For years, I marveled at the prayer lives of my spiritual heroes—men and women who sought God through intentional, purposeful devotion and conversation. Their hunger for the Presence of God was undeniable. Their obedience in following the will of God was irrefutable. Their heart to shape generations for God was worthy of emulating. Yet, most of my intercessory stories were historical examples. I've asked the question—where are our modern examples? And here's a more convicting question: Can my prayer life be used as an example of the power of prayer?
When attempting to answer that very personal question, I realized that the burden of prayer is on my watch. Abdicating my responsibility to pray makes a statement without saying a word! When I choose not to enter the place of prayer, I'm making a choice to leave promises unclaimed, dismiss the counsel of God and disregard the love that God freely gives through intimate times in prayer.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
Through prayer, we invite God in our circumstances, our concerns and our challenges. But, as God has invited us in prayer, He desires to be invited in every part of our lives and that which burdens us. And as a result, He promises that He will hear us! He listens because He's close! The Scripture tells us that this is the confidence we have when we approach God. What a promise! Let's be honest: Our confidence can wane because the reality of our condition has not changed. We may feel discouraged because our current circumstances appear to defy what we are believing for. The first step in approaching God is knowing by faith that there's power in our prayers. Your prayer pursuit is not a futile exercise. It's the fertile place where God's promises can take root in your life.
As we engage in our 40-Day Journey, experience breakthroughs at Prayerfest and continue to grow in our prayer lives, it's my earnest prayer that you and I can be counted on to take on the burden of prayer. May we be those intercessors that can be modeled after for this generation and generations to come.
Rev. Ryan E. Faison, M.Div. is the Student Ministries Pastor at Christ Church in Montclair & Rockaway, NJ, providing leadership and oversight to the Children's, Teen, College & Young Adults ministries. His ministry includes serving as a worship leader, an independent worship artist with his first single release, “Your Will in Me” and member of the preaching team. Ryan also serves as an event producer, leading the effort in national events such as Prayerfest, hosted annually.
Ryan is a graduate of Seton Hall University (South Orange, NJ) as a Martin Luther King Jr. Scholar with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science. Ryan also holds a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Nyack Alliance Theological Seminary (Nyack, New York). Ryan serves as an adjunct professor at Pillar College, teaching theology, biblical and organizational leadership courses. Ryan serves on several boards including BASIC College Ministries (Rochester, NY). Ryan and his wife Kristyn serve in the worship ministries locally and regionally.
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