Ascending the Heights in Prayer: Touching Heaven, Changing Earth

Endorsements

"I delayed picking up Ascending the Heights in Prayer until one day while in the prayer room, I felt constrained to pick it up and could not put it down. This is not a manual on how to do prayer. This is a book that is written from the experience, and with the passion of someone who believes in prayer and allows that belief to permeate her life. I don't know of anyone I have shared this book with who has not been touched and encouraged by it. I have no hesitation in commending this book to any who would want to encourage others into making use of this great resource that we have at our disposal. I believed prayer worked before I read this book, but now I am more than ever convinced of this and committed to encouraging others into the idea of community prayer."

REV. FIDEL PATRON

Pastor, Gibraltar

Most people will find Debbie's book helpful to launch them out in the many dimensions of basic Christian prayer. As one who has been doing two hours of early morning prayer with my wife for over 25 years, I found Debbie's sections on household prayer and prayer partners especially relevant. Best fresh idea I haven't found in other prayer books: ‘pray with someone who prays differently from you. That way each will learn more from each other.’ This is an especially important insight when men (husbands) pray with women (wives). They rarely pray alike. But learn to appreciate the differences in the way men and women approach prayer, rather than trying to bend the other person to be just like you. Debbie quotes all my favorite writers!

DOUGLAS MCMURRY

Co-author, Prayer That Shapes the Future (Zondervan)

Yes! I read the book! And, I plan to read it again, and again, and again!

