To celebrate some of his many contributions to Spirit-empowered ministry, please peruse some of this content available at PneumaReview.com:

John Lathrop reviews S. David Moore, Pastor Jack: The Authorized Biography of Jack Hayford (David C. Cook, 2020).

David Bradnick reviews Jack W. Hayford with Rebecca Hayford Bauer, Penetrating the Darkness: Discovering the Power of the Cross Against Unseen Evil (Chosen Books, 2011).

Mike Dies reviews Jack W. Hayford, “Practicing What We Preach” Ministries Today (Nov/Dec 2003).

Jack Hayford is one of the leaders featured in Dean Merrill, 50 Pentecostal and Charismatic Leaders Every Christian Should Know (Bloomington, MN: Chosen Books, 2021), reviewed by John Lathrop.

Jack Hayford / The King’s University

I can remember several occasions as a young leader when listening to Pastor Jack was something God used to allow me to see truth more clearly and embrace a greater love for fellow Christians I had theological disagreements with. We who remain will miss this well-spoken statesman for the fullness of the good news about what Jesus has done, is doing, and will complete.

Based upon the title of this book one may think that it principally discusses the demonic. While spiritual warfare is covered within its pages, this book is primarily about prayer. The author, Jack W. Hayford, believes that humanity is in the midst of a cosmic battle between the forces of good and evil, thus it is necessary for Christians to engage in prayer to overcome the darkness. Hayford emphasizes the positive impact that prayer has had upon his own life, and he desires other believers to experience its benefits as well.

The author uses scripture to argue that Christians are a part of the heavenly Kingdom, and they are called to partner with God to advance the divine will on earth. Hayford views prayer as a major component to this goal, but one cannot completely grasp God’s mission without realizing that God’s original plan has been thwarted. For Hayford, the earth is “broken” and is in need of repair. He maintains that God’s Kingdom will be restored in the future, and Christians should do what they can, largely through prayer, to bring about divine purposes now. Hayford is clear to reject a realized eschatology, or an eschatology that is dependent upon human operations. God does not solely rely upon humans to accomplish his will, but Christians, as a result of their regeneration, should want to partner with God. Hayford considers human participation, including prayer, an “invitation” from God.

Hayford reviews what he calls the basics of prayer. First, it should be a daily activity. He says that time needs to be set aside, but the amount of time is not important, as that can vary from person to person; however he does recommend the morning. The author also argues that there are different types of prayers, such as prayers of thanksgiving and praise, prayers for cleansing, and prayers for power and anointing. He recognizes that there are many types of prayer, and God may call upon us to offer various kinds at different times. Yet Hayford’s primary goal is to introduce the fundamentals of this spiritual discipline.

Intercession is also a large focus for Hayford. He argues that prayer is not something reserved exclusively for personal development, but believers are to pray for others. Through intercession Christians battle demonic forces, and with the help of the Holy Spirit they expand the reaches of the kingdom of God. Hayford expresses his desire for more believers to engage in this practice. In doing so, the current direction of negative situations can be reversed.

Hayford’s atonement theory strongly influences his theology of prayer. He writes, “In every circumstance we face in life we now have the legal right, through the blood of Jesus Christ, to enter a plea and to lay claim to the evidence – His slain body, His shed blood at the cross” (89). According to Hayford, prayer brings liberty; it frees us from reaping the sins of our past.

It is clear that this book was written for a popular audience and not intended for academics. Hayford emphasizes many of his points by providing personal experiences and anecdotal stories. Consequently, his text is a very practical and readable approach to prayer, so it can benefit Christian in all stages of life. But it may be of particular encouragement to those who hope to deepen a fledgling prayer life. Throughout his book Hayford presents a very conservative Evangelical theology that is consistent with what I would expect from him, based upon his prior publications. Some may critique that Hayford advocates, or in the very least comes close to, a name-it-claim it theology, especially his view of the atonement. Despite this, Hayford acknowledges that sometimes prayer takes time, and it may bring turmoil as one “travails” through times of unanswered prayer. He argues that the end may not always be in sight, but we must continue to push forward, trusting in God. While the book is very optimistic about prayer, my concern is that neglects to wrestle with deeper theological questions related to unanswered prayer and theodicy. Many readers are likely to embrace it as an encouraging and uplifting book that contains many practical tips to developing a more consistent prayer life.

Reviewed by David Bradnick

Jack W. Hayford, “Practicing What We Preach” Ministries Today (Nov/Dec 2003), pages 22–27.

Jack Hayford sees the church in a moral crisis. “Favoritism, greed, shoddy morals and shady ethics have found a comfortable home in the church. At the same time, both inside and outside the church there is a rise in intolerance towards leaders who have been allowed to compromise with impunity their various institutions’ self–declared moral and ethical standards” (pg. 22). Despite this laudable intolerance the evangelical church, with its many denominational and independent groups, has no unified voice when in comes to confronting unethical leaders. “… there has been no standard policy guiding the body of Christ as it deals with its mavericks—the small but growing number of leaders who make their own rules and flaunt the ethical demands of a disciple of Jesus Christ” (pg. 22). It is in this context that he proposes a solution: “… I want to propose the establishment of an International Council for Ethical Accountability (ICEA)—or something with another title, but serving the church with what those words represent … Such a council could provide a starting place for an internationally agreed–on standard concerning basic ethical and moral issues as they pertain to church leadership” (pg. 23).

Jack Hayford / The King’s University

Hayford believes that such a council would allow the church to express a “collective voice” when responding to leadership failings: “While any one of a field of leaders may answer a reporter’s question … without a broad consensus, the public is left with the notion that every spiritual leader is basically a law unto themselves” (pg. 24).

Noting that luxury and extravagance has replaced self denial in many places (pg. 24), and that he has had to quietly withdraw from participation in two ministries because of their “law unto myself” attitudes (pg. 24), Hayford sees the need for judgment to come from within the church, lest it come from outside (pg. 27). “This isn’t a proposal for doctrinal agreement beyond basics, or for ecclesiastical or liturgical conformity. But written on all our hearts is a set of ethical principles that we intuitively know are right, and God’s word affirms a fundamental body of moral expectations that we all affirm. So the question is, do we believe that it possible that we can find a consensus on how we can strengthen one another by speaking with one voice where ethics are involved?” (pg. 27)

Hayford believes the answer is “yes.” How many others feel the same is yet to be seen. I look forward to seeing the responses to his proposal from evangelicals in the United States and abroad.

Reviewed by Mike Dies

Read the original article: http://ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/ministry-leadership/ethics/8215-practicing-what-we-preach