Description
Rees Howells was a Welsh Christian evangelist and intercessor who is best known for his deep faith, life of prayer and intercession, spiritual warfare, and his devotion to walking in the Spirit. His life and teachings are profoundly inspirational for those interested in the power of prayer, living by faith, and engaging in spiritual warfare. Here’s an overview of his life and key themes:
### 1. **Life of Faith**
Rees Howells is most well-known for his unwavering trust in God. His life was a testament to the principle of living by faith, where he depended completely on God’s provision, guidance, and protection. Howells firmly believed that living by faith involved a constant, dynamic relationship with God, where each step of life was guided by prayer and obedience.
– **His Early Life and Conversion**: Howells was born in 1879 in Wales. He had a rough beginning and initially struggled with doubt and sin. However, after a dramatic conversion, he was filled with a passion for evangelism. His experience of receiving Christ radically changed his approach to life, leading him into a ministry that emphasized the sufficiency of God’s grace and the power of prayer.
– **Missionary Work**: Howells was deeply involved in missions, particularly in Africa. He was associated with the Swansea Bible College, where he trained others in faith and intercession. He believed that faith was not only for personal salvation but for transforming communities and nations.
– **The Power of Prayer and Intercession**: For Howells, faith and prayer were inseparable. He believed in the concept of standing in the gap for others through intercession, where prayer became a powerful tool for changing circumstances, both in personal lives and world events.
### 2. **Intercession**
Intercession, the act of praying on behalf of others, was central to Howells’ ministry. He taught that intercessors must be willing to stand between God and the world, bearing the burdens of others in prayer and seeking God’s will in all things. His life showed how intercession could bring breakthroughs in individuals’ lives and even influence history.
– **Interceding for Nations**: Rees Howells is particularly noted for his role in interceding during World War II. He and a group of intercessors prayed for the outcome of the war, believing that their prayers could change the course of history. One notable example is his intercession regarding the D-Day invasion, where he prayed for God’s protection over the Allied forces.
– **Training Intercessors**: He trained a group of men and women to pray fervently and stand in the gap. His teachings emphasized that intercessory prayer is not just a matter of asking God for things but listening for God’s will and following His leading. The focus was always on obedience to the Holy Spirit’s prompting.
### 3. **Spiritual Warfare**
Howells had a deep understanding of spiritual warfare, which involves engaging in prayer to overcome spiritual opposition. He recognized that the Christian life is not just a personal journey but part of a larger cosmic battle between good and evil. He believed in the authority of believers over demonic forces through prayer, especially through intercession.
– **Authority in Prayer**: Howells believed that when believers walk in the Spirit, they are empowered to confront and defeat the powers of darkness. He recognized the importance of praying with authority and conviction, standing on God’s promises to overcome spiritual enemies.
– **Testing and Victory**: His ministry was marked by battles against spiritual forces, both in personal struggles and larger societal battles. However, he demonstrated through his own life that victory in spiritual warfare is achieved by listening to God’s voice and being obedient to His commands.
### 4. **Walking in the Spirit**
For Howells, walking in the Spirit meant living a life of constant communion with God, being led by the Holy Spirit in every action and decision. This was essential to his understanding of both faith and intercession.
– **Obedience to the Holy Spirit**: He stressed the importance of listening to and obeying the Holy Spirit’s guidance in all areas of life. Howells believed that when a person was truly walking in the Spirit, they would see God’s power manifest in their lives and in the lives of others through prayer and action.
– **A Spirit-led Life of Prayer**: He encouraged believers to be sensitive to the Spirit’s promptings and to be willing to act on His leading. Whether in moments of stillness or active intercession, Howells understood that walking in the Spirit was not about a formulaic approach to prayer, but a life of continual surrender to God’s will.
– **Faith and Obedience**: Walking in the Spirit, for Howells, involved living with radical faith and obedience. It wasn’t about personal accomplishment but about submitting to God and trusting Him for the outcome. Howells’ life illustrated the powerful combination of faith, prayer, and obedience to God’s will.
### Key Themes from Rees Howells’ Life:
– **Radical Faith**: Trusting God in all circumstances, without relying on personal understanding or resources.
– **Intercession**: A life devoted to praying for others, with a focus on listening to God’s will and responding in obedience.
– **Spiritual Warfare**: Engaging in prayer as a powerful weapon to defeat spiritual forces and to bring about God’s purposes.
– **Walking in the Spirit**: Living a life of obedience to the Holy Spirit, being guided in every step by divine inspiration.
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