How very thankful I am to have the privilege of pastoring Eagle Mountain International Church. I love our congregation, both in the sanctuary and all our e-Members who watch us all around the world. I have the same heart for you as the Apostle Paul had for his partners. He said in Philippians 1:3-4, New King James Version, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy."
Pastor Terri and I so grateful for the continued faithfulness and support you show toward EMIC, that you show toward this ministry. What an awesome blessing it is that you choose to fellowship and worship with us. We thank God for you every day, asking God to keep you safe and protected and believing that, according to His will for you, He will “liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition).
Pastor Terri and I first met in 1975 at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla. Soon after, we became engaged to be married. When Brother Copeland discovered I was a graphic artist, he asked Terri to invite me to start his in-house art department as a summer job in 1976.
When I arrived in Fort Worth, I learned I would be living with Brother Copeland’s parents, A.W. and Vinita Copeland. I didn’t realize I would be living with them for 15 months before Terri and I were married. The experience was priceless! What an amazing couple!
Their daily lives consistently demonstrated God’s love, kindness and deep compassion. Their kitchen table was the site of many counseling sessions. Untold hours were spent with guests and friends in need of encouragement. People always left “Nonnie” and “Grandad’s” house lifted up by The WORD and prayer.
Granddad would laugh at the fact that Nonnie rarely made it through a meal without someone from somewhere in the world calling to ask for prayer. We would gather around the table, pray over the meal, and the phone would ring. See you later, Nonnie!
Since the telephone was in the kitchen, I had the privilege of hearing Nonnie as she skillfully guided people through The WORD. Her Bible was well-worn from constant use.
One of the greatest words of wisdom she would offer, especially in times of emergency or intense challenges, was a particular phrase that I remember to this day. She would shout into the phone: “HIT IT IN TONGUES, HONEY! HIT IT IN TONGUES!” I thought it was such an unusual statement. I laughed the first time I heard it. But the more I heard her say it, the more real it became. I finally understood her reasoning. She was stopping people from handling their situations in the realm of their senses. She would jolt them out of the natural and get them over into the spirit realm as quickly as possible.
I have never forgotten that most valuable lesson. I pray in tongues every opportunity I get.
Why is praying in tongues so important to me?
Romans 8:26 tells us, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” The Holy Spirit helps our inability to produce results on our own. He partners with us. The Greek translation of this scripture says, “He takes hold together with us against” whatever is causing us difficulty. He jumps in to help us with whatever is standing in the way of our breakthrough.
Verse 27 says, “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” When we pray in the spirit, we are praying out the perfect will of God. No matter what direction we need, the Holy Spirit will help us to know exactly what to do.
First Corinthians 14:2 further explains, “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.” The word mystery does not carry the dictionary definition of something that is “unexplained, inexplicable or secret.” Here, it means something that can be made known by divine revelation and to those who are illuminated by His Spirit. Praying in tongues illuminates our spirit to God’s divine secrets.
When I find myself becoming physically or mentally weak, I know it’s time to pray in tongues. First Corinthians 14:4 tells us, “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifies himself.” The word edify means “to build up.” A good illustration of this is the charging of a battery. When we pray in tongues, our spirit gets built up, strengthened and charged up. Jude 20 says, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.”
These are just a few of the many reasons to pray in tongues. Begin today praying in the spirit more and you will see some amazing results. Keep in mind what Vinita Copeland taught. Whenever you face challenging situations, “hit it in tongues, honey! Hit it in tongues!”
Praying in the spirit with you,
Pastor George
About the writer:
George Pearsons is Senior Pastor of Eagle Mountain International Church, located on the grounds of Kenneth Copeland Ministries. He also serves as CEO of KCM and Vice President of Kenneth Copeland Bible College.
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