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"There was a time in the American
Church when the windows of heaven were opened up because people, knowing they were all mostly vain to begin with, each took
their small percentages of Christ-likeness and converged together to exponentially impact with inspired prayers for the lost.
This was not melodramatic emotionalism. It was the Holy Spirit. This was the truth of His heart invisibly invading souls through
souls already invaded. They patiently persevered and navigated through the haughtiness of their own hearts to get another
glimpse of His heart. The words and tears spawned by His love were a legal and literal violation of darkness. When the
Heart of Heaven came into view, they would then pray with results. Only one Personality got the credit. The Methodists,
Pentecostals and Baptists of old would pray through."
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The very act of losing sight of yourself
in seeing a need met in another's life is called love. And the heart, apart from any influence from God, cannot give
it. It's just completely impossible. Love doesn't even care who actually gets to meet the need, so long as it is met. Momentarily
forget storge, phileo and eros. They are not real love apart from agape. The act of real love is
a supernatural event born of prayer and it is rarer today in America than ever. Love
both comforts and haunts. It means constantly contrasting one's insincerety with Real Love and dying to the desire for
power while compassionately lifting your enemy up as he or she intentionally hurts you. Love is known and deepened
inside by persistent prayer. And prayer is very hard work sometimes, but easier admidst praying friends; Which is a major
reason we need corporate prayer to return to the center of church life. Too few pray and too many pray alone. Another major reason for corporate prayer is that the Lord's Spirit can ride the prayers He inspires
within us directly into the lives of the lost. We are His legally purchased conduits. Jesus, who could do few miracles in
His haughty hometown, turned to us (plural) and said "Greater things shall you do than these". One hole means
a drip. One hundred holes means a shower! There was a time in the American Church when the windows
of heaven were opened up because people, knowing they were all mostly vain to begin with, each took their small percentages
of Christ-likeness and converged together to exponentially impact with inspired prayers for the lost. This was not melodramatic
emotionalism. It was the Holy Spirit. Together they patiently persevered and navigated through the haughtiness of their own
hearts to get another glimpse of His heart. The words and tears spawned by His love were a legal and literal violation
of darkness. When the Heart of Heaven came into view, they would then pray with results. Only one Personality
got the credit. The Methodists, Pentecostals and Baptists of old would pray through. As the case continues to be made for corporate prayer to return to the center of church life, truth
and events around us will bring His people to a place of surrender, where prayer is no longer a drudgery, but a passion. The
Truth is cornering us. It does not matter where it begins or through whom. What matters is that it will happen. And
it will extend beyond the borders of congregations to touch a city; And perhaps a nation.
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If visions, dreams, chance encounters, historical patterns, continual coincidences
and inspired conversations are an indication of what's coming, then the heart has reason to hope. The family and fellowship we
belong to are people who are being drawn to pray, who seek not experiences, but the heart of God; The experiences have
come by default. And yes, all experiences are subjective and subject to the Word. But what convinces more than anything else
are things felt inside; The heart of God and the loneliness of the lost. The continual, even unexpected, heart glimpses
of a Friend and the Cross are increasing with frequency. I believe when the Lord's Spirit breaks out that we will
see altars filled with people weeping deeply from brokenness. There they will be completely transformed and on their
way to weeping tears of joy. And they will remain at the feet of Jesus to pray others into the kingdom with rattling
resolution. And many of us will exclaim inside: "Oh Lord, I get it. You love people." For to be lost
is to be lonely. People feel they have to fight for themselves on every front. The loneliness abounds. Soon a real Hero
will come once again to capture hearts. These new prisoners will come to Him, not because He is fire insurance
from Hell or a means of some personal success, but because Jesus is worthy of our lives.
When this really happens, the game is over for the enemy. The heart of the
Humble King, once broken for us, is deeper than this ocean of loneliness. His Spirit of Love is greater, not inferior. It's
just a matter of time before this is rediscovered again to His deserved delight. Revival
is not centered on moral, political or societal reform. These are by-products. Revival is a mass awakening
to the love of God and the heart of the Humble King. Currently, too few in American public ministry are leading flocks into
regular encounters with this Heart, but things are changing in our thinking, soon to be followed by heart changes and a quality
decision from which there is no return: A decision to seek Him and settle for nothing less than the real thing. Corporate
prayer is indeed returning to the center of church life. Already, within the past few weeks, a significant number of Park
Circle area church leaders have expressed that they too sense this is happenening. In fact, there are pastors all over
the Lowcountry whom He is leading. There is a feeling in the air that we are going to
have an appointed confrontation with the heart of the Humble King, which will be great enough to conquer the divisive pride
within us and bring us together in high worship. We are being drawn by Someone more sincere than ourselves; Someone who deeply
loves us.
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