Art of War, The--Part 4--Letter Links: Prayer

October 27, 2005

Table of Contents

FD/MM/FM October 2005

PRAYER

* "Desperate Prayer," ML #384, DB1

1. (Dad:) WHEN DO YOU REALLY PRAY?—I mean when you really pour out your heart to the Lord and speak in tongues! There should be some time when you really get "in the Spirit". When do you really get in the Spirit? When do you really pour out your heart to the Lord‚ when do you really get through in the Spirit?

2. When I really get in the Spirit I usually get pretty deeply moved and I weep and I pray and I speak in tongues and I feel like I really have a connection, really in the Spirit. It's good for your spiritual condition to know that you have really poured out your heart to the Lord with a whole soul, with all your heart.

3. You ought to really get down to business with God! There must be times when you really cry out to the Lord and seek the Lord and really pray in the Spirit with strong crying and tongues and tears and really call upon the Lord with a whole heart!

4. DOES THE LORD HAVE TO ALLOW SOME TROUBLE TO HAPPEN IN ORDER TO GET YOU TO REALLY PRAY?—The Lord wants us to be happy, and we usually are. But there should be times when you are not satisfied with just the usual run of things‚ when you really really seek the Lord for a needed change and really pray, pouring out your heart to the Lord. When do you do that? What's the last time you did that? What was it about? How long's it been since you prayed like that?—Do you ever pray like that?

5. When do YOU get really concerned and really pray?—Really concerned about your children, about your friends and contacts, and you really pray in the Spirit? The Lord says, "No man moveth himself to call upon Me." (Is.64:7) If you're not really moved when you pray, I wonder sometimes how far it gets.

6. He says‚ "In the day that you call upon Me with a WHOLE heart, I will answer thee." (Jer.29:13) Our little prayers are sincere and we mean them, but we also need to really get desperate in prayer about a serious situation or anything that needs it.

7. This revolution was BORN in PRAYER, crying out to God, weeping in tongues and prophecy. And there's no reason why you can't be having such fellowship yourselves in the Spirit and with the Lord, and getting things from the Lord yourselves.—You should and you'd better!—Or God may have to let something happen that will make you get desperate and really pray!

* "The Operator," ML #700‚ DB1

1. (Dad:) DID YOU HEAR WHAT I GOT ABOUT PRAYERS? They just flow out of your mouth and they go out and find anybody that you want to pray for‚ wherever they are.

2. IT'S THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD, and nothing can limit the power of the Spirit of God. It's the Elixir of Heaven! It doesn't matter what you pray for, it just is absolutely marvelous! Every one of you has power!

3. And when you even think about them, that thought that you think about them, that you love them and you're sorry for them‚ God by His Holy Spirit puts the thought in your mind.

4. IT'S JUST LIKE A TELEPHONE CALL. You're almost like the exchange. And God sends the main call from His Spirit to your mind. And then you have to make the connection to send it on to the party that needs to receive it. But if you just think about them and you just cut it off, it's just like you're turning the phone off on God!

5. It's like when He's trying to make a phone call and He gives you the number and you put it through. He tells the operator—you're the operator. God is the one that's calling, and He tries to put it through you because He wants to show you what love really is.

6. LOVE IS MAKING A CONNECTION like that from God to somebody who needs your love. You are the connection between God and that person, in love.

8. When God makes the call and He plugs it into your mind, then you think about that person. But then you have to plug it in and send it on its way to that person. And of course, also, on the other end of the line‚ when the phone rings, they have to pick it up and they have to listen and receive the call.

9. YOU CAN'T MAKE THEM RECEIVE IT, you can't make them pick up the phone, you can't do it. They have to pick up the phone. But if you fail, as the operator, you fail to flick the switch or plug in the phone call to them, then they'll never have a chance to get the call.

10. When you pray for them and you call them and try to send them the message, it's on it's way. If you have done your part and your as an operator have made the connection and you have plugged it in to their line, then it's right there‚ it's right there.

11. AND IF THEY WANT TO RECEIVE IT, THEY CAN RECEIVE IT. when you pray for them‚ you have sent the message on to them and you're ringing their bell.

12. BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING about the whole process (weeps) as far as we're concerned‚ is that we are the operators, we are the link between God and them, and if we fail to pass the call on, if we fail to plug it in or we don't flip the switch they will never get the message.

13. There's so much dependent on us, so much dependent on your prayers, because although God can do anything, He has committed Himself just to work through you. And your prayers can do mighty things and change the course of history!

14. SO PLEASE PRAY! You're the Operator. It's your responsibility to pass on the message. Please don't fail!—Or someone will miss God's important call. Be a faithful Operator—pray!—Amen?

* "Heavenly Communication," ML #1957:1,22-26,30-55, DB8

1. (Dad:) TO CRY TO THE LORD IN PRAYER IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD COME NATURALLY TO EVERY TRULY BORN-AGAIN CHILD OF GOD! God expects each of His children, those who really know Him, to touch Him personally and make direct contact with Him, not just through somebody else's prayers or faith. Therefore each of us must learn to individually make personal‚ intimate contact with the Lord through prayer‚ the Heavenly link, the divine telephone between us and Heaven.

22. ALTHOUGH WE SHOULD SPEND SOME QUIET TIME WITH THE LORD EVERY DAY—time in prayer and reading His Word—Jesus also told us that we should always pray, that we should continually pray all the time‚ all day long, that in everything we do we ought to be "looking unto Jesus." (Heb.12:2)

23. "MEN OUGHT ALWAYS TO PRAY and NOT TO FAINT!" (Luke 18:1) He also says, "Pray without ceasing!" (1Th.5:17) and "Watch and pray!" (Mat.26:41) He knows that we need to and it's one way the Lord has of keeping us close to Him and in His presence continually, constantly dependent upon Him and His protection.

24. PRAYER IS SOMETHING YOU SHOULD BE DOING ALL THE TIME, NO MATTER WHAT ELSE YOU'RE DOING! You can't wait until you're through doing this or that, and then pray. It's like thinking on your feet!—Or like breathing!—Just breathing the Holy Spirit all the time, being in constant communication with the Lord.

25. HE SAYS, "TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL THINE HEART and LEAN NOT TO THINE OWN UNDERSTANDING. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths!" (Pro.3:5,6)—One of the most wonderful verses in the Bible to really hang on to‚ especially when making decisions. We don't have to know all the answers‚ we don't have to lean on our own ideas or wisdom, we just have to lean on the Lord and His leadings!

26. THE LORD CAN SAVE YOU A LOT OF WORK, A LOT OF TROUBLE and A LOT OF TIME IF YOU'LL JUST REMEMBER TO PRAY FIRST before you start a job! Whatever it is that you have to do, pray about it! The Lord is always right there with you.—He says, "I'll never leave thee nor forsake thee." (Heb.13:5) He's always there! So it's never God Who's not there, it's we who are sometimes not always there, when we run off someplace else and leave Him behind when we forget to pray.

30. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN OUR LIVES IS JESUS and TO STAY CLOSE TO HIM, to let Him lead and guide us. He's the One Who has got to lead us because only He can! Without Him we don't know where we are going or how to get there or anything! But He knows exactly where and how, and all we have to do is just sit in the back seat and let Him drive! He knows where to go and the best way to get there!

31. HE'S PROMISED THAT IF YOU ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATHS! He says, "You shall hear a voice behind you saying‚ This is the way, walk ye in it!" (Isa.30:21) So ask the Lord about everything before you do it.—Make sure it's what He wants you to do. Seek Him about everything—every problem, every decision—and He will never fail you or let you down!

DESPERATE PRAYER POWER!

32. THE LORD WANTS US TO BE HAPPY, and THANKS TO HIM, WE USUALLY ARE. But there should be times when you really seek the Lord for a needed change and really pray desperately‚ pouring out your heart to the Lord. He says‚ "Ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart!" (Jer.29:13) Of course all our little prayers are sincere and we mean them, but we also need to really get desperate in prayer about any serious situations that arise. There are times when each of us really needs to get down to business with the Lord about problems, and to see who God is dealing with and why!

33. BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE SORT OF A LAZY ATTITUDE and seem to think that the Lord will just do it all no matter what.—But the truth of the matter is, a lot depends on us! Many times what God does depends on your will and your actions and what you want and how you pray! You're not supposed to just stand there and let God and the Devil fight it out!

34. THE BIBLE SAYS THAT ONE TIME BAD THINGS WERE HAPPENING TO ISRAEL BECAUSE "NO MAN STIRRETH HIMSELF TO CALL UPON THE LORD!" (Isa.64:7) So the Lord really does leave a lot up to us: If we stir ourselves, then God will stir Himself. An awful lot depends on us, our faith and our prayers and what we want done.

35. ALTHOUGH GOD CAN DO ANYTHING, HE HAS COMMITTED HIMSELF TO WORK THROUGH YOU‚ and your prayers can do mighty things! He turns the wheels of His omnipotence on little tiny keys like our faith and our prayers! Often He's just waiting on us to command the situation. God even says, "Command ye Me!" (Isa.45:11) He's given such faith and power to man that you can even command God to do what you want Him to do!

36. YOU CAN EVEN CHANGE GOD'S MIND THROUGH PRAYER! Once when the Lord was determined to destroy the children of Israel, Moses prayed so hard that God's Word says it repented the Lord of what He was going to do to them. Because of Moses' prayers, God was so sorry for them that He changed His mind. (Num.14:11-20) Of course God's overall plan has never changed, His overall Will has never changed‚ but in certain details you can change His mind!—Otherwise, if prayer can't change anything, you might as well forget it!

37. YOU'RE IN GOD'S HANDS, BUT IN A WAY HE'S ALSO IN YOUR HANDS, at your command like the Genie of Aladdin's Lamp—"At your command!" If you're in His Spirit‚ in His Will, desiring only those things which glorify Him, delighting your heart only in Him, you can command Him to do whatever you want, because all you want is what He wants and what is for His glory.

38. I'VE NEVER REALLY PUT MYSELF OUT ON A LIMB and DEMANDED GOD TO DO A CERTAIN THING, BUT THAT HE DID SOMETHING. It wasn't always the thing that I necessarily was demanding—usually it was—but He did something!—He showed me the answer or answered somehow. When you cry unto Him with a whole heart, He promises, "I will answer thee!" (Jer.33:3)

39. SO NEXT TIME YOU REALLY NEED HIS HELP and ARE ON THE SPOT, TURN AROUND and PUT GOD ON THE SPOT! Call on the Lord and through Him you can have power over everything! Jesus never fails!—He always answers when we stir ourselves to call upon Him with a whole heart.

MORE PRAYER PRINCIPLES!

40. FOR A GOOD PRAYER LIFE‚ ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW IS GOD'S WORD. Faith grows by faithful study of His Word.—"Faith cometh by hearing the Word of God." (Rom.10:17) So even though God can answer anyway, if you're going to have real desperate prayer, you'll find that if you have a devotional, inspirational reading of the Word first, it will inspire you and give you more faith for your prayers.

41. GOD HAS MADE PROMISES IN HIS WORD, and when you pray you should bring those promises with you to remind Him. When you remind God of His Word‚ it shows you have faith in it.—And it's a positive declaration of your faith and your knowledge of the Word which pleases Him. But "without faith it is impossible to please Him!" (Heb.11:6)

42. "WHEREBY ARE GIVEN UNTO US EXCEEDING GREAT and PRECIOUS PROMISES: THAT BY THESE (HIS PROMISES) YE MIGHT BE PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE." (2Pe.1:4) You have to quote the terms of the Contract (the Bible) to the Contract Maker (God), and hold Him to it! He is bound by His Word! So remind Him of it, cling to His promises, memorize and quote them, and never doubt for a moment that God is going to answer—and He will!

43. BUT ALWAYS REMEMBER HIS CONDITIONS, HIS TERMS OF THE CONTRACT: FAITH and OBEDIENCE! Faith and obedience come first, then God answers prayer! If we are obeying the Lord and are faithful and trusting and believing, then God's got to bless and answer. Of course sometimes God likes to test our faith!—He likes to see how much we really believe, and often He will not give us answers until we obey what He's already told us or shown us.

44. IT'S HELPFUL TO REMEMBER THAT GOD'S DELAYS ARE NOT NECESSARILY DENIALS, and that sometimes we just have to have faith and wait for Him to answer, which usually results in "the trying of our faith, which worketh patience." (Jam.1:3) Learning patience seems to be one of God's most frequent lessons, yet one of our own rarest virtues, as it really tests our faith and drives us to the Lord and His Word.

45. ANOTHER IMPORTANT PRAYER PRINCIPLE IS TO BE SPECIFIC WITH THE LORD!—We really need to ask for and expect specific answers when we pray! Being specific is a sign of your faith. A lot of times people pray generally because they don't expect to be answered anyhow! Whereas if you are specific when you pray, you're showing your faith that you expect to get that specific answer!—And you don't expect to be disappointed! You really expect it or you wouldn't be so specific!

46. AND REMEMBER, GOD TAKES YOU EXACTLY AT YOUR WORD! I remember a preacher I knew once who said, "Lord, give me a car, I need a car, I'm desperate for a car, Lord—any old car!"—And that's exactly what he got, a real junker! He said, "Next time I prayed specifically for a good car and got it!" So be careful what you ask the Lord to do because He'll take you literally! He'll give you what you ask for, and certainly what you have the faith for!

