It was time to pray
I spent the last two weeks with someone close to me, who was undergoing medical tests. One night I woke up and she was sick. Really sick. She couldn’t catch her breath. I started to karate chop on her back (she asked, I promise) to break up the crud that was stealing her air.
She was in a battle.
So was I. Chop. Chop. Chop. Up and down her back I went, but inside I warred against principalities and powers on her behalf.
Anytime you bring up words like “principalities and powers,” it’s open to misunderstanding. Yet when I began my Come With Me journey three years ago, I couldn’t help but notice that Jesus prayed. He pulled away to be alone with God, sometimes all night.
If Jesus is the Son of God — and he is — why didn’t he just talk to God throughout the day?
What was happening in those alone times, and what does it tell you and me about prayer?
Prayer is intimate
Jesus spent time in prayer because of his relationship with God.
When we begin to see prayer as connection with God, something changes in our prayers. They aren’t a bunch of hurried words over a meal, and certainly not a duty. Prayer is living. It’s conversation. It’s communion.
It redefines what it means to be a believer, because we start to really believe that God is who he says he is.
Prayer is emotional and spiritual rest
In scripture, we see that Jesus was exhausted at times. He often prayed for people from sunup to sundown. There was a time that he barely made it to a boat before he curled up and went into a deep sleep. He was so tired that a massive storm didn’t wake him up.
I’ve been that tired before. Have you?
We can walk around in a zone, exhausted out of our minds. Whether it’s because we have a house full of people who need us, or a ministry that we love but it’s weighty, or because we haven’t lived in balance for a long time, we find ourselves mentally and spiritually empty.
Prayer took Jesus from the bottom of empty to full. It’s our promise as well.
Prayer is transformational
Prayer changes the world.
Prayer changes people and situations.
Prayer changes us.
I can’t tell you that one is more important than the other. It all works together as we pray.
[ctt template=”4″ link=”2SJ49″ via=”yes” ]Prayer is more than a posture. It is personally connecting with the power of God. #13thdisciple #ComeWithMe #revolutionaryprayer @suzanneeller[/ctt]
The night that I beat on my friend’s back, she started coughing and stuff started moving (gross!) and her airways opened. Her back was red and I was a little embarrassed at my enthusiasm.
“Wow, what was going on back there?” she said.
I didn’t know how to explain it. As I prayed, the situation transitioned from my limited abilities (chop, chop, chop) to spiritually battling for her.
I want that in every aspect of my lives.
I’m not talking about praying and things magically turning out the way I hope. Rather, I want prayer to align my life and my will with God.
There’s power in prayer, friends, and we desperately need to tap into it. Not for personal gain, but to rediscover what is available to us as believers.
Over the next year I’m hosting a series of 21-day adventures.
In just a few days I’m starting the first of that series. It’s called 21 Days to Revolutionary Prayer. Whether anyone joins me or not (and I pray that thousands do), I’m taking this journey for myself.
I long to go deeper. I long to walk with Jesus as the disciples did, because I’m a disciple. I desire to rediscover the power of prayer.
Will you invite your friends to join? Your Bible study group? Your family?
Most of all, I want you to join in 21 Days to Revolutionary Prayer which begins on November 1st. Every day we’ll take one step deeper together as prayer warriors.
If you haven’t subscribed to the blog, will you do that today? Will you tell a friend so that she can join us too?
Subscribe to my blog
I’ll see you here on Tuesday, November 1.
Let’s discover what God has for us as we push deeper into the power of prayer together!
Suzie
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Our Pastor was talking about this subject last night. It was in Matt. chapter 9 where the sick woman touched the hem of Jesus garment and He felt the power go out of Him. Our Pastor said when we get desperate enough to put aside all pretenses and fall on our face before Jesus then we will see His power displayed. Yes, I have been there before, so caught up in something that it was pulling me under. I started walking and praying, and sometimes falling on my face before Jesus. He healed me from the inside out.
I can’t wait to join you in the 21 Days To Revolutionary Prayer! 🙏 ❤
We are never in a better place then when we depend totally on God. Our friends can’t solve it. We don’t have the resources or the strength to solve it. Only God can solve it. Praise God for his faithfulness.
I’m in with 21 days of prayer. Absolutely. Also Suzie I want you to know that I am praying for you , for God to rest and rejuvenate your soul. You have given so much to me through your blog and books and I’m sure countless others. Your name is written in my prayer closet right along with my family. You do so much for others this is what I’m doing for you. May God bless you and continue to use you in many more ways.
I’m so grateful for that!
I love this post and look forward to joining you. It is exactly what I need right now.
Planning to journey with you in 21 Days to Revolutionary Prayer.
I am so excited to start this journey. My gramma is a prayer warrior and her walk with Jesus has always inspired me. Prayer is powerful!!
“I’m not talking about praying and things magically turning out the way I hope. Rather, I want prayer to align my life and my will with God.” amen!!!
I cannot wait to walk this adventure with you and this tribe of beautiful women! I’m in. All the way. God, meet me.
You took the words out of my mouth Crystal. I am a prayer and at times fall in line with other prayer warriors. However, lately due to life situations I haven’t been praying like I should. The timing is so right on these sessions. I look forward to growing together.
Beautiful post, and I look forward to Revolutionary prayer!! Thanks Suzie!
I’m not sure what to say, Suzie, only thank you and praise God for communion in prayer. Oh, the power that sits there…. I’ll be praying along with you. God knows it’s only right now and always.
The little girl warrior threaded in the midst of my link stood firm thanks to a loving Father. The strain of stress in the past ordered me to be an emotional mess. Not anymore. He taught me how to fight and stand firm. Then deliverance came. Amen & praise God.
I love this, Kristi.
I am ready to start the adventure with you……………….thank you
Let’s do this!
For anyone who has witnessed the power of prayer, the desire to go deeper is lasting and profound. God works extravagantly through our prayers! Looking forward to this Susie!
This is such a powerful word. I stumbled upon your pretty graphic on Pinterest and the blog post to follow was just as beautiful.
hanks, Emilee!