21 Days of Breakthrough Prayer |
Jim Maxim talks to Daystar TV about his near-death experience: |
Q&A with Jim Maxim, co-author of
"21 Days of Breakthrough Prayer: The Power of Agreement"
Q: Why do you think prayer is neglected in many churches?
A: I’m a business man not a pastor, so I am aware of most of the great leadership nuances, programs, etc. God has blessed me with a successful business and we have practiced all the best management skills that most enterprising companies implement. But I am also a believer who has seen prayer work in my life and in many other people’s lives over the years. And honestly, I think that sometimes churches believe that using corporate business tactics is more important than seeking God in prayer. Most churches don’t hold weekly or monthly prayer meetings anymore. Why has the supernatural moving of the Holy Spirit become so unattractive to church leaders today? Why do they seem to be more interested in church marketing than God moving? We hope this 21-day challenge will be a catalyst to help Christians understand the importance of praying with and for one another.
Q: How has prayer affected your own life?
A: I wouldn’t be here today without prayer. My life was spiraling out of control when I was a teenager. I was into drugs, alcohol, you name it. But my mother prayed for me every day, even though I wanted nothing to do with her God and I told her so many times. That is, until one fateful night when I had a car crash that shattered my face and head. The paramedics thought I was dead on the scene. What they didn’t know was that I saw the demons coming to take me to hell. I was dying and I knew it. But then I saw Jesus. I came face to face with Him. And when I woke up in the hospital, my life was forever changed. I am living proof God answers prayer, and that absolutely no one is beyond His reach.
Q: You say this new book is interactive. Please explain.
A: At the end of each devotional reading in the book, you can visit http://www.Acts413.net/21days for a powerful time of agreeing prayer where you can pray along with the pre-recorded prayers that correspond with that day's devotional and author. Jesus told us in Matthew 18 that where two people agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by God. This is not just a book for people to pray individually, but to learn to pray collectively, in agreement with other people. That kind of prayer is sorely needed in our homes and in our churches.
Q: Why do you think corporate prayer is often more powerful than individual prayer?
A: I honestly believe that, most of the time, our level of expectation for God to truly intervene is low—so low that we expect God to answer only the prayers that we can almost fulfill ourselves. That doesn’t take much faith! One of the reasons it’s almost impossible for churches in America to have a good response to their prayer meetings is because most Christians do not believe that God answers prayers that move mountains. Ignorance of the outcomes of prayer is probably the number one reason churches do not enter into the magnificent gift and privilege of praying together. The verse in 2 Chronicles 7:14 doesn’t say If my people who are called by my name will build bigger buildings, add a smoke machine, attend more conferences and increase activities, I will hear from heaven. We must humble ourselves before Almighty God. Prayer is the greatest weapon God has given to His children. Prayer is us getting on our faces and confessing that it is all about Him, not us. Prayer is the time He has designed for us to recalibrate our minds and our actions to be focused on Him. With prayer, if we enter His gates with thanksgiving, believers will experience a powerful spiritual wave of His presence. I believe the destiny God has for each of us will start to unfold rapidly when we submit our heart and soul to Him for His eternal purposes in our lives.
A: I’m a business man not a pastor, so I am aware of most of the great leadership nuances, programs, etc. God has blessed me with a successful business and we have practiced all the best management skills that most enterprising companies implement. But I am also a believer who has seen prayer work in my life and in many other people’s lives over the years. And honestly, I think that sometimes churches believe that using corporate business tactics is more important than seeking God in prayer. Most churches don’t hold weekly or monthly prayer meetings anymore. Why has the supernatural moving of the Holy Spirit become so unattractive to church leaders today? Why do they seem to be more interested in church marketing than God moving? We hope this 21-day challenge will be a catalyst to help Christians understand the importance of praying with and for one another.
Q: How has prayer affected your own life?
A: I wouldn’t be here today without prayer. My life was spiraling out of control when I was a teenager. I was into drugs, alcohol, you name it. But my mother prayed for me every day, even though I wanted nothing to do with her God and I told her so many times. That is, until one fateful night when I had a car crash that shattered my face and head. The paramedics thought I was dead on the scene. What they didn’t know was that I saw the demons coming to take me to hell. I was dying and I knew it. But then I saw Jesus. I came face to face with Him. And when I woke up in the hospital, my life was forever changed. I am living proof God answers prayer, and that absolutely no one is beyond His reach.
Q: You say this new book is interactive. Please explain.
A: At the end of each devotional reading in the book, you can visit http://www.Acts413.net/21days for a powerful time of agreeing prayer where you can pray along with the pre-recorded prayers that correspond with that day's devotional and author. Jesus told us in Matthew 18 that where two people agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by God. This is not just a book for people to pray individually, but to learn to pray collectively, in agreement with other people. That kind of prayer is sorely needed in our homes and in our churches.
