We've entered a new year in
a time frame that only very few in human history have had the opportunity to experience.
A few years ago we crossed the second millennium time barrier, and it was the
first occasion in which a person could spend the entire day watching people
from all over the globe celebrate the entrance into a new era. But there's one
great question facing each of us this new year - What's your vision? What's
your vision for your life, your family, your community, your nation, and your world?
Most
Christians long for a dynamic and fruitful prayer life. Yet, many find
themselves defeated when it comes to their communication with God. If the
average church member were to be asked how much time he or she spends in
prayer, most would probably be too embarrassed to answer the question. That's
not a criticism. Just a statement of fact. Yet, prayer holds the key to
developing intimacy with God and consistency in our walk with Him.
"I
struggle in my prayer life" is often the cry of believers. Many have told
me, "Prayer has become a ritual to me" or "I have difficulty
keeping a consistent prayer time." The average Christian prays only three
to four minutes per day, and that's normally at meal times. But the normal
Christian prayer life and the typical Christian prayer life are two completely
different things.
Over
140 years ago, the great British pastor, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, wrote,
"The times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord have at last dawned
upon our land. Everywhere there are signs of aroused activity and increased
earnestness. A spirit of prayer is visiting our churches....The first breath of
the rushing mighty wind is already discerned, while on the rising of
evangelists the tongue of fire has evidently descended."
