- By Carmen Perret-Smith
Do you know that our devotion to a life of prayer has always been on the Lord’s heart? Our Father has always desired to be in relationship with his children and to have intimate fellowship with us. In fact, he designed and created us to enjoy the glory and beauty of his presence, in continual conversation, “walking with him in the cool of the day” (Genesis 3:8). Sadly, we know how the story unfolds and, as a result, all of humanity has been struggling to return to the place of fellowship with our Father. As we attempt to fill our spiritual needs with worldly trappings (and coming up empty), we need more than ever before to connect with our Creator, our God, our beloved Bridegroom and King. If we consider that prayer and conversation is fellowship with God, is it any wonder that prayer is featured so clearly and prominently in the life of the believer and was so prominently a part of Jesus human experience? He needed connection to his Father.
Longing for Our Father
In this age, Holy Spirit is quickening the hearts and minds of believers to pursue a lifestyle of prayer like never before in the history of the earth. Across the earth, believers are being wooed to a life given to night and day prayer in the manner of Anna and Simeon (Luke 2), and this could not happen without the help of Holy Spirit increasing our longing for intimacy, fellowship, and partnership with our Father.
These [who love the Lord] I will bring to my holy mountain
and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. (Isaiah 56:7, NIV)
King David was given divine direction to build the tabernacle in the pattern of the praise and intercession taking place in heaven. He had a deep revelation of the heavenly temple, the perfection of God’s beauty, and the worship and prayer that takes place eternally around the throne. As a “man after God’s own heart” (Acts13:22, 1 Sam 13:14), David saw the eternal connection between prayer and praise, and embraced his priestly calling to minister before the Lord day and night. Four thousand singers and musicians were employed to sing and intercede before the Lord because David had a glorious revelation of the beauty, worth, and glory of the Lord. David’s life was marked by the pursuit of God’s presence and from that flowed one of the most prosperous and victorious seasons for the nation of Israel.
One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek;
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. (Psalm 27:4, NIV)
A Spirit of Prayer Across the Earth
More than ever, thousands and thousands of believers in every age group, in every tribe and tongue around the earth are committing to a lifestyle of prayer and worship in the spirit of the tabernacle of David. The Lord is calling together the praying church, from all corners of the earth, to agree with his plans and purposes for the future. The emergence of the “intercessory missionary,” whose calling is in the place of prayer, day and night, testifies to the heart of the Lord to once again establish his house of prayer on this earth! The universe - primarily the Bride of Christ together with the Holy Spirit - is groaning for the return of our King, and we must naturally respond with prayer, for we have little other choice. Our only security on this earth is found in the presence of God, so let us draw nearer in fellowship and conversation with Him!