18:9-17)TodaywegetachancetohearourselvesprayingasGodhearsus.InLuke18Jesusletsusobservetwoprayersfromheaven’sperspective,sothatwecanimitatetheprayerthatpleasesGodandgetsHisanswerandavoidthekindofprayerthatgetsignored.This is a trulyunique trainingopportunity for us. Jesus is the onewhodailyreceivesourprayers,andinthisparableHeinvitesusintoheavensothatwecanexperiencewhatitislikeforHimtolistentous. Jesusbringsusbehindthescenestoeavesdropontwomenwhoarepraying.One man’s prayer is characterized by pride and self-appreciation and self-justification. He is soself-sufficient thathedoesn’t reallyevenask foranything.His speech is so self-centered, that Jesus says he was really just “praying withhimself,” justplay-acting. Hewasn’taskingforGod’sinvolvement,andhegotnomorethanheaskedfor;hewasjustwastinghisbreath. Then Jesus directs our attention to a sinful tax collector, a societal outcastand a traitor to his own people. He was not acting a part, in fact he seemedunawareofanyoneelse—hewastotallyconsumedwithstandinginthepresenceof a holy God. He was too ashamed to lift his head but was unconsciouslypoundinghimselfwithhisfistsandheconfessedhisfailuresandsins. Jesustellsusthatthismanwhowasnotaverypolishedspeakeranddidnotquotea lotofScripture but was entirely absorbed by God and humbled by his ownshortcomings, he was the one God delighted to receive. He got everything heaskedforandwenthomejustifiedbeforetheLord.

Everyoneonourteamhasanindividualstyle:someuseawidervocabularyandspiritualwords,andsomespeakquiteconversationally—allofususefavoritephrasesalmosteverytimewepray. Theobjecthere isnot tomakeanyoneself-conscious.Insteadwecanalllearntopraymorehonestly,tellingthetruthaboutourinabilityandourcompleterelianceuponGod.RightaftertellingtheParableoftheTwoPrayers, Jesus blessed the children, demonstrating theirVIP status andteachingusthatweallmustbecomelikechildreninordertoenterthekingdom.

Psalm131isbrief, justthreeversesthatemphasizechildlikefaithwhenwecomebeforeGod. In the first versewe turn away from the attitude of the self-absorbedPharisee;weacknowledgetoGodthatwearenotabletounderstandallof the cosmic forcesarrayedaroundusandourownrelative importance. In thesecondversewetakeadeepbreathandcalmourselvesinthepresenceofGodourFather, likeatwo-year-oldcalmsdowninhismother’sarmsafterastormyfitofragingwhenhedoesn’t get hisway. Okay, now thatwehave calmeddown,weremindeachother tohope in theLord. That’s a child-likeprayer Jesus loves tohear.

As we pray our team requests today, let us first consciously and openlyconfesstoGodourinabilitytobringaboutthechangeswemostdesiretosee.Usethe threestepsofPsalm131 tobreatheout,breathe in,andsettleourhopeandconfidencewhere it belongs, entirely in the Lord Jesus. Wewill still bring ourprayersbeforeGod,andwewillstillusetheprayerstylewehavegrownupwith,butourattitudewillbelikelittlechildren.Wecanvisualizeourselvesinapuddleof tears becausewe can’tmanage by ourselves, and thenwe can see ourselvescarriedintheFather’sarmsandcalmingourselveswithfulltrustinHim.

