It’s summer in Oregon as I write this. July and August offer us long, sun-drenched days that fold into short, cool nights. It’s the very best time of the year in the Pacific Northwest. It also happens to be the time this year when the 2024 Paris Olympics are taking place. They echo another Olympics held in Paris 100 years ago, whose games featured a Scottish athlete, Eric Liddell, the storied gold medalist, outspoken Christian missionary and martyr.

Liddell once asked, “Where does the power come from, to see the race to its end?” He then answered, saying, “From within.” Liddell continued his response, quoting Jesus from Luke 17:21: “The kingdom of God is within you” (NKVJ).

Think about those ideas: power within and the kingdom. We can’t help but recall Jesus’ command that His disciples wait in Jerusalem as His appointed kingdom witnesses until the Spirit came upon them with power:

“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. … you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you” (Acts 1:4-5,8, NIV).

To the extent that we pray as Spirit-filled believers, we will be equipped to share Christ’s liberating power. We will bear healing and freedom to a world bound by sin and death.

The power and the kingdom within are not theological abstractions. They are the very Presence of God within us in the Person of the Spirit. Listen to how Luke deftly weaves together prayer, the Spirit’s powerful infilling, and the mission of the church within another passage in Acts:

“After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly” (Acts 4:31, NIV).

Spirit-filled prayer is the engine that powers the church and its mission. We are Jesus’ commissioned kingdom witnesses in word and deed. We cannot be faithful to His commission without the prayerful presence and the power of the Spirit. To the extent that we pray as Spirit-filled believers, we will be equipped to share Christ’s liberating power. We will bear healing and freedom to a world bound by sin and death.

Spirit-filled prayer is the key that unlocks the power of God. On every occasion when Paul sought prayer for himself, he asked for boldness in his mission. Consider this exhortation to those from whom he requested prayer:

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Eph. 6:18, NIV).

Paul offers practical guidance for Spirit-filled prayer:

  • Pray in the Spirit. God’s Spirit is an active participant in prayer.
  • Do it on all occasions. Prayer is our prioritized response. It’s never a time not to pray.
  • Include all kinds of prayer. Don’t leave anything out. Employ intercession, petitions, praises, confession and praying Scripture.
  • Remain alert and consistent, focusing your prayers on God’s people.

I believe with all my heart that if we devote ourselves to Spirit-filled prayer, we will see God move in mighty ways that rival those recorded by Luke, especially as our movement continues to prioritize prayer. I am deeply encouraged by the significant year-over-year growth in our global 21 Days of Prayer + Fasting. More than 24,000 of our Foursquare brothers and sisters signed up to participate last year. Won’t you join us in the coming year and swell those numbers?

As we prepare for 2025, I leave you with another Eric Liddell quote: “Anyone who, neglecting that fixed hour of prayer, will say he can pray at all times but will probably end in praying at no time.”

The kind of prayer Paul commands in Ephesians 6:18 requires structure, commitment and accountability. Let’s embrace that together. We have provided some resources as offered tools in this pursuit. Let’s intentionally give ourselves to Spirit-filled prayer that we might also “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” (Eph. 6:10, NIV).

I am grateful to be praying with you!