As never before, I feel the urgent need to delve deeply into the mysteries of prayer—the secret of successful praying.

On the horizon, I see truths that, if attained by God’s grace, could in some measure shake hell and slow its destructive influence in the world and the Church today. These truths are found primarily in John 17:21-23:

“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”

The purpose revealed in this passage, as I understand it, is that the world may come to believe in Christ. The condition for this is that we, as believers, grow into deeper harmony with and likeness to God. This is a restoration of the state enjoyed by Adam and Eve before the Fall, described in Genesis:

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him.”

Immediately after, God declares, “Have dominion.” Those who bear the divine image are entrusted with divine authority to subdue the earth.

The means by which this authority is exercised is prayer.

The first Adam failed. As a created being, he lacked the divine nature necessary to maintain perfect harmony with God. However, the new creation brought into being through Christ’s atonement is born of God and receives His very nature. Through this, the fullness of the Godhead comes to dwell within the human personality, making it the vessel of the Almighty’s indwelling power. This is a remarkable advancement over the position of the first Adam.

When this becomes a reality in the believer’s life, the commands to “subdue” and “have dominion” should be manifested wherever our prayer authority is exercised in faith.

Scripture plainly teaches that a Spirit-led Christian can carry out the very work of Christ. Paul declared, “To me to live is Christ.” John affirmed, “As he is, so are we in this world.”

And the words of our Lord in John 14 hold staggering implications:

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father” (John 14:12).

We have scarcely begun to comprehend the magnitude of these truths.

Sometimes I imagine myself as a bottle, filled to the brim, floating in the vast waters that existed before the firmament was created or the dry land appeared. Infinite miles of grace surround me in every direction—beneath, above, and all around. At times, the little bottle begins to doubt, prompted by the serpent’s whispers: Will there be enough water to keep it filled and afloat forever? But those doubts are fleeting. Thank God, in Christ, there is always enough!

Just as there was a serpent in the Garden, so too are there serpents now that seek to tempt God’s redeemed people. However, today the dark serpents have been joined by white ones. The dark serpents are visible on Skid Row, manifesting through terrible sins such as drunkenness, drug addiction, and other gross vices.

The white serpents, though seemingly different, are of the same nature. Illuminated by “the angel of light,” they take on a deceptive, supernatural power to work within human personalities. These serpents may lead people to speak with the tongues of angels, foretell the future, understand deep mysteries, and pursue a consuming desire for all knowledge—all while leading them astray.

Our colleges, even Christian ones, are teeming with white serpents, urging men to seek the honor that comes with superior learning. Prayer, sadly, struggles to take its rightful place in these institutions. Instead, the focus often falls on outward things—the intellect, the voice, appearance, and gestures. These are cultivated eagerly, but the truth remains: devils cannot be cast out by intellect, no matter how refined.

Even acts like casting out devils can be counterfeited by the devil himself, who may withdraw his power temporarily to deceive the unwary. Miraculous works—casting out devils, speaking impressive words, or moving mountains—are no guarantee of true Christianity. As Jesus warned:

“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:22-23).

Even martyrdom without love can become a snare. Giving one’s body to be burned or starving it through fasting violates God’s purpose in creation. Christ’s words, “Give ye them to eat,” align with God’s design, for He created food to sustain mankind. True fasting arises not from effort but from spiritual preoccupation.

Consider Moses, who fasted for forty days while in the presence of God on Mount Sinai. He had no need for food during that time because he was consumed by the sight of God’s face. His heart was burdened by the sins of Aaron and the people of Israel, which overshadowed any desire for physical sustenance. He spent those days interceding for Israel, and by faith, he may have seen the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world.

By aligning himself with the Lamb, Moses entered into deep spiritual union and interceded successfully for Israel. God responded with extraordinary words:

“I have pardoned according to thy word.”

Moses was offered the chance to rise above the sinful multitude, but he chose instead to identify with them, refusing the opportunity for personal greatness. In doing so, he demonstrated a profound harmony with the Lamb, who would later give His life for sinful friends.

Could this be what Paul meant when he expressed a desire to be “made conformable unto His death”?

Fasting and faith must always remain secondary—perhaps it is better to say conscious faith and purposive fasting. Scripture commands us to “have the faith of God,” a faith that arises not from human striving but from a loving understanding of God’s mind. This kind of faith comes as God refines us, skimming off the dross from our natures as He sits beside the refining vessel.

In those moments, we glimpse His face, comprehend the purpose behind the refining fire, and trust Him effortlessly. This is God’s gift of affinity—a spiritual birth within us, accompanied by love.

Since God is love, everything else—faith, fasting, or any other act—is meaningless without it.

The importance of love in the Christian life cannot be overstated. Without love, even if I have all faith, I am like salt that has lost its savor. Love cannot sin, for God is love, and God cannot sin. Love is a consuming fire that destroys sin.

The Church often clamors for mountain-moving faith, extraordinary fasting, and impressive prayer. Yet, if these are secretly pursued to gain recognition or fame among the saints, they are inspired by the white serpent, not by God. Christ prayed all night not out of obligation or ambition but because He was drawn to it, like a magnet within Him. His prayer was not driven by conscious purpose but by an irresistible divine urge.

“He that saith he abideth in Him ought to walk even as He walked”—and prayed. The same motives that governed Christ should govern us.

The secret power of prayer lies in affinity with Christ and conformity to His image. True prayer must be prompted by God, not by human ambition. As we grow in Christlikeness, our power in prayer will also increase. And one day, when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.