47. AND WATCH OUT ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU INSIST ON THE LORD GIVING YOU: He sometimes even lets people have things that aren't good for them to teach them a lesson. He said of the children of Israel that "He gave them the desires of their heart, but sent leanness to their souls." (Psa.106:15) Watch out that what you're seeking is for His glory and within His will.

48. IF YOU'VE READ OUR LESSON ON GOD'S PRECIOUS HOLY SPIRIT, "THE SPIRIT OF LOVE," then you know what a powerful effect the Holy Spirit can have on your prayer life, as once you are filled with the Spirit, you can pray in the Spirit and your prayers have more effect because you're praying by the Spirit. "Likewise the Spirit helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." (Rom.8:26)—You can speak in tongues‚ just letting the Spirit pray through you!

49. THEN ONCE YOU'VE PRAYED ABOUT SOMETHING and COMMITTED IT TO THE LORD, you just need to have faith. "Whatsoever things ye desire when ye pray‚ believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them!" (Mark 11:24) Faith is not surprised at the answer to prayer, faith believes it! But the word "believe" as it's used today is hardly strong enough.—Faith expects it to happen. So once you've prayed about something and committed it to the Lord, from then on it's God's problem.—You don't need to worry about it!—Just trust the Lord and praise Him and thank Him for hearing and answering your prayer!—Even if you don't see the answer right away!

50. IN FACT, YOU SHOULD NOT ONLY END YOUR PRAYERS WITH PRAISE and THANKSGIVING, BUT YOU SHOULD BEGIN YOUR REQUESTS THAT WAY ALSO! His Word says that "in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God." (Phil.4:6) King David said that we should "enter into His gates with thanksgiving‚ and into His courts with praise." (Psa.100:4)—It's like coming before the King and salaaming, giving Him due reverence and honor.

51. EVEN IF YOU'RE TIRED OR DISCOURAGED OR DON'T FEEL LIKE PRAISING HIM, YOU SHOULD GO AHEAD and PRAISE HIM ANYWAY, simply because He said to and you know that it pleases Him! It's a little bit like priming an old pump.—You pour a little in, but you get a lot out! When you go ahead by faith, praising the Lord, priming the pump and getting started, pretty soon you'll feel happy in the Lord and really glad you praised Him because He'll pour out His Spirit on you and He'll bless you for it!

52. SO EVEN WHEN YOU FEEL A LITTLE DOWN IN THE DUMPS OR DISCOURAGED, LOOK UP and COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS! Thank God for all your blessings and get your eyes on the Lord and on the good things! (See Phil.4:8) PTL! Start your prayers by lifting your heart unto Him in praise! "By Him therefore let us offer unto God the sacrifice of praise continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His Name!" (Heb.13:15)

53. ALSO REMEMBER: "ONE CAN CHASE A THOUSAND, BUT TWO CAN PUT TEN THOUSAND TO FLIGHT" (Deut.32:30), and it helps greatly to have someone else pray with you sometimes, especially during times of trial. "Where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them." (Mat.18:20) And, "If any two of you shall agree on Earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in Heaven." (Mat.18:19)

54. THERE IS GREAT POWER IN UNITED PRAYER TOGETHER! So never be ashamed to ask for help or prayer from someone else when you need it. "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed." (Jam.5:16)

55. ONE LAST, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, FINAL REMINDER IS ABOUT PRAYING IN THE NAME OF JESUS: All through the New Testament the Lord tells us how important it is to pray in the Name of Jesus‚ to ask things in the Name of Jesus, to use the Name of Jesus and its power in prayer. Jesus is the One we have to approach God through. "For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (1Tim.2:5) People need to realize the power of the Name of Jesus!—For without that Name, there is no power! Jesus said, "If ye shall ask any thing in My Name‚ I will do it!" (John 14:14) PTL!

* "We Must Pray!—And Pray!—And Pray Again," ML #2783:3-6,8-9,12-13‚15, DB11

3. (Mama:) All Hell is arrayed against the children of God—God's Family worldwide. All the mighty power of the System is being brought down upon those few who would dare to speak or act against it with the truth of God's Word. It's funny how they think they can so easily snuff us out, because of course they see things so carnally in the flesh, and their eyes are blinded so they can't see our mighty God and all His great hosts of Heaven who stand ready to protect and defend us! So no matter how great the fury of our enemies, nor how proud their boastings, nor how clever their machinations, nor how violent and widespread their opposition, their threats and boasts hold no danger for us. They're lying vanities, for we have God's promise, "If God be for us, who can be against us!"

4. We have all these wonderful promises that the Lord has given to reassure us that "I, the Lord thy God‚ am a mighty God, I will come and save thee," and "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay." "Fear thou not, for I am with thee, be not dismayed for I am thy God." He's promised to give us the victory, take vengeance on our enemies‚ save our children, make us a witness to the world, and show His mighty power. What more could we want than that?

5. He's told us the battle is His and to stand back and see Him fight. Does that mean we can now just go our merry way and forget all about our enemies? Well, not exactly. The Lord always has a job for us to do, and we work in partnership with Him.

6. After I heard some beautiful‚ beautiful prophecies and verses and visions that our staff here received, I said, "Well, Lord, it looks like You've got everything under control, and there's not much we could do even if we wanted to. The battle is so intense and so heavy, and it's such a desperate situation that it's obvious that we couldn't do anything to save ourselves even if we wanted to. It would be ridiculous to even try. But is there anything that You do want us to do‚ any way we can help those who are in the midst of these battles?" And the Lord said, "The main thing I want you to do is to remind My people to pray."

8. Just because something is the Lord's will for you does not automatically mean that everything is going to go your way. Why are we told repeatedly to pray, if everything is all settled and everything is going to automatically be fine? What are we doing spending all of this time praying desperately if it's automatically all okay? We would just be wasting our time if that was the case. He says, "Ye have not because ye ask not." What a sad thing to realize that sometimes the Lord can't give protection, supply, healing or souls because we have failed to pray. As Dad said: "God said to Israel one time that bad things were happening because, `No man stirreth himself to call upon Me'! (Isa.64:7). So the Lord really does leave a lot up to us: If we stir ourselves‚ then God will stir Himself. An awful lot depends on us, our faith and our prayers and what we want done." (ML #1957:34; See also Good Thots, pg.637, #243.)

9. Doing what you know is God's will does not bring with it automatic protection and provision. For example, you know that it is the Lord's will for you to get out there and witness and win souls, don't you? Of course! The Bible says it, the Letters say it, the conviction of the Holy Spirit tells you so, your leaders say it, it's an established fact‚ confirmed by many witnesses. Yet, if you go out there to do the Lord's will in the arm of the flesh, not depending on the Lord or crying out to Him in desperation for the help of His Spirit‚ you can each testify that you are not automatically assured success.

12. So we have to remember that those two things have to go together: We can be doing His will, but we still have to desperately pray for His protection while we're doing it. So we must desperately pray!

13. The Lord can fulfill His promises only if we do our part. All these beautiful promises the Lord has given have one condition‚ that His people far and wide in all parts of the world pray. But He knows you're going to pray, He knows you're going to obey, therefore He was able to tell us the glorious outcome through prophecies. What a wonderful thing to know the outcome and not have to worry or fear!—But we must do our part!

15. In prophecy, the Lord has said what He will do if we are faithful to do our part. What an important responsibility the Lord has given us! He's trying to emphasize to us how important prayer is and what priority we should give it.

* "Thought Power," ML #3155:4-14,17-23‚27,29-32, Lifelines 24

4. (Jesus:) Turn every thought into a prayer. If you want to know how to pray more and how to get more things done, transform every thought into a prayer. Think of all the things you do throughout the day‚ all the things you think about, all the thoughts that run through your head! So many thoughts—sometimes running wild! Now ask yourself, where are your thoughts running?

5. Watch your thoughts. Consider all your thoughts. Size them up, take stock, analyze, weigh them up, and ask yourself, what are your thoughts accomplishing? Where are they going? Are they headed in the right direction or in the wrong direction? Are they finely tuned to My intricate circuitry? Or are they lost in space, trapped in the gulf of nonsense? Or hot-wired to the switchboard of static and confusion?

6. How do your thoughts fare? Are they accomplishing good? Or are they sitting idle, destined to end up in the wasteland of nothingness? Are you transforming your thoughts into power that will bring about changed lives and improved conditions for loved ones in their hour of need? Or are they engrossed in trifles, sitting fruitless and lifeless in a dead-end pool of self-interest?

7. If you want to do more in prayer, consider your thoughts. Thoughts are real things. They can bless or they can curse; they can help or they can hinder; they can provide comfort and peace, or they can emit emptiness; they can give protection and security, or they can lead the way to accident and misfortune—all according to how you turn them.

8. By turning your thoughts into prayer‚ you turn them into creative power. By allowing them to sit idle, you turn them into an empty, hollow shell, with no purpose, no worth, no profit. If you turn your thoughts into prayers, they will accomplish that which is good. If you turn them toward vanity, they will come to no avail.

9. Burden or blessing—to which do your thoughts attain? Are they helping to sustain a soul in need? Or are they silently turning a blind eye to the one who cries for help? Where are your thoughts running? Are they reaching out to answer a call? Or are they lingering, tinkering around in frivolous play‚ hanging out in empty hallways?

10. If you want to know how to accomplish more, how to meet the need in prayer, and how it is possible to continue on when the need is so great, how to answer the call of so many in need, I say to you, watch your thoughts. Take a look at your thoughts. Evaluate your thoughts. Organize your thoughts. Ask yourself, "What are my thoughts accomplishing?" Are you tapping into Heavenly thought power? Are you directing your thoughts to where they can do some good and really make a positive difference?

11. Thoughts are real things! Thoughts are powerful, for thoughts can be turned into prayers, and prayer is powerful! If you want to know how to pray more, consider your thought power! Take stock, My loves. Take care and watch your thoughts. Tap into Heaven's thought power!

12. I have equipped each of you with this great gift, therefore learn to use it. Learn to wield it. Learn to convert your thoughts into powerful prayer. Thought power turned into prayer will materialize into My blessings, My intervention, My protection, power and strength, My healing balm poured out on those for whom you care.

13. Thoughts turned into prayers will accomplish great feats, make the impossible possible, and change the course of history! On the other hand, thought power left running idle has little worth and will only float off to oblivion and fade away to rust and ruin. Thought power aimed in the wrong direction—that which runs wild on dangerous highways of negativity, doubt and besetting sin—will end in destruction.

14. Watch your thought power and take care, lest thoughts left unattended catch you unaware. For thoughts left idle can slip away into the gray mass of nowhere land, into the cracks and crevices of complacency, where they will rot and ruin and go to waste.

17. You ask how you can pray more‚ when you can pray more? Every time you think a thought, just turn it into a mighty prayer—all the time, anywhere, with anybody, even when you're all alone. When you're doing physical chores or routine duties, turn your thoughts into prayers throughout the day. Don't let them pass you by, and you will accomplish so much more. Capture your thoughts‚ beam them up‚ right on target, and see miracles come to pass before your very eyes!

18. Thoughts are always running through your head, but it's how you direct them that makes a difference. Catch each thought, bring it before Me on the spot, and I will lead you in how to direct it. Take care not to let those thoughts sit idle, lest they turn to daydreaming and vain illusion.

19. All day long, no matter what else you're doing, you're thinking thoughts, but it's how you direct them and filter them that can make a difference. What you decide to do with those thoughts and where you direct them is what counts. I tell you this to make your job easier. For as you learn to direct your thoughts in prayer, filtering them through the sieve of My Word‚ balancing them and directing them to Me, sending them on to where they can genuinely accomplish something, you will be able to fulfill this mission of prayer.

20. In the solitude of your thoughts you can turn them to prayers and change the course of history! Even in the busyness of your schedule, what you do with your thoughts can make a difference. Even in the course of your busy day, you can take the thoughts that come to you as a result of the input you see and receive all around you, and you can turn those thoughts into prayers. Therefore you should not just reserve this habit for your quiet times or prayer times, but you should try to get in the habit of capturing your thoughts and turning them into prayers at every opportunity. You should learn to discipline your mind and not let your thoughts wander, even during times when you're relaxing.

21. You can take the thoughts that come to you as a result of watching the news‚ watching a movie, listening to music, talking with others, or having get-out, and you can direct those thoughts to Me, turn them to Me in prayer. You should be vigilantly trying to capture your thoughts and make them work for you and others for good through prayer. All throughout the day as you are taking in the sights and sounds of all that goes on around you, in the midst of all this you can make choices as to how you want to direct and filter the thoughts that pop into your head.

22. If you let the sights and sounds around you trigger your thought patterns for the positive, turning them into prayers to Me, you'll be able to intercede for those in need. But if you let the sights and sounds around you grab your thoughts and lock them into thoughts of vanity, these have little worth, and you will have missed the opportunity to tap into Heavenly thought power turned to prayer.

23. Vain thoughts are thoughts of self. Vain thoughts are thoughts that are not filtered through Me. They're thoughts without a purpose, thoughts that are not directed. They have no goal. They're not based on true, lasting values. They're thoughts of nonsense. They're not brought before Me and measured with the yardstick of My Word. Vain thoughts puff up; they have no purpose, no rhyme, no reason‚ no destination to help another or to meet a need.

27. This method, this technique, this practice of turning every thought into a prayer will make your burdens lighter! For thoughts are always entering your head; they're constant. Therefore this art of turning every thought into a prayer will greatly enhance your prayer life and your prayer power. For as you pour out in this way‚ turning every thought into a prayer, I will pour into you great blessing and fill you with great satisfaction and great fulfillment.

