[Lee Grzywinski]

Hello faithful readers!

Hallesby said of Jesus: “When at His ascension He took leave of His friends as far as His physical presence was concerned, He extended His almighty arm so far down that we insignificant and sinful people can reach it every time we bend our knees in prayer.” This brings out his two main points in this chapter: prayer is access to power, and prayer is work.

Prayer is also “the most important work in the kingdom of God.” It is something that all Christians – regardless of maturity and regardless of gifting – are called to do. It is the work we all have to do for the power of God to work in our lives, our church, and our world.

Notice that Hallesby spends time talking about cultivating the habit of prayer without saying it in so many words. He speaks of praying for our families, our church, our pastors, our worship services, our neighbors, and our co-workers; for revival and for the lost. He says that developing this habit would make us almost instinctively pray even for the strangers we pass as we move through our everyday lives. This is why he stresses that it is work. Hard work. But it is access to the power of God to work in all of those people and things we pray for.

I also find it fascinating how he talks about the busyness of the nation and the regrettable spiritual state of the nation, considering he wrote this book 91 years ago in Norway. It makes me realize two things: 1) not much changes in the world, and 2) that is the church’s fault because not much changes in the church. We need prayer more than ever!

[Carolyn Hayes]

Aside from prayer being work in that prayer must be intentional and all-inclusive in its scope to the point that we keep a notebook of people and ministries for whom and for which we are praying, prayer is a means to an end . . . the impactful words of Jesus recur . . . “You have not because you ask not.” If that was all I heard throughout this chapter, that would have been enough to enkindle fire into my prayer life. Therefore, this is my prayer: “Dear Jesus, I am so sorry that I do not pray enough or arduous enough to make a difference in the outcomes I am seeking. Please, Lord, help my doubting heart believe that prayer does, indeed, make a difference in all that I am praying. Amen and Amen.”

[Joe Del Grande]

Each chapter I read, convicts me more and more about my prayer life. By changing my mindset to prayer as work, I can schedule the time like I do work and make sure I completed it on time each day. I don’t want to make it a legalistic thing, but make it part of my daily habit and protect it from less important things.

I really liked how Hallesby tells us to pray for pastors, missionaries, etc. and that God would send those whose hearts are for Him and not send those who haven’t been called.

[Lynne Mazza-Hilway]

I love the way O. Hallesby describes “the weapon or equipment God has given us that make us invincible – Jesus ‘ Holy Spirit and prayer, a prerequisite to all the rest of Kingdom work. We touch His Almighty arm and some of His omnipotence streams in upon us, through us and out to others. This wireless transmission of power was from above should be a steady flow in our lives, flowing streams of blessing, which through our prayers should reach our whole environment. Beginning in our homes, we pray the Spirit could give us that open eye of love which sees both visible and invisible needs. That the machinery has become too heavy is due to the fact that we are operating it with human labor instead of running it by power from above. Let us pray the Spirit of prayer will take us into the workshop where the power conduits lie.”

[play aviator]

I am assured of it.

[avenue17]

What nice idea

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