// Lynette Hagin

PRAYER CHANGES the world around us! Our prayers don’t change God, but He designed it so that He works through our prayers.

Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee.” That means we’ve got to call. Those are the rules of prayer that God has set down! Our prayers bring things to pass that wouldn’t have come into existence if we did not pray.

God is interested in the entire world and wants us to pray. But where we have the most authority is where we live—whatever nation that may be. So it’s important that we each take our place in our own nation.

EZEKIEL 22:30

30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

It’s time for us to stand in the gap! First Peter 4:7 (NLT) says, “The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.” We don’t always become earnest in our prayers until it affects us. But it’s so important that we get serious about our commitment and responsibility.

Are you willing to do that? Will you answer the call to stand in the gap? The enemy is on a warpath. We are in spiritual warfare! We must focus and fully intercede for our nation so God’s will is accomplished. As we recognize that and do what God told us to do, we will see change!

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// Kenneth W. Hagin

The Apostle Paul exhorts us to pray for those in authority. "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" (1 Tim. 2:1–2).

It's important that we pray for our leaders. Considering the unprecedented decisions that are made every day, we should pray for men and women in leadership on every level—national, state, and local.

We must never underestimate the power that we have in prayer. God delights in answering our prayers, but we have to ask first. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, is credited to having said, "It seems God is limited by our prayer life—that He can do nothing for humanity unless someone asks Him."

Our prayers do avail much. When we pray, God promises that He will do exceedingly above all that we can ask or think. Situations may look like they will never change, but when we stand in faith, all things are possible.

It's easy to get caught up in our everyday lives. But let's not get so busy that we don't take time to pray for our leaders in government. We that call ourselves by the name of the Lord hold the key to the future of our land. If we will boldly take our place in prayer, we can change our nation for the better. Today, I encourage you to do that—to take your place in prayer.

// Craig W. Hagin

PEOPLE OFTEN BECOME fearful when diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Time and time again, I have seen fear grip people's hearts when doctors tell them that there is nothing more medical science can do for them.

I understand what it is like to receive bad news from a doctor. When I was 13 years old, I was having severe headaches. I found out that I had a brain tumor. It was about the size of my fist and was located at the base of my skull.

When the doctor talked to my parents and me, he told us he had to operate immediately. As he explained the surgery to us, he said he was concerned about how close the tumor was to my brain stem. If he touched my brain stem during surgery, I would die. The good news, however, was that the survival rate from this type of surgery was 80 percent.

As a 13-year-old, I didn't immediately focus on the 80 percent chance that everything was going to be OK. Thoughts of fear began bombarding my mind, and I focused on the 20 percent chance that I might die.

But I thank God that I was taught well. I took authority over the fear and cast it from my mind. I made myself think on the Word of God and the 80 percent chance of going through the surgery without complications. The operation was textbook perfect. The surgeon removed most of the tumor, and God removed the rest. I was completely healed.

The Enemy of Faith

Fear is an enemy of faith. It will stop the power of God from working in our lives. Faith is having an unquestioning belief in God. Fear, on the other hand, makes us question and ask things such as, "Will I make it?" Faith doesn't question. It has complete confidence and trust in God.

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//Denise Hagin Burns

TYPICALLY WHEN MANY of us think of peace, we think of being comforted by the Holy Spirit during a time of tragedy. We pray for peace, and it helps us in our time of need. There are times, however, when the turmoil and anxiety in our lives seem endless. And we need peace for more than just a moment, day, or week.

In John 16:33 (NLT) Jesus said, "'I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.' "

Bad things are going to happen. There's no way around it. Jesus told us ahead of time so that we wouldn't be surprised. He wanted to prepare us, so when hard times come, our response is peace. Jesus was letting us know that in Him, we could live in perpetual peace. However, the choice is ours to make.

Finding Peace

Living a lifestyle of peace is not passive; it's active. Psalm 34:14 (NIV) gives us instructions on how to always have peace.

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