29. There's great power in a thought‚ and I give to you, My children who know Me, a great key—that of turning every thought into a prayer, that of bringing every thought into the captivity of My Spirit. In this lies power‚ and I give this power to you so that in these Last Days you can accomplish great feats by directing your thoughts in prayer.

30. Be not as foolish children who do not appreciate the greatness of this power I make available to you, but instead choose to let their thoughts wander, or lie inactive, or waste away on empty vanities and that which will not last. But rather take hold, tap in to this great power that I put into your hands, and the great opportunity to turn every thought into a prayer.

31. I do this for your benefit. Don't think that to turn your thoughts into prayer is merely to keep them occupied, to fill up your time and corral your thoughts for lack of something better to do. For this fine art—practicing this Heavenly technique of turning every thought into prayer—is a great privilege, a great gift, a great power I make available to you—the privilege to tap into Heavenly thought power! Use it, and it will serve you well. It will make your life easier and bring about miracles on your behalf.

32. Thoughts are real things—they can be a burden or a blessing. Turn them into good by turning them into prayer. Which will you choose? (End of message.)

* "Goals for 1998," ML #3160:43-51‚ Lifelines 24

Goal Number 3

43. (Peter:) Through the years we've learned a lot about the power of prayer. Dad and Mama have both been excellent examples of looking to the Lord and praying desperately in intercessory prayer for the needs of others and the Family. We've published quite a bit of Word on how to make prayer more of a habit, and I believe that we as a Family have progressed in this area. We're certainly praying a lot more now than we were in years past.

44. It's become more our natural reaction to pray when we hear about people's battles, struggles or needs. We're more inclined to pray and seek the Lord's help, anointing, and guidance before each of our daily activities. We're becoming more accustomed to manifesting our weakness and utter dependence on the Lord by acknowledging Him in prayer many times throughout the day. You all have probably noticed a great improvement in our prayerfulness overall, and I'm sure that that, too, is another one of the reasons why the Lord has been able to bless us so greatly with supply, protection, and fruitfulness.

45. In recent months‚ the Lord challenged us to make further progress in our prayerfulness by learning to turn every thought into a prayer. (See "Thought Power!" ML #3155, GN 760.) What better way to have more of the spirit of prayer in our lives than to try to make a conscious effort to turn our thoughts into prayers?

46. Instead of just thinking about someone, why not pray for them right then and there in the moment you have the thought? When you think about your outreach teams and wonder how they're doing, why not pray for them? When you're thinking about your children, or concerned about their health, progress, scholastics or ongoing problems—instead of worrying‚ why not pray for them? When you wonder what's for dinner, why not let that thought trigger a desire to pray for the provisioners‚ the cooks, or the kitchen overseer?

47. When you see something that reminds you of one of your friends who's now on a distant mission field, why not turn that thought into a prayer for that person and the other missionaries in that country? When you think, "Oh, I really need to send so-and-so a letter or an e-mail message," why not immediately transform that thought into a prayer that you shoot up to the Lord on that person's behalf?

48. There are so many ways that we can turn our thoughts into prayers, and I'm sure that if we would do that‚ it would result in a lot more prayer power being generated. We would be able to greatly enlarge our habit of prayer. Instead of just praying at set times, like before our meals, before bed, before meetings, before outreach, before making phone calls, before driving, etc., all the times when you have a firmly established habit to pray, we'd be praying for a lot of things that seem like little things or little thoughts. These immediate prayers, though short, are still powerful; in fact, they might be even more powerful, because they would be more numerous!

49. The Lord said‚ "By turning your thoughts into prayer‚ you turn them into creative power. I've equipped each of you with this great gift, therefore learn to use it. Learn to wield it. Learn to convert your thoughts into powerful prayer. Thought power turned into prayer will materialize into My blessings, My intervention, My protection‚ power and strength, My healing balm poured out on those for whom you care" (ML #3155:8,12).

50. We can reach the four corners of the Earth through our prayers! We can touch people's lives through our prayers—all the people we love, our children, our mate, our friends, our contacts, the people we witness to, our parents or relatives, even world leaders and people we read about in the WND or newspapers, or see on the news. So why don't we all set as goal number three to cultivate more of a spirit of prayer by turning our thoughts into prayers. Let's all try to learn to be more prayerful by developing even more of a habit to be in constant communication with the Lord, through many immediate, short prayers.

51. You've all got a good start‚ because as I said, you've progressed greatly in your prayerfulness over the years. But any progress we make in being more prayerful will be multiplied many, many times over, and we'll certainly see the fruit of it in our lives and in the lives of others.

* "When You Pray, Things Happen," ML #3173:7-11,19-24‚29-32,44–51, GN 778

Dancing Angels of Kindness Sent Forth in Answer to Your Prayers!

7. (Jesus:) The fragrance of your prayers wafts up into My Heavenly chamber, filling it with the scent of roses! Your petitions come to Me in the form of rose petals, fragrant and sweet. I look upon your every request with delight and happiness, for to hear the words of your mouth and the desires of your heart brings Me satisfaction. I rejoice in seeing your dependence upon Me and upon My power, which is almighty. I delight in showing you My gracious, omnipotent hand, and in performing many mighty works for you.

8. I send forth dancing angels of kindness and helps, that they may minister to your loved ones and bring them peace, rest and encouragement. I give them the answers to your petitions and the fulfillment of your desires. They encircle your loved ones on every side and whisper words of love and tenderness. They wave their magic wands of gladness about them. They touch them with the sparkle of My Spirit—giving them an unearthly glow and aura, which people look upon with amazement and awe.

9. I give them grace and understanding, knowledge and wisdom. For these fairies are fairies of discernment and truth, and they carry in their hands the treasures of your time spent with Me. Your prayers translate into time spent with Me. And even those who are not able to spend great amounts of time with Me due to the press of the people about them, I send My fairies to deliver to them the benefits of your time spent with Me on their behalf. They can reap the rewards of your time in the bed of love with Me. For I have created these angels for such a time as this. They are sent to give healing and strength, and they flutter about as My doves of anointing.

10. Therefore beseech Me in prayer for all that you would give to these, your loved ones. I will send My fairies of goodness to them, to bring them these gifts, that they might have all that they need. I would give them vicarious strength and energy through the time which you have spent with Me‚ that they may in turn pour it out to others.

11. For you, My children, are as one body; that which one of you lacks, another may make up for. And in a case where one of your members has not time to feed sufficiently or draw from My Spirit as much as they would like, due to their responsibilities and the urgent press of those who await their ministering‚ I give them a portion of the strength, power, and spiritual stamina which you have acquired through the time that you have spent with Me in prayer and in the bed of love. This is a marvel of the spirit world, and a mystery of the way in which I translate your prayers. (End of message.)

Loosing Warrior Angels Through Prayer!

19. (Jesus: ) I see a great and powerful force field of protection. I see a tremendous band of angels standing vigil, awaiting their orders. I see the most advanced spiritual weaponry fitted and prepared. And now I await your prayers.

20. Each of the tools, the gifts, the provisions which I have for you is released at the touch of your prayers. Not one good thing will I withhold from these who walk uprightly, and from these whose hearts are fixed firmly in prayer for their loved ones. At the behest of these‚ My children, who intercede at My throne daily and continually for their king and his helpers, unto these will I grant the powerful weapons of My Spirit!

21. They will need these, a special and very elite commando team of angels, which I have prepared especially for this mission, to lead and guide and protect them. Therefore loose these that wish to go and render service to your king! Loose them with your prayers. I tell you now that your desperation of heart and spirit, your empathizing with these ones in prayer, will be the power that looses the angels to fight for you in the spirit‚ to fight for your king and his helpers.

22. These will surround your team and encamp about them on every side. These will enlighten the path before them, for they are My wise warriors, well skilled in matters of combat. Their swords are sharp, and they do glisten with spirit and anointing! Therefore loose them!

23. Would you not have them go and minister to your king? He is in need of a spiritual boost; therefore send these mighty warriors. They stand here before Me in My Kingdom, and they await loosing through the power of your prayers.

24. Their commission is clear, and they will perform that purpose unto which they are sent. They are steadfast and unmovable. They are more than a match for the Enemy of the land to which My King Peter travels, therefore send them now. For your king awaits his helpers, and his helpers await their mission! (End of message.)

Tap into the Resources!

29. (Jesus: ) Prayer—it's so easy to get familiar with that word and to take it for granted! You often forget the magic lamp you hold in your hand, which when rubbed in desperation and earnest supplication produces My Holy Spirit Genie that can go anywhere‚ materialize any needs, defeat any enemies, bestow any virtues—answer any request that you ask in faith!

30. Prayer for your loved ones is as a magic carpet that can whisk you away to their sides as they fight long and hard in battle. Prayer can place in your hand a magical sword so powerful that it makes the foe tremble and shake. Prayer can fit you out with impenetrable armor as you fight to extinguish the lies of the Enemy.

31. Prayer is what you make it. Prayer, through your faith, rises to the occasion. Prayer is a signal to Me that I am still your King. Full-of-faith prayer fills My heart with joy, as you bring before Me large petitions and thus honor Me.

32. If you're getting familiar with that word—prayer—then ask Me for a different label! Call it "tapping into the resources time." Or you can say, "Shall we take a trip to the Heavenly treasure house today?" My Spirit is so alive, ever-new and full of wonder, that there is no need to become stuck in a rut! Give this awesome tool a new handle and you may just find your perspective changing and being revived again. (End of message.)

Specific Prayers—Spiritual Smart Bombs

44. (Jesus:) The prayers of My children generate My power. They are not only as beautiful incense rising up to Me that pleases Me well, but they are also powerful! Each word that is spoken creates energy and strengthens the force field of good that surrounds My saints. The force field of protection is strengthened by each word, each breath in prayer. Prayer moves My hand and My heart to do the things that you ask.

45. I love prayer because it shows your weakness and your dependence on My strength. I love those that seek Me diligently, that cry out to Me for help, and so I pour My blessings upon them in full measure—for My strength is made perfect in your weakness. Truly the Enemy trembles when he hears the prayers of the saints, for it binds his hands so that he cannot do as he would. This is why the more specific your prayer is, the more it limits the Evil One, for there are no loopholes for him to get around or to get through.

46. General prayers are good and I answer those as well‚ but specific prayers are more effective. Specific prayers get specific results. In these dark days when the Enemy is marshaling his forces and his power on Earth is becoming stronger, how much more important prayer is and will be in the days to come—for it is the weapon of the spirit world. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal; you fight not physical enemies, but spiritual ones.

47. It's like the smart bombs that worldly armies use, and how much more effective they are than the bombs they used in World War II or even just a few years ago‚ when they dropped them randomly from the sky. Yes, they did damage, but the smart bombs are specifically targeted to destroy a certain target, and so the damage inflicted is of greater importance and does more harm to the enemy because it hits the exact spot which it was aimed at.

48. This is like your prayers. When you are specific and your prayer is targeted, it inflicts greater damage on the Enemy. For the destruction is accurate and specific, and the Enemy is no longer able to operate in that area; his power there has been destroyed. I wish for your prayers to be as smart bombs specifically targeted to destroy the Enemy. And as you aim and direct your prayers, they will bind and destroy the Enemy in that very area, and the specifics that you claim will strengthen My power and My force field of good in that area. (End of message.)

Unleashing the Power of Prayer!

49. (Jesus:) Your prayers are like atom bombs, except they don't destroy! When launched, they have incredible impact and begin a chain reaction. Picture a dark and desolate landscape with big rough hills and dry‚ cracked earth. There are twigs in place of plants, and the remains of many old trees are scattered around. There is no life, no water, no warm sunshine. Then suddenly there is a prayer—boom! It comes in like a missile, and when it hits it sends out waves of color and light and begins to change everything in its path. It bursts forth like a wave, and everything becomes alive and new as it is touched with the power unleashed by your prayers!

50. So it is with those for whom you pray. They need to be covered in the power and anointing that makes them glow with such supernatural power that all who see them will say, "They have been with Jesus!" The power of your prayers surpasses that of any creation of man. It is the very force that holds life together. If it weren't for prayer‚ there wouldn't be any life. It is the power and the coinage of Heaven on Earth.

51. As you unleash My power you will see miraculous changes and fantastic renewals! Hearts and lives will be touched and changed—all because of your prayers. The power the prayer-bomb hits with is dependent on the intensity you store in it before you release it. It is dependent on the level of radioactive desperation you pack into its warhead. The more you pray, the more powerful the bomb is, the more power is released from My hand. So pray fervently, desperately, and with everything in you, and you will see the answers in ways you could only dream possible! (End of message.)

* "Action Through Prayer, Part 1‚" ML #3319:8-13,71-80, GN 923

My Idea of Action

8. (Jesus: ) To depend on Me is to pray. How can anyone depend on Me when there is a lack of prayer—either acknowledging Me and seeking Me for answers and direction in prophecy, or committing your needs and problems, or those of others, to Me in prayer? A lack of either type of prayer shows that you're too strong in yourself and you don't fully realize that without Me you can do nothing.

9. I want to take the Family into a phase of greater intercessory prayer, and I will do that through My Word. I will give them more insight into the value of their prayers, the power of spending those minutes seeking Me. Oh‚ how silly it is for weak and pitiful man to feel that his feverish labors and work can even come close to a few minutes spent in prayer! Once My children realize that, they will be much more willing to take the time needed in prayer, and they will see the results of those prayers.

