Prayer—Your Most Christlike Work - By Jim Tharp

The most Godlike life you can live is one of prayer. The most Christlike activity you can share is to pray for others. The heavenly seraphim around God’s throne never cease praising, adoring, and worshiping God (Revelation 4:8). How wonderful that we can join the heavenly host in praise and worship. But angels do not intercede. The ministry of intercession is, above all else, the ministry of Christ and those saved by Christ.

While here on earth Christ seemed to long for prayer time with His disciples. He sent them to preach, to teach, and to heal. But He took them with Him to pray. This was true on the Mount of Transfiguration. The glory of the transfiguration was God’s extra bonus. They were there to pray.

In Gethsemane, also, Christ longed for the prayer fellowship of His disciples. He repeatedly came to awaken them and plead for their prayer help. His request was for them to “watch with” Him, not to watch Him as He prayed. This is where they failed Him most—and where we fail Him today.

Christ wants your prayer more than He wants any other service or gift. You can do much in addition to prayer, but you can never do anything more Christlike or more spiritually significant. Prayer must accompany all you do and take priority over all else. You mean most to Christ when you join Him in prayer.

Christ lives today to intercede (Hebrews 7:25). If you want to share His heartbeat, share this His most important ministry. Christ is the great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16). He has made you a priest so you can share His prayer ministry. You are to enter into the holiest (Hebrews 10:19) where Jesus is. Then you and He will intercede together.

You can never pray for others but what He joins you. That is where He waits for you each day. His heart is breaking for the needs of men. He hungers for you to share His burdens and meet Him in intercession. Prayer is your most Christlike work!

- Dr. Wesley L. Duewel, author of the above article


The late Dr. Wesley Duewel gave his "All for Jesus" and world missions throughout his 99 years on this earth. He heard God's call to India at age five, while playing in his sandbox in Nashville, Illinois. Following ministry in India for nearly 25 years, Dr. Duewel served as President of One Mission Society. Until his death in March 2016, he served as President Emeritus and Special Assistant to the President for World Evangelism and Intercession and continued work on his autobiography. His writings and poems on intercession, evangelism, revival, and missions call God's people back to prayer. During the final chapter of his life, 

Dr. Duewel founded the Duewel Literature Trust to share with subsequent generations the inspiration, passion, and challenge of fully following Jesus. As a result, more than 2.5 million of his 10 major books are now in circulation in 58 languages worldwide. In his own words, "It is beautiful and challenging to see a life ablaze for God and an inspiration to others." for more about Dr. Duewel's life and career go to www.duewelliteraturetrust.org

NOTE: Several of Dr. Duewel’s books are available for purchase from Christian Renewal Ministries: Ablaze for God; Measure Your Life; More God, More Power; Mighty Prevailing Prayer; Revival Fire. Please call Shirley Tharp at 406-579-4886 to inquire and/or order.