I read a statement some time ago shared in Oral Roberts’ book A Daily Guide to Miracles that totally impacted and energized my prayer life. For those not aware of this man of God, Oral Roberts was an Okie (a fact forgiven by those who are Texans) mightily used by God, especially in the area of divine healing. He was also the founder of the great learning institute Oral Roberts University located in Tulsa, Oklahoma (again, a fact forgiven by those who are Texans). All Texas/Oklahoma rivalry aside, here is his powerful statement – “Don’t pray hard, pray easy…prayer doesn’t do it – God does!”
This is so, so simple, and yet so, so powerful. Possibly like you, I am constantly made aware of needs that warrant immediate intercession. Whereas at one time, I would have labored under the weight of the need, I’ve learned that there is an “ease” in praying that comes from the Holy Spirit joining me in my intercession. As I pray in the language of the Spirit (AKA praying in other tongues), no longer do I have to know any or all of the circumstances nor do I have to have suggestions to make to God to remedy the issue. The “work” of prayer is eliminated as the Holy Spirit and I together begin to pray the powerful (Acts 1:8), perfect (Romans 8:27) prayer without any interference interjected from my thoughts (1 Corinthians 14:14). This mysterious (at least to my intellect) intercession is prayed to the Father (1 Corinthians 14:2) and activates all of heaven for the presented need. The “stress” of prayer is gone. Hallelujah!!!
With this “Don’t pray hard, pray easy…prayer doesn’t do it – God does!” understanding, it is easy to pray, “Father, I come to you in the matchless, powerful name of Jesus. I’ve been made aware of ____________________. I readily recognize that it is beyond my ability to effectively pray about this matter and so right now, with the enablement of the Holy Spirit, He and I together will touch your throne about ____________________.” And then, I begin to confidently pray in other tongues with the knowledge and understanding that I am praying the perfect will of God about this prayer need. (That’s worth another hallelujah.) From there on, it’s happy dance time as I celebrate and rejoice because the prayer has been heard and the answer is on its way.
Really, there’s nothing more to add to the power of “easy”. I’ll stop typing before I break into typing the words from Lionel Richie’s “Easy Like Sunday Morning”. (You see, I do know a song or two that isn’t from the Southern Gospel genre.)
Really good , encouraging word Billy. Thank you
You said it and I believe it!