Praying Men

Thursday 21 September
READ: Mk. 1:32-35 
MORE LESSON:  II Kgs. 6:1-18

Today, our focus is on the records of praying men who were human as we are, yet they prayed through and left results that have lasted for generations. Their stories will kindle in us the interest in prayer. These men caught the fire when they asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. May your heart be stirred to pray, in Jesus’ name.

David Brainerd prayed in such agony of soul that his body became abnormal. He prayed and preached regularly to his native audience and although a drunken native interpreter, by prayer he led thousands to Christ. John Knox prayed until he became a terror to the Queen of England who said, “I fear the prayer of John Knox more than the whole army of Scotland!”  His constant cry was, “Lord, give me Scotland or I die”. God responded with a sweeping revival all over Scotland.

George Frox prayed until men were often afraid to look at his face as he came out of his prayer chamber. Charles Finney, after spending a day in prayer and fasting, preached at night to a phenomenally non-committed congregation. Great power came down, slaying all the congregation but one. They cried, repenting until the preacher stopped.

John Vassar was a man so successful that his pastor said about him, “He earnestly prayed day and night; he prayed for everything, and almost everybody he met. He prayed when he went out and when he came in. He prayed before every religious service and then prayed all the way through it…” Charles Sporgeon said that the secret of his power was ‘knee work! knee work!’ James Duncan said the secret is thirteen hours of consecrated prayers.

If Jesus Himself did not do less, who then shall we resemble with prayerlessness? And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose up from prayer, and  was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow: Lk.  22:44-45.

What a contrast! Praying man and sleeping men! Praying men prevail but playing men lose. Pray, don't play!

Prayer/Action
*  Ask the Holy Spirit to stir your heart to pray with great results.
*  Ask God to also give you a testimony in the place of prayer as the men of old.
* Pray that God empower you to stand in the gab in prayer for action.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Farewell to downward trend, I'm going higher this month, in the mighty name of Jesus.