Robin J Johnson
Early in 2013 I was asking the Lord for His help and strength. There was a sense of urgency and in particular a cry from my heart, “Jesus, teach me to pray.”
That cry set me on a journey (though not realising it at the time), that would change my life, almost as drastically as my conversion or the night I was first filled with the Holy Spirit. This time it was not a single moment, but it has become a daily encounter and fellowship with my teacher, a day by day learning experience.
My “back to school” enrolment, as I refer to it, took a dramatic turn on September 11 when for approximately six hours the Holy Spirit spoke with me, impregnating me with a vision and putting into my hands an assignment to raise a MILLION PRAYING MEN.
On that day, the initial scriptures which impacted my spirit were 1 Timothy 2:1 – 8 and in particular v8.
“Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.”
The Holy Spirit caused me to revisit numerous other scriptures. The story of David and Goliath, Psalms and many more since then, are the foundations and inspiration on which this new prayer initiative is being built.
The core of the initiative is that it is time to awaken the sleeping warriors across the earth. Men, it is time to arise into our God given destinies, starting with prayer, and be the men of God that we have been called to be.
King David has long been a hero of mine and his psalms a source of great inspiration and insight. In the early hours of this morning I lay awake with this scripture going over and over in my mind,
“He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.”
Psalm 18:34
David was not only trained for battle, he also acquired incredible strength. How do I know this? I understand it takes no small amount physical strength and skill to use a bow of bronze.
Every warrior has to be trained; he needs to be fit and ready for active service. Those who have experienced life in the military will know the intense and rigorous training a recruit must go through and maintain throughout his service life.
Another important quality that always inspires me about King David is his love for God. He was not only a great warrior but he was a passionate lover of God and of His presence.
“God testified concerning him: ’I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’”
Acts 13:22
We too must love the Lord, seek Him and long for His presence above all else. He is our Strength and our Salvation. He must be the one we call on in every situation and trouble and we will praise Him for every deliverance and victory.
Now is the time for us men as His warriors to arise in Jesus’ name. Not engaging in a physical battle, but a spiritual one, pulling down strongholds and releasing blessing and victory.
And it all starts with five simple words, “Jesus, teach me to pray.”
