EXTRAORDINARY PRAYER
12 Day Devotions: Day 2 | 4 May 2021 | Kirsten Jack
We know we want revival. And we are told it starts with us. One small spark can get a fire going. And what if you or I were that spark?
How do we ignite that spark? Does prayer help? What about prayers straight from the Scriptures?
At United Prayer we want to pray. Not lame, rote prayers, where we babble like pagans who think they will be heard because of their many words. But extraordinary prayers – with faith, from the heart – that pierce through the heavenlies and erupt in heaven. Prayers that the Father hears and responds to.
I know a guy who prayed prayers like that. I’ve read them. And they cut me deep every time I read them. The guy is an absolute hero. I can’t help pray the prayers myself whenever I read them. These are prayers that can spark personal revival.
Do you want to hear one?
By the way, the guy’s name is Paul. And the prayer is actually in the Bible. Here it is:
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:17-19)
Wow. Now that’s a prayer! It’s way beyond praying for good health, or financial provision or for having a good day. Or even beyond praying for righteousness in our nation. This is prayer – that when prayed in faith – the results can be transformational. We are talking personal revival. And don’t forget about what happens to that small spark.
I’ll leave you to meditate on the richness of the words. I can’t do it justice. But I will highlight some things that jump out at me…
1. Paul keeps asking. He is Mr Persistent. He WANTS this. He WANTS it bad. Do we want it?
2. OK, so the Spirit of wisdom and revelation sounds impressive. But what’s it for? It’s so we would KNOW him better. And this same Paul expresses his deep yearning for this elsewhere… “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing GREATNESS of KNOWING Christ Jesus my Lord… I want to KNOW Christ”. (Philippians 3:8,10). Talk about passion. What can we say in response except ‘YES God. I want to know you. So yes, give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. I want to know you better.’ Is there a limit? Nope! So we can keep on asking.
3. That bit about ‘enlighten my eyes’. That gets me every time. How can we see everything and know everything? We can’t. We need God to open our eyes, so we can know the depth of what he has in store for us. And will not that knowledge revolutionise our hope, our passion, our direction? Will it not ignite that fire? So here’s to praying Paul’s prayer. Let’s bring it on!
So bring on prayer and bring on revival! Our eyes are on you God!