1 Timothy 2:1, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.”
Prayer has preceded every great move of God in history and in modern times. From the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to the modern day revivals sweeping across the nations of China, South Korea, and Africa- all have their roots in prayer. Prayer is a two-way communication with God. First, it starts with us making our requests known to God. And second, prayer is God responding through His guidance, presence, and supernatural power.
All proven evangelists and soul winners have attributed their great success to the power of prayer. Great soul winners in the past such as John Wesley, Charles Finney, D.L. Moody, and Lester Sumrall never did anything without first praying and seeking God for His leading and power. John Wesley, the great Methodist evangelist and preacher once said, “With all sorts of prayer- public, private, mental, vocal. Do not be diligent in one kind of prayer and negligent in others… let us use all.”
Modern evangelists like Carlos Annacondia, Steve Hill, and Reinhard Bonke not only depend upon prayer for power, but they believe that the prayer of intercession made before their crusades is the only way to clear the path for the Lord to come into people’s hearts in power.
Carlos Annacondia, the radical evangelist and spark of the ten year Argentina revival, referred to spiritual warfare in two parts- first, intercessory prayer was like the aerial assault that defeated the enemy’s power and second, preaching is like the infantry that takes the land and enforces the battle won in prayer!
Therefore, I suggest that before and after every outreach you should pray with your team. And that prayer should be a daily part of your life preparing the way for those around you to hear the gospel message unhindered by the powers of the Devil. Paul said, “First of all… petitions, prayers, and intercession with thanksgiving be made for all people.” May prayer always be our “first priority” in preaching the gospel!
Reflection
Do you have a regular time to pray and intercede for people to be saved?
Action
- Repent if your prayer life is not where God wants it to be.
- Make time daily to pray for the lost to be saved.
- Live a life of prayer and dependence upon the Holy Spirit.
