"There are only two alternatives about prayer: Either God answers prayer, or He does not. If he does not answer prayer, it is foolish to pray. And if He does answer prayer, it is foolish not to pray."
One needn't consider themselves an 'intercessor' to glean a great bit of good from this book. (In fact, it might be best if you don't already have too many preconceived ideas about prayer before going into this.) Personally, I'd been dodging the label of intercessor for years, and only recently realized how much I need to take responsibility for the directive to "pray without ceasing."
One of the many important concepts Prince brings up is how prayer must be part of our spiritual warfare arsenal--not merely a defensive measure, but an offensive weapon.
"God has provided us three main spiritual weapons: The Word of God, The name of Jesus, and the blood of Jesus. We launch these weapons by these means: prayer, praise preaching, and testimony."
As with all Derek Prince books I've read thus far, his style is steady, intelligent, and conversational. Kindly, yet earnest. And, as per ususal, he's got plenty of memorable quotes worth revisiting. I found myself highlighting EXTENSIVELY.
If one allows it, this book has the potential to help you view prayer from an entirely different angle.
"If you are praying in unbelief, you probably say, 'I've been praying for ten years and nothing has happened.' But if you're praying in faith, you say, 'the answer is ten years nearer than when I started praying.'"
^^Ooof! That was the gentlest and most effective attitude adjustment I'd received in a LONG time. ^^
Prince helpfully caps the end of each chapter with an example prayer. This manages to give specific direction without straying into legalistic imperative. (i.e. if you don't know how, why, or what to pray, this should help get your wheels turning.)
Favorite Quotes:
*"I always say that when you find a 'therefore' in the Bible, you want to find out what it is there for."
*"We shrug our shoulders, we criticize, we complain... but we fail to pray. This is why we see worldwide moral and ethical decline--both in leadership and in national culture. We have not understood the limitless possibilities of praying according to God's will, as revealed in his word. Because of this, we fail to rule in God's Kingdom the way He intends."
*"This is one of the great lessons of the Bible. If you win the victory in the Spiritual realm, you have won the victory. Period. This is why the Bible is such a relevant book. Everybody is seeking answers to political, social, and economic problems. If a nation, by prayer and fasting, wins the victory in the spiritual realm, all of the human realms will fall into line."
*"This is my prayer for you. May you bring the Lord glory. May His Kingdom be established through your prayers. May you find your place in the body of Christ, knowing God's will in defeating the enemy. May you and all you have be used to establish a royal priesthood, welcoming God's Kingdom to the earth. And may you know the joy of answered prayer."