Hywel: Are there things we should be aware of as we set the sail for the wind to come? Our humility, our attitude, our piety, our faithfulness. Are there things we are responsible for? Obviously, it is of the LORD, and revival is all of the Lord.
Stuart: I don’t think this generation has truly understood prayer. You mentioned your father’s book, Father In The Faith. There are some articles by him in there. One of them, Believe That You Receive, is the last article in the book. He talks about the prayer of faith and explains that asking in the name of Christ and asking according to the will of God are, in fact, the same thing. It is possible to pray and pray and pray, to wait on the Lord, and actually reach the point where you know, through spiritual intuition, that it’s going to happen.
Stuart: I think this present generation considers that mysticism, but it isn’t mysticism. Oswald Sanders makes the same point, and so does James O. Fraser, who worked so wonderfully among the Lisu tribes. They emphasize going to God with His promises, saying, “There’s Your promise; I’m holding You to Your promise.” We labor and agonize—that’s actually the New Testament word—we agonize in prayer until we reach that spiritual intuition that God is going to honor His promise.
Stuart: Yes, and it’s like saying, “Lord, does it say that where two or three are gathered, You, the risen Christ, are in the midst?” Because that’s what it says. So, when a small number of people meet, we ask You to display Your presence, because that’s what You’ve said. Bring upon the congregation that wonderful awareness that You’re there.
Stuart: Some people might say, “Just accept that by faith.” Yes, but that’s what I’m talking about. Have faith to really believe it! D.E. Hoste, who succeeded Hudson Taylor—if I’m remembering correctly—said, “God cannot resist faith. He gives in every time.” If we approach Him with His Word, saying, “This is what You’ve said; please do it,” He responds every time.
Hywel: Faith compliments God, doesn’t it? Faith does give Him honor.
Stuart: Yes, exactly. It does. We trust Him. I just don’t believe that this spiritual, experiential dimension is widely understood today.