10. People equate action with doing something. But they must realize that praying is also action—the most efficient and powerful kind of action. The children of David have somehow separated prayer and spiritual activities from what they consider action. For something to be action, they feel they have to be working in the flesh, doing something visible, exercising their own initiative. That is true, but there is also the action behind the scenes in the spirit, the powerful action that is performed through prayer. This cannot be separated as something less valuable, less important‚ or less emphasized now that you're in the era of action. Prayer is where the fastest and most powerful progress can be made, which will catapult you into the full fruit and power of the era of action, and then and only then will you see the miracles and greater works that I have promised.

12. I have begun this move toward more prayer by making it a requirement that My children ... have a daily prayer vigil, but this is only the beginning. This is only to condition their minds and spirits and automatic reactions so that they will learn to depend on Me more. The more time a person spends praying, the greater lack they will feel when they fail to pray, and the easier I am able to prick their conscience to motivate them to pray. It's something that needs to be developed, for it's a combination of an understanding and acceptance of the power of prayer and the making of a habit to actually pray. For you see, even if you understand and accept and believe in the power of prayer, it does nothing until you actually pray. Just the understanding‚ acceptance, and belief are not enough; that's only the first step. It's not until you take the time to specifically call on Me for help, to formulate and verbalize your prayers, to put them into words either aloud or in your mind, asking Me specifically for your need or for the needs of others, that I and your spirit helpers can go to work on your behalf.

13. You who live and work with your queen have had the very rare privilege of seeing thousands of times when she prays for others and commits each conversation, need, problem‚ and situation to Me. She has rarely missed praying when speaking with you about any subject. That's her natural reaction; it's part of her very nature. But that is not something that is just for her. That is the goal that each of My children should strive for, and you must begin now to help each other and to seek Me often and desperately, asking Me to make each of you a prayer warrior. (End of message.)

The Beauty of Intercession

71. (Jesus:) Do you know the beauty of intercession? I have said, "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." My loves, now I tell you that greater beauty does not exist than this, that one pour out his heart and soul in intercessory prayer.

72. This is the beauty of intercession: to plead for another, to petition Me on behalf of one who doesn't have strength or courage to pray for himself; to intervene for one in need; to approach My throne on behalf of one who has no understanding, or may not know what to ask for himself; to work miracles for one who is in need of healing; to make requests for those who are in need of protection and safekeeping; to provide for another, to supply one's needs through your prayers; to solicit help from the spirit world; to release power; to deliver strength and courage; to lift burdens and liberate captives; to give comfort and spread peace; to prevent disaster; to ward off evil; to build strong walls; to raise force fields; to win battles and claim victories; to stand victorious and triumphant. This is the beauty of intercessory prayer.

73. I call you, My loves, to be My intercessors. A higher calling than this cannot be had, for those who intercede in prayer change the course of history. They hold the future in their hands. These who answer the call, I will crown with great honor and glory. There is no greater beauty than to pour out your heart and soul‚ to lay down your life in prayer for another. (End of message.)

Why Is It So Important?

74. (Jesus: ) Prayer shows your faith in Me, your faith that I will work and do the impossible‚ bring the solutions, show you the way, and work in people's lives. When you operate in the realm of faith, you're operating in the spirit world where miracles are born, where the impossible takes place. Just little old you praying and beseeching Me about something is a very powerful tool. You don't have to feel that power or feel like you're doing anything great—it's not any sort of feeling that matters—it's the spirit of prayer that is powerful‚ supernatural.

75. You don't really understand how important your prayers are, but the fact that you pray about something or for someone is not only important for your spiritual walk with Me and your connection with Me, but it creates a vacuum for Me to fill. Just like your words are real things, your prayers are real things and they cause an effect. They always cause an effect; every single prayer has power and it affects something. They're real, and when you pray, things happen in the spirit world, and because of that, things happen on Earth.

76. I work through your prayers, both the unspoken prayers of your heart and your spoken prayers. But when you utter your prayer to Me, putting it into your own words, this is an even greater manifestation of your faith in My power. It gives Me all the glory and acknowledges that I am your Lord and God, the One Who performs miracles, the One Who supplies, protects, leads and guides you. It's a testimony to others, it's a witness to your friends and sheep, and it's the means by which I give you My blessings.

77. I work immediately when you pray. Even if you don't see what I'm doing in the spirit, I promise you that I am working on your behalf. I respect your prayers and I've committed Myself to answer every one. You might not always know what I'm doing and how I'm answering, but I promise that I work‚ and I answer, and am faithful to keep My promise to you.

78. It's very important to Me that you pray. The minute you pray we connect in the spirit and I begin to do the work that only I can do for you. It's not that I will always give you the answer that you want or think is right, but I promise to work and answer according to My will and what is best. You can count on your prayers having an effect. You can count on My Spirit moving the minute you pray, because this is the way it works in the spirit world. Prayer is a law of the spirit, and when you pray you begin the spiritual process and a chain of events happen. But if you don't pray, those things can't happen.

79. You must trust that your prayers are very important, that they're your spiritual weapon which moves Me to do things on your behalf. You must put your full faith in the power of prayer, for there is great, great power in your prayers. The more you pray about things, the more I can work for you; that's why it's so important to acknowledge Me and pray about everything, to pray without ceasing. When you pray, you're asking Me to work for you, showing that you need Me and that you're depending on Me. This faith in Me and love for Me pleases Me and I'm faithful to work on your behalf.

80. The Enemy belittles prayer and tries to cause you to doubt the power and effect of prayer, but I say that it's very powerful and one of your strongest spiritual weapons. Never let down your guard and consider that it doesn't matter if you pray or not, because it matters very much. When you pray‚ things happen‚ whether you see them with your eyes or not. So always keep this spiritual weapon ready, always use it and wield it‚ because it's your greatest protection against the attacks of the Enemy and your greatest key to victory and the blessings of My Spirit. (End of message.)

* "Action Through Prayer, Part 2," ML #3325:2-3,9-14,17-18,21-27,32–44,74-81,87-92, GN 930

Through His Eyes

2. (Jesus:) Oh, the prayers of My brides! No greater accomplishment do I see in all the world, for these prayers move My hand to work in all the Earth. How I love to see them, as they flow like a river. How I love to hear them, as they sing sweet songs in My ear. How I love to view them, as they dance so freely and gracefully. How I love to smell them‚ as they fill the air with a fragrance like sweet perfume. How I love to revel in them, for they fill My senses‚ they turn My key, they release My energy‚ they touch My heart and move My hand to work great things on behalf of all those you wish to reach. How I love the prayers of My brides. How I love the passion of your prayers! They excite Me so!

3. Keep them coming, My loves, in a steady stream, an unending flow. Keep up this magnificent show of your love, demonstrating your need for and your dependence on Me. I love your prayers. (End of message.)

Accomplishments and Prayer

9. (Question: ) We've heard many times how if we pray, You will help us get twice as much done in half the time; that our prayers are more effective than working in the flesh. But it's hard for our carnal minds to grasp how that's so. Can You explain more about how we can achieve greater results through prayer rather than work?

10. (Jesus: ) Prayer is action. It's the most effective way of getting anything accomplished. Think of prayer as an operation manual for a new piece of equipment. Prayer, like the manual, will show you how to get the machine running, where to find the on/off button, how it works. You can run around trying to figure it out yourself and you'll eventually learn how to run the machine. But it would be so much easier, and a lot less time-consuming, if you take the manual and read the instructions. You may think it takes too much time when you could be "discovering" the machine for yourself, but you're so wrong. The manual has quick and easy operational pointers. You don't have to worry about breaking the machine while you're learning its functions‚ and you'll be able to get it rolling sooner than if you decide your knowledge about machines is sufficient.

11. Prayer is just like that manual. You're saving yourself a lot of hassles if you'll pray more and hear from Me more, because you're going to be getting My direct counsel and know-how.

12. When you pray and then hear from Me, I can show you exactly how things work. This helps you to work better and faster and more efficiently. Also‚ when you pray I go to work for you and take action on your behalf. So action through prayer is yours for the asking. (End of message.)

13. (Jesus:) There are many things in the spirit that seem to be mysteries to you, when in reality they're very simple. It doesn't seem to make a lot of physical sense to say that if you spend twice as long on your knees, in prayer, doing absolutely nothing but presenting your spirit before Me in humility and subjection, that you will actually accomplish more than if you spent that same time rushing about feverishly attending to the many things that you have to do.

14. It all depends on what sort of accomplishments you're looking for. Yes‚ you might not get out the door quite that fast. You may have to cut back on some of that business you were hoping to attend to. But look at it from a broader perspective—what work are you trying to accomplish? Is it just to survive another day? Is it just to get some food on the table and your rent covered? Or are you trying to change the world‚ one heart at a time‚ one day at a time, to stand up against the forces of evil that would doom the souls of the world to damnation and spiritual slavery? That's the work that you cannot accomplish without My help and strength.

17.It behooves you to spend more time in prayer, on your knees, seeking My will, imploring Me to work on your behalf—to keep your mind on the bigger picture, the greater works that I would accomplish through you, through your Homes, through your ministries, through those you come in contact with on a regular basis—not just the tasks of your everyday survival, but the works of the spirit in the hearts and minds of men. These are the works that mean the most to Me. These are the accomplishments for which you must strive. This is what you will do better in—accomplishing My will with greater accuracy and faster results—through taking the time to go slow, and making sure you're doing exactly what I want you to be doing. (End of message.)

18. (Jesus:) Why are prayers so effective?—Because they tap into My reservoir of power. Rather than doing the job on your own and only using your own resources, wisdom, anointing and power, you have access to My infinite power and wisdom and resources. I can change situations and people's minds in a minute that would take you days to change on your own. So the more time you spend in prayer asking My hand to move in the ways that it needs to move in order to accomplish My will‚ the more effective you will be. It will be time well spent.

The Impact of Prayer

21. (Dad: ) The Enemy really fights prayer—not only prayer and prophecy and hearing from the Lord directly, but he fights prayer in general, any form of prayer and interceding on the behalf of others, because he knows it has a good effect. It helps the Lord's Kingdom in some way and therefore hinders the Enemy's dirty work in some way. You might think a few words of prayer here and there for others isn't accomplishing much and isn't really making that much of a difference. You might think that you're just going through the motions, that maybe it's not getting anywhere and it's not doing that much to cause changes to happen. But that's the farthest thing from the truth!

22. One reason people think that their prayers aren't making a lot of difference is because the Enemy fights you and tries to discourage you from praying, and another is because sometimes it takes time for you to see those differences in the natural. But just because you don't see all the effects of your prayers doesn't mean that they're not going to work in situations and lives and having a big effect.

23. All of our prayers, even the little prayers you whisper in passing when the Lord brings someone to your mind and you pray for them, have an effect. It not only works together for good in other people's lives, but in your own life too. Prayer brings you closer to God. It keeps you connected with the spirit world and helps you to stay in tune, inspired, and going the right direction. Even if you're praying for others or about other situations that you aren't involved in personally, you're dwelling in the spirit, and that's very good for your own spiritual life.

24. Praying for people brings down the Lord's Spirit. It brings a spirit of faith, a positive spirit, because you're expecting God to answer‚ to do something, to move, when you bring your prayer request to Him. Just the fact that you manifest faith in the Lord through your prayers pleases Him, and He works in the situation or in the person's life. He hears it all and He doesn't take your prayers lightly. He doesn't just brush them off or file them away to take care of later when He has time, but He takes each prayer very seriously because He knows you're sincere. He loves you and He loves the one you're praying for, and He wants to help. He wants to work and move and bring about the changes needed, supply the needs, bring the victories, do the miracles, and because of your prayers, He can do all those things much more quickly.

25. He's bound by His Word, and if you pray about something or for someone‚ He has to work, He has to move and apply your prayer and do something. He said He would, and the fact that you're praying and holding Him to His promises has a big effect. It has a bigger effect than you can imagine—much, much bigger. The Lord doesn't always tell you all the answers to your prayers or let you see all the results; you have to take it by faith, and sometimes you have to keep praying and beseeching like the importunate woman. A lot of it is by faith, but whether or not you get to see the results immediately, you can trust that every prayer makes a difference.

26. Sometimes the Lord lets you see the results right away to encourage you and show you that you're not just going through the motions of prayer, but that He heard and He answered. Sometimes He'll let you see the miracle, the answer to prayer‚ so that you can praise Him and give Him all the glory. Other times you don't see it; you don't know what's happening and you just have to trust and take it by faith. But those times are important—maybe even more important—because He's having to do more, there are more factors involved, more steps to take‚ and more of a miracle is required.

27. So don't give up praying for others, because it's a very important and very needed ministry. Your prayers are important, every single one of them. They're real and they have a real effect. They not only help others, but they help you by keeping you close to the Lord, soft, compassionate, and humble. (End of message.)

Prayer Angels

32. (Jesus:) Each person is born with three angels. One is to pray for them through their life—for what is more important than prayer, as the prayer will help to not only influence the baby, but the other two guardians. The other angel is the guardian or protector angel to protect the person through life. And the third angel is the one that influences their thoughts, always trying to help them to make the right choices and decisions and give them the strength to do so. This is the angel of the heart and conscience. The three angels are assigned at conception, because the prayers and protection are needed from then on. There are also times when I personally assign other spirit helpers to help these three angels. These spirit helpers likewise assist in these areas, to guard and protect, to pray, and to influence the mind and heart.

