Here's an awesome, Holy Spirit inspired prayer, written in the 24-7 prayer room in Turkey in March 2009.
So I’ve been asked to look and listen to what you hear and see
But my gut reaction is to look at everything naturally
I put myself in the midst and think to myself, well, what do I see?
Well, it’s a big city
And it all seems fine, and if I look with my mind’s eye
I just sit, and wonder why
Coz, this place seems fine, and I’m forced to wonder if this is all a waste of time
Surly in this space and time, I’ve got better ways to spend my time
And as I begin to walk in this direction, I’m forced to stop
God, into temptation, lead me not
So, as often I do, deprived of sleep
I begin to pace the darkened streets
Searching for any kind of beat
And at firsts its silent, I’m not really tuned in
And I’m sure at this point your feeling some frustration
But
Then
In the silence
I begin
To start really listening
I start to pick up the heart beat of the city
And at this point I start to see
At least, I begin to see what you’re showing me.
I see a people struggling to be free
Struggling to find a true sense of identity
I see a pressure to be, all you’re told to be
And how that has an effect on being free
But sometime
It’s the stuff you don’t see
And I start to the heartbeat of broken lives
I hear you’re longing to comfort the cries
Your desire to answer the hows and whys
You explain you’ve been watching over for time
And you’re desperate to bring a turn in the tide
Since the pain you felt when Polycarp died
To your desire to wipe the tears from hurting eyes
And as we stand at the crown of ancient Smyrna
I slowly begin to understand
That your heartbeat
And that of this city
Go hand,
in hand
‘’But the streets are dark, and the walls are high’’
‘’The task is big and we aint got have much time’’
I begin to understand your broken hearted cries
Coz your heart and arms are open wide
But
Out of 4 million or so people. Most, just pass you by
We pray for your kingdom to come and for your will to be done
Through your spirit in the name of your son
But then we’re forced to pause, at the enormity of the request
But then, I see hope
As the heartbeat is felt across the nations,
And your call has started gaining momentum
And it reaches out in all directions
I have to smile at the response
‘’Hear I am Lord, Send me’’
I don’t know the language, and it’s a culture Iv never seen
But my trust is in you and I’ll go wherever you lead
And when you walk this earth you said ‘’follow me’’
So walking in your footsteps is where I’ll be
And as we witness the mobilisation of your people,
We begin to pick up your heartbeat
So I humbly say, please, ask me again what I see
I see a light, and at first it’s dim
Then a few more flickers start to join in
Pretty soon it starts, to really shine
The dark around starts to decline
And the heartbeat that’s been shadowed for time
Makes a sudden, shudder, at this sign
And as I look above the crowds
I see on the horizon, the smallest of clouds
And with faith in heart and hope in hand
I see a vision of rain on this fertile land
And uprising is at hand
It starts with the humble prayers of man
In response to the heartbeat of this land
And as prayer, passion and unity stand
With mission and action Hand in hand,
We boldly make are united stand
As storm clouds fill the sky
In one voice we cry ‘’ Rain in this city tonight’’
That peace and hope would flood the streets
That love and grace would wash the people’s feet
So
This is what I begin to see
The response of your people to your heartbeat for this city
So we ask that, what’s birthed in our humble prayers
Wouldn’t just stay there
But would spur the people
Into action
And take this light
Out there.
