Prayer

Jim Cymbala’s ministry at the Brooklyn Tabernacle is widely known for its music and global outreach. Before the growth of the ministry, though, Cymbala and his wife faced huge challenges. Finally, at a moment of despair, God spoke to him in prayer, promising phenomenal growth in ministry if he would simply begin by leading his congregation in prayer. “He was telling me that my hunger for him and his transforming power would be satisfied as I led my tiny congregation to call out to him in prayer” (Jim Cymbala, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, updated ed. [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2018], 25). The Brooklyn Tabernacle ultimately became one of the largest and most influential churches of the last thirty years. But prayer is no guarantee of such success. Nehemiah himself faced numerous challenges rebuilding the walls. Rather than ensuring worldly success, prayer entrusts the work and its outcome to God.