33. This help from the spirit world I make available to all‚ yet throughout one's lifetime, should the person make the choice to reject their help, should they through their majesty of choice choose to do evil over good, then this will tie the hands of his or her angels in a sense, limiting them in the influence and help they can give—all because of the person's choice to do evil instead of good. By your making the right choices and yielding to My Spirit, you are strengthening the line of communication and opening yourself to receive this positive help from My angels and spirit helpers. When one chooses to reject good and makes choices to do evil, they are in a sense cutting themselves off from these who could otherwise help them.

34. The prayer angel is always beholding My face because he is facing Me and beseeching Me and interceding for the one he [or she] is assigned to. He is praying not only for the person, but for all that is going on around him—the circumstances‚ the conditions, for My will to be done in his life, for the other guardians and helpers, ministering spirits, and departed spirits who are assigned to the person, since departed spirits also need help and instruction and guidance and even strength of spirit. And for you, My children, who live to do My work and My will, I live to make intercession for you. I pray for you always from the courts of Heaven.

35. Those who live for Me and choose to do good can have more than one prayer angel or prayer warrior, just as they can have more than one protector and more than one counselor. They can get them by asking, or they're assigned according to the need. The greater responsibility people have, the more they give‚ the more helpers and angels they receive. You receive help according to the need. Those who give their whole life to Me, who are constantly pouring out and witnessing, like the children of David, can have dozens of helpers, warriors‚ and protectors, to help them stand strong through the trials and fight the battles they face.

36. They are given angels of courage, angels of wisdom, angels of miracles‚ angels to help them receive prophecies, angels to help them have faith, to persevere, angels that help to heal them, angels that even give them physical strength. Some of you have a host of angelic helpers. Some angels are just on temporary assignment. For example, when you go on a dangerous mission you are even dispatched a band of warrior angels to protect you from harm, robbers and mishaps. And when you fight heavy spiritual battles you are also given warrior angels to help you through your battles.

37. There are even angels assigned to your houses and cars so that when you travel they go with the car to protect it and you from danger. Your angel that is always beholding My face can pray for you while you travel and request extra protectors to travel with your vehicle. Your prayer angel also influences you to pray, reminding you to pray for your safety while you're traveling and to be on guard, as well as giving you many other prayer reminders throughout the day. Your prayer angel can also pray through you when you don't know what to pray for or how to pray. Your personal prayer angel is very, very busy and has one of the most important jobs in Heaven because I hear their prayers and effect change according to their prayers and your prayers.

38. A good example of what your prayer angel does is in the verse, "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in Heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in Heaven." This is an example of where your prayer angel watching over you can pray for the angels of vengeance to recompense any harm that is done to you. (End of message.)

What's stopping us?

39. (Question:) What are some obstacles that hold us back from praying more, and how can we overcome them?

40. (Jesus:) When a request is near and dear to your heart‚ when you are moved by it and feel for that person or desperately desire for Me to work in that situation, then you pray fervently and frequently. Conversely, when you are not personally touched by a need or request, it is easier for it to pass you by without receiving your desperate prayers.

41. So ask Me to give you the gift of empathy for that situation, so you can put yourself in that person's shoes—that sick child, that afflicted adult‚ that Home facing persecution, that person suffering intense spiritual attacks or trials. As you are moved by the situation, you will remember to pray.

42. When you are moved, your prayers will move My heart and allow Me to move in the situation, for the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. When you call unto Me with your whole heart, then I will hear you and answer you and show you great and mighty things.

43. So pray as if you were the one suffering sickness, trials, spiritual attacks, persecution, or facing financial need. Pray as if it were your children, your wife, your family‚ your Home, your contacts, your needs, and I will hear and I will answer.

44. Be willing to bear the burdens of others through your prayers for them, through sacrificing your time for them, through thinking of them. Look not only on your own things—your own affairs and battles—but look upon the things of others. Lay down your life for them in prayer, even as I laid down My life for you. (End of message.)

The Ripple Effect

74. (Jesus: ) The depth and height and breadth and width and length of the effect of your prayers will never be fully realized in this life, but in the world to come you will see. Then you will be able to see the full measure and results of your prayers. You will be able to see how far your prayers have gone.

75. In that day‚ when all is revealed, when you join Me in My Heavenly Kingdom and the full impact of your prayers is revealed for all the worlds to see‚ the brilliance and the shine of this great revelation will be too much for your eyes to behold. You'll be tempted to say, "Lord, I cannot look. The majesty of it is too great for such a little one as I." But I will lift you up and say, "No, My loves—all this glory and splendor is rightfully yours, for this is the fruit of your prayers."

76. This will be part of your reward, My darling ones, to behold the full fruit of your prayers. For the fruit of your prayers is not only seen now with the naked eye as you witness answers to your prayers in the present. What you see now in answer to prayer is only a very small portion of the far-reaching results of your prayers.

77. When I answer a prayer‚ I may grant you your request for healing. I may supply your immediate needs. I may temper the winds and the rains on your behalf. I may protect you from harm or danger, or deliver you out of the hands of the Evil One who would try and hold you back from gaining spiritual victories, and so on. All of this is a marvelous wonder and great answer to your prayers, yet you must realize that this is not all; it is not the only fruit of your prayers.

78. No one prayer stands alone. Just as no man is an island and your life is bound to affect others, so no prayer stands alone. No prayer starts and ends with a single entity or a single purpose. One prayer accomplishes many purposes and is multiplied many times over. For example, say you pray for a headache and I heal that aching head. The immediate fruit of that prayer is that the headache is gone, yet that prayer bears much more fruit than one healed head. Through one prayer, your faith has been boosted, and when others hear of the healing, their faith is often boosted as well. The result of this boost of faith then continues bearing fruit as it goes along.

79. Your prayers have a ripple effect—on and on they go, bearing fruit in many ways. When you pray for someone and their life is touched by the result of your prayers‚ likewise the fruit of your prayers in that person's life will also bear fruit and have an effect on others' lives. Because one life reaps the benefit of your prayers‚ other lives are also touched through the positive results in that one person's life.

80. So many things happen as a result of your prayers, so great is the ripple effect your prayers have on the world. Your prayers not only create ripples, but when they bounce off others, they are reflected in more ripples, which in turn bounce and reflect even more! So your prayers have a cross-ripple effect—the ripples of your prayers go out in all directions, backwards and forwards, up and down, top to bottom‚ from side to side, over and above and beyond, reaching out in many directions and ways you never dreamed possible, creating ever more ripples as they do so.

81. The day you see the cross-ripple effect of every prayer you ever prayed will be a great day! The awe of it is more than can be contained in all the earth. Only the Heavens can contain the glory and magnitude of the effect of your prayers. The cross-ripple effect of your prayers reaches far beyond the shores of the sands of time. Let this encourage your hearts, My loves, and let this spur you onward in prayer, for great is the cross-ripple effect of your prayers as they go out and cover the world, reaching across the boundaries of time to reach a heart‚ to save a soul, to encourage and lift up, to bring hope and life, peace and comfort, to protect and guard and to bring great victory to those for whom you directly pray and for multitudes of others. (End of message.)

Jesus Waits to Move Mountains on Our Behalf!

87. (Jesus: ) Allow Me to open your eyes of the spirit to the magnitude of the power of your prayers. You can't see it with the eyes of the flesh. You only catch glimpses here and there. You experience My healing touch; you see Me change hearts on your behalf; you watch Me move obstacles out of your path‚ making a way for you to walk in and claim the goods‚ victories of varied kinds. But I tell you, My loves, now you only see through a dim glass.

88. This is why you must put on the eyeglasses of faith, that you might find courage to walk in and claim the land. Let this comfort your hearts‚ for I am here to work wonders on your behalf.

89. Your prayers move My hand to work on your behalf. Therefore do not hold back; leave not one stone uncovered. Pour out your hearts to Me, bringing all your requests before Me, and I will answer. Only I can supply your needs and bring the desired results, but you must ask in faith, believing, nothing wavering. Ask and you will receive. Bring your petitions before Me; remind Me of My promises and hold on to your faith, believing that I am able to do what you cannot do yourself.

90. Your prayers are answered in direct proportion to the intensity with which you pray. Push together in prayer. Just as in the physical, if you were to move a heavy object, you would call on all your strong members to get behind it, that they might apply all their force to move the object out of the way. So you must do in the spirit. As you unite and push together in prayer, as you direct your spiritual energy and unite your prayer forces, praying wholeheartedly together, I will move every obstacle out of your way. You are the push, I am the brawn.

91. So keep your prayers coming up in full force! Keep stirring yourselves up! Your prayers are powerful, and they cause Me to do awesome and mighty things.

92. I long to move mountains on your behalf! Therefore do not hold back, My loves, for though your needs are great, they are not too great for Me. I stand waiting and ready to fill every one. Let loose your prayers, and stand back and watch Me work. Your prayers move My hand; together we are an unbeatable force. Nothing in this world, nor in the world to come, can stand against us. I lay all My might and power and force at your feet. It is yours for the asking. (End of message.)

* "Action Through Prayer, Part 3," ML #3339:2-15,104–109, GN 933

Awesome and Magnificent Power!

2. (Jesus: ) When Moses raised his arms in prayer to Me at the banks of the Red Sea, I stretched out My hand and parted the waters, and I held them at bay until the last of My children were safely on the other side. When the shepherd boy David loaded his sling, looked up to Me and whispered a prayer, I guided his stone and brought down the giant Goliath. When Elijah besought me for the rain I had promised, I sent the showers in great abundance. Likewise, at Zarephath, when he cried unto Me, asking for the soul of the widow's son‚ I returned life to the boy's motionless body.

3. When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego cried out to Me as they entered the scorching furnace, I descended and walked with them in the midst of the fire, and the flame did not harm them. When the prophet Isaiah petitioned Me on behalf of Hezekiah, asking for a sign of his healing, I turned back the time. When Jonah cried out to Me in his affliction, I answered and placed him upon dry ground.

4. How much more will I do for you, My loves, in these days of mighty miracles? Let this encourage your faith, for in these days of action, here I stand, ready, willing and waiting to perform yet greater things on your behalf. Let this encourage your faith, for I tell you, I am here and I am ready.

5. Do you see? Can you grasp it? Will you claim it? Oh, what great power I put within reach of your frail human hands. There's nothing like it. It has no equal. It cannot be duplicated. No one can steal it away from you. It will never be lost. It is never misplaced. Such great and awesome magnificent power! It can only be released at the sound of your prayers. It is only delivered unto you at the touch of your faith. So it is‚ My loves, that your desperate, full-of-faith prayers can radically alter any situation or heart and supply any need.

6. Fear not to put Me to the test. Call unto Me. Declare your faith and remind Me of My promises. How it pleases Me when you display your knowledge of My Word. Claim it! Call down the power! Intensify! Pray passionately! Pour out your strong emotion to Me in your prayers. Get excited! Expect Me to work, and stand back and see Me do what you cannot do for yourself. Pray extreme prayers and you'll get extreme answers!

7. As you unite this day, wield your power‚ My loves, for I am here, ready and willing and waiting to answer every prayer. Let this be your confidence; ask anything in My name and I will do it. (End of message.)

The Temple of Prayer

8. (Jesus:) Thank you, My loves, for setting aside this time of prayer as sacred and holy. Thank you for being true to your calling as intercessors for My children. Thank you for being willing to put aside your work for this time [our prayer morning]‚ in order to concentrate fully on your prayers for the Family and to pull down My seeds. I look forward to spending this time in the Temple of Prayer with you.

9. This is not time in the temple of rest, and it's not time of relaxation of spirit. It's not the same as what your Father David called "Temple Time"—time spent resting in My arms, letting Me refill you. This time is different. It is your time of spiritual war. It is the time when great progress is made in every area that you take time to focus on. It is a time when wonderful things happen in the spirit. Tremendous and awesome things are made possible because of this time you spend in prayer.

10. It's no wonder that at times it would tire you a bit, or would make your regular work seem easy by comparison. The Enemy fights this time that you spend in the Temple of Prayer. He tries to distract you. He tries to hit you with tiredness and weariness. He tries to hide from you how important it really is. He tries to make you think of all the things you could be doing to get ahead in your work, instead of praying. If you feel like that—which would be natural—see it as the Enemy's attack‚ because he knows just how deadly it is to his kingdom, his works, and his attacks, when you unite in prayer.

11. Setting this time aside is a sacrifice. Stirring yourself up in the spirit takes effort. But each bit of spiritual effort that you put into prayer is multiplied many times over. I take those prayers and I multiply them and empower them to fill each need that you bring before My throne. Not one is wasted. Not one moment, not one second, not one thought that you send toward Me, petitioning Me on behalf of one of the requests, is wasted or lost.

12. Each specific prayer is helpful to your brethren or you and your work for Me and lost souls. Each promise claimed is powerful. Each bit of effort, each time you put yourself in the shoes of the one you're praying for and earnestly beseech Me for those things that I put on your heart to pray for, it creates that wonderful vacuum for My power, which rushes in and does those miracles that man can never do. When you pray with all your heart, all of Heaven is freed to come to the rescue, to fill in the gaps, to supply specifically for the needs, to heal, to touch, to save, to complete the miracle.

13. Fighting in the spirit takes something out of you. But at the same time, I also pour into you. I strengthen you in spirit. Taking time to pray desperately and fervently strengthens your spiritual muscles. It gives you greater understanding of the needs of others. It helps you see things more in My spirit. It shortens the distance between you and Heaven‚ you and the spirit world‚ you and those who are trying to help you. It not only helps those that you pray for, but it does wonderful things for your life and spirit and heart as well.

