Many years ago I read a small book by Dr. Paul Yonggi Cho, pastor of the largest Christian Church in the world.1 Cho is a man who has devoted his life to prayer and has gone to great extremes to develop his prayer life. The book has had a large impact on me such that several years later I find I am still influenced by his prayer model. As a follow-up to yesterday’s post, here is a more specific outline of his “incubation model” of prayer. Sometimes the scripture references are my adaptations of what I believe Cho was referencing even when he was not explicit. In some places the book only alludes to passages of the Bible flowing from the author’s vast knowledge of memorized verses.
Four step prayer model:
1. Pray specifically: Mark 10:46-52, Mark 11:24 and James 1:6. (The blind man in Mark 10 is the best and most developed example. Jesus says, “What do you want me to do for you?” Isn’t it obvious? The man is blind. But Jesus wants him to ask specifically.)
2. Have a burning desire: Proverbs 10:24 and Psalm 37:4.
3. Pray until you have peace and assurance.: Hebrews 6:11 and 11:1.
4. Speak the word and show evidence of your faith: 2 Corinthians 4:13.
Take some time to consider whether this might be a helpful model for you in your prayer life. Then send me a comment to let me know if it helps.
1. Cho,
Paul Yonggi. The Fourth Dimension. Plainsfield: Bridge Publishing, 1979, p. 9-35.