19. Whataboutunansweredprayers?(Heb5:7-9;2Cor12:7-10;Phil1:29)Our emphasis in this seminar is the same as Jesus’ emphasis—Godwill give uswhat we ask for on Christ’s behalf. The Father and the Son give us everyencouragement to pray in faith, knowing that our requests are heard; but ourteammatescan’thelprecallingthattherewasonetimewhenJesusprayedinthegardenthatthecupwouldpassfromHim,andHisFathersaidno.WealsorecallthatPaul in2Cor12prayed forhealing fromsome illnessor afflictionandGodsaidno.Todayweneedtodealwiththespiritualfactsoflife.InsomerarecasestherewillbeaprayerrequestthatourFatherinheavendecidestodeny.Nowthatwehavebeenprayingtogetherforseveralmonths,wehaveseenalotofansweredprayers;but thereareprobablya fewprayers thatremainunansweredas faraswecantell.CouldtheseberequeststhatGodhasdecidedtodeny? Thethreepassagesintoday’sreadingshouldhelpustoseethatevenwhenourspecificprayersaredenied,theFatherisgivingussomethingbetter.Hebrews5saysnot that Jesus’ requestwasdeniedbut thatHisprayerwasheardandHewasgivengracetoenduresufferinganddeathsothatHecouldinheritthejoysetbeforeHim. He knew and prophesied on three separate occasions thatHewasgoing to die on the cross, but He still poured out His heart to God, asking theimpossible(thatHecouldbesparedthecrossandwecouldstillbesaved).InsteadofprovidingJesusawayout,HisFatherprovidedHimawaythroughthesuffering.

Paul certainly felt he got a better deal because of the increased grace andpower thatwere given to help him through the suffering. Paul experienced anintimateconversationwithGodinwhichGodgavehimHisowndivinepower,butit could only be given to Paul on the condition that he remain in his physicalweakness andpain (2 Corinthian12:9). Paul said that once he understood thiscondition,hewasverygladtoacceptandownhispersonalweaknesses.

Philippians 1:29 teaches us that the thingswe suffer for Jesus are a greatprivilege.ManypeoplebelieveinJesusandreceiveHisgrace—whowouldn’twantthe great blessing of forgiveness and new life? Moreover, every human beingsuffers hardship, illness, weakness and death. But only the privileged few arepermitted to suffer in fellowshipwith Jesus and to suffer forHis sake. Perhapssomeofourprayerrequeststhatseemtobedelayedarereallyopportunitiestobestrengthened to go through suffering on the behalf of Christ. Perhaps Jesus isinvitingusintoadeeperfellowshipwithHimthatistrulyatremendousprivilege.

Ourgoal today is toallowtheHolySpirit topurify themotives inourteamprayerrequest.Ifweareinanywaydesiringourownconvenienceorcomfort,letusagreetogetherthatwearewillingtoenduresufferingforJesus’sake,ifonlyHewillglorifyHimselfthroughusbyansweringourprayer.Sure,wecanaskGodforsmoothsailingandrelieffromafflictionifthatisourdesire,butaswematureinChristwewill begin to follow the example of Jesus and of Paul to submit thosedesirestoGod,beggingHimtoanswerourprayerforHisglory.

20. Spiritualequipmentforwarfareprayer(Neh4:10-20;Eph6:10-20)During the next threeweekswewill be preparing for and engaging in spiritualwarfare.Thismeansthatwewillnotonlybeprayingforourteamprayerrequest,butwewill alsobe conscious that there are other spirit powers opposed to theprayers we are praying. We will not be doing anything weird, and we willcertainlynotbetalkingtothedemons,butwedoexpecttheHolySpirittogiveusanawarenessofthebattleweareengagedinonChrist’sbehalf.