14. So enter in fully, My loves, to this Temple of Prayer. Leave all your thoughts of business and work and worries outside, and dedicate this time to Me and to your precious Family. As you dedicate this morning to helping the Family through your prayers, I will in turn pour into you, and you will feel the rewards poured out. Your work will go easier, you will be more in tune, and you will be blessed by seeing the answers to your prayers, every one!

15. Give this tithe of your time wholeheartedly, knowing that it is the most important percentage of your work that you will ever do. I take it and multiply it many times over, and you will find once again that you never lose by giving! Thank you for giving so faithfully through your prayers. The Enemy tries to make them seem less important than all the other hard work that you do. But in reality, this is the most important work you will do—praying for these requests that need your intercession. Each time you stop to pray for someone, you are putting into action a chain reaction which results in miracles! Neglect it not—for interceding for your loved ones is your most important duty. (End of message.)

It Takes Two!

104. (Jesus:) Prayer is the flow of the Spirit. It's the transformation of hearts, the beginning of life‚ the start of miracles, the completion of the impossible, the "on" switch of My power. Prayer is all this, and so much more.

105. You've had prayer described to you as sweet perfume rising to My nostrils, and as I breathe in the fragrance I stretch forth My hand and commence to do all that you have asked. But take that concept a little further. An incense stick, unless it's lit, does not produce the fragrant smell. If it remains without fire, it produces no perfume. Your prayers are like that incense stick—unless they're lit, they cannot rise to Me. You must light the match of your desperation and ignite the incense stick, thus sending its fragrance up to Me. As I breathe deeply of that sweet perfume, My desire to answer all that you have asked rises‚ and I set My work in motion.

106. The perfume of your prayers is like a man smelling the fragrant perfume of his lover. The perfume wafts through the air and it excites him because he knows his lover is near. I am the same way with your prayers. I smell the perfume, it entices Me, and I do as you ask. I send the legions of Heaven to do as you ask. I would send fire from Heaven because of your prayers. I would open the floodgates for you. I would vanquish all foes simply because you uttered a simple prayer. But you have not because you ask not.

107. Many of you have lost faith in prayer. You've been taught and told about prayer for years and years, and you figure that because you've had such a difficulty making it a part of your life, maybe you'll never be able to use this weapon to the full. But this is a new day, the era of action, and that means action on My part as well as yours. There is no better way to begin this action than by getting your prayer gear in shape, and readjusting your prayer weaponry that you've left on the side or have not fully availed yourself of.

108. It's time to change all that! It's time to readjust your vision, pull up your socks, and start getting your heart stirred up. Prayer is the beginning step of this era of action. It's a wake-up call to start getting your antennas directed up once again. It's time to make Me your only wavelength. Stop running around trying to be the action hero—let Me do that. Let Me answer your prayers. And the first prayer you can start with is asking Me to make prayer a focal point of your life.

109. There's no better time than the present, so start now! Tomorrow may be too late, and you wouldn't want to find your skill with this weapon lacking because you didn't practice enough and you didn't get involved in the action when it began. (End of message.)

* "Action Through Prayer, Part 4," ML #3340:88-103, GN 944

Keep the Candles Burning

88. (Jesus: ) Thank you, My brides, for keeping your prayer candles burning. I know you don't always see the immediate results, but I see. I know you can't always envision the magnitude of your prayers, but I and My Heavenly host can see the far-reaching effects they have. We can see the light and blaze of your prayers as they streak across the nations, from land to land and heart to heart, reaching those for whom you care.

89. The devils also see the trail‚ the blaze of your prayers‚ and they tremble. The devils fear, for your prayers tie their hands and prevent them from carrying out their evil deeds. The devils are cut off by your prayers. They know they have no power against your full-of-faith prayers when they see them streak across the sky.

90. When you pray‚ it's like sending up a smoke signal. My Heavenly host and I see and receive the signal and move right into action on your behalf. The devils also see the signal, and they cower and tremble. They know what the repercussion of these prayers will mean for them.

91. The Enemy would have you think your prayers are not powerful. And when you "see" how different situations you pray for are progressing‚ you may think he is right. And the more you think that, the more you may be tempted to think your prayers are in vain, so why pray?

92. The Devil will do anything to get you to stop praying, because through prayer he will be defeated. That's why the devils tremble and fear when you pray, because your prayers bring action against them. The more you pray‚ the more they're doomed to defeat. So look with eyes of faith and eyes of the spirit and see! Behold how they tremble and fear!

93. Persevere in prayer, knowing that it is just like My servant Martin Luther received from Me in the song A Mighty Fortress:

And though this world with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us;
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo! His doom is sure,
One little Word shall fell him.

94. And that "Word" isn't just My Name, but all the words you pray that are packed with the truth of My Word. Keep praying, for your prayers will cut the Devil to the heart and will send him and all his imps trembling in fear before the mighty power of God. Your prayers of faith ring out the victory that overcomes Satan and his demons, the victory that overcomes the world. (End of message.)

Changing the Course

95. (Jesus:) I place in your hands the tide of the battle. Upon you I bestow this high privilege of intercessory prayer for the furthering of My Kingdom come on Earth. It is a high privilege, a high honor, one that is greatly prized in all the Heavens. For My mighty bulwarks of faith and prayer, My vanguard prayer warriors are among the most respected and highly looked-up-to in all the Heavens. For these to whom I entrust the high privilege of wielding the weapon of intercessory prayer are those who win the battle. There is no battle, no victory that can be won that does not come by way of the mighty prayers of My faithful vanguard corps of prayer warriors—My highly trained and skilled, My most trusted prayer guard. This is the privilege I bestow upon you, My faithful ones. I trust you with the high position and honor to be My prayer guard, My strong warriors of faith and prayer in this mighty battle to establish My Kingdom come on Earth.

96. Do not tire in prayer, nor be weary at the sound of the trumpet, but lift up your arms in praise. Fix your eyes upward and call on the power of Heaven!

97. As you, My beloved brides, pray and seek Me in all these matters, know that I will pour out in great abundance. I will open the treasure houses of the Heavens and pour out to overflowing. The effectual fervent prayers of My vanguard prayer corps will avail much. Great and mighty victories will be wrought. You will reap the good of the land; not one prayer will return unto you void. (End of message.)

Take a Cab

98. (Jesus:) One of the greatest tasks of Heaven is to help those who are living on Earth. Those in Heaven, whether they're angels‚ spirit beings, ministering spirits‚ or those who have lived on Earth and passed on, have many responsibilities, but one of the greatest responsibilities of Heaven is helping those on Earth.

99. Sometimes guardian angels will help someone on Earth and protect them even if they don't ask, because that's their job—such as protecting a child from getting hit in the head by a swing, for example. But the majority of the help from Heaven comes through people asking—either by praying for themselves or by praying for others. Many things don't happen just because people don't ask. But as soon as they ask, things happen!—Because that's their job—to answer your prayers.

100. To give an illustration, it's a little bit like a taxi station. The angels are like taxis, lined up in a queue waiting their turn to help you. All you have to do is signal for one or call on one. It's as easy as that. They're at your service. That's their job, what they're designed for, their ministry, their reason for existence.

101. Prayer is like hailing a taxi and saying, "I need to go here," and you just give them the address. You can tell them to go slow, or fast, or that it's an emergency and to step on the gas, and they'll do it, because that's what they're there for. If you don't pray, it's like having a long line of taxis just waiting to take you anywhere you want to go and make your job a lot easier‚ but instead of hopping in the car and letting them transport you, you prefer to go on foot—like trying to do it in the flesh.

102. Taxi drivers will also help you with your luggage if it's heavy. They'll open the trunk and put it in for you. They're there to serve you and help you and make your job as easy as possible if you'll just use them and take advantage of them. It's as plain and simple as that.

103. The more you take taxis, the quicker you get there‚ and the more that gets done faster and easier. Just call for a taxi and leave the driving to us. It's safer, cheaper, easier and faster. We know the address and right where to go and the best road to take. To use them, all you have to do is whistle or phone for one to come and get you wherever you are, or flag them down‚ or go to a taxi station, whatever! But they're there for you, thousands of them waiting—in fact, backed up and lined up—just for you. (End of message.)

* "Action Through Prayer‚ Part 5," ML #3414:28–33‚46-70,77-82,86-87,123-130, GN 1000

The Golden Key Ring of Prayer

28. (Jesus:) Time and time again I ask you to pray, My children. I ask you to pray upon waking, to pray at noontime, to pray in the evening‚ to pray before you rest your head upon the bed, and to pray at all times in-between.

29. I have placed in your hands the golden key ring of prayer. On the ring are many keys. There is a key for every problem, a key that will unlock for you every solution that you will ever need in life. These are the keys of power prayers. To be the keepers of these keys is not to be taken lightly. Truly it is a high honor, a priceless privilege, to be the holders of these prayer keys, great possessions of inestimable worth, which I put in your hands.

30. With these keys, I give you unlimited access to the world, as well as to the universe beyond. With these keys, you can go anywhere and do anything. There is no mountain you cannot climb, no river you cannot ford, no valley you cannot cross. As you use these prayer keys to unlock the doors that stand before you‚ there will be no difficulties you cannot surmount, no obstacles you cannot overcome, no hardships you cannot get around, no troubles you cannot rise above, no foe you cannot defeat.

31. As you put these keys to continual use in your life, you will never be in want; you will never be destitute; you will never be found lacking. With these keys, there are no boundaries for you. There are no restrictions, no controls as to what I am able to do for you. The sky is not the limit, for with these keys I give you access to realms beyond.

32. With these keys, I put immense power into your hands—power to mend and to heal, to change hearts‚ to fix bodies, to redeem souls and to influence minds. With these keys I give you My sovereign power. With these keys, I give you authority to alter any situation. If you will use them to open the doors in proper sequence and pray with intensity, all the forces of Heaven and Hell are at your command.

33. This is why, My beloved brides, I ask you to pray without ceasing in everything you do. For as you continually use these keys I have placed in your hands, power is given to your hands over all the world. (End of message.)

What Is a Prayer Warrior?

46. (Spirit helper:) You on Earth are called prayer warriors when you wield the weapon of prayer. We in Heaven are called miracle warriors, miracle deliverers when we help answer your prayers. You pray the prayers, and thus you wield the weapon of prayer. We, the ones who help to bring your request to pass at the behest of our Lord and King‚ are your miracle workers. We work to bring to pass the will of God through your prayers, through your desperation, and through your importunity and faithfulness in prayer.

47. We fight the demons of Hell and wage powerful warfare in the spirit, in order to intercede on your behalf or on the behalf of those for whom you're praying. We transform impossible situations through the miracle-working power of the Lord's Spirit entrusted to us. We change circumstances and events. We move hearts, we change minds, we touch lives. We move the workings of the spirit world according to the power infused in us by Jesus.

48. We are your miracle workers, your prayer partners in the halls of Heaven. When you pray a prayer with real desperation, with power and with faith‚ we start to work in the spirit world right away. Not a second is lost‚ not a minute is wasted. As soon as you utter your prayer, we begin to work in earnest on your behalf—sometimes even before you've prayed your prayer. When we know you're going to pray, we begin to adjust things in the realm of the Spirit to prepare the way for the answer to your prayer.

49. There are also prayer warriors in Heaven whose sole job is to pray for you. Some prayer warriors pray as Jesus did, that your faith will not fail you—that you will hold on. Some pray for your health. Others pray for the many other aspects of your life. You can call on our wonderful Husband and Lover to ask that these prayer warriors in Heaven intercede on your behalf, and they will not cease to pray for you.

50. Even as Jesus prays for His children, so are there hosts in the Heavenly realm that also pray for you. But their ministry is different than ours, the miracle workers. These ones pray for you. They intercede on your behalf. They come before the throne of Heaven to be your advocates and to plead your cause. These are the prayer warriors in Heaven. But we are the miracle workers, the miracle warriors‚ those who fight the Enemy, those who work miracles through the power of the Lord's Spirit in us.

51. There are thousands upon thousands upon thousands of miracle warriors in Heaven. We are strong and well trained in the art of spiritual warfare, mind influence, changing physical circumstances, giving checks, encouraging, delivering healing, leading and guiding, and much more. So much goes into the answers to your prayers—so much work in the spirit world, so many details‚ so much thought and love and diligence.

52. We who work miracles in the Name of Jesus are at your beck and call through prayer. We cannot do the miracles or work the wonders or change the course of history without your cooperation through prayer. Without the power you give us through your prayers‚ we are helpless and cannot fight for you in the spirit, or change situations, or create the circumstances that you need for a miracle.

53. You must call on us through your prayers. When you do, we are abuzz with excitement! There's nothing that we love more than to help the children of David, to answer their prayers. You keep us busy, and we love to fight on your behalf‚ to wage spiritual warfare on your behalf, to fight the demons of Hell for your sake.

54. We've trained long and hard to be worthy of such a special honor and privilege of being Heavenly miracle warriors. We treasure our place, we treasure our job, and we give it all we've got. We love the fight, the challenge, the excitement in the spirit, and we love waging war against evil and conquering it with good! We love to see the Spirit of the Lord prevail. We love to see evil forced back and the light of victory shining in its place.

55. The only thing that saddens us sometimes is when you don't pray. We can see the big picture. We see the problems, we see the needs, we see the struggles. When you don't pray in such times, we are disappointed and saddened. We're saddened because we know how much even just one prayer could do. We're bound until you pray, until you ask for help, until you ask for miracles. If you don't pray, we're powerless.

