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Gen. 29: 35 Judah, “Now I will praise the Lord.”

At this point, Leah realizes she will not win the favor of her husband by bearing more children.  Instead, she simply resolves, “I will praise the Lord.”

Beyond the seasons of romantic love and steadfast commitment, a period of praise and sheer delight in the presence of God will fuel our prayer life.  This process moves from decision to discipline to delight.  God’s ultimate desire is to fill us with joy in His presence and pleasures forevermore at His right hand.

Though you may begin your ministry and prayer with a commitment to God, eventually the power of praising Him alone for Who He is, regardless of what happens or what He does replaces all other priorities.

Praise is the calling of this Jacob Generation.  Judah was the son from whom the Tribe of Jesus emerges.  Praise is the gate that ushers the presence of God on the earth, and what God is doing with praise in our generation is unlike anything we have seen throughout all of history.

Where churches used to sing one or two static hymns, we are now embracing a culture of worship and praise to usher in the power and presence of God.  One song is no longer enough, and the cry of this generation is to see Him face to face, to experience Jesus, and to feel the love of the Father is emotional, supernatural ways.  They sing,

I don’t want to talk about You like You’re not in the room.

I want to look right at You, I want to talk right to You.

Allowing God to bring us into extended periods of praise and worship is perhaps the most invigorating energy to fuel our ministry.  This hunger is now being expressed through 24-hour “Burns” which take place in over 100 cities throughout the United States and nations.  The “harp and bowl” movement of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City is now the longest consecutive prayer movement in history, going around the clock with live music streaming and intercession for the nations for over 20 years.

These prayers and praises are the Judah anointing meant to lead the church into worship and pave the way for Jesus’ Kingdom to come on the earth.  As leaders, we must make time for both prayer and extended praise to build the momentum and strength of our ministry.  These times of worship are the music and ministry of heaven on earth, and our most sacred seasons of fruitfulness will naturally emerge from times of praise.  This fuel for the ministry will determine our longevity to serve.

Gen. 29:34 Levi, “This time my husband will become attached to me.”

The name Levi means attached.  This third son of Jacob represents a period of increased devotion and commitment that must come to every believer’s life is they are to become fruitful for the Lord.  We are drawn to God by His lovingkindness and the Gospel of love, but along with this love relationship there must come a foundation of commitment.

Feelings of love do not always last.  The Lord knows we will need to make a quality decision to serve Him regardless of our feelings, so He brings His disciples to a point of decision whereby we are attached to the cause.   For the multitudes that followed Him, He says, “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life within you.” (John 6:53) This was a hard saying, the disciples remarked, and it tested their resolve.  Will you follow the Son of Man even when the stakes are high, and it goes against what you think is convenient and easy?  Are you with Him only for the food and fish, or are you willing to commit for better or worse?  Are you attached?

Every ministry leader will come to a point whereby God tests your resolve.  I remember our young convert in Belarus, Vitaly.  He was only 16 when he first heard about God’s love for him, and he began following Christ at that age.  There came a point, however, when God called Vitaly into full-time ministry with Youth With A Mission, Belarus.  This call was not a feel-good tender wooing, but an invitation to commit.

Vitaly remembers saying very clearly to the Lord, “I will commit to serve you with YWAM for 10 years.”  He attached himself to the Lord and was willing to stay the course no matter the consequences.  18 years later, Vitaly is still serving full-time with YWAM and seeing fruit all over Eastern Europe because of his decision to commit.

Times will come in ministry where we are tempted to quit.  The romantic feeling of love for the Lord will sometimes be quiet and cold.  Difficulties in finances, relationships, ministry partners, and familiar foes will all come and ask us the same questions Jesus asked His disciples in John 6:67, “Do you also want to go away?”  Do you?

Peter’s only response was “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You alone have the words of eternal life.”  (John 6:68) These two truths cement our attachment.  First, that you are Lord and I am obliged to obey whatever you say.  One cannot say “No, Lord.”  Secondly, you have the words of life, eternal life.  For me to turn away from the would be forsaking the very source of my joy, sustenance, eternal destiny, and life.  We cannot flee from Thee, but rather we are forever attached.  Settle this.

God hears prayer.  That is the overwhelming testimony of Scripture.  From the beginning of Genesis when Adam “walked with God in the cool of the garden,” to Revelation when the “prayers of the saints” are poured out as incense on the earth, prayer expressed God’s longing and love to be with His people.

We must approach prayer from these two foundational truths:  God hears us, and God loves us.  Beginning with these simple steps like a little child, we are ushered into the presence of a welcoming, Almighty, Heavenly Father who delights to listen to the cries of His people.

We are not bothering, begging, manipulating, or cajoling God do answer our prayers.  Instead, we must begin with faith that “He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

So many Christians never even reach this first foundational stage of prayer whereby they enjoy coming to God and look forward to His love coming to them in the process.  Our Husband will love us.  There can be no doubt.  Like a bridegroom passionately desiring the affection of the bride, Jesus is referred to throughout the Scriptures as our beloved Husband who jealously longs for intimacy and love with us.

Have you settled this truth in your heart?  You are heard by God, and you are loved by Him, passionately.  This relation is the foundation of a steady and intimate prayer life.  1 John 5:14 says, “We have this confidence before Him, that whatever we ask Him, He hears.”

Hearing and loving are actions intertwined within this mystery of husband and wife that mirrors our intimacy with Christ.  Our spouses love to just be heard, and in hearing them we are loving them.  God as well is patient in His listening ear to the bride.  He does not disdain or dismiss her concerns, but “will avenger His elect who call out to Him day and night.”  God’s listening ear is the most privileged part of prayer.

As a young believer, and even as a seasoned “prayer warrior,” this posture of prayer is one we should master above all others.  Come to God as the loving Husband willing to hear your cries, and you will come from God more loved and secure that your needs will be met.  Love is the foundation of all successful interactions, particularly that of prayer.