WAITING TO PARTNER IN PRAYER:

"Thanks for calling, Clyde!" These are familiar words I hear when I call my inner core of intercessors with a specific prayer request. Many pastors are hesitant about calling their intercessors, feeling that they and their prayer requests are not important enough to bother their intercessors with a call for prayer. But actually, gifted prayer partners are waiting for that call from their Christian leader. Peter Wagner says that giving prayer partners prayer requests and answers to prayer is like putting wood on a fire.

Paul exhorts his prayer partners in Colossae to pray and then invites them to pray for him while he is in prison in Rome, "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak." Even the Apostle Paul knew the value of communicating prayer requests with his prayer partners.

"Thanks for calling!" When I hear those words, I often think to myself, "Wait a minute, I should be thanking you!" Yet, time and time again, I hear the words, "Thanks for calling!" They are so grateful to be kept in the loop, because when I call, they are given the opportunity to fulfill the work the Lord Jesus has given them to do. The Spirit has gifted them in such a way that they are led as they pray, hearing a verse of Scripture, a spiritual song, a word picture or spontaneous thought. And they are unswerving in their optimism that the Father is able to act on behalf of His children. Jesus has called them to be warriors, as they battle in the unseen world for the advancement of the Kingdom of heaven on earth.

"Thanks for calling!" With these words, I know that this member of the body of Christ is teaming up with me to fight the fight. This person is climbing the wall and entering into the "watch" with me in prayer. I will be forever grateful to the Lord for giving me these gifted individuals who partner in ministry with me for my ministry and my family. This response always amazes me. I am the grateful one. As they pray, I and my family are protected. As they pray, the Spirit gives wisdom and revelation. As they pray, there is faith and power to pray and fulfill the work Jesus has given me to do.
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