Because We Prayed: Ten Considerations for Effective Prayer

By Mary Haskett

In an anecdotal style, Because We Prayed, expounds on ten considerations for effective prayer. In our changing world where violence and evil prevail the saints of God are encouraged to follow the instructions and guidelines set out in the best "how to" manual on the market. Some examples of the results of following these guidelines have been told in this little book on prayer.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Word Alive Press
• Release date: Jan 4, 2015
• ISBN: 9781770692039

Book preview

Spirit.

Acknowledgements

Love and thanks to my husband Allan for preparing meals on many occasions, and for his daily prayers on my behalf that my writings would be God inspired.

To Shirley Howson, who generously gave of her time to work on the first critique and edit.

To my writing companions in Ready Writers, where we meet, critique, laugh, love, and most importantly pray: To Ruth Meyer, my dear friend and encourager; Ida Hall, who carefully scrutinized the first few chapters for me; and for Fay Rowe, one special lady, who advised me on several fronts as only she can. Thank you, my friend. And kudos to Donna Dawson, Diane Stephenson, Linda Greenberg, Jim Fox, Carie Terry, and Trish Patzalek: We soldier on!

To my pastors, Reverend J. Sorzano and Reverend Rosalita Sorzano, for their unwavering support and love.

To my friends Jim Gisela Jones, a dynamic duo for God.

Foreword

Mary Haskett’s dedication, experience, and prayer life come through with a gentle authenticity in Because We Prayed.

In this lovely little volume, Mary Haskett warmly invites the reader into a life of prayer in an engaging, unforced manner. Poignant personal anecdotes illustrate and highlight points made all along the way. In these, the author shows candid transparency, even to the point of personal vulnerability, but she is never self-serving or maudlin. Rather, the incidents shared flow naturally from her testimony of coming to faith and salvation, and her growth in grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. These testimonial accounts are reflective of tested and proven principles of progress in the spiritual life.

The stories by themselves, however, are not the substance of the book, for her insights are well-supported by quoted Scriptures that inform her understanding. The author’s brief mention of charismatic gifts is sensitively treated. Her approach is not at all dogmatic, but rather empathetic. Yet her thoughts are bold and balanced regarding the aspect of spiritual warfare.

Because We Prayed resonated with me on so many levels. I found it to be a faith-inspiring, easily followed, but not light book. I heartily recommend it to both newer Christ-followers and seasoned Christian believers, and I’m sure that many a prayer group or small study group would find much to help them in their engagement and growth in the life of prayer and the ministry of intercession.

Reverend Peter A. Black

Author and Pastor of Watford Pentecostal Assembly, Ontario

Affiliate of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Table of Contents

Introduction

chapter one – A Matter of Faith

chapter two – Forgive

chapter three – Do Not Judge

chapter four – The Holy Spirit and You

chapter five – A Close Look at the Enemy

chapter six – Warring in the Spirit Realm

chapter seven – Hope

chapter eight – Evidence

chapter nine – Is It Worth Praying?

chapter ten – Victory in Jesus

Introduction

Life is full of problems. I’ve had my share of them from the day I was born. Mine began when my mother stepped outside of her marriage, had an affair, and here I am! Circumstances did not permit her to keep me and I went to live with an order of Anglican nuns. Growing up was not always a joyful and positive experience. At times, some of the difficulties I faced seemed insurmountable. As an adult, I saw marriage as an escape into eternal bliss. We had children, and then my husband left me. One glorious day, I met Jesus. No more problems, I surmised. Not so! Problems remain even when we know Jesus, but the difference is that He, the Lord Jesus Christ, is our problem solver, our defender, our encourager, and a very present help in times of trouble.

All Christians have problems; the trouble is we often don’t realize the power of the problem solver, or the power He gives us to do battle. We also don’t realize that He has petitioned us to be prayer warriors.

God does put preconditions on us that need to be adhered to before we can join His prayer warrior brigade, which of course is the key to victory. We need to have a full understanding of the provisions He has made for us to succeed in battle. There’s God the Father, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. But to tap into these resources, we must be in good standing with our Lord.

The purpose of this little book is to show you how to prevail in prayer, to encourage you in this regard, and to help you understand that prayer is not meaningless, boring, or mundane. On the contrary, prayer is up close and personal communication with God. And prayer is exciting!

chapter one

A Matter of Faith

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1

Were my feet still touching the ground? I looked down—yes! But I swear I felt as if I floated down that hospital corridor. How many times did I grin to myself? How many times did I have to force myself to concentrate on the task at hand? How many times did I have to suppress the urge to hug everybody in sight—to shout, He’s real! He’s real! But I refrained and walked along… No, floated along… from room to room, tending to the needs of my patients.

I had met Jesus. He had let me know He truly existed. His Holy Spirit had convinced me that I needed the Saviour. With kindness, the Spirit had wooed me and caused me to repent of my sins. Amazing—I thought I was sinless! Not so, and what a relief to offer a sincere apology and be reconciled to God. A patient pastor had explained it all and I believed. How could I not believe? How else could I explain this wellspring of joy, this almost giddy hilarity which would not leave me?

Newfound friends