I have had such a desire to grow in prayer this month. I want to pray powerful prayers. I want to believe God for more and take Him at his Word. And so I have been wrestling with God over what it really means to believe and have faith in Him. And what I’ve realized is that faith in-itself isn’t as important as your object of faith. Who or what are you trusting in? This is such a liberating thought! My faith doesn’t rely on my own ability to make myself believe, it rest in God-who is powerful, who listens to the prayers of his children, and who is faithful to respond.
I am also realizing the importance of not only asking for things, but declaring what God has promised us to be so in Jesus’ name. Life and death are in the tongue. Words are powerful, having the ability to speak things into existence. God Himself spoke creation into existence and sustains everything by his mighty Word. Jesus is the Word of God. Needless to say, words have power. And as His children made in His own image, who have His Spirit indwelling us, God has given us authority in what we say!
And so the other day, I was reading the book of Zechariah and came to chapter 10. It starts off by saying; “Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime, it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone.” It goes on to talk about idols that speak deceit and diviners who tell lies and cause the people to wander around like sheep without a Sheppard. Prompted by God’s suggestion, I decided to be bold and pray. I asked and declared God to bring rain as a sign that He was opening the Heavens and pouring His rain on this town, bringing revival and salvation. Ironic, because we just had lunch with a local woman who specifically told us that it NEVER rains this time of the year. At the same time, I heard him speak to me “Though he linger, wait for him; he will come and certainly not delay” (Habakkuk 2:3).
I didn’t really think much of the prayer…until the next day. After teaching English class, we looked outside to see clouds in the sky. A teammate remarked that she felt a raindrop. Then minutes later it started to pour.
Whaaaat!! It never rains here, and there had been no indication whatsoever that it would rain. It has literally been 90 degrees without a cloud in the sky every day. God straight up responded to my prayer and opened up the Heavens!
It totally confirmed that God is moving and working in the hearts of the people here, even though we won’t always see it. And it just plain made me so joyful to know that God hears me and is so real! Prayer is powerful!
Salvation is coming to Malaysia, I believe and declare it. And in the spirit of believing in the power of prayer, I ask you to join in the labor we are doing here. Pray bold prayers for the salvation of Malaysia. Pray for religious freedom so that Christians would be free to share the Gospel without fear of being arrested or threatened by violence. Pray against the spirit of works and religion that so has a hold on the people here. Pray for freedom for the captives in Jesus’ name.
“Rise and shine, Malaysia, for your light has come and the glory of the LORD rises upon you” –Isaiah 60:1
