Recently, I read a post that made me think of what likely happened prior to the day I was saved. A sentence in it said, “Prior to the tent revival where I was converted to Christ at the age of eleven, prayer and fasting (plowing) had been done by the evangelist and other ministry team members. Spiritual warfare was definitely going on”.
In the past, when I wrote about the day of my salvation, it did not occur to me that any prayer, fasting, and spiritual warfare had been done for me prior to my conversion. I am aware of Hebrews 7:25 which says, “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” So, I know that Jesus is interceding for us. I also know that the heavens rejoice when a sinner repents and comes to Christ for salvation (Luke 15:7). But I did not think of a human being praying or laboring in spiritual warfare for me.
However, as I read that post, it became certain to me that Evangelist Pauline, the lady who led me to Christ had been fasting and praying for that event. From what I know about her, she is a woman of prayer. Even though we never talked specifically about her preparation before the meeting during which I was saved, it made me feel very treasured that God would raise up others to stand in the gap and intercede for me to be saved. It motivates me all the more to intercede and pray for lost souls. I was reminded of the words of John Wesley, “God does nothing except in response to believing prayer.” God himself, in the scriptures, says something similar through the mouth of his servant the prophet Amos. Amos 3:7 says, “Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.” I think the Lord shows his servants his will so that they will pray for it. And I think this is the most amazing thing. That the sovereign Lord of the universe will do nothing without first revealing it to his servants. When he wanted to save my soul, he revealed to one of his servants. He probably told his/her spirit, “I want to save one of my lost children. Get up and pray!” And he/she prayed for my salvation and I came to faith. By the time the evangelist preached that day, the real work of my salvation had been done. As S.D. Gordon says, “Prayer strikes the winning blow; service is simply picking up the pieces.” I think that’s because prayer moves God to act to fulfill his will.
O Lord that you would bless us indeed! That you would open our eyes to see your will. That you would reveal your secret plans of salvation to us your servants and give us your spirit and faith to pray and labor for your salvation purposes around the world. I pray that you would give us great humility to bear this kind of anointing. Give us a hunger and thirst for your purposes in the world. May we be ready to witness in the power of the Holy Spirit to a lost world. In the name of Jesus, Amen!