Nehemiah gives us a practical example of how spiritual men and womenarmed themselves for ministry. Nehemiah 4:7-9 tells us that their adversariestriedtodiscouragethem,andfailingthattheywerereadytomakemilitaryattacksonthem. InNehemiah’scase, itwasobviousthataspiritualbattlewasgoingonbehind thewarlike actions of the enemies on the ground. Nehemiah’s solutionwastoprayandtosetawatch(4:9).Inoursituationthespiritualbattlemaynotbesoobvious,butwecanseethattheveryfactNehemiah’speoplewereawareoftheschemesoftheirenemyandarmedthemselvespreventedattacksanddefeats.Whilehalfofthemwereworkingontheproject,theotherhalfwerearmedandonguard(4:16). WeneedtoreadandapplythespiritualarmorpassageinEphesianswiththisprincipleinmind.Weshouldrealizethatifweareawareofourenemy’sschemesandifwehaveproperlyarmedourselves,hewillusuallybeafraidtoattack.Themost important thing in spiritual warfare is that we must arm ourselves withGod’s armor and stand our ground. Aswe put on the armor by prayerwe areputtingonChristJesus,Histruth,Hisrighteousness,Hisgospel. WealsowanttoremindourselvesofEph6:18-19,thatthereasonweputonthearmorissothatwecanprayandproclaimthegoodnews. Nobodyputsonarmor just tohaveafeelingofsecurity;soldiersandpolicemenputonarmorbecausetheyareabouttoperformadangerousservice. Iliketohavetheteamvisualizethesuitingupprocess,sothattheylearnhowto do this for themselves whenever they are about to enter upon a dangerousmission.WevisualizeputtingonChristJesusasabeltoftruth,becauseJesusistheTruth.We picture ourselves putting on Jesus as our righteousness, because HetookoursinsonHimselfinexchangeandHeputuponusHisrighteousnesslikeabreastplatetoprotectourhearts.Weputontheshoesofthegospel,reviewingthemost importantpointswewanttocommunicatetoall, “JesusChristdied foroursinsandarose.”WepicturethefaithofJesusasashieldthatweraiseagainstanyshotstheenemymight fireatus.Theteamcansaythisaloud,“Allmytrust is inJesus alone; I reject Satan and all his schemes.” We visualize strapping on thehelmet, because Jesus is savingour lives fromanyattackof thewickedoneandJesusisourHead. ThenwepickuptheswordoftheSpirit,whichisthewordofGod. There is no need to visualize this, we can all literally pick up a Bible orScriptureportionasaphysicalact.

OncetheteamissuitedupinthespiritualarmorthatGodhasprovided,let’sgetdowntothetaskofprayingourteamrequest,especiallytheaspectsthatcausethegospelofpeacetoadvance.Youmayalsofeelthisisagoodtimetotakeafieldtripandprayintheveryareaswhereyouareaskingfortheadvancestobemade.

21. Apeekbehindthescenesofwarfareprayer(Daniel10:10-14)Anongoingchallenge forwarfareprayer is thatweoftenmissseeing thedramainvolvedinourprayerministry,becausemuchofthestruggleandvictoryistakingplace invisibly in the spirit world. Daniel faced this same challenge and wasbeginning to be discouraged. He had been fasting for threeweeks, eating onlyenough food to sustain life,whileheprayed for thepromiseddeliveranceofhispeople.Tohimthethreeweeksfeltlikealongtimewithnoprogress(ifyouhaveever fastedmorethan24hoursyouwouldprobablyagreewithhim!),butwhentheangelcametohim,Danielfoundouttherestofthestory. SeeingtheangelhelpedDanieltorealizetherealityofthebattlesurroundinghis prayer target. Even though the angel was a holy angel sent to encourageDaniel, his size and his appearance were terrifying and even the prayer teammemberswhodidnotseetheangelwerefilledwithterror. Weshouldprobablybegladthattheangelsremaininvisibletousforthemostpart,butitmighthelpusto visualize our prayer room filled with mighty angels who have been sent toministeronourbehalf(Hebrews1:13-14).

Farfrombeingabandoned,DanielwasbelovedbyGodwhobegantoanswerhisprayerimmediately,sendingtheangeltohimontheveryfirstdayofhisfast.But the angel had to fight through enemy lines and even needed assistance tobreakthroughtoDaniel. Ifwehavebeenprayingtogetherforfiveorsixmonthsandstilldon’tseetheanswertoourprayertarget,itisprobablybecause“wearenot wrestling against flesh and blood but against principalities and againstpowers”(Eph6:12). WecannotknowhowcrucialourprayertargetisandwhatspiritualbattlesareinvolvedinGod’sansweringofourprayer,butwecanknowthat we are greatly loved like Daniel was and that the answer to our prayer isalreadyontheway.

