Great Commission Churches

July 2004

 Dear Sisters,

My favorite memory from our recent pastors' conference is the afternoon when I had the opportunity to pray with other women from my region. In joining with others' prayers offered before our King, I was encouraged by their faith, humbled by their grace, instructed by their wisdom and edified by the praying of scripture. To stimulate our thoughts toward prayer, Debbie Poindexter shares what she has gleaned from praying with godly women, and urges us to be devoted to prayer.

Blessings,
Carol

What I Have Learned about Prayer

by Debbie Poindexter, New Life Church, Belton, Missouri

Mollie sat quietly on the first row while the music team rehearsed songs for the following Sunday. She had told us she wanted to be there so she could pray for the worship time. I was impressed by her desire to pray, and encouraged to be more faithful to pray. I learned by her quiet and humble example.

Julia took my hands and began to pray for me. I had never heard anyone use so much scripture in prayer. I was touched by her love for me in wanting to pray for me, and I began to learn the power in praying the Word.

Carol shared with me the verse she has been praying for one of my sons. I was impressed by her insight into the specific need, and her discernment in choosing a scripture just for my son. Once again I was touched and motivated to pray the Word.

Karen took me aside after home group and asked if I would commit to pray with her on the phone weekly for our friends. We both had been feeling hopeless as we observed their situation, and were eager to see God work in their lives. We started to pray every week, and soon our list of people to pray for grew, as we included more and more struggling families that we knew. After a few months, a lot started happening. The Lord completely turned around the first couple. They are experiencing joy and victory like never before. The other couples are experiencing deep trials. We continue to pray, as we know that sometimes God allows painful difficulties to bring about His healing and reconciliation. I continue to learn what it means to persevere in prayer. I continue to learn that God works in mysterious ways, that prayer makes a difference-not only in the lives of those for whom I pray, but in my life as well.

Over the years these examples of godly women in my life have taught me how to pray. I have found myself eagerly looking for new insights on how to pray for people. I often pray Psalm 51:6: "Behold, Thou dost desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part Thou wilt make me know wisdom." I pray that lies would be replaced by God's truth, and that God would have freedom to impart His wisdom and truth in a person's life.

Recently, I prayed Psalm 123:1,2 for myself and for the ladies in my Bible study. "To Thee I lift up my eyes, O Thou who art enthroned in the heavens! Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress; so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until He shall be gracious to us." I want to be so sensitive to the Holy Spirit that I would be quickly responsive to even His quietest promptings.

Through the years I have prayed many scriptures for my husband. Early in our marriage, Diane shared with me that she prayed Proverbs 22:29 for her husband. "Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men." I've never forgotten what she told me, and I have prayed that verse many times.

I have been reading through First and Second Chronicles these past weeks, and have found many scriptures to pray for our church. First Chronicles 29:9 says: "Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the Lord with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced greatly." And Second Chronicles 25:2 says: "And he did right in the sight of the Lord, yet not with a whole heart." I have prayed that we would be delivered from half-heartedness, and that our people, especially our leaders, would be whole-hearted and joyfully willing to serve.

Many of my prayers are recorded in my journal. I have learned that my mind wanders, and writing my prayers to the Lord helps focus my thoughts. Also I find much encouragement by going back and marveling at God's faithfulness in answering prayer in unexpected and wonderful ways.

May you be encouraged by these thoughts to persevere in prayer, to pray the Word, to pray with a friend, and to record your prayers. He is "able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us" (Eph. 3:20).