Ravenhill on prayer

I found this sermon by Leonard Ravenhill on prayer quite encouraging.

Hat tip: Arminian Today.

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Prayer

©1994 Leonard Ravenhill

The Gospel Of Prayer

There's nothing more transfiguring than prayer. People often ask, "Why do you insist on prayer so much?" The answer is very simple—because Jesus did. You could change the title of the Gospel according to St. Luke to the Gospel of Prayer. It's the prayer life of Jesus. The other evangelists say that Jesus was in the Jordan and the Spirit descended on Him as a dove—Luke says it was while He was praying that the Spirit descended on Him. The other evangelists say that Jesus chose 12 disciples—Luke says it was after He spent a night in prayer that He chose 12 disciples. The other evangelists say that Jesus died on a cross—Luke says that even when He was dying Jesus was praying for those who persecuted Him. The other evangelists say Jesus went on a mount and He was transfigured—Luke says it was while He was praying that He was transfigured. There's nothing more transfiguring than prayer.

Praying for our enemies

Jesus tells us to pray for our enemies. While we can pray for protection, and that God will execute justice when we are being mistreated, the implication of Jesus' words is that we are praying for goodness in the lives of our enemies.

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44)

Leanne Payne gives some suggestions on how we can pray for our enemies. She says that our prayer for ourselves in such situations is: for endurance in persecution, for the ability to love from God, and that we will not act in a sinful way that brings our enemy harm.

Her principles for praying for our enemies are to ask that:

1. The eyes of all who surround these people will be opened to see the situation as it really is.
2. Their associates will be given ways to speak truth and light into the situation.
3. Any demonic power within these people or situations manifest itself—that it may be clearly discerned and seen by all.
4. What can be salvaged (in the situation and the lives of your enemies) be saved, humbled, and blessed by the Spirit of God.

She recommends prayer for those engaging such people, and suggests that much damage is done to evil when truth is revealed.