(Luke 11:9 Amp)
There’s a phrase that used to be heard in old-time Pentecostal circles. It was familiar to those rugged conquerors who fought—and won—countless battles on their knees. It was frequently found on the lips of spiritual warriors who knew how to prevail in prayer.
It’s the phrase praying through.
Most charismatic Christians in this day and hour know nothing about praying through. Some even scoff at the term. “Oh, I don’t need to pray through,” they say. “I know who I am in Christ. I know the Word. I just pray once and I’m done.”
Granted, there is some truth in those statements. When it comes to praying and receiving the things that are ours by virtue of redemption, we can simply pray the prayer of faith one time. We can receive the new birth, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and healing for our body, for instance, by taking our stand on the Word in Christ Jesus and believing we receive. There is no need to tarry; no need to labor in prayer; and, in those instances, no need to pray through.
When it comes to praying prayers of intercession for others and praying out the plans and purposes of God, however, we find ourselves in an entirely different situation. We find ourselves with the spiritual responsibility of preparing the way of the Lord. We find we must wrestle “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph. 6:12 KJV). We must stand steadfast in faith and prayer enforcing the will and the Word of the Lord.
As anyone who has done it can tell you, that requires more than praying a quick prayer of faith and skipping merrily on your way. It requires persistence and commitment. It takes believing God and staying in His face until the Devil has been put on the run and the divine will is done on earth as it is in heaven.
It takes someone who knows what it means to pray through.
Scripture Reading: Luke 11:1 – 10
Excerpt permission granted by Lynne Hammond Ministries
On the chilly March night in 1972 when Lynne Hammond took her first step into a life of Spirit-led prayer, she had no idea what was about to happen. All she knew was the hunger in her heart for God wouldn’t let her sleep. In the few short months she’d been born again, her desire to fellowship with Him had grown so strong she could hardly contain it. “Help me, God!” she cried. “I want to know you. I want to be able to talk to you. Please, teach me to pray!”
Suddenly, a heavenly presence flooded the room. Lynne sensed waves of spiritual fire sweeping over her and a beautiful language began to flow like a river from within her. Although she’d never heard of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, she knew instantly, without a doubt—this was God!
What began that night soon blossomed into a life of prayer that ultimately became a ministry of prayer when, in 1980, Lynne and her husband, Mac, founded Living Word Christian Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Under Lynne’s leadership, the prayer ministry at Living Word has become an internationally recognized model for developing effective pray-ers in the local church.
A teacher and an author, Lynne publishes a newsletter called Prayer Notes, has written numerous books, and currently serves as the national prayer director for Daughters for Zion. Her passion for inspiring and leading others into the life of Spirit-led prayer continues to take her around the world to minister to believers whose heart cry, like hers, is “Lord, teach me to pray!”