I wrote this devotional while preparing to travel to Cairo, Egypt. One heart cry in prayer has consumed my mind. I long to see God's glory in Egypt. I've prayed for it. I've cried unto the Lord to allow us to see His glory. I've prayed that we might see more than just a great harvest of souls; more than revival among His people; and more than just large crowds hearing the message of the gospel.
Any work to which we give ourselves must have one clearly defined goal if we're to be successful. That goal is the one thing for which we long. It must be that which motivates us in prayer. It doesn't matter if all the details work out exactly as we've planned, as long as that God-given goal is accomplished. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, the bottom line was simple - the glory of God. That was the single objective in the prayer life of Christ.
I'm often asked about the difference in the prayer lives of people in many of the countries where I travel and the prayer lives of my own fellow countrymen. One of the great differences that I would easily recognize is that of passion. When I have seen God move mightily in other countries, there's normally a hunger and thirst for the righteousness of God to come to His people. I sense that there's a great prayer movement that's been launched in America, but I also sense a lack of passion. We seem to want revival, but I find little hunger and thirst for a deep move of God.
There's an aspect of prayer which I haven't often heard people speak about - the relationship of obedience and prayer. During the early centuries of Christianity, monks would disassociate themselves from the daily routines of life. They would find a place far away from the regular duties in life and give themselves to prayer. They often sacrificed greatly in order to be such people of prayer.