Paul taught us that we all "see through a glass darkly", and we "prophesy in part". If a man who wrote multiple books of the Bible saw himself this way; I certainly see myself the same. I never assume that I absolutely know what God's saying.
We're told that things should be established by two or three witnesses. So, unless something is urgent and immediate (and personal), rather than act, I tend to wait on the Lord and look for His confirmations.
If you've offered something to your pastor and feel ignored, it may be that your pastor's lack of response could be one of the confirmations you need to show you that although it's a good idea, and possibly a prayer assignment for you, it's not one that needs be distributed across the United States.
As I watch and pray (waiting for confirmations), I assure God that I am ready and willing to do whatever He wants me to do. But, I "don't trust me", I only trust Him. I ask him to provide me with unmistakable confirmations. There have been many times, perhaps most times, that the confirmations weren't given, or negative confirmations were given, and I was freed from what I had assumed was "my word or assignment". There are others, not as many perhaps, when I received unmistakable confirmations. Although I could share many with you, I'll share one.
One morning, almost 20 years ago, I awoke with an impression that I was to coordinate 40-days of fasting and prayer for revival in the spring of each year. I did as always--I submitted it to the Lord for Him to confirm.
When I arrived at my office, my secretary announced that there was a doctor's wife on the phone (I still remember her name). She asked me if anyone had ever launched and led a 40-day fasting and prayer initiative across denominational lines. I told her I didn't know, but I'd find out and let her know. I called denominational prayer leaders to ask them. Some had done 40-day initiatives within their denomination, but none had done it with other denominations.
I reported my find to her and she asked if I would consider doing that. By this time, I assumed I had one possible confirmation. Her telephone inquiry.
I would never have considered myself a national leader. So, launching and leading something like this wasn't something I felt free or even qualified to do. But, for a week I couldn't shake the idea.
Finally, partly to get some relief, I sent personal letters to the top 50 prayer leaders in the U.S. and told them how I had been led and what I was feeling. (I was totally unknown to any of them.) I asked, "If you feel this is possibly a call of God for our nation and would be willing to do so; meet me in Chicago at O'Hare Airport for an all-day meeting on..." To my amazement, 35 of them came at their own expense to Chicago. Some from the east coast, some from the west. One even slept in the airport to make the occasion.
Alice, my wife, and I flew to Chicago to conduct the meeting in a room at the airport I had rented (via credit card) because we had no money for our flight or the room!
When the plane landed in Chicago, I received a call from my secretary in Houston. It seemed that the only unemployed board member we had, out of 22, had brought a check by the office. The amount of the check was: $7,000! That was the largest single gift we'd ever received! It paid for the room, the meals and our flight! This was a second condemnation.
I spent the morning with them in prayer. I presented to them what I sensed the Lord might be saying. Then we took a break for lunch. I had no idea how they'd respond or what they thought.
After lunch, they returned. One by one each shared their impression. They overwhelmingly endorsed what we chose to call "PrayUSA". To me, that was the third confirmation that I had indeed heard from God. Then they laid hands on us and commissioned us to launch and to lead it.
I would have never launched or considered myself leader of such an effort. But confirmations continued to arrive. Dr. Pat Robertson at CBN heard about it and invited me on the 700 Club. He and Dr. Bill Bright of Campus Crusade for Christ agreed to be honorary co-chairmen of the effort.
For the next six years we led PrayUSA! (ending in 2001). Dozens of denominations, hundreds of parachurch ministries, thousands of churches and millions of Christians participated each year in what CBN News reported was the largest prayer and fasting initiative in history.
What began as a personal impression, confirmed multiple times by the Lord, became a great success. I hope this inspires you.
When I miss it, it's no reflection on me. It doesn't mean I can't hear God. It doesn't mean that leadership doesn't support me. It simply means that I don't perfectly hear--I see through a glass darkly and prophesy in part. That's why I need you and other believers. That's also why I need the confirming work of the Holy Spirit.
