Different translations capture different shades of this promise. One says, "I will show you great and fortified things." Another, "Great and reserved things." And here's the truth: there are reserved and special things in the Christian life. Not every spiritual experience comes easily.

There are the common experiences—repentance, faith, joy, hope—that belong to the whole family of God. But there is also an upper realm! A place of rapture, of deep communion, of conscious union with Christ. And this is not where most believers dwell. We don't all have John's privilege of leaning on Jesus' chest. We're not all