Together, we reflected on how through leading on-site intercessors at many international gatherings, Barbara has served both the prayer and mission movements in exceptional ways, including us in the IPC. We were all given copies of her inspiring book, Miracles Happen When Women Pray, that recounts some of the remarkable wonders Barbara, her family and colleagues have experienced.

 

Another outstanding intercessor, who has co-led many of these on-site prayer sessions with Barbara at international prayer events, is Derek Brant from the U.K. Derek like Barbara has traveled across the world at his own expense in order to serve the Lord and us all. He often weeps as he so empathetically and movingly prays over individuals who come for personal ministry to the prayer room. Working together, they have certainly been a dynamic duo that have encouraged and blessed us all so much!

 

At the launch of the IPC in November of 2002 in which 300 prayer network leaders from around the world took part, the 24/7 prayer room was charged with His presence so much that some participants testified to me that even in the middle of the night when they entered the door, they could hardly stay on their feet. Since then, in many IPC gatherings Barbara and Derek have sensitively and selflessly invited the Lord's presence and facilitated both life and ministry-transforming experiences for event participants. Indeed, the prayer room has often become the most exciting part of our IPC gatherings. This was also the case in 2012 during the World Prayer Assembly in Jakarta. Many, many attending Christian leaders from the nations were deeply impacted by the experience of praying with Barbara, Derek and the other intercessors.

 

Here are some special quotes from Barbara's book to which Derek would undoubtedly also give hearty assent. Her words should encourage all our prayer lives:

"We are all called to be intercessors, for intercession is nothing more and nothing less than making yourself available to God and believing that He will hear your prayers."

 

"This call isn't for only a select few. We are all called to be women and men of prayer. Why? Because prayer changes everything. It can transform your life and literally change the course of a nation, a city, a church or a family. Think of it! You can actually be involved in reshaping history-even from your own home prayer closet. This is the miracle of intercessory prayer and worship."

"By studying His Word, we learn to stand alongside Jesus, the Great Intercessor, to bring about God's plans and holy purposes. He is calling all of us to intimacy with Him, pure and simple. From this place of intimacy, miracles will flow."

 

"When we spend time with Him in prayer and are tutored by the Holy Spirit, we get to know His heart and desires well enough that we become partners with Him. The miracles we are seeing today are simply God's reclaiming the intimacy for which He created us."

 

"Together, our prayers and worship can prop open the windows of heaven, so His light and glory will fall on our homes, our cities and all nations."

 

There are many other priceless stories and quotes in her book. She closes it with these words: "I encourage you to believe in the miraculous for your own life. Pursue intimacy with the great Healer, the matchless Physician and see your own life transformed."

 

John Robb

IPC Chairman.