Message #19 (of 20) from the PrayerPower radio series
"The Deeper Life of Prayer"

by Kaye Johns

That is what Jesus expects of us, that we will come up higher with Him in prayer. Learning to pray is a process, and in His teaching, He carefully laid out the stages we would go through.

Early in His ministry, Jesus set out basic guidelines for a daily prayer life in Matthew 6: we’re to have a daily quiet time and to follow His model prayer as our pattern for prayer. We are to learn to know God as our heavenly Father, Who wants to give more than any earthly father could or would.

Then about a year later, Jesus taught a more advanced level of prayer. Here, He taught that we are to be persistent, bold and importunate in prayer--not giving up until we receive the answer.

Finally, during His last week and then His final hours, and only to His twelve disciples, He taught the highest level of prayer--in His name, by His Spirit, from hearts of undoubting faith and lives abiding in Him, prayers to advance His kingdom and glorify the Father. Again and again He emphasized is His disciples could have whatever they asked in prayer, if they would only live and pray no longer as children, but as mature and insightful disciples.

At every stage, God hears and answers our prayers. But what are we and others missing, if don’t continue to grow in prayer?

Pray with me now -- Father, may we be willing to come as far as You want to bring us in prayer, in Jesus’ name, amen.

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