The Life of Prayer

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D. Leading the Way

(NEW: You can now listen to today’s MY Devotional on Leading The Way’s daily devotional podcast!)

Have you ever heard someone describe a terrible situation and say, “There was nothing left to do but pray”? Talking like that, prayer seems like a weapon of last resort. But prayer is far more powerful than that.

Read 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5. As Paul peered into the future, he told the Thessalonians how the spirit of lawlessness will be unleashed globally (see 2:3-10). He foretold how the Antichrist will finally reveal himself after a period of deception. Then, he went on to instruct those of us who are living between the two comings of Christ about how we should live: We are to be men and women of prayer.

Paul beseeched the Thessalonians, “[P]ray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you” (v. 1). Paul is asking his friends to pray that the Word of God—the same Gospel Truth that transformed them, gave them peace with God, and granted them eternal life—would reach the ends of the earth and be accepted by those who hear it.

When I read these words from the apostle Paul as he declares his dependence on the Thessalonians’ prayers for him and for his ministry, I am more convinced of the power of prayer and the priority it must have.

For, if the Lord Jesus Christ regarded prayer and fellowship with the Father as essential to life and ministry, how much more should we? For Jesus, intimacy with the Father was like the air He breathed and the food He ate. In fact, in John 4:34, Jesus said, “My food . . . is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” No one ever says, “I ate last week, so I’m not going to eat today.” Until seeking the glory of Jesus becomes like the air we breathe and the food we eat, we will not experience the fullness of what God has for us in prayer.

If you are a believer in Christ, you have been called to be a prayer warrior in His army and a laborer in His field until He returns or calls you home. Your prayers are desperately needed today, especially as the end of history draws near. Even now, God longs to empower your prayers so that His Word might spread around the world. So seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and just watch what He will do!

Prayer: Father, forgive me for taking this precious gift of fellowship with You for granted. I pray now for the lost in need of Your Gospel. Grant people the ears to hear and eyes to see Your goodness and their need for salvation. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you” (2 Thessalonians 3:1).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon End of History and You, Part 6: LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW

Check out more from Dr. Michael Youssef, here!

About The Author

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Even before he was born, it is clear that God had a vision for Michael Youssef. His mother was in poor health when she became pregnant with Michael, and because his life was in danger at the time of birth, the doctor recommended terminating the pregnancy. An abortion was scheduled. But God intervened and sent the family pastor to reassure them that God was involved in this pregnancy. He told them not to be afraid and that the child would be "born to serve the Lord." Michael's parents accepted the pastor's message as a message from God and obeyed. His mother gave birth, and lived to see him give his life to the Lord at the age of sixteen.


Believing that God had called him out of Egypt, Michael sought an exit visa in a time in which no university student was allowed to have a passport or leave the country. God intervened again, and miraculously he managed to acquire a visa. He immigrated to Australia, where he studied at Moore Theological College in Sydney, was ordained as a pastor, and met Elizabeth who became his wife.


The Youssefs came to America in 1977, and in 1978 Michael received a master's degree in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Then he earned a doctorate in social anthropology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael served nearly ten years in the Haggai Institute, traveling around the world more than 32 times, teaching courses in evangelism and leadership. He rose to the position of Managing Director at the age of 31 years. The family settled in Atlanta, and in 1984, Michael became a citizen of the United States, making his dream of many years come true.


He founded The Church of The Apostles in 1987 with fewer than 40 adults with the mission of "Equipping the Saints and Searching for the Lost". The church has since grown to be a congregation of over 3,000 people today. This church has driven the international ministry of Leading the Way. While it is heard by millions at home and abroad, behind every message preached through radio waves, is the heart of a pastor, willing to nurture and care for these people. Clearly God has uniquely equipped Dr. Youssef to speak to a global audience. The path he has taken has given him an understanding and firm grasp of the Scriptures that transcend cultures. He preaches, teaches and calls with a sincere, based on the authority of the inerrant, inspired Word of God. With his personal knowledge of the Holy Land, its history and culture, Dr. Michael Youssef transmits life to listeners all over the world.

More Posts by Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.:

  1. Asking for God’s Vision
  2. Praying the Will of God
  3. He Can Open Your Eyes
View All


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