56. We cry tears of sadness sometimes, because we see how wonderful a situation could have been if you had only prayed. We see how an answer could have come if you had only prayed. We see how the circumstances could have been changed if you had only prayed. We see the miracles that would have taken place if you had only prayed. We cry for you, that you may one day realize the full power that you hold in your hands through your prayers.

57. But most of the time we're happy. We're thrilled, we're inspired, we're excited! When you pray, we can work the miracles and do what's needed in order to answer your petitions and requests. Don't ever neglect to call upon us, your miracle warriors of the spirit. You're the prayer warriors—you have to pray in order to unleash our power and avail yourselves of our help through the power of the Lord's Spirit. So pray, and we'll be working behind the scenes, behind the veil of the spirit‚ to perform miracles for you on behalf of our Lover and Husband, Jesus. (End of message.)

The Spirit of Prayer

58. (Jesus:) The spirit of prayer is a gift of the Spirit. Ask for this gift, that your prayers might be empowered with the fervor of My Spirit. You don't always see the need and therefore don't have as much desperation as you should, but the Holy Spirit knows the need. As you let Her take over and pray through you, your prayers can reflect the desperation necessary to work miracles in the lives of others.

59. When you pray for a country or for a situation, ask for spirit helpers from that country, or for a spirit helper of the sick person, to come and to possess you—to speak through you and petition in the courts of the Lord. You don't know what to pray, but those Heavenly beings who are assigned to mission fields, or assigned to loved ones in need, know. They're at the heart and soul of the need, and as you cry out for one of them to possess you, so you will be able to express the need to Me.

60. Be not alarmed at this term "possession." The difference between good spirits and bad spirits possessing a human is that the bad spirits don't want to leave. They want to stay and do harm and damage, whereas good spirits only take possession when the human spirit allows it. Then when it's done, the good spirit doesn't hang around; it has other things to do and missions to accomplish.

61. "Possession" is simply the best word to describe what happens, as you need to get yourself out of the way and let the spirit helper or spirit being come through and temporarily take control of your mind so they can speak through you. This will not necessarily make your prayers lengthier, for it is not the length of your prayer that matters most. But if you do this, your prayers will contain the power and fervency that you need. (End of message.)

The Gift of Prayer

62. (Jesus:) How inestimable in value, how awesome in power is the gift of prayer! Each of My children has this treasured gift in different measures deep within, in the inner sanctuary of their spirit.

63. I placed this gift, this desire, this link of communion with Me in the heart and spirit of each of My loves when first I dwelt within your heart and spirit. This gift, like all gifts, can be honed, exercised, developed, and even sharpened to such a degree that mighty oak doors of impossibility can be opened at your behest‚ mountains shifted at your request‚ and visions revealed before your mortal eyes as with My prophet Daniel.

64. This gift is given in a unique way to each individual, and because it is a spiritual thing, each gift's measure and ministration is known only to Me. It is not something that is tangible, that can be seen or measured there on Earth. It is the same principle as love, for how can you measure love? And as your gift of prayer grows, so does its measure and ministration. The continued development and growth of this gift in each of My brides is vital. As the days grow darker, the development and enhancement of this gift will become more and more essential. Each of My brides will be forced to strengthen their gift of prayer and this channel of communication with Me‚ and through it will I perform miracles of great magnitude on their behalf.

65. For some this gift is already quite developed from much use, but for others this gift still lies dormant within their spirits‚ for their spirits lack the exercise in putting forth the effort in prayer. For others this gift is awakened‚ but in a sleepy state. But now I stir all My loves to hone this gift within and utilize this power and force of great proportions. For this gift stirs and moves the world of the spirit on your behalf. It moves My hand, and it strengthens your link with Me and the many helpers about you.

66. Your bodies are like temples where My Spirit can dwell, and within your temple there exist various chambers. There is the chamber and sanctuary of praise‚ which then leads into the secret chamber of prayer. There is the treasured inner chamber reserved for My intimate brides, wherein lies our bed of love. Time spent in each chamber is a vital part of your spiritual growth and connection with Me. Each chamber is linked to the others, and your spirit is able to easily and quickly slip from one chamber to the next.

67. To develop and hone your gift of prayer, each of My brides must desire Me, must seek Me‚ must come unto Me, lie with Me and love Me, and so will I whisper into the ears of your spirit the key, the ways in which your spirit can grow in the ministry of prayer, can more easily focus in prayer, and can use the gift within you to its greatest potential.

68. To get the very most out of your prayer time, I call upon all My brides to lay the foundation of growth in this very important area of prayer by first seeking Me and asking Me for the personalized key, or set of keys, that belongs to your own inner sanctuary of prayer—the key that frees and unlocks your spirit and flesh to the ministry of prayer as never before, the key which creates within you a deep desire for prayer‚ a knowledge and understanding of the essential need and importance of this gift, a craving which cannot be satiated, a cry and a seeking of Me which comes from deep within, from the altar of prayer, a panting and a crying of your spirit for its great Creator.

69. I call you, My dear ones, to more fervency in prayer, more desperation, more awareness of the necessity to pray without ceasing—to keep that line and link of communion and communication open to Me at all times.

70. Come lie with Me and let Me give you the key to your own gift of prayer. I hold the key to each one's spirit and gift. It is here in My hand for the asking‚ and with great pleasure and delight I place it in the hand of each of My loves as they come unto Me. (End of message.)

Defining Desperation in Prayer

77. (Jesus:) Desperate prayers, the kind that get results, are those prayed with fervency and earnestness of spirit. The way to properly "direct" and "aim" your prayers is by putting your whole heart and soul into the matter at hand. It seems simple, but you might be surprised at how often it's not done properly. So many times, although you might have the best of intentions, you're distracted, or you don't have a clear enough understanding of the need and its urgency in order to be motivated to be desperate.

78. A key to praying desperate and effective prayers is to put yourself in the place of the person or the situation being prayed for. If you're praying for someone going through an intense battle, put yourself in their place. Imagine how you would feel if you were them; or ask Me to help you imagine a scenario in your life that would cause you the same battle or difficulty. When praying for someone sick or in pain, try to think how you would feel if battling that same affliction or weakness. When praying for those in danger or suffering persecution, visualize yourself in that prison cell, or under investigation by the authorities, or at risk of losing your children. When you pray for those in war-torn lands, imagine that you are the one who lost your brother or sister, parent or child, because of the falling bombs or whizzing bullets. When you put yourself in the place of the one you're praying for, you're guaranteed to be desperate. This desperation ensures the effectiveness of your prayers.

79. Desperation is not a matter of the way you feel or the way you behave. Of course, when you imagine you're the one you're praying for, you're usually going to feel something. Yet even if you don't have a big surge of emotion—and some people don't—if you're focusing all your thought and energy and love on them, if you're asking Me to help them, heal them‚ comfort or encourage them, this earnestness and sincerity is desperation.

80. Some people are naturally more emotional or excitable than others. Therefore when they pray, they feel moved, sometimes even to tears. This is desperation, but such outward manifestations of emotion or empathy are not necessary in order for it to be considered a desperate prayer. I know your heart and I know when you are truly desperate. Desperation also does not require the raising of the voice, change in your tone of voice, or speaking in tongues. Nevertheless, when you do take on a firm and intense tone of voice, it helps you as well as others praying with you to be more focused and desperate. You are physical beings and are affected by physical manifestations. Therefore, while these are not required in order for prayers to be effective and hit their targets, they are helpful "props" or "aids" for many people, and can prove useful.

81. The goal is that all your prayers be intense, focused, and desperate. You should not reserve intense and desperate prayers only for those times when things reach a point of crisis. You should pray earnestly for each and every prayer request that comes before you. In many cases, by doing so you can avoid the "crisis" or "life and death" situations, because the fervency of your prayers when the situation still seems manageable will be more effective and will prevent it from worsening.

82. The truth is that I need you to pray in order for My will to be effected—no matter what My will is. It may not be exactly what you're praying for, but your prayers will nevertheless empower Me to fulfill that will. And I will always answer. It is always My will to heal and deliver; it is only a matter of the timing and method I will use.

86. So you see, it's true that you have all the power of the universe at your disposal through prayer. Through prayer you are in fact assisting Me in the planning and programming of life on Earth—of your own life, the lives of others, and even the fates of cities, countries, continents and the world scene.

87. This, and so much more, can be accomplished through your fervent prayers. So keep those prayers focused. Aim the prayer beam straight by clearing your mind of all else—just as when you open yourself like a channel to receive My Words. Be a channel of My power through prayer by likewise emptying yourself of other matters, and focusing your entire mind, spirit‚ and even your body, by putting yourself in their place‚ on the person or situation you are praying for. Ask Me to make plain to you what their specific needs or problems are—even beyond those that are apparent—and then delve in and fight boldly. Your prayers are guaranteed to be effective if you follow this method. (End of message.)

Unlimited Power. Keep the Current Flowing!

123. (Jesus:) The value of your intercessory prayers is of inestimable worth in worldly terms. If you took all the riches on Earth and combined it with all the riches of the universe, it would not compare to the worth of your prayers. The true value of your prayers cannot be measured nor comprehended. Prayer accomplishes things of eternal importance.

124. The power you have through prayer is unlimited. The strength you have in prayer is all–powerful. Through prayer you are able to take on My nature; therefore prayer is omnipotent, as am I. As all things are possible with Me, all things are possible to you through prayer. Through prayer you adopt My power, My strength, My resourcefulness.

125. If you could see the full capabilities that are at your fingertips through the prayers you pray, you would never doubt, not for one moment, that all things are possible to those who are strong in prayer.

126. There is no stronger power or force than that which comes through prayer. This is why you, My loves‚ must keep the current flowing. As a hydroelectric turbine needs the motion of water to generate electricity‚ so your prayers generate motion in the spirit world. Prayer is what sets things in motion—without it, nothing gets done, nothing is accomplished, nothing moves. This is why I implore you to pray.

127. In Heaven‚ prayers are always being offered up; prayer warriors stand watch continually from the towers of the Heavenly City. Yet I have specifically designed it so that without your prayers joining forces with theirs, the prayers of Heaven are not as forceful as otherwise is possible when you pray.

128. The prayers of departed saints in Heaven, together with the prayers of My angels and spirit helpers‚ effect awesome change and accomplish many purposes. Yet when you join your prayers with those of the Heavenly realm, the power is far superior. When your prayers are joined, the surges of power I am able to release go way beyond what the prayers on either side can do alone. I have made it this way so that you might work in teamwork with the spirit world to accomplish greater results through your prayers. This is a principle of My Spirit, for in the strength of unity there is unbeatable power.

129. The current of Heavenly prayer power is always on. It never stops or cuts off. Prayer warriors in Heaven are always on duty. They are always ready to join forces with you. When you pray in the spirit, when your prayers are in line with My will and directed to Me, then your prayers join forces with Heaven and their might and power is multiplied many times over.

130. This is why you must prevail in prayer, for in the strength of this unity, when your prayers join forces with Heaven, then I can really go to work for you in demonstrating unlimited power and authority over all things in Heaven and Hell‚ on Earth and throughout the universe. (End of message.)

* The MOP: "Prayer" (excerpts)

11. You cannot do the Master's work without the Master's power!—And to get it, you must spend time with the Master!

15. If you don't get alone with the Lord and lick the Devil first, you might as well forget it!

29. If you're too busy to get alone with God and pray, you're too busy.

30. Man 's greatest power lies in the power of prayer.

36. It's not the quantity of your prayer that counts‚ it's the quality!

38. No matter what you're doing‚ you can always be praying!

41. Your prayers can do mighty things and change the course of history!

46. You could accomplish so much through prayer! The world will never know how much has not been accomplished because you didn't pray!

48. Please pray! You're the Operator. It's your responsibility to pass on the message. Please don't fail!—or someone will miss God's important call. Be a faithful Operator—pray!

64. You ought to really get down to business with God! There must be times when you really cry out to the Lord and really pray and seek the Lord and really pray in the Spirit with strong tongues and tears and really call upon the Lord with a whole heart!

65. Since you can pray and your prayers can change things, if things aren't changed, it's your fault for not praying and believing and asking God to do something.

77. Prayer is something you can be doing all the time, no matter what else you're doing. It's like thinking on your feet!

83. Desperate prayer that is full of faith is the most powerful weapon we have‚ and can radically alter any situation or heart.

93. Prayer is powerful! When we pray, things will happen and things will be different! God will answer prayer! But God said to Israel one time that bad things were happening because "No man stirreth himself to call upon Me." (Isa.64:7)

97. If you're not really moved when you pray, I wonder how far it gets!—How do you expect God to be moved?

102. The prayers of godly men and women can accomplish more than all the military forces in the World. Prayer-craft is better than aircraft!

105. When we get to Heaven we're going to find out a lot of things that happened or didn't happen were not the Devil's fault or God's fault, but they were our fault, because we failed to pray!

126. Satan trembles when he sees

The weakest saint upon his knees!

150. You can always call on the Lord and through Him have power over everything.

166. Everything that God in His Word has promised to do, prayer can bring to pass.

170. You can change God's mind by prayer. Moses prayed so hard that God finally repented of what He would do to the Children of Israel.

171. Can you change God's mind? Within certain limits, yes. God's overall plan has never changed, His overall will has never changed. But in certain details you can change His mind, otherwise you might as well quit praying. If prayer won't change anything, forget it.

173. You'd be surprised how much God depends on your prayers, on how concerned you are and how interested you are. The Lord answers your prayers, so why don't you pray?