OLIVIA M. MCDONALD

Professor, School of Communication and the Arts

Regent University

Ascending the Heights in Prayer

Touching Heaven,

Changing Earth

The Intercessors Arise Books

Debbie Przybylski

~Foreword by Dick Eastman~

~~~

Smashwords Edition

Ascending the Heights in Prayer

Touching Heaven, Changing Earth

Rewritten and Revised

1st Edition – Intercessors Arise II

Debbie Przybylski

www.intercessorsarise.org

Copyright ©2013 by Debbie Przybylski

All Rights Reserved

This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise - without prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by

United States of America copyright law.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are

from the NIV Study Bible, 10th Anniversary Edition.

Copyright © 1995 by The Zondervan Corporation.

Holy Bible, New International Version.

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.

Print ISBN-13: 978-0-9792900-1-5

Print ISBN-10: 0-9792900-1-5

Dedication

This book is dedicated to the growing

multitude of intercessors

who are praying throughout the world.

Thank you for your hunger for God,

your willingness to serve Him in prayer,

and your sacrificial love for others.

You are doing more for the Kingdom of God

than you will ever realize in this lifetime.

You are a continuous inspiration to me.

Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Introduction

CHAPTER ONE Touching Heaven with Powerful Prayer

--The Power of Intercession

--The Spirit of Intercession

--The Power of Corporate Intercession

--How to Develop Power in Prayer

CHAPTER TWO Touching Heaven with Personal Prayer

--Prayer Journaling

--Extended Times of Personal Prayer

--Repentance and Personal Revival

--How to Seek God for Revival on a Day of Prayer

CHAPTER THREE Touching Heaven with Biblical Prayer

--Presenting Your Petitions in the Courtroom of Heaven

--The Penetrating Word of God

--The Promises of God

--How to Pray the Word of God with Confidence

CHAPTER FOUR Touching Heaven with Refined Prayer

--The Refining Fire of God

--Travailing Prayer

--Fasting Refines Prayer

--How to Begin Fasting Successfully

CHAPTER FIVE Touching Heaven with Believing Prayer

--Increased Faith for Intercession

--Praying in the Name of Jesus

--The Agreement of Heaven and Earth

--How to Pray in Faith for the Nations

CHAPTER SIX Touching Heaven with Relational Prayer

--The Encouragement of Prayer Partners

--The Beauty of God’s Diversity

--The Family That Prays Together

--How to Practice Relational Prayer

CHAPTER SEVEN Touching Heaven with Worshipping Prayer

--Thankful in All Circumstances

--I Choose Praise

--The Worship Warrior

--How to Daily Practice Praise and Thanksgiving

CHAPTER EIGHT Touching Heaven with Watchful Prayer

--Concentration on Prayer

--Listening Prayer and Expectation

--The Watchman Anointing

--How to be a Watchman in Prayer

CHAPTER NINE Touching Heaven with Leadership Prayer

--Pray for the Church

--Pray for Your Pastor

--Pray for Missionaries

--How to Pray for Your Church, Pastor, and Missionaries

CHAPTER TEN Touching Heaven with Evangelistic Prayer

--Prayer for the Lost

--Letting Your Light Shine

--Compassion: The Pathway to Divine Power

--How to Pray as You Reach the Lost

Conclusion

Endnotes

Recommended Reading

About the Author

Intercessors Arise International

Services Offered

Foreword

I AM ABSOLUTELY AMAZED at the movement of prayer God has initiated in America and throughout the world. There has been nothing like it in all the history of the Church. For many years now I have had the privilege to travel the globe (sometimes six times in a single year) and have repeatedly seen the tremendous things God is doing in and through His praying people. As the years have passed, I have seen with my own eyes the emergence of a mighty army of intercessors who are Touching Heaven with their prayers and transforming cultures as the result.

Scripture assures us that before Christ returns the prayers of God’s holy people will fill golden bowls with what some today refer to as intercessory worship, symbolized by the harps held by His angelic hosts who sing a new song of global harvest and those golden bowls filled with all the prayers of God’s saints down through the ages (see Revelation 5:8-10). The new song that follows pictures a vast multitude, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, that emerges from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. Worship-saturated prayer seems to release this historic harvest.

Later, in Revelation 8:1-6, the prayers of God’s people laced with much incense (see The Message Bible) are taken up by an angel and cast to the earth and as a result the earth is filled with thunder, lightning and an earthquake. It is the sign of God’s final purposes being fulfilled upon earth. In these portions of Scripture we are given a look at the power of prayer from heaven’s perspective. What we see is a vivid picture of how the amassed prayers of God’s saints impact heaven, and in fact, ultimately transform the earth! I believe that as the Holy Spirit continues to reveal this truth to His Church we will see a global chorus of prayer ascending from every people, tribe and tongue to God’s throne! The resulting harvest of souls coming into the Kingdom will be far beyond what we could ever imagine.

As we approach the return of Christ, and as this global movement of heaven-touching prayer continues to impact every part of our planet, I believe God will give the church prayer strategists like Debbie Przybylski who will receive profound insights into the depth and impact of these prayers. Ascending the Heights in Prayer is an excellent guide accomplishing precisely this. I cannot recommend this book more highly. It is a guide prepared through a lifetime of the author’s prayer experiences that will provide any intercessor, young or old, rich treasures that will transform his or her prayer life.

Equally important, Ascending the Heights in Prayer reminds all followers of Jesus that prayer is the natural result of a living relationship with God and that from this relationship we each can become world-changers. This profound truth, and a multitude of other equally vital truths found within the pages of this marvelous book, may well change the way you approach God in prayer! As you soak in these pages (and I pray you will) I am certain you will be refreshed in your resolve to approach God’s throne, ascending ever higher and higher into the riches of His infinite presence. And when you arrive at that place you won’t want to selfishly stay there. You will want to rush out to a dying world and invite all you meet to experience the very joys you have found in ascending those same heights, that they may encounter the Lord as you have.

Read this book today. Don’t miss another moment. And then invite others to join you on this joyful journey to new heights in the presence of our wonderful Lord.

DICK EASTMAN

International President

Every Home for Christ

Acknowledgments

With special thanks:

To the Holy Spirit, who enabled me to write another book about prayer and intercession. I really enjoyed ascending the heights in prayer with You.

To my husband Norman, who encouraged and gave me freedom to pursue the ministry of Intercessors Arise International.

To my father Harold Busse, for always being there when I was growing up and for encouraging me throughout the years. I appreciate your quiet presence.

To my mother Mary Jane Busse, who was faithful in prayer for me throughout my life. You are my greatest cheerleader and intercessor, and I couldn’t do this without you. Thank you so much.

To Jeanne Allen, Eileen Lass, and Debbie Leseberg, for your many hours of hard work in editing this book. I am so grateful for your perseverance and expertise.

