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David Wilkerson
David Wilkerson (1931 - 2011). American Pentecostal pastor, evangelist, and author born in Hammond, Indiana. Raised in a family of preachers, he was baptized with the Holy Spirit at eight and began preaching at 14. Ordained in 1952 after studying at Central Bible College, he pastored small churches in Pennsylvania. In 1958, moved by a Life Magazine article about New York gang violence, he started a street ministry, founding Teen Challenge to help addicts and troubled youth. His book "The Cross and the Switchblade," co-authored in 1962, became a bestseller, chronicling his work with gang members like Nicky Cruz. In 1987, he founded Times Square Church in New York City, serving a diverse congregation until his death. Wilkerson wrote over 30 books, including "The Vision," and was known for bold prophecies and a focus on holiness. Married to Gwen since 1953, they had four children. He died in a car accident in Texas. His ministry emphasized compassion for the lost and reliance on God. Wilkerson’s work transformed countless lives globally. His legacy endures through Teen Challenge and Times Square Church.
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Sermon Summary
David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of concise and sincere prayer, warning against the tendency to use long, wordy prayers that may lack genuine intent. He argues that God desires intelligent and respectful communication rather than empty clichés or attempts to impress Him with verbosity. Wilkerson encourages believers to be specific in their prayers, as this leads to clearer answers from God, and highlights the necessity of personal communion with the Lord. He stresses that true prayer requires dedication and transformation, urging that no one should approach prayer lightly or without preparation.
Prayer—the Long and Short of It!
“Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2). There is often a pretense in long prayers. A desire to build up “credit power” with God; an ambition to duplicate the prayer lives of men used of God; a subtle attempt to overwhelm the Lord with enough words to weary him into action. I wonder—does God ever get bored? Does he long for more prayers and petitions framed with brevity and intelligence? Some of us go to the secret closet and just “run off at the mouth.” We become rash, wordy, and parrot clichés, meaningless petitions and praise patterns. God deserves an intelligent, concise presentation of our needs, a clear-minded offering of sincere praise, and a dignity based on our respect for the King of all kings. Be specific with God in prayer and he will be specific with you in regard to the answer. Nonchalance and levity have no place in his courts. Jesus said, “Tarry ye here, and watch with me” (Matthew 26:38). The true purpose of prayer is that we enjoy much personal communion with the Lord. The heart is reluctant to dwell in God’s presence and satisfies itself with “devotions.” This describes a hurried period late at night or early in the morning when a “quickie” prayer is offered and a hurried portion of Scripture is partly absorbed. All the witnessing in the world cannot excuse a man from his duty and privilege of prayer in the secret closet. Locked in with God until the carnal soul is transformed! No man should pray without plowing and no man should plow without praying. Every gift from God will cost you a groan. True men and women of God feel too weak to face the enemy without daily, consistent prayer.
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David Wilkerson (1931 - 2011). American Pentecostal pastor, evangelist, and author born in Hammond, Indiana. Raised in a family of preachers, he was baptized with the Holy Spirit at eight and began preaching at 14. Ordained in 1952 after studying at Central Bible College, he pastored small churches in Pennsylvania. In 1958, moved by a Life Magazine article about New York gang violence, he started a street ministry, founding Teen Challenge to help addicts and troubled youth. His book "The Cross and the Switchblade," co-authored in 1962, became a bestseller, chronicling his work with gang members like Nicky Cruz. In 1987, he founded Times Square Church in New York City, serving a diverse congregation until his death. Wilkerson wrote over 30 books, including "The Vision," and was known for bold prophecies and a focus on holiness. Married to Gwen since 1953, they had four children. He died in a car accident in Texas. His ministry emphasized compassion for the lost and reliance on God. Wilkerson’s work transformed countless lives globally. His legacy endures through Teen Challenge and Times Square Church.