As Todd walked out of the library on the University of Kentucky campus last evening, he was met by a man who greeted him and simply said, “Can I pray for you right now?” This was the encouraging ministry of a few men standing on a secular college campus waiting for folks to pass by. All they wanted to do was to pray for them. What boldness! What compassion! What zeal!
Where did Nehemiah pray? He prayed at home (1:4-11), in the presence of the king (2:4), before his enemies (4:4) and with his people (4:9). He prayed in private and in public. He prayed in safety and in uncomfortable situations. He prayed with his friends and before his enemies. What boldness! What compassion! What zeal!
Something tells these men on the UK campus, along with Nehemiah, believe in the power of prayer through an awesome God Who answers the prayers of men who pray with boldness, compassion and zeal! (Luke 18:1; John 15:7; James 5:16b)
Is that how you pray? Are you that bold? Do you have such compassion? Are you zealous, fervent in prayer? That answer will be seen in how you meet with the Lord this morning and how you respond to those the Lord sends your way today. Suffice it to say, Jesus Christ made the way possible to be bold in prayer by His death before all men on the cross (Hebrews 4:14-16). Therefore, I must be bold, compassionate and zealous in prayer for and with men today no matter where I am—home, work, church, school, golf course, gym floor, Bible study, grocery store, restaurant, family gatherings, hospital, coffee shop, etc.
“Can I pray for you right now?”
Reminder: Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!
From A Pastor's Heart 