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And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death (Revelation 12:11, ESV).
The testimony of brothers and sisters who I consider to be great prayer warriors, has been a primary encouragement to my prayer journey. Let’s start our week by reading their testimonies.
Brother Lawrence (1614-1691)
A humble monk who viewed prayer as an unbroken lifestyle, his phrase “practice of the presence of God” is still used today. Below is a famous quote.
The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament.”
Susanna Wesley (1669-1742)
Suzanna raised 10 children, the most famous being John and Charles Wesley who founded the Methodist Church. She is known for sitting in the middle of the kitchen and pulling her apron over her head as her prayer closet. Her children knew not to bother her when the apron was up. One of her prayers…
I do request of thee, O Lord, that thou wouldst give me grace to keep a strict guard over my thoughts, and to be careful that I do not spend too much time in amusement.
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Founder of the Reformation, Luther prayed as spiritual warfare. During a stressful time in his life, a friend heard him praying…
I have so much to do today that I shall have to spend the first three hours in prayer.
Corrie Ten Boom (1892-1883)
Surviving a Nazi prison camp (where her sister died) her prayer life was forged in one of the darkest horrors ever to exist. Once in prison, Corrie and her sister prayed over a tiny bottle of vitamins, sharing the vitamins with dozens of prisoners daily — and the bottle stayed full!!! Corrie often asked audiences who came to hear her speak after World War II…
Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?
Billy Graham (1918-2018)
Billy refused to step into a stadium pulpit without first gathering local churches to saturate their city for months of coordinated prayer before his crusades. Several of his friends give testimony of finding him lying face down on the carpet of his hotel room before a crusade, begging God to move the hearts of people while he preached. I love this quote, please read it several times.
Heaven is full of answers to prayers for which no one ever bothers to ask.
C.S. Lewis (1898-1963)
Lewis’ approach to prayer was deeply personal, intimate, and honest. He married Joy Davidman late in his life and the marriage lasted four years before she died of cancer. After her death, C.S. Lewis struggled with the agonizing silence of God. He didn’t abandon God but learned to pray in simple, direct, yet eloquent prayers.
I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God. It changes me.
I am humbled by the prayers of others, when I hear these testimonies. I want to pray three hours in the morning, asking all those unasked prayers, with my prayers the steering wheel of my life, mindful of purely seeking God first, and allowing my requests to change me deeply.
Amen and amen!