Greetings in Jesus’ powerful and wonderful name!

This morning as I was praying and reading my Bible, I stopped to thank God for YOU and for your friendship and partnership with our ministry. When I call you a partner, I really mean it. You are a huge part of what we are doing — and when we all one day stand before Jesus, you will be richly rewarded for what you have done to help take the trusted teaching of God’s Word to people all over the earth. Denise and I, our family, and our team are willing to do the work, but you provide fuel for the tank that makes it all possible — and for this, I am so, so thankful!

I want to tell you about a special conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma that is coming up in just a few months! I will be participating in the Voice of God conference with Joseph Z on January 16, 17, and 18, 2025. It will be an amazing meeting where we minister to you. We’re asking all who are planning to attend to sign up online free of charge at renner.org/voice-tulsa. I hope to see some of you there!

*[If you started reading this from your email, begin reading here.]

This month is election month! So I want to remind you that Revelation 1:5 declares Jesus Christ is the “Prince of the kings of the earth,” which means there is no higher authority than Jesus! Even though Satan is working an evil agenda through those who despise God and His ways, nevertheless God sits on His throne in Heaven and laughs at their plans (see Psalm 2:2-4). In the end, the wicked plans of man will fail, and God will have His way!

Before we dive deep into this letter, I want to share a word from the Lord along this same line that I received in August about this coming season. Actually, it’s a word for right now and for the year 2025. I think it is important to share this with others — especially our God-called partners — so we can properly prepare and not be taken by surprise. The word goes as follows:

A STORM Is Coming —
Batten Down the Hatches!

We are headed into a season of intense warfare on many fronts — economic, political, and spiritual. But the Lord is a Man of War, and He knows exactly how to strategize against and overcome every assault against His people and against His Truth.

But just as one should batten down the hatches in a time of storms, God’s people must be mentally and spiritually prepared for a stormy season that lies directly ahead. However, with the grace of God, the power of the Holy Spirit, the promises of God’s Word, and the weaponry He has given, we can move forward step by step with the strategic guidance of the Holy Spirit. And God will triumphantly lead His people forward and carry out His plans for this end-time age.

This is not a time to fear, moan, or cry, but a time to rejoice, for God is strategically at work even in ways you do not see. Although it may seem the enemy and those he is influencing are attempting to derail God’s purposes, remember that the One who sits in the heavens laughs at their plans, and He will ultimately have them in derision (see Psalm 2:4). God is a Man of War, and in the end, His purposes shall surely prevail!

I pray this word will prepare you for the days ahead and encourage you that we’re on the winning side. Do not be discouraged! Things will get worse, but please take these words to heart — we are not alone in facing whatever comes our way.

Today I want to talk to you about what to do if it seems your prayers are being delayed or hindered. There are certain things that can delay or hinder answers to prayer, such as: praying inconsistently or incorrectly; a lack of faith; a negative confession; bad relationships; spiritual opposition; sin; and even timing. So, of course, we need to make sure we’re making the necessary adjustments according to the Word of God so we can continue in faith, expecting answers to come to us when we pray.

But what about when you’re living and praying correctly, but you still are not seeing answers to your prayer? What should you do? When we find ourselves in that difficult place (which all of us experience from time to time), we must do what Paul tells us in Colossians 4:2.

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving….

The word “continue” in Greek depicts a strong, solid, never-give-up type of leaning toward an object. It pictures one who desires something so passionately that he is pressing toward it or one so devoted to obtaining something that he is busily engaged in activities that will eventually bring it to him. In fact, when Paul writes, “Continue in prayer,” it could be better interpreted as, “Press forward in prayer.”

Paul is urging that when you feel you’ve hit a wall in prayer or that your prayers are delayed or hindered, you must keep pressing into the Spirit and refuse to give up until you have obtained what you are praying for. Some answers come only if you press forward in prayer. So God is urging you here to keep pushing forward in prayer until you see the manifestation of your answer.

The word “prayer” in Colossians 4:2 is also very important. It is translated from a Greek word that depicts a person who is willing to surrender anything in exchange for an answer. Sometimes there is something inside us that God is waiting for us to surrender to Him so we can receive the answer to our prayers. I have personally found that, if I’m experiencing a delay in a prayer being answered, it is good for me to come to the altar of God and ask, “Lord, is there anything I am unaware of inside me that is stopping me from receiving an answer to my prayer? Is there something You are wanting me to surrender to You?”

God is eager to answer our requests! But the fact is at times, there are issues in our lives that block the answers to our prayers. But when we draw close to God in faith and prayer, the Holy Spirit convicts our hearts of the areas that need to be surrendered to Him. When we repent, or turn, the blockages are removed and often the answers then come quickly.

But Paul adds that we must “continue in prayer, and watch….” The word “watch” is from the Greek word gregoreo, which means to be attentive and watchful, and it was used to picture guards that were to stay wide awake on the job. This word “watch” depicts one whose attitude is to never let up on being watchful, to stay wide awake, and to never fall asleep on the job. One expositor has translated it, “…Be wide awake….”

Rather than go to sleep on the job when it comes to praying, it means you need to keep your eyes wide open and keep praying. You’re also to stay attentive with your eyes wide open so you can watch for the answer. Is it possible that you’re expecting it to come one way, but God will answer your prayer in a way you didn’t expect? Keep your eyes open and be attentive so you’ll see when the answer shows up! Remember, you are supposed to press into the Spirit and not give up until you have obtained what you are praying for. So Paul commands us, “Stay awake! Keep your eyes open!”

Once you pray in faith and begin to make the changes God requires of you, Paul goes on to say that we are to “continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.…” In Greek, the word “thanksgiving” speaks of an outpouring of thanksgiving from the heart. That means when you engage in aggressive prayer, you also need to lift your voice to thank God in advance for the answer! Thanksgiving is the voice of faith!

So what should you do if you are praying in faith and the answer still hasn’t come? If you have dealt with the points I mentioned previously — praying inconsistently or incorrectly; a lack of faith; a negative confession; bad relationships; spiritual opposition; sin; and timing — it’s time for you to obey Colossians 4:2 and do the following: 1) keep pressing forward in prayer; 2) be willing to make whatever changes God may require of you; 3) keep your eyes wide open for the answer so you don’t fall asleep on the job; and 4) lift your voice in thanksgiving to God even before the answer comes.

Here they are summarized once more:

1. Continue.
2. Surrender.
3. Stay alert!
4. Thank God for the answer!

Thank you for taking time to read my letter this month. This is what was on my heart to minister to you. And remember, if you need prayer for any reason, we would love to pray with you. In Matthew 18:19, Jesus promised, “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.” Of course you can pray by yourself, but this verse declares that when we are scripturally in agreement in prayer, God moves mightily. So if you need prayer, please reach out to us at prayer@renner.org or call us at 1-800-742-5593.

Regardless of where you are on the political spectrum, remind yourself this month that Jesus Christ really is the “Prince of the kings of the earth” and that there is no higher authority than Jesus! Also, remember Psalm 2:2-4, which says, “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.”

Again, we can rest assured and be THANKFUL that God sits on His throne in Heaven and laughs at the wicked plans of man that always backfire and fail. God always has His way — so pray into that because it’s true!

Next month, I’ll be writing to you about how to minister to others in the Christmas season. It is a God-given opportunity to reach out to those in need, so please look for my letter!

We love you and thank God for you!

We are your brother and sister, friends, and partners in Jesus Christ,

Rick and Denise Renner
along with Paul, Philip, and Joel Renner and our entire ministry team