My grandmother and grandfather used to get up early in the morning and pray.
Sometimes they would kneel beside their bed and pray, but other times they would go to the church and pray.
Sometimes my parents would go, but if they had to be at work occasionally, I went with my grandparents.
There would usually be about 6-10 people that would show up for early morning prayer. But even as a child, I was fascinated by what went on in those prayer meetings.
Sometimes there was weeping.
Sometimes there was rejoicing.
Sometimes there was silence.
Sometimes they sang songs.
But all the time....it was powerful.
I used to hear seasoned women in the church say, "I feel the prayer wheel turnin".
It meant that they felt the Spirit of the Lord stirring within them, calling them to prayer and intimacy with him.
As a child, and even now this is what I see when I think of a "prayer wheel turnin'".
Its a water wheel.
A device created long ago using flowing water to create POWER.
Even as I write that I feel a rush of excitement.
When God calls us into a time of prayer; true prayer that includes intercession ( standing in the gap fervently for someone else), warfare (praying against spiritual wickedness and things that are not of God) , and supplication (asking and requesting God for specific things)...its like a well of water inside of us is being turned through a wheel (prayer) to create POWER.
The bible speaks of this in different ways.....
"But you shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you" Acts 1:8a
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known unto God. " Phillipians 4:6
"Like wise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings to deep for words. " Romans 8:26
Sounds like a prayer wheel to me.
Today, open your heart to the Holy Spirit. Allow that well of living water living inside you to flow freely. Open your mouth in faith and allow God to fill it with words of prayer, intercession, and supplication with thanksgiving.
Today I prayed for you. My heart was overwhelmed with love for you...anyone and everyone who reads this today.
I pray that you will be called into the love of Christ today and experience what He has for you.
I feel the prayer wheel turnin'
Good post. It has brought back many memories of being young and watching and listening to older, wiser people of God.
Posted by: Kevin Davis | August 15, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Really great stuff Kelli!
Posted by: Angie Cogar | August 15, 2008 at 12:58 PM
Thank you for praying for me.
Posted by: Sally | August 15, 2008 at 01:23 PM
I think it's a wonderful thing to have a heritage of prayer and faith. What treasures must have been passed along! I did not grow up seeing or being a part of any of that. But, I pray that when I am blessed with children, they too will inherit particular blessings that come from being raised in an atmosphere of Glorious Worship, Prayer, Reverence and Relationship with our wonderful Lord. Thanks for the prayer.
Posted by: Hazel | August 16, 2008 at 08:26 AM
Those kind of prayer services are just the best. That kind of faith is amazing!
Posted by: Rachel | August 16, 2008 at 09:27 PM