COMMENTS ON THE INTRO TO "PRAYER ON FIRE"

Reading "Prayer on Fire" by Fred Hartley, III, with Pastor Rich Marshall and folks in the congregation of FaithCenterAloha, The Foursquare Church Of Aloha, Oregon. A chapter each week October through December, 2009.


Writing has always been a pleasure for me, and I enjoy reading good writing. Reading well written books on the Christian life is an equal pleasure because of the value that is gained. One of my favorite teachers, Dr. Roy Hicks, Sr., instructed us as young pastoral students. Doc often said, in his gravelly southern tone, "When you need a word from the Lord, do as I have done: Read yourself full, pray yourself hot, and pour yourself out." Doc Hicks' instruction will serve you well as you set out to receive from Fred Hartley's excellent book "Prayer On Fire". Read yourself full during these coming weeks as we read together. Get a copy of the book, either at the local bookstore, online (www.Navpress.com, www.CBD.com), or at FaithCenterAloha while the supply lasts ($10).

Pastor Hartley's writing will lead you toward greater heights in Holy Spirit-filled partnership with God. Prayer is that place of relationship-building, purpose-pursuing, life-increasing partnership with God, where no less than His Holy fire will invade your soul and light your way.

I am impressed with the style of Hartley's writing, in that he is personally transparent as a Christian who is discovering new and deeper dimensions in the life of prayer. That single feature should help you to make the author your personal friend as you seek to grow in prayer. Great assets like Bible knowledge, ministry experience, years of believing, even formal theological education can only serve you by ushering you to the place of prayer. In fact, without actual, on-going growth in personal prayer you'll experience only the germination of your seed of faith. But to grow strong roots and a fruitful life that can bear the coming tests of your faith, you will find no effective substitute for fire-filled prayer - emblazoned with God's Presence, indeed, His own characteristic - consuming fire.

Fred Hartley writes to us out of a foundation that reflects a stable, conservative evangelical approach. So often in our media-afflicted, 24 hour a day Christian TV era, you might expect that a book that features the word fire so prominently might come from a wild-eyed imbalance, merely seeking hyperbolic spectacle - but not so in Prayer On Fire. You'll find the author to be Biblically sound, respectful of differing doctrines (within Bible believing Christian faith), and no matter your current level of growth, encouraging - though not timid about the reality of true Holy Spirit fullness.

As a shepherd, I am overjoyed to lead you to the good pasture provided in Prayer On Fire. As you read, wait on the promise of the Father that Jesus the Son delivers - the firepower of His Presence just as in Acts 2. Without that fire-filled fullness of the Holy Spirit, all we would have would fall short. But now in Christ, the fire is falling upon those who would wait as Jesus said, and be set ablaze by His Gift. You cannot receive His fire except by His invasion. Seek Him for the sparks that become the glorious flames of His unique Presence in you.

Read yourself full. Pray yourself hot. Pour yourself out in expanding prayer and the love of God.

NOW PLEASE READ ON THROUGH CHAPTER 1 OF "PRAYER ON FIRE"


Your brother and fellow servant,



Pastor Rich Marshall