Q: Why do you think corporate prayer is often more powerful than individual prayer?
A: I honestly believe that, most of the time, our level of expectation for God to truly intervene is low—so low that we expect God to answer only the prayers that we can almost fulfill ourselves. That doesn’t take much faith! One of the reasons it’s almost impossible for churches in America to have a good response to their prayer meetings is because most Christians do not believe that God answers prayers that move mountains. Ignorance of the outcomes of prayer is probably the number one reason churches do not enter into the magnificent gift and privilege of praying together. The verse in 2 Chronicles 7:14 doesn’t say If my people who are called by my name will build bigger buildings, add a smoke machine, attend more conferences and increase activities, I will hear from heaven. We must humble ourselves before Almighty God. Prayer is the greatest weapon God has given to His children. Prayer is us getting on our faces and confessing that it is all about Him, not us. Prayer is the time He has designed for us to recalibrate our minds and our actions to be focused on Him. With prayer, if we enter His gates with thanksgiving, believers will experience a powerful spiritual wave of His presence. I believe the destiny God has for each of us will start to unfold rapidly when we submit our heart and soul to Him for His eternal purposes in our lives.
: What have you seen happening in the prayer gatherings Acts413 ministry has hosted?
A: Our ministry is mainly to church leaders and pastors. We have a heart for what they do and want to come alongside them to help them in their monumental tasks of caring for the people of God. At these events, we see pastors of all denominations coming together to intercede for one another. We held an event in Hot Springs, Arkansas a few years ago. That one event led to a weekly gathering of local pastors in the area coming together to pray for one another, something they are still doing to this day. We see that happening in every city where we have been. One pastor told me that in 20 years he had never walked across the street to talk with the pastor of another church. And now, they also meet weekly to pray and encourage one another. What might happen in this nation if church leaders come together all across the country and start praying for each other and their congregations?
Q: What do you believe Jesus would say to the church today about prayer?
A: Billy Graham once said something to the effect that heaven is full of unanswered prayer all because nobody asked. I believe Jesus would say to the Church today, “Guys, why did you place more emphasis on going to leadership conferences and learning new growth tactics than spending more time with me?”
A: Our ministry is mainly to church leaders and pastors. We have a heart for what they do and want to come alongside them to help them in their monumental tasks of caring for the people of God. At these events, we see pastors of all denominations coming together to intercede for one another. We held an event in Hot Springs, Arkansas a few years ago. That one event led to a weekly gathering of local pastors in the area coming together to pray for one another, something they are still doing to this day. We see that happening in every city where we have been. One pastor told me that in 20 years he had never walked across the street to talk with the pastor of another church. And now, they also meet weekly to pray and encourage one another. What might happen in this nation if church leaders come together all across the country and start praying for each other and their congregations?
Q: What do you believe Jesus would say to the church today about prayer?
A: Billy Graham once said something to the effect that heaven is full of unanswered prayer all because nobody asked. I believe Jesus would say to the Church today, “Guys, why did you place more emphasis on going to leadership conferences and learning new growth tactics than spending more time with me?”
About Jim Maxim:
Jim Maxim and his wife, Cathy, founded Acts 413 Ministries to promote corporate prayer in the worldwide church body. Acts 413 hosts prayer gatherings all over the country featuring speakers such as Pastor Jim Cymbala of Brooklyn Tabernacle and Dr. Herb Lusk, Pastor and former Philadelphia Eagles running back, among others. Maxim released his personal memoir entitled “Face to Face with God” which was endorsed by Dr. Jack Hayford among other notable Christian leaders. The book has been translated into Spanish, Indonesian and Urdu (Pakistan) languages and is now available in over 15 countries around the world. Maxim runs several successful businesses, and serves on the boards of various ministries including People for People, The Hope Center, and Strategic Renewal. For further information, visit www.Acts413.net.
About Daniel Henderson:
Daniel Henderson has served as a senior pastor for over two decades. He is President of Strategic Renewal, a para-Church ministry that exists to serve the local church and is characterized by a commitment to the priority of prayer and the ministry of the word. He has authored numerous books on biblical leadership and prayer including “Old Paths, New Power” and “New Power and Transforming Prayer: How Everything Changes when you Seek God’s Face.” For more information, visit www.strategicrenewal.com.
Daniel Henderson has served as a senior pastor for over two decades. He is President of Strategic Renewal, a para-Church ministry that exists to serve the local church and is characterized by a commitment to the priority of prayer and the ministry of the word. He has authored numerous books on biblical leadership and prayer including “Old Paths, New Power” and “New Power and Transforming Prayer: How Everything Changes when you Seek God’s Face.” For more information, visit www.strategicrenewal.com.