I said it again last week that the heart and soul of my ministry abides in my prayer partners. To use a line from a not-so-recent, popular song, they are the “wind beneath my wings.” It has been estimated that approximately 85% of the prayers in the Bible, where we know what God’s answer was, were intercessory prayers – prayers for others. Praying for self is not un-biblical. Jesus prayed for Himself. Paul did likewise for himself. But praying for others is clearly a major teaching of the Bible. I don’t actively recruit more prayer partners because I think God is impressed with my numbers, nor because I think sheer numbers will win some favor with God. I recruit prayer partners so they can be blessed by being a part of what God does in and through me and because I need all the “wind” I can get “beneath my wings.” Strangely, “wind” is often used in the Bible as a symbol of the presence of God. Ezekiel stood over a valley full of dry bones and was told to call for the “wind” to breathe life into the bones (Ezekiel 37:9). When Jesus was trying to help Nicodemus understand God he used the wind as a symbol (John 3:8). When God’s presence filled the place where the disciples were gathered, it was described as “a rushing mighty wind” (Acts 2:2). So thanks to my prayer partners, who assist me in understanding God’s presence, directions, blessings, and favor in my ministry. The last line of the song says, “Thank you, thank you, thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings.”Dr. Dan's Monday Morning Memo is sent free via E-mail every Monday morning. To subscribe go to www.discipleallnations.org and click on "Subscribe."
Senior (retired after 25 years) Professor at Southwestern Baptist Seminary, Fort Worth, TX - Taught Evangelism and occupied the Chair of Prayer and Spiritual Formation. Author of 18 books. Serve on America's National Prayer Committee. At least I posted my own picture on PrayNetwork. How about you Mike?
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