Why Revival Tarries (book reading) CHAPTER TWO

4. Is it true that "Satan has little case to fear most preaching"? Why or why not? Yes. For two reasons. One as Ravenhill points out there is little unction behind most preaching because very few preachers pray like they should to get unction. Trust me the reason most people pray to God like Santa Claus with their want list is the leadership does the same. Secondly, Prayer along with the Word are two of the most powerful weapons we possess in Spiritual warfare -- but -- We do not treat them this way on a practical level. Fellowship dinnners with food are well attended but prayer meetings well -- you get the same few all the time. Recently the Pentecostal Evangel did an article on Biblical illiteracy. Gladly, people are beleiving more and more that the Bible is histoically accurate. What is sad is the fact the knowledge of the Bible's content is almost non existant. They had a twenty question test to rate people knowledge. Nearly everyone in the church took it . Average score -- 6 out of 20. That's 30% -- F and a bad one folks. How does one use the sword of the Spirit againt the devil if one does not know its content. You can't. Any soldier will tell you that knowledge of what your weapon can do is the first step to being effective. After that is gaining skill in using it. North American Christians are ignorant of even the first part. 5. How does prayer changes what effort and words and cannot? Prayer touches the spiritual in a way words and actions cannot. It therefore has a power to change the soul and spirit of a person where the other two without unction cannot really change anything. Those things can change only temporarily things that are temporary. prayer changes eternity.6. What percentage of your prayer is done privately? Hmmm. A reflective quesiton. Well , it is said confession is good for the soul so.... I would say 70% of my prayer is private. Probably should be 80-90%. Let me do the math. 14 hours private prayer. We have services, plus four prayer times which are all public -- total 7.5 hours. Hmm -- worse than I thought -- 65% is private. To get it up to 80 % I would have to add 16 more hours of private prayer. That's more than double what I do now. 4 1/2 to 5 hours per day. If the prayer meetings begin to go long (please Lord) -- even more. Man -- never read this book and Revial Praying at the same time if you want on to hold onto your flesh. ;-) Oh brother Ravenhill thoguh dead you still speak with a Spirit empowered voice. Pastor's always have some public prayer, but if not proceeded with private prayer of a great amount -- public prayer is well -- Spiritless.Blessings.

4. Is it true that "Satan has little case to fear most preaching"? Why or why not?This is true because nobody or most people don’t pray anymore. I know from my own life to my shame and how many others lack in prayer before they make decisions or minister to others. It is easier to just look busy, seem spiritual by our activity before we pray and seek the face of God. There is no vision and passion in the church because we don’t pray. The church is powerless because of our lack of prayer. Satan knows how powerful prayer is against his plans and schemes and he does everything he can to distract us from going to prayer meetings, in private or with our wives and children.5. How does prayer changes what effort and words and cannot?Our offorts are masked for unction, or power from God working through us in our lives. We can do much to create a shell of spirituality and appearance of relationship with God without actually having life flow through us. I know from my own life as a Christian how for many years, almost 17, I went to Church, had Christian friends, did all the church activities, was busy, busy, busy, but my spiritual life was in shambles, still a child of satan, sinning, in bondage to sin, not praying much nor reading God’s Word.. I have to ask myself if this is still the same today in my life? Thankfully no, I still need more passion by God’s grace and that is why I have decided to do this study. We need to pray, I need to pray, or I will die spiritually.6. What percentage of your prayer is done privately? This all depends on how much one prays totally each day, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, more? I guess for me my percentage done privately is about 50%. I pray some with my wife and with my children, though brief, we are growing in this area in family devotions and prayer with my wife. I pray while I drive privately and alone briefly. This teaching is exercising me in self examination here and being real with the Lord. Father help me to have zeal, passion and a desire to not be distracted by the things of this world and to seek You and pray daily!A friend who is a pastor of a moderate size church, told me that for the first 2 years he never prayed hardly or read his Bible for the entire time but was busy, busy, doing the work of the church. He told me he never took a Sabbath. He has soon changed his ways since the beginning of his minisitry as a pastor. I am sure many are in similar situations, being so busy doing and not being in the presence of God praying, touching eternity.

Roniya,Very good point about Finney and Nash. it seems that good preaching is often proceeded not only by the preacher being a man of prayer, but also that there is a man or men, woman or women who prayer fevrently for him. It is interesting some of the stories of prayer partners and intercessors for these men are just as colorful as their own. It might then be said that a preacher needs someone praying for him with fervrency as well as himself praying with fervrency.Blessings.