174. When God answers your prayers He translates those prayers, He amplifies their power and the desire of that prayer to influence the person you are praying for. You have actual influence on them through your prayers.

175. The Lord leaves a lot to us and your concern and prayer. If you only cry with half a heart you only get half an answer. If you stir yourself, then God will stir Himself.

177. He wants us to show concern and pray about a situation. If you really believe, every prayer is heard and answered—but if you don't pray, it is not done. An awful lot depends on you.

179. The very intensity with which you pray and really mean it or desire it is reflected in the answer.

182. Demand and expect an answer! He has promised it! I know He'll not fail, He cannot deny Himself! He is bound by His Word. Remind Him of it, cling to His promises, memorize and quote them continually and never doubt for a moment that God is going to answer—and He will! He has to! He wants to! Trust Him and thank Him for the answer, even if you don't see it immediately. For behold‚ the trying of your faith is much more precious than gold!

183. You determine you're going to pray more, and then you desperately cry out to God and boom! Boom! Boom! The Holy Spirit goes to work right away and you begin to see some action!

* Good Thots, "Communion with God: Prayer," 10-11,37,97,110,113,170,184,193,195-196,240‚243,374,424

10. Dr. Alexis Carrel is a medical doctor who won a Nobel Prize in physiology. He wrote: "Prayer is the most powerful form of energy that one can generate. The influence of prayer on the human mind and body is as demonstrable as that of secreting glands. Its results can be measured in terms of increased buoyancy, greater intellectual vigor, moral stamina and a deeper understanding of human relationships.

"Prayer is indispensable to the fullest development of personality. Only in prayer do we achieve that complete harmonious assembly of mind, body and spirit which gives the frail human need its unshakable strength. When we pray we link ourselves with the inexhaustible motive that spins the Universe."

11. "Stonewall Jackson," says E.M. Bounds in Purpose in Prayer, "was a man of prayer." Said he, "I have so fixed the habit of prayer in my mind that I never raise a glass of water to my lips without asking God's blessing, never seal a letter without putting a word of prayer under the seal, never take a letter from the post without a brief sending of my thoughts Heavenward, never change my classes in the lecture–room without a minute's petition for the cadets who go out and for those who come in."

37. Prayer must mean something to us if it is to mean anything to God.

97. J. Edgar Hoover, director of the FBI, says: "The spectacle of a nation praying is more awe-inspiring than the explosion of an atomic bomb. The force of prayer is greater than any possible combination of man-made or man-controlled powers, because prayer is man's greatest means of tapping the infinite resources of God. Invoking by prayer the mercy and might of God is our most efficacious means of guaranteeing peace and security for the harassed and helpless peoples of the Earth."

110. I live in the spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk about, when I lie down and when I rise up. And the answers are always coming.—George Muller

113. Thou art coming to a King,

Large petitions with thee bring;

For His grace and power are such,

None can ever ask too much!

170. The measure of our love for others can largely be determined by the frequency and earnestness of our prayers for them.

184. It is not the arithmetic of our prayers, how many they are; nor the rhetoric of our prayers, how eloquent they may be; nor the geometry of our prayers, how long they be; nor the music of our prayers, how sweet our voice may be; nor the logic of our prayers, how argumentative they may be; nor the method of our prayers, how orderly they may be—which God cares for. Fervency of spirit is that which availeth much.

193. No praying man or woman accomplishes so much with so little expenditure of time as when he or she is praying.

195. Prayer can do anything that God can do.

196. The one concern of the Devil is to keep the saints from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, he mocks at our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray.

240. What is the life of a Christian but a life of prayer?

243. God said to Israel one time that bad things were happening because He said, "No man stirreth himself to call upon Me!" (Isa.64:7) My mother told me of an incident that happened to an old missionary who was preaching in China in the pulpit one Sunday morning and the Communists invaded the town, threw open the front doors of the church and just mowed the people down with machine guns‚ including the preacher in the pulpit, a horrible‚ horrible massacre!

Here were all these Christians of this small village in China totally massacred! My mother was horrified when she heard the news! She asked‚ "God, why? Why did You let that happen to all those precious Chinese Christians and that pastor‚ a good missionary that's gone clear to China to evangelize them?"

"Why Lord?" She was kind of angry with the Lord. "Why did You let that happen?" And God spoke back to her just as clear as she ever heard the voice of the Lord:

"Because My people pray not for My missionaries!" There is God passing back the buck! We're trying to blame God, but He's putting the responsibility on you! Now if you can pray and your prayers can change things, then if things are not changed it's your fault for not praying and believing and asking God to do something else.—Dad

374. When it is hardest to pray‚ we ought to pray hardest.

424. Prayer is work! Real desperate prayer is FIGHTING!—Not just calmly quoting a little healing verse, but really getting DESPERATE in prayer and really FIGHTING for the victory!—Dad.

* FJWL 1, #18,174,183,194

What have you done today to save a soul? Have you asked yourself this question today? This is the question that you must ask. Have you carried your part of the responsibilities to save a soul today?—Not only in the works of the flesh and in obedience to your schedules, but have you carried your part of the load in prayer and supplication?

Have you carried your part in caring for the children? Have you carried them to My bosom in prayer? Have you fought by their side? Have you seen their needs and their lacks and have you fought for them in prayer? Ask yourself, because this too is what you must do to save a soul.

If your children lack, have you wrestled in the Spirit for them? These burdens that I lay upon your heart—have you acted upon them? What have you done today to save a soul?—To save this soul‚ this child that is before you?—The one that sweeps the floors‚ that makes the bed, that empties the potty‚ that washes the dishes, that dusts the banisters. Have you carried this child before Me in desperate prayer?—Or have you looked upon this child as a burden and a care? Turn around and take this burden and care to Me in prayer, and I will lift them up (ML #2956).

How I love to smell your prayers, like the fragrance of sweet-smelling flowers! Have I not said that prayer is not the least you can do, but the very most that you can do? Think about it! If it's the most you can do, then why don't you pray more?

Prayer is powerful, and if you want My power, then you must pray! What is prayer? It's your link with the Divine! It's communication. It's tapping into the Source. It's faithfulness to the greatest duty of man.

Prayer is rest, faith, complete trust. Prayer brings down My peace upon you! Prayer gets action! It lifts you up! Prayer changes the course of history! Prayer heals! Prayer revives! Prayer restores! Prayer builds! Prayer is humility. Prayer is My love. Prayer moves My hand and spurs Me to action! Prayer gets results. Prayer is saving grace for mankind.

Most importantly, prayer makes us one! Prayer melts us together, that you might partake of My powers.

Just as there are many ways to love—many positions‚ many approaches‚ many exciting and desirable ways to love—so are there many ways to pray. There is a time and a season and a purpose for everything under Heaven. A time to laugh and a time to cry. A time to be happy and a time to be sad. A time to pour out your heart to Me in desperate crying, strong tongues, seeking Me in fervent prayer, and a time to sit quietly‚ serenely, in humble seeking and sweet bidding, whispering your needs and requests in My ear.

There is a time to pray as you go, petitioning from your heart in silent words, and a time to stop, putting all else aside to seek Me with strong prayers and crying. All are important and all have their place and purpose. I need and desire them all.

It's not the position of your body that matters, but the position of your heart. Pray long when it's needed; pray quick when you must run. There is a time to pray quick and a time to pray long, and you must learn to avail yourself of both. Pray fast or pray slow according to the need—but pray! Depend on prayer. Live your prayers. Be not weary in prayer.

You ask if quick prayers work, and whether collective prayers count. What counts is what is from your heart and how much you believe. I know what you believe by how you live.

Heartfelt prayers are what count! If you pray a general prayer with all your heart, knowing that time will not permit more, or because you don't know all the specifics or have all the people's names—like when praying for the PG mommies and the teens—yet you believe in your heart, you tune in‚ you pray in full faith, believing I can touch and keep each one, then I do! But if you pray the prayer with vain repetition while your heart and mind wander off to other cares, then the answer reflects the same.

Full-of-faith prayers get results! Whatsoever you ask in faith, believing, you will receive! Collective prayers, like quick prayers, have their time and place. They keep the fires burning. But strike a balance. Have I not said that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much? Pray collective prayers, for they often serve as reminders of your dependence on Me. But also spread out the requests—assign prayers, divide the list up sometimes if necessary.

Pioneer prayer! Seek Me for ways to keep your prayer life alive, fresh, vibrant, growing and maturing. But whatever you do, pray!

* FJWL 2, #496

(Dad:) This Family was started in prayer, this Family grew in prayer, and this Family will continue on in prayer! Through prayer we're conquering the world! So keep taking all those burdens and trials and tests and problems to the Lord first in prayer. Then trust Him to work things out, and He will!

When Jesus was on Earth, He took all the burdens to His Father in prayer. He didn't let the problems of the people harden Him‚ but He kept casting all His burdens on the Father, and He was moved with compassion for the multitudes as a result. So keep casting all your burdens on Jesus.

Never underestimate the power of prayer! I know it's a temptation to always want to do more in the flesh, in the physical, especially for you young talented spunky ones. But if all you can do is pray, you can rest assured that's a lot! So pray! Pray alone in your closet and pray with others! Pray for these different ones you meet who feel frustrated and at the end of their rope. Pray for the adults and pray for the young people.

Regarding all these would-be problems and snags and things our Homes are coming up against, it's all part of the Lord working in people's lives. But if you just keep praying and just keep hearing fresh from God every day, you're all gonna be just fine! That's the greatest thing you can do and the greatest thing to encourage others to do!

Like I taught, the greatest thing each new generation has to learn for itself is to follow God and hear fresh from Him every day! If you're hearing fresh from God every day, if you take time to hear from Him, He's gonna take time to straighten out every problem.

* Word Basics: "Prayer," #3‚7

3. Prayer promises:

2Pet.1:4 — Are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises

A. Remind God of His promises when praying:

Gen.32:6-12 — Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed [and prayed‚ reminding God of His promises of protection]
Neh.1:4-11 — [Nehemiah prayed:] Remember...the word that Thou commandest Thy servant Moses

B. Some promises to claim in prayer:

Psa.37:4,5 — Delight thyself in Lord: and He shall give thee desires
Isa.65:24 — Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear
Jer.33:3 — Call unto Me, and I will answer thee and shew thee great and mighty things
Jn.15:7 — Ask what ye will‚ and it shall be done unto you
Jn.15:16b — Whatsoever ye ask in My name...[God will] give it
Psa.81:10b — Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it

C. The Lord promises to hear prayer:

2Sam.22:7 — In my distress I called...He did hear my voice
Psa.34:15,17 — The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth
Psa.72:12 — He shall deliver the needy when he crieth
Psa.91:15 — He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him

D. God's blessings for those who seek Him:

2Chr.26:5 — As long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper
2Chr.31:21 — He (sought God) with all his heart, and prospered

7. Wholehearted desperate prayer:

A. Stir yourself up; call on God wholeheartedly:

1Sam.15:11,16 — It grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night
Isa.64:7a — None...stirreth up himself to take hold of Thee
Jer.29:13 — Ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye search for Me with all your heart (See also Deut.4:29)
Lam.2:19 — Arise‚ cry out...pour out thine heart like water
Lk.22:44 — Being in an agony, He (Jesus) prayed more earnestly
Heb.4:16 — Let us therefore come boldly...in time of need
Heb.5:7 — (Jesus) offered up prayers...with strong crying and tears
Jam.5:16b — Effectual fervent prayer...availeth much
(See Psa.61:1,2; 119:10.)

B. Praying fervently and desperately for others:

Rom.15:30,31 — Strive (agonize) together with me in our prayers to God
Col.4:12 — Epaphrus...always laboring fervently for you in prayers

C. Don't give up; be persistent:

Gen.18:23-32 — [Abraham repeatedly asks God to spare Sodom for the sake of the righteous. God agrees, if there are 10]
Gen.32:24-28 — [Jacob refuses to let angel go until he blesses him]
Lk.11:5-10 — Because of his importunity (insistence) he will give
Lk.18:1-8a — [Widow and unjust judge] Lest by her continual coming
Rom.12:12 — Continuing instant (steadfast, persevering) in prayer
Eph.6:18 — Praying always...watching thereunto with perseverance
Jam.5:16b-18 — The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man (See 1Ki.18:2,41-45 )

D. Challenge God to keep His Word and answer prayer:

2Ki.2:14 — [Elisha challenges:] "Where is the God of Elijah?"
Isa.45:11b — Concerning the work of My hands command ye Me
(See also Exo.32:11-14)

E. Sometimes you can change God's mind through prayer:

Gen.19:17-21 — I will not overthrow this city (Zoar), for the which thou hast spoken
Exo.32:9-14 — Moses besought the Lord...and the Lord repented of the evil which He [had] thought to do
2Ki.20:1–6 — [King Hezekiah was told he would die, but when he prayed, God changed His mind and healed him]
Amos 7:1–6 — The Lord repented for this: This also shall not be
Jon.3:4-10 — [Nineveh cried out and repented, so God spared it]

F. Repeating your desperate prayer:

1Ki.18:42,43 — Elijah...put his face between his knees...Go 7 times
Mat.26:44 — (Jesus) prayed the third time, saying the same words

G. Fasting and prayer:

Ezra 8:23 — So we fasted and besought our God for this: and He was intreated of us
Joel 2:12 — Turn ye to Me with all your heart‚ and with fasting
Mat.17:21 — This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting
(See also Deut.9:9,18; Acts 13:2,3; 1Cor.7:5.)