11/04/2026
I was preaching in Chicago, Illinois. God had given us a tremendous revival.
Thousands of people were coming every night, and I was preaching my heart out. I was laying hands on people every night until I was ready to drop. I never want to turn anyone away. I love to pray with people. I love to minister. It is my life. I spend a lot of time with people. When I would get back to my room atnight, I was so tired that many times I didn't even take a shower. I was too tired even to change from my wet clothes. I would fall down across my bed, soaking wet with perspiration, wave a hand at Jesus, and say, "Lord, I'll see you tomorrow. I haven't got time to pray now! " Asleep, almost before my head hit the pillow!
Did you ever do that?
Don't tell me! You're no different from me!
Next day, I would get up, get cleaned up and dressed, and go right back to the service and get involved all over again. Not a chance to break out of it!
Interviews, preaching, ministering through the laying on of hands! Then home again, far into the night, exhausted. I would say, "Lord, I really meant it! I was going to talk to you tonight, but I know you understand! I'm just too tired
tonight. I'll see you tomorrow! "
I know I am talking to you!
Sometimes we just get too busy, don't we?
God gave us a gift. It's working. We are seeing souls saved, sick bodies healed, devils cast out. Some people don't know what prayer is until they get into church!
That is dangerous! It is fatal for the Christian—the preacher—to lose touch with his Lord!
I am so thankful to God for the warning He gave me.
I went home one night, thoroughly exhausted. I'm not sure I even took time to apologize to the Lord that night, and add another to my stack of broken promises. But half way in the morning, a bright light awakened me out of a
sound sleep, and stood me up on my feet. I couldn't bear to look at it. And I heard His voice. God said to me, "Son, you are spending too much time with the people and not enough with me!"
Believe me, sleep was gone from my eyes. I spent the rest of that night in prayer. I thanked Him for telling me about it. I could have lost everything God has ever given me if I had bowed my neck and gone on in my own way. But I heeded His warning.
So you have a gift of the Spirit?
Who needs to pray?
I do!
You do!
Remember, you are nothing.
Jesus, when He was here on earth healing the sick and casting out devils,went often alone into the mountains to pray, to get alone with God. "A great while before day," while His disciples were sleeping and taking their rest, Hewas renewing the strength of His inner man.The disciples knew the source of His power, and asked Him, "Lord, teach us to pray." They intended to pray— tomorrow. They worked hard, following Him and helping Him. They grew tired.
On the night before He was crucified, He invited the inner circle, Peter, James and John, to go with Him into the garden of Gethsemane to pray.
Did you ever notice that the most precious times of the spiritual blessing are the times that you spend with Him alone? That night, Jesus needed to be alone.
He said to the disciples, "Stay here and watch and pray while I go on a little farther."
Twice, he came back and awakened them, and urged them to pray. The third time, He said, "Sleep on now, and take your rest." It was too late to pray. Here it is.
Many times, people will fast and pray and wait on God, and pay the price to get a power gift. Then, when they get it, many of them lose their own soul!
I tell you again, there is something more important to the child of God than having a gift!
