Spending my gap year in Japan with a mission team that had a BIG vision to see God plant a whole presbytery of churches in and around two new towns where Jesus had never been worshiped definitely strengthened my prayer life! I don't remember regular monthly 4-hour concerts of prayer during my gap year, but I do remember a conversation with a friend in college about how amazing it was to pray for four hours, so perhaps we did?
For sure, during the rest of my years in Japan the monthly highlight was 4-hour Concert of Prayer and annual All-Night Prayer. To be sure, those weren't the only times we prayed. We all knew nothing would happen unless God moved, and so based on the mystery of how He works, we prayed.
I had an opportunity once to speak at the weekly Intercessory Prayer Meeting at Penney Farms Retirement Village in Florida, and wow! did those people pray! Most were retired pastors & missionaries, and they knew firsthand what it meant to be dependent on the Lord in prayer.
Anecdotal stories in books are also powerful. A friend told me recently that in the first chapter of "Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools," the author recounts that every morning during the summer before his 8th grade year, he walked laps around his school building, holding the school directory and praying. And the next year, 1/3 of his classmates trusted Christ as their Savior. WOW! Why are we not praying more?! and more specifically?!
Students in a Christian group at a nearby university spent time on the quad last week, asking people if they could pray for them. The student whom I know asked 20 people ... and not one refused!! The author of the aforementioned book makes the observation that in our current society, prayer is the touchpoint between a secular yet "spiritually interested" culture and believers. People still want prayer.
While the foundation for my dependence on prayer was laid during my time in Japan, being involved in Moms in Prayer weekly for the past 6+ years has really emboldened my praying! I attended a gathering recently of MIP leaders in our county, and as we shared what God is doing, we brainstormed about what else He might do. It was thrilling, and we left with two very specific ~ and BIG ~ requests for our county: a Christian special ed school and a baccalaureate service for the big schools in our county.
God can do ANYTHING!
What's your impossible? Your "I need a miracle"
What's got you barely hanging by a single thread?What looks so hopeless now? What weighs down your heart with doubt?You beg for a breakthrough, but no sign of breakthrough yet
When you've cried, and you've cried 'til your tears run dryThe answer won't come, and you don't know whyAnd you wonder if you can bow your head even one more time
Don't stop prayingDon't stop calling on Jesus' nameKeep on pounding on Heaven's doorAnd let your knees wear out the floorDon't stop believing'Cause mountains move with just a little faithAnd your Father's heard every single word you're sayingSo, don't stop praying
He's close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spiritThe Alpha and Omega knows how your story ends
When you've cried, and you've cried 'til your tears run dryThe answer won't come, and you don't know whyAnd you wonder if you can bow your head even one more timeOh, do it one more time
And don't stop prayingDon't stop calling on Jesus' nameKeep on pounding on Heaven's doorAnd let your knees wear out the floorDon't stop believing'Cause mountains move with just a little faithAnd your Father's heard every single word you're sayingSo, don't stop praying
Oh-oh(Don't stop, don't stop praying) oh, don't stop praying(Don't stop, don't stop praying)Oh-oh
Don't stop praying for the prodigalDon't stop praying for the miracleHallelujah, hallelujah, and amenDon't stop praying that addictions endDon't stop praying for deliveranceHallelujah, hallelujah, and amen
Oh, don't stop praying for the sickness healedDon't stop praying for His power revealedHallelujah, hallelujah, and amenNo, don't stop praying for the Kingdom comeDon't stop praying that His will be doneHallelujah, hallelujah, and amen
Don't stop prayingDon't stop calling on Jesus' nameKeep on pounding on Heaven's doorLet your knees wear out the floorDon't stop believing'Cause mountains move with just a little faithAnd your Father's heard every single word you're sayin'So, don't stop praying
oh, don't stop praying(Don't stop, don't stop praying) hey, don't you give up nowNo, don't stop praying
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Matthew West / Jeff Pardo
Don't Stop Praying lyrics © Meaux Mercy, All Essential Music, Brenthood Music, My Story Your Glory Music
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