Danieldidnotasktoseeanangel,buthedidaskforasignofencouragementthatGodwasintheprocessoffulfillingHispromise,andheaskedforstrengthtobe able to receive God’s answer (Daniel 10:19). You can lead your team infollowingDaniel’swarfareprayerpattern.Calltheteammemberstofastthrougha meal or longer if they are willing and able. Then when you gather for yourprayer time, confess to God that you aremourning because the answer to yourprayer seems to be a long time in coming. Then in a humble spirit (not in ademandingwayorrude)asktheLordforasignofencouragementtoshowthatHeisstillatworktobringtheanswertoyourprayer. Doestheactof fastingmakeyoufeelweak?AskHimtostrengthenyouintheinwardmantobeabletoreceivethesignofencouragementthatyouareaskingHimfor.

22. Strategictargetsinwarfareprayer(1Timothy2:1-8;2Corinthians10:4-5)Whenwe arepraying in situations of spiritualwarfare, how canweknowwhattargets we should aim at? Some people make it sound as though we humansshouldbeengagingthevariouslevelsofsupernaturalpowers,thingswecanknownothingabout.OnetimeIevenheardapreachertellpeopletheyneededtoprayfor a spiritual canopy tobebuilt over thebuildingwhere theyweremeeting sothatthedemonspiritswouldnotbeabletolisteninontheirplans.Idon’tknowwhetherthereissuchathingasaspiritualsoundproofcanopyandneitherdidthatpreacher;hewasjustmakingstuffup.

In contrast to these Christian spiritualists who make confident assertionsaboutthingstheyknownothingabout,Paulinstructsustoprayontargetformenandwomenwhoare inauthority,peoplewecanknowsomethingabout. Letusapplythesescripturalinstructionstoourteamprayerrequesttoday.Whathumanauthorityfiguresseemtobehinderingus?Whatpeopleinauthoritycouldhelpusif theywanted to? Let us pray for asmany of these people aswe can think of,recognizing that their authority is legitimate and that all of their power comesbecauseGodgaveittothem.LetuspraythattheywillfavorourinitiativesforthegloryofGod.Letuspraythattheythemselveswillbeabletohearthegospelandtorespondinfaith. Thisistruespiritualwarfarethatdoesnotbringdestructionbutbringspeopletofaithandopensdoorsforthegospel.

Paulalso says thatheuses themightyweaponsof spiritualwarfare topulldown demonic strongholds, including arguments or philosophies or high-sounding ideas that are being raised against God, and bringing every thoughtcaptive to theobedienceofChrist. Youcan leadyourprayer team intospiritualwarfarebysimply identifying thecultural liesand falsearguments thatourownsociety is raising up against God and opposing them by stating the truth ofScripture. Don’t allowyourprayer time to turn into a gripe session against theprevailingculturalcurrents,but insteadprayoutthewordofGodtoHimboldly.Aninstanceofthiskindofwarfareprayerin2015wouldbe:“Father,ourSupremeCourthasmadealawrecognizinghomosexualmarriage.Theseleadershavebeenblindedbyourenemytocraft this lieagainstyourgoodcreation. ByprayerweopposeandteardownthatfalseargumentandassertthetruththatYoufromthebeginningmadeustobemaleandfemale.WesayalongwithourLordJesus,thatwhatGodhasjoinedtogethernomancanseparate.” Thisisjustanexample,butI’msurethatthecultureinyourlocalareaalsoresiststheprogressofthegospel.

