Sharpen the Axe#

Abraham Lincoln, one of the most important presidents in U.S. history and also a skilled woodcutter once said:

"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." 

In other words, preparation is crucial for the success of the task.

Prayer works on the same axe principle.

When I led the intercession meetings at a few of the Catch The Fire overseas conferences, I was taught to lead with 40 minutes of worship and soaking as we waited on God and listened to Him. Then we prayed according to what we heard Him say, or what He showed us, for just 20 minutes. I love this.

I’d rather pray what’s on God’s heart than waffle on in my own thoughts for 60 minutes.

Prayer is about relationship with our Father, spending time with Him, loving Him, getting transformed by Him and also agreeing with His plans.

It seems to me the axe approach follows the principles of the Lord’s prayer that Jesus taught when the disciples implored Him, “Teach us how to pray".# 

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1)

Prayer should be fundamental to the believer, not supplemental. ~ William White

Today's Soul Snippet:

'I am only as tall as I am on my knees'. ~ Stephen Olford

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#Today's SoulSnack was written by Bill Johnson. It is reproduced unedited by SoulSupply