"Fight the devil on your knees". "The family the prays together stays together". We have all heard the phrases and cliches, if you will, about prayer. From the time we start out in church, we are taught to pray. Pray before you go to bed: "Now I lay me down to sleep...". Pray before you eat: "God is great, God is good....". As a babe in Christ, prayer is a foundation that we build upon. As leaders, we preach about the necessity, and the benefits of prayer. However, I fear the many who preach it fail to practice it. And that is the heart of this post.
Those of us who have been in Student Ministry for a number of years can stand behind a podium and teach, preach, and exhort in some fashion without a great deal of difficulty. We know the mechanics, and we have developed the ability to "public speak". We know how to get someone to say "AMEN", and we can fill a 30 minute time slot with ease and simplicity. Here is the issue: ministry is not about mechanics or just filling time. Ministry is about ministering (big surprise right?). We are not public speakers, nor are we motivational speakers. We are ambassadors for Christ, and we are to preach the Word with anointing, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Effective ministry does not come with a unique title, or the coolest object lesson. Effective ministry is not developed through the best stage design or the coolest lights. Effective ministry comes through developing one's own relationship with Jesus Christ. That includes prayer. Prayer for your ministry, prayers of thanksgiving, intercessory prayer, daily prayer, sacrificial prayer.
I refuse to believe that ANYONE should be preaching to our students unless they have spent time in the Holy Ghost, praying and seeking the will of God. Prayer should not become a hindrance, but rather a privilege. And the more we exercise that privilege, the more we can operate in the Holy Ghost.
Here is a cliche for everyone: NO ONE IS A FIRMER BELIEVER IN THE POWER OF PRAYER THAN THE DEVIL; NOT THAT HE PRACTICES, BUT BECAUSE HE SUFFERS FROM IT. - Guy King
Prayer drives out the enemy. Prayer tears down strongholds. Prayer removes walls. Prayer will get results. We must pray, we must make the sacrifice, and pray. TIME ON YOUR KNEES IS TIME WELL SPENT. We must pray.