How is theworldly culture inyour local area raisinguparguments againstGod,andhowdothoseliesstandinthewayoftheteam’sprayerfocus?Todayisagreat opportunity for you to identify those false arguments and speak the truthbeforeGod inprayer. Rememberalso topray for yourhuman leadersbynameandtoseektheLordforHismercyintheirlivessothattheycancometofaithinHim. For those leaders who have a testimony of faith in Christ, it is alwaysappropriate to pray for their spiritual protection, that theymay respond to thechallengesbyfaithandnotshrinkback.

23. Conclusion:Prayingforyour“onething”(Psalm27:4;2Chron1:7-12)OurprayerrelationshipwithGodisthatofachildwiththeFather:wetalktoHimaboutwhateverishappeninginourlivesanddependonHimfordailyprovision.Butwealsoseeanexample throughout theBible: that thepeopleclosest toGodhave concentrated on askingHim for one particular thing.WhenGod’s childrenhaveaskedHimfortheironething,Godhasalwaysbeenwellpleasedtogiveittothem. David’sone thingwas tomakeahouseofworshipwherehecouldspendtimewithGod.EventhoughGodtoldhimthatthehousewouldbebuiltnotbyhimbut by his son Solomon, David felt that he had received the deeper promise ofdaily, intimate conversationwithHim—that confidence really comes through inhis Psalm 23. Solomon’s one thing was wisdom to rule (1 Kings 3:9), and Godmadehimwiserthanallofthekingsoftheancientworld.JacobwashungryforaFather’s blessing, hungry enough to wrestle all night with the Angel (Genesis32:24-26).Hannahjustwantedababy,andsodidSarah,andsodidRebecca,andsodidRachel,andsodidElisabeth.Theseholywomenoffaithreceivedtheabilityto conceive evenwhen they had tried everything else and all human hopewasgone.Theyprayed,“PleaseLord,justonething!”

The“one thing”prayer isso important inGod’skingdomthatevenHisSonwas told to ask for it: “Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Yourinheritance,andtheendsof theearthforYourpossession”(Ps2:8). JustasGodtoldSolomonin1Kings3:5,andjustasHisprophetsaskedonHisbehalf(2Kings2:9),soGodissayingtousandtoourprayerteams,“AskMe,whatshallIdoforyou?” This is thequestion thatsetsapart themenandwomenof faith fromthefaintheartedboys.WhatisyouronethingthatyoucanboldlyaskfromGod?

The heroes of the faith are those who asked for the impossible. BlindBartimaeus boldly asked Jesus to make him see again (Mark 10:51). HezekiahaskedfortheprophecyofIsaiahtobeoverturnedandthechangelesswordofGodtobechanged(Isaiah38:1-8).Elishaasked for twiceasmuchspiritualpowerasElijah(thegreatestprophetoftheOT)haddemonstrated(2Kings2:9-11).Theseareaudaciousprayers,outrageousprayers,butwhatwenoticeabout thosewhoaskedGodfortheironethingisthattheyallgotwhattheyaskedfor,eventhosewhoaskedfortheimpossible.

Theonlypeoplewhomwehavestudied in thisseminarwhoasked ingoodfaithfortheironethingandweredeniedarethedisciplesJamesandJohninMark10:35-40. Remember how they asked for the best seats in Jesus’ gloriouskingdom,sittingonHisrightandleft?WhattheydidnotknowisthatJesus’glorywould be shown in the cross and that the places on His right and left werereserved for twocriminalswhowouldbecrucifiedwithHim. Butevenas Jesusgently re-directed theirboldprayer,Healsopurposed togive themall that theyasked.Justafewweekslater,Jesusansweredtheirprayerbypromisingthemthattheywould“eatanddrinkatMytableinMykingdomandsitonthronesjudgingthetwelvetribesofIsrael”(Luke22:30).WeseethatallwhoaskGodfortheironething,receivetheirrequest.

As we close the prayer seminar, what will we say to Jesus’ penetratingquestion, “What do youwantme to do for you?” Today let each person on theteamaskhisonethinginthesureconfidencethatwecannotbedenied.