Just wanted to acknowledge the great responses here briefly and this gem;We need to pray, I need to pray, or I will die spiritually.Have about a two week long bit of journaling that somehow turned into a sort of commentary stemming from a lot of prayer and based around John 6 that would fit under #4... Think Roniya's retelling of the incident with the preachers dream would capsulize it. And the short version would be that there is a failing to direct attention to all the difficult things the Lord spoke very plainly ... getting a bit ahead of myself here. Some great replies to re-read and ponder from this.

Wow! I love how God is using this book to stir us to action and unction! I am very glad to see that people are not just posting but reading others' posts. Too many times of message boards there is more posting than reading.4. Is it true that "Satan has little case to fear most preaching"? Why or why not?Satan has no fear of things that are born on earth. It's his dominion while the King is away. He is only referred to as the "prince" of this world, not sovreign king. Satan only fears that which is of heavenly origin, and preaching with unction (annointing) is the only kind whose words have their origin in heaven, through the Spirit.Too many times, myself included, preaching isn't birthed in prayer but in pageantry. The fruit it produces is of the wax kind, which will melt and sizzle away when the fire of God tests it.5. How does prayer changes what effort and words and cannot?Again, that which has an earthly origin cannot topple the strongholds of the devil. To battle spiritually, we must preach spiritually, and this can only be done through prayer.6. What percentage of your prayer is done privately?My prayer life is still not where it should be. I find myself praying all the time, but I lack discipline in scheduling time in prayer and prioritizing it. I let the devil burden me with business and things occupy my mind that shouldn't, not in the place of prayer.Elijah saw a great wind shake and break mountains, but the Lord was not in it.He ever saw fire, but the Lord was not in it.He didn't seek God's voice in those things which the heathen for centuries call "acts of God."He knew God's voice was not in earthly things but in "a still small voice." God SPEAKS to us through prayer. It may not be audible, for God's vocabulary transcends our understanding. The point is, we will not hear it if we listen to the rushing winds, the earthquakes, and the fires of this world.Earthquakes were among those things which Christ said would increase in the last days, and it may be that He was meaning that in a literal way and a figurative way - that prayer will be lost to distractions and misfocus. Afterall, if true prayer ceases, what's to hold back the power and influence of the anti-christ?

Tacklebox said:preaching isn't birthed in prayer but in pageantry. Those words sting, don't they! But there is a sad truth to this. This is just the way of the world, absorbed by those who claim to be the people of God. Ravenhill said: (pg 23)the prayer closet allows no showing off. I think a lot of our public praying is really us talking to the people present. Without realizing it, we may become dependent on their "amens" When our sense of righteousness requres the affirmation of others - esp the church, we will be as dry as can be in the prayer closet. It will not give us what we are clinging to. The prayer closet is where we shut out the affirmations, approvals, criticisms, values, and voices of others, and get alone with God. It may take time and struggle to surrender our cherished ungodly trusts. But those who persevere in the prayer closet, and let God strive with them will be able to eventually hear what God has to say. I say this, because this is what I learned through experience. Diane

Is it true that "Satan has little case to fear most preaching"? Why or why not?Well, honestly, I wouldn't know because I haven't personally gone and listened to a bunch of different preachers/pastors. But I will say, the kind of preaching Satan would have little cause to fear would be the kind that only comes from head knowledge and not a personal walk with God. The Bible says even the demons believe there's a God and tremble (did I quote that correctly?). As the previous chapter mentioned, effective preaching has to come from the heart, not the head.How does prayer change what effort and words cannot?Well, it lets God do the work. Man can only accomplish so much in his own efforts. And only the Holy Spirit can change someone's heart.What percentage of your prayer is done privately?Hmmm... about 95%. What I've been wondering is why we pray out loud in groups. It seems often times we're really praying to each other, and not God. I know there's an importance to it, but I forgot what it was. Does anyone have any Scriptures that talk about corporate prayer?FAVORITE QUOTES TO TAKE TO HEART"No man is greater than his prayer life... the people who are not praying are straying. The pulpit can be a shop window to display one's talents; the prayer closet allows no showing off...The two prerequisites to successful Christian living are vision and passion, both of which are born in and maintained by prayer... to be much for God, we must be much with God...The secret of praying is praying in secret. A sinning man will stop praying, and a praying man will stop sinning."

Thanks for the reply Roniya. Working at a church, I'm involved in group prayer every morning. But... it seems so rushed and like something we kind of... have to do. I could be wrong, but that's the way it feels. I have been to some group prayers that were very moving and you could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. In that case, I can see why group prayer is vital and necessary.