To Dave Lewis, for preparing this book for publication by your excellent help with the cover, layout, style, and design of each chapter. I appreciate your patience, hard work, and skillful wisdom.

To the Elijah Company, Inc. Board of Directors, who encouraged and gave us wise counsel in the ministry of Elijah Company, Inc. and Intercessors Arise International.

To all the intercessors who have faithfully prayed for us through the years.

Introduction

Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?

Who may stand in his holy place?

He who has clean hands and a pure heart,

Who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.

He will receive blessing from the LORD

and vindication from God his Savior.

Such is the generation of those who seek him,

who seek your face, O God of Jacob.

Psalm 24:3-6

GOD IS PRESENTLY CALLING HIS PEOPLE to ascend the heights in prayer. He wants us to reach higher and wider than ever before in this dynamic ministry of prayer and intercession. He wants us to touch heaven with our prayers. This is why I have chosen Ascending the Heights in Prayer: Touching Heaven, Changing Earth as the title. After writing several books on prayer, I am becoming increasingly convinced of the desperate need for training in prayer and intercession worldwide.

In this book, I desire that you ascend higher than ever before in powerful and personal prayer. I long for you to rise up further in Biblical, refined, and believing prayer. It is my prayer that you grow in worship and praise in your everyday life. I pray that you would increase in watchfulness and ascend higher in strategic prayer than you ever dreamed possible.

My desire is that you touch the very throne room of heaven with your prayers.

I have been involved in prayer meetings all over the world for many years. After having ministered together with my husband in over 65 countries with Operation Mobilization, I am convinced that prayer is the desperate cry of the hour in every nation. This is why Intercessors Arise International was birthed. I saw the need for training in prayer and encouragement in intercession on a worldwide scale.

It is my earnest desire to see intercession increase and develop throughout every nation of the world.

This book, Ascending the Heights in Prayer, is designed to motivate you to a higher and more strategic level of prayer in your own life. The thirty inspirational teachings were birthed in my own devotional life with the Lord. Each teaching is fashioned in a way that will help you apply it easily to your prayer life. They are written for all Christians in every walk of life in every nation. Whether you are a beginner in prayer or have many years of experience, this book is for you. The things you learn about prayer can be personally life changing.

Ascending the Heights in Prayer: Touching Heaven, Changing Earth is ideal for people who want to grow in prayer but need an easy-to-comprehend, yet challenging book. This book is ideal for busy lifestyles. Each teaching is short, motivational, and designed to help you touch heaven with your prayers. It can be used in training others in prayer individually or in groups. Each chapter is practical and centered on the Word of God, with a challenging life application and prayer that can be prayed again and again.

I have written many stories throughout this book gained from my years of experience on the mission field as well as from everyday life situations. It is my earnest desire that intercessors, and the Church as a whole, ascend in prayer for such a time as this. May you ascend the heights in prayer and touch heaven. As you ascend the hill of the Lord and stand in His holy place, you will be a radiant light for God’s glory and His Kingdom.

CHAPTER ONE

Touching Heaven

with Powerful Prayer

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Ephesians 6:10

THE ODDS WERE AGAINST HIM. A 22-year-old man with muscular dystrophy was trying to cross the highway in his electric wheelchair right in front of a semi truck. He never made it to the other side because suddenly there was a collision when the truck hit him, lodging the handlebars of his wheelchair in the truck’s grille. The truck driver didn’t even see him. He couldn’t hear his cries for help above the hum of the diesel engine. He didn’t even know the young man was there!

The truck took off, pushing the man for five miles down the road at fifty miles an hour. People who saw it were calling 9-1-1. Time was running out as the dark streaks on the road left his wheelchair tires smoking.

Finally the truck driver stopped at the trucking company. When he got out of the truck, he could hardly believe what had happened. The tires on the wheelchair were almost gone and the man was unharmed. The young man was amazed at the power of the semi truck and that he had miraculously survived the ordeal. His comment was, It was quite a ride!

Imagine how you would feel flying down the street at fifty miles an hour lodged on the front of a semi truck.

As you and I travel through everyday life, at times we may feel like this young man in the wheelchair. We may be traveling slowly through the busy traffic of ordinary life circumstances and find it hard to get to the other side or to get anywhere. We are the invalids. We may feel weak and helpless. Yet we are linked to an almighty God who can empower us and move us into His highest plan for our life—swiftly, victoriously, and without injury. We have our little electric ways of going from point A to point B, but when the power of God’s Spirit comes upon us, we find ourselves being propelled into His purposes with a force totally beyond our control. It can be quite a ride. At times we may feel like we could die.

Just like this man in his wheelchair who unknowingly attached himself to the semi truck and begin moving fast without effort, we need to attach our handlebars to almighty God and let Him take us through life with His mighty power. How can we do this?

We do this through prayer and intercession.

You may ask, How can I be powerful in my intercession? Is there possibly a way that I can enter into corporate intercession with others that changes real life situations? Let’s discover the keys to power in intercession, and learn how to cultivate the spirit of intercession in our own personal lives. Let’s find out how to enter into powerful corporate intercession with others.

The Power of Intercession

Of what infinite importance is the place the intercessor holds in the Kingdom of God! Is it not indeed a matter of wonder that God should give men such power? Yet there are so few who know what it is to take hold of His strength and pray down His blessing on the world.¹ Andrew Murray, Andrew Murray on Prayer

God wants to motivate us to take hold of the powerful ministry of prayer and intercession in our personal lives. Prayer is so mighty and so far-reaching that no words can describe its true worth. I love prayer. I saturate myself with whatever I can learn and read about this tremendous ministry. Prayer moves the hand of God. I have dedicated my life to help facilitate the worldwide prayer movement. I want to give my energy to encourage prayer in every believer because it is too important to be taken lightly.

Every Christian must learn to pray because all are called to pray and to intercede. Many of you are called to a high level of prayer and intercession. God wants you to touch heaven with your prayers, but it won’t be easy.

Prayer and intercession will cost you. There is a price tag if we want to touch heaven with our prayers, but it is so worth it.

In order to grow in prayer, we must realize that everything good is costly. We read in Colossians 4:2, Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful. This level