Hell-Shaking Prayer

HELL-SHAKING PRAYER

When the book of Daniel was written, Israel was in captivity to Babylon. And by chapter six, after a long life in ministry, Daniel was eighty years old.

Daniel had always been a praying man. And now, in his old age, he had no thoughts of slowing down. Scripture makes no mention of Daniel being burned out or discouraged. On the contrary, Daniel was just beginning. Scripture shows that even as this man turned eighty, his prayers shook hell, enraging the devil.

King Darius promoted Daniel to the highest office in the land. He became one of three co-equal presidents, ruling over princes and governors of 120 provinces. Darius favored Daniel over the other two presidents, putting Daniel in charge of forming government policy and teaching all the court appointees and intellectuals (Daniel 6:3).

Obviously, Daniel was one busy prophet. I can only imagine the kinds of pressures placed on this minister, with his busy schedule and time-consuming meetings. Nothing, however, could take Daniel away from his times of prayer; he was never too busy to pray. Prayer remained his central occupation, taking precedence over all other demands. Three times a day, he stole away from all his obligations, burdens and demands as a leader to spend time with the Lord. He simply withdrew from all activities and prayed. And God answered him. Daniel received all his wisdom, direction, messages and prophecies while on his knees (see Daniel 6:10).

You may ask—What is the prayer that shakes hell? It comes from the faithful, diligent servant who sees his nation and church falling deeper into sin. This person falls on his knees, crying, “Lord, I don’t want to be a part of what’s going on. Let me be an example of your keeping power in the midst of this wicked age. It doesn’t matter if no one else prays. I’m going to pray.”

Too busy to pray? Do you say, “I just take it by faith”? You may think to yourself, “God knows my heart; he knows how busy I am. I give him thought prayers throughout the day.”

I believe the Lord wants quality, unhurried time alone with us. Prayer then becomes an act of love and devotion, not just petition time.

David Wilkerson Today
Daily Devotions
Thursday, October 30, 2008

The only thing that frightens the hordes of
hell is a prayer warrior !!

I agree with what Mr. Wilkerson has said here to encourage and gently correct the Saints in prayer. It also set me out to capture in words this recent perspective on prayer.

During this time in my life of prayer I have noticed something: three relationships of Prayer: Prayer in my closet where I am alone with [u]God[/u], my Father. Corporate prayer where I pray with the Body of [u]Christ[/u] and praying without ceasing, through out the day, like a walking in the [u]Spirit[/u]. Scripture is full of examples of these three relationships of prayer. I see the trinity in this and a great need for balance.

[u]Alone with my Father[/u]. We have all witnessed communion and answers to prayer in the closet from the very first prayer that escaped our heart in salvation. There is the precious transformation that comes with intimacy there and the witness of His power. From Old Testament scripture there is Elijah, David, and Daniel alone with God. From the New Testament there are many examples from the life of Jesus leading to Gethsemane. This prayer as it progresses in our life of prayer is the most difficult to share with others.

[u]Prayer without ceasing[/u]. You can see the signs of this everywhere in Acts and at times in The Old Testament (David with Goliath and fleeing Saul, the fiery furnace). And many today speak of our Father’s tender graces providing the perfect needful thing as we turn to Him throughout the day. It can increase our awareness of His presence and His will for us as we see that the very Word the Holy Spirit ministered to us in our morning Bible study are needed later that day to respond to something that occurs. This relationship can make us weep when we see how small a thing our Father tends to. It encourages us like dew that gives moisture to plants. It strengthens faith in abiding. This prayer is the easiest to share with others.

[u]But few today speak of the events of corporate prayer[/u]. Each of us can recall the Old Testament reports of Solemn Assemblies, times when all Israel gathered before God and God’s regard for His people in those times. In the New Testament, there is the greatest example, the day of Pentecost, and many other examples like Peter’s release from prison.

If corporate prayer is really the Body of Christ, come together as one with our Head, Christ Jesus; couldn’t the lack of corporate prayer reveal, among many other sad things, hearts that are full of the division (that is the fruit of sin) in our Churches. This prayer, and how our Father answers, does not need to be shared with others [u]because the prayer already was shared with others[/u] and the results cannot be missed.

[u][b]Too few speak of the events of corporate prayer.[/u][/b]

Now I am thinking that great health and strength comes to the individual cells of the body in prayer alone with our Father and then comes to the whole Body in corporate prayer. Wouldn’t that be full New Testament hell-shaking prayer?

Accurate and humbling words, Joan. thank you.

Oh yes Ruach34. Prayer is so humbling.

How can the knee know the Head as the elbow does? In corporate prayer, here there are glimpses of more of Him. The parts supply that in their heart-cry.

There is no way I could articulate what God has done through the Tuesday conference prayer call. (We pray in less than two hours.) If you are not already there on Tuesdays, come and enter in.

I believe the Lord wants quality, unhurried time alone with us. Prayer then becomes an act of love and devotion, not just petition time.

And not a mere ritual which has now been done and I can get on with life.

ginnyrose

'If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.' Streams of living water is available for whoever is thirsty enough to come and drink.

Many aren't thirsty for it at all. They rarely if ever come to this well.

Some come to sip from time to time. It is just one of many wells they drink from. They know the water in this well is good, but the others are so much easier to drink from. The others have such appeal and attract so many people.

Then there are some, tired of the other wells, who are thirsty for just one. Though there are few if any around this well, it doesn't matter. The rope and bucket may be missing, but it doesn't matter. There are springs of living water in this well and those who are thirsty enough to come and drink, are determined to be filled.

It is that simple. We are either this thirsty for this water or we are not. As long as any other well catches our eye, we are not yet thirsty enough to drink from this well.

This verse was a turning point in Hudson Taylor's life. He makes the point that it is not a one time experience but one that is to be repeated time and time again.

Once this level of thirst is reached and this spring of water is found, no other well matters. Here, prayer is not a thing we have to do, it is what we live to do.

In the 50's David Wilkerson committed to spending his evening hours seeking God instead of watching TV. In his thirst, God was able to speak to him. As a result we have the Teen Challenge ministry.

It was through the Teen Challenge ministry that I had the priviledge of spending a year on his ranch in Texas in the 70's. I know how much he prayed. That example has stayed with me for 30 years. When I got thirsty enough, I found the spring of water. It is cool.

This is the kind of prayer that shakes hell. Hell cannot get to you when you have gotten this thirsty. Try as he may, this thirst does not let go until it touches God. When you do, satan truly does flee.