Man’s Hour of Darkness is God’s Hour of Power

COVER LETTER

Dearly Beloved:

I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT “PRAYING THROUGH.”

When I was a boy, the Pentecostals spoke much about “praying through.” This meant you prayed until God answered. At prayer meetings, people were encouraged, “Storm the gates of heaven. Give God no rest until you get the victory.”

Jesus speaks of this when he tells the parable of a widow who would not let go until her petition was heard and answered. This widow came to a judge continually and over time she wore out his patience. The judge reasoned, “Because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me” (Luke 18:5).

This parable was given to encourage us to pray always and not faint. Jesus said, “Shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (verses 7–8, my italics).

The last part of this verse used to bother me. I thought, “How is it possible there might be no faith left when the Lord comes? Surely in that day there will be an innumerable host who yearn for his coming. He will have an overcoming bride, some whose faith cost them their lives.”

Yet I now believe that Jesus was speaking about this particular kind of faith. I’m talking about PERSEVERING FAITH — a faith that does not give up “until.” This is prayer that doesn’t quit, even if the answer does not come quickly or even for a long time; even if things get worse instead of better; even if an answer seems more and more impossible.

Will the Lord find a people who have not fainted? A people who have not given up on their petition? Ask yourself: How many prayers have you given up on? Have you grown weary of praying for a wayward child? If you’ve given up, you’re implying, “God doesn’t answer prayer.”

Has the Holy Spirit whispered a promise in your heart? Has he heard your cry since then? Has he seen your many tears and assured you that in his time a miracle will happen? If so, that is the time to pray more often and more patiently. His promise is intended to excite you to pray the promise to come to pass.

If all believers simply “took it by faith” — praying once and then sitting on it — few would pray “until.” Everybody would be “in waiting” for their miracle. I’ve heard it said, “God said it, I believe it, that settles it.” Yet God expects more than that. I find I am led by the Spirit to pray more specifically. For example, I know that the only way to reach some people is to know that the Holy Spirit has to do the work. When young people are passive about Christ — when they have heard so many sermons, so many warnings, yet nothing gets through to them — only the Holy Spirit can reach them. There has to be a supernatural answer. And so consistent, specific praying must accompany our faith.

In such cases, I pray, “Holy Spirit, even while I pray this very hour, wake this person up. Open their eyes. Lord, I beseech you, pour your conviction on my loved one.” And so I urge you: Get more specific with God in prayer.

Thank you for remembering our missions to the poor, the needy, the hungry and the fatherless throughout the world. For information on these outreaches visit our website at www.worldchallenge.org/missions. God bless you.

In Christ,
DAVID WILKERSON

DW:bbm 12.31.69