I recently had a dream where I was to speak at a graduation ceremony. As I sat there waiting my turn, I opened my Bible to the text I had prepared but the page was blank, nothing! I ran to the bathroom in a panic to pray and I heard God say, “Give them a graduation gift.” I replied in bewilderment, “I don’t have anything to give them,” He said, “give them the gift of prayer.”

It was about 4:30 am when I awoke from the dream and laid there pondering it’s meaning. I sensed the Spirit say “I want you to preach on prayer at the Christian Revival Church (CRC) in Africa.” As I battled back and forth in my mind if this was God speaking or something I ate the night before, I finally surrendered the passage that I had prepared to preach from John 14, which was blank in the dream, to the topic on prayer. As I did that God gave me an outline in just a few minutes that I could ponder for the next several hours on the plane.

That Sunday at the CRC church the Holy Spirit worked in a mighty way as the passage from Luke 11:1-13 highlighted graduating to a new level in your relationship to God through prayer founded on the Father’s love, the Filling of the Holy Spirit, and Forgiveness. I watched as many came forward for prayer that morning and was overwhelmed by the living Voice of God that can change our plans and make His Word come alive again.

The study of Scripture as well as the history of the church reveal that, whenever a new wave of the Holy Spirit breaks forth God’s voice is heard again and His Word becomes alive with power to revive and transform. Just pick up your Bible and read the story of Samuel hearing the voice of God for the first time in the tabernacle after years of famine of hearing the Word, and how the people of Israel were transformed by it. Or read the story of the young King Josiah rediscovering the Word of God and the revival that broke forth because of it (2 Kings 22-23).

During our Stepping into the River conference and vision trip in Lesotho, God continued to speak in amazing ways. One night it rained so hard that a river ran through the Beautiful Gate campus and surrounded the River Chapel where our conference began. We all watched in awe as we sensed God affirming His Word through creation in an amazing and tangible way.

At the end of our time together in Africa, Ray and Sue Haakonsen–the founders of Beautiful Gate–prayed a blessing over the team. The Spirit spoke through them in a wonderful way as each person in the room received a word from the Lord. This was a Holy moment that will definitely have a lasting impact on all who were present.

From the dream, changed message, the rain, the river, the prophetic words spoken in Africa and so much more, I sense God’s voice to be speaking and His Word coming alive by the power of the Holy Spirit. This gives me great joy! A new wave is about to break forth! A wave that will revive and transform! A wave that will help us to live as radical followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Keep listening for it!!!!`

There is an art to catching just the right wave. That day on the pier watching my friend’s son catch wave after wave it was obvious he knew the right wave and when to paddle for it. His eyes studied the on coming wave and experience taught him this is the one. It was a matter of focus.

I sense the Spirit is preparing God’s children for the next spiritual wave by calling out loudly for us to Refocus! I know many who are continuing to experience a season of Refinement. Being tossed to and fro by the waves of adversity has a way of causing us to realign and refocus on what is foundational to life.

Last week two spiritual heroes of mine passed away-Billy Graham and Rick Gallagher. Much media coverage was given with the death of 99 year-old Billy Graham; I heard one interview where Rev. Graham was asked if he could do anything over again what would he change in his life? His response, “pray more travel less!” With those powerful words I hear a challenge to refocus my life on making prayer and the presence of God priority.

Over the last 10 years there is probably no one other than my wife who I have logged more prayer time with and have been prayed for by than my dear friend Rick. Even a few days before He saw Jesus face to face he called and while fighting for each and every breath faithfully brought my family, Oceans, and myself before the throne room of grace. I can’t tell you how I will miss these calls.

These two spiritual wave riders knew that to focus one’s life around prayer is the greatest fruit of living in a loving trust relationship with our Savior. My friend Rick’s physical body had been breaking down for a number of years. Yet through this struggle Abba Father refined and refocused his life. As his body failed his spirit became strong and through his prayer life he enabled many of us to catch one more spiritual wave. This love relationship realized in intimate communion with our Heavenly Father is not just available to Rick, but to each of us.

I hear the Spirit of Jesus calling His people to refocus and accept the absolute trust relationship that is anchored in prayer. Sincere, heartfelt prayer demonstrates a total dependence on God. Jesus clearly stated the # 1 commandment was:

Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence (Matthew 23:37, MSG).

You and I can refocus and live in a passionate love relationship with our Father through prayer. We can saturate our souls by hiding His Word in our hearts. And YES, we will be prepared to catch the next wave of His Spirit.

Where is your focus today? What is consuming your attention? Do you hear the Spirit of Christ saying turn your focus back to a love relationship with your Father God. You can experience intimate communion with Him!