Praying Specifically

Psalm 34:4
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.

This is the year of PURSUE. In our chase after God’s word, will and ways, one major suggestion for every Oregon Ministry Network minister…increase your prayer life. This is one of the major disciplines that will enhance your pursuit of God as a minister. Pursuing God in prayer is one of the most freeing and rewarding experiences you will ever have.

About five years ago, during one of our morning Wednesday Prayer Huddles at the Network Office, I felt prompted to suggest we ask the Lord specifically for $100,000 for ministry. Even when I voiced the request, I questioned my faith and wisdom. But one of our faith-filled team members took the challenge and led in a powerful prayer, asking the Lord to provide an additional $100,000.

A few weeks later I was asked to meet with a pastor and one of his seasoned saints. During the meeting, the member announced that they wanted to give a check to the OMN from the sale of some property in the amount of $100,000. The gift was given to assist in ministering to our Mission Oregon pastors. This was a double wow moment. I was overjoyed but must admit I had forgotten about the specific prayer weeks earlier. Days later while driving to the Network Office, the Lord brought back to my remembrance the united prayer of the team. It was another reminder that pursuing God involves praying specifically.

Bob Hostetler, in his book The Red Letter Prayer Life, suggests five reasons to pray specifically.

1) Praying for specific needs clarifies our minds.
2) Praying for specific needs helps us define our needs.
3) Praying for specific needs emphasizes our dependence on and intimacy with God.
4) Praying for specific needs makes us more alert to answers.
5) Praying for specific needs increases our faith.

I don’t know what is on your currently prayer list. Perhaps you are needing a breakthrough, resources or direction. I want to encourage you, during the course of this month, to pursue God by praying specifically. This is a great season to remember we serve a God who do more than we ask or think.

“Our prayer may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble.
But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not in the one who says it,
our prayers do make a difference.” Max Lucado

By the way, I am looking forward to seeing you at this year’s Network Summit, April 29-May 1 at Peoples Church in Salem.
You are loved!