A little late here, Chapter 3 is already up but...4. Is it true that "Satan has little case to fear most preaching"? Why or why not?Not sure if this got picked up on, but just prior to this question from within the chapter is an explanation:The ministry of preaching is open to few; the ministry of prayer - the highest ministry of all human offices - is open to all. Spiritual adolescents say, "I'll not go tonight, its only the prayer meeting." It may be that Satan has little cause to fear most preaching. Yet past experiences sting him to rally all his infernal army to fight against God's people praying.~RavenhillFound parallels in E.M. Bounds ~ Successful Ministry which carry beyond even preaching, but ministries such as this here and in our own lives.5. How does prayer changes what effort and words and cannot?Goodness, could go on endlessly but think all these replies here speak well to it. It is summed up in;Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 6. What percentage of your prayer is done privately? All of it. It just seems to be a particular season that has found this one out of any solidified setting, short of here which is a great joy and privilege to be poured out into and a great deal of prayer is towards all that goes on, in and through this wonder of wonders. It is not and end of itself, a replacement, a this or that, none of these things. Ravenhill is right; prayer - the highest ministry of all human offices. Much time alone with God until it becomes the sweat and breath of everyday life, always, 'constantly' which seems to be what the soul returns to when the distractions of daily duty, chores, work and particular concentration is necessary, but can be by practice interrupted and carried through out even if somewhat subconsciously. Verbally, it will come and hopefully as is necessarily, seasonably and with the same earnestness that is done in the closet. Would add that it's not that it is all that rare to open up the vocal cords, often times it's in regular conversation that doesn't sound anything remotely like a "prayer" but is one behind the scenes so to speak; Praying through the mind while the voice is answering... Not sure if that makes adequate sense. One notice though I am sure we all have struggled with is in the 'sound' of our prayers verbally, publicly. The anticipation of your turn coming up say in a group or a bible study, you don't want to sound 'stupid', you are practicing what you are wanting to say and often in times past would feel my words pounding loudly in my head as I was praying out loud and then feeling somewhat chagrined over it all, because my concern was more towards that silly 'fear of men' mentality as much as it is recognized, still it happens.It brings an interesting question; What is to be said to unverbalized "public" praying? Silence. At least for a time until all these natural proclivities abate before a word is spoken?Recalling a past saint... In a nut shell it was a professor I believe (of theology) greatly admired by his students. They wanted to find out what his prayers were like, how profound the words would be and sneaked up close to his room and pressed their ears to the door and peered in through the keyhole. After a long while they heard him utter;"Gentle Jesus, meek and mild,look upon a little child;pity my simplicity,suffer me to come to thee."

4. Is it true that "Satan has little case to fear most preaching"? Why or why not?Yes. Because your average preacher is most likely not a Christian. So how can his message put fear in Satan when it is not delievered from his foe. And many of the Christian pastors are so afraid of the reaction of church members or visitors that Satan doesn't even have to get out of bed.5. How does prayer changes what effort and words and cannot?Because God can easily do the impossible.6. What percentage of your prayer is done privately?The majority, but still not enough.

That was so true what you said about praying in public. But I think it is something we must overcome! Corporate prayer is vital for a fellowship of believers. But it must be a time of praying to God and like you said, not to man. God certainly can change our faulty motives for public prayer. I will never forget some years ago when our pastor was teaching us to pray scripture in our prayers. I was thrilled with this instruction. After all, I had memorized lots of verses. However, I discovered that at every prayer meeting, when I was praying, I could not think of ONE SINGLE VERSE. Finally, in frustration, during one prayer meeting, I asked God why that kept happening. He spoke very clearly, saying, "In front of others is not the place to show off how many verses you have memorized." That was quite a shock to hear. But I had to admit, that I still wanted to "prove" my dedication to prayer and scripture in front of my religious peers. God was merely exposing my unconscious motives. He was drawing me to the closet - which has become almost my only "place" of prayer. Really it has been like an ongoing communication with God. He has taught me that I don't need to publicize my prayer needs. He doesn't need numbers to be convinced. God has answered many of my closet prayers. I think of Praying Hyde, Rees Howells, and many others who did a lot of praying all by themselves, and God answered in powerful ways. Frankly, I think recuriting people, sending around signup sheets just to increase the numbers of pray-ers doesn't necessariy impress God. Just because corporate prayer is in scritpure, that doesn't mean it is our magic formula. It can't supercede total brokenness in the closet. And when broken people get to gether to pray - wow!!! Then God hears, and the heavens are moved. Diane

4. Is it true that "Satan has little case to fear most preaching"? Why or why notYes, because preachers don't tread on his territory. They don't expose sin because doing so is too threatening. Perhaps they don't see the sin in themselves - false trusts, love of the world, nationalism, gluttony, greed, fear, worry etc.They think that they are "addressing" sin when they "take a stand against" sins of the world: ex homosexuality, abortion, pornogrophy. Diane