For years, people were accustomed to hearing me preach repentance and holiness. But they began to question me when my messages started to focus more on mercy, reconciliation and hope. There is a simple explanation for this.

The Spirit has been making it clear to me that all my praying is totally in vain unless I pray in faith. I can weep, fast, intercede, agonize and travail in prayer, yet make no impact with the Lord at all — unless I am doing it all with simple, childlike faith.

The Word says, “Let not that man [the doubter] suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord” (James 1:7).

I recommend you take the time to read the powerful words of Psalms 142 and 143 to encourage your faith. As I was reading them, I wondered what David was going through when he said, “When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then You knew my path” (142:3). He repeats this in 143:4: “My spirit is overwhelmed with me; my heart within me is distressed.” David is actually saying to God, “I am drowning in trouble. I am under attack by my enemies. It is bringing me low.” He cried to the Lord, “Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low . . . Bring my soul out of prison” (142:6-7).

In Revelation, Christ refers to Himself as “HE WHO OPENS AND SHUTS THE DOORS” (see Revelation 3:7). This was in a letter sent to the believers in ancient Philadelphia, a church the Lord complimented for having kept the word of His patience and never denying His name. Simply put, in their most trying times, these people stood faithfully on God’s Word. They did not accuse the Lord of neglecting them or turning a deaf ear to their cries.

Scripture speaks again and again of the fear of God: “Fear the Lord and depart from evil” (Proverbs 3:7). “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil” (Proverbs 8:13). “In mercy and truth atonement is provided for iniquity; and by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil” (Proverbs 16:6).

When there is no fear of God, people have to invent a gospel of convenience.

The world has concocted a gospel in which there is no God and therefore no heaven or hell. There is no afterlife, with nothing and no one to answer to.

Years ago I was invited to speak at Yale University. Upon my arrival, I was warned that a group of demonstrators in the audience was ready to interrupt me on notice. As I stepped up to the podium, I saw some of those protesters holding signs.

My message that night was, “HELL: WHAT IT’S LIKE AND WHO IS GOING THERE.” I preached exactly what Jesus said: “There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:50). As I spoke, there was total silence in the auditorium and the atmosphere grew heavy with conviction. Afterward, everyone filed out of the auditorium in stunned silence.

“As the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness’” (Hebrews 3:7-8).

“Let us hold fast our confession [of faith]” (Hebrews 4:14).

Some who have backslidden tell themselves, “I can get right with the Lord whenever I choose. I’m just not ready. I’m not mad at God; I just need time with my friends, time to enjoy myself. I know God is loving and merciful, so when I’m ready, I’ll come to Him. I’ll know when that time is.” I hear these thoughts especially among young people who are drifting away.

I once heard a missionary speak of great awakenings around the world. It was clear that in every case, the “spirit of prayer” is tied to the last harvest. In Vietnam, China, Siberia, the Amazon, Africa, God’s people are praying with fire and fervency — weeping and crying out to God, seeking His face, dealing with sin and turning to righteousness.

Let us look at Daniel’s prayer: “Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications … incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations … for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of your great mercies” (Daniel 9:17-18).

The word “supplication” is never used in the Bible except to denote a cry or prayer that is vocalized; in other words, it is not private or a meditation. Supplication definitely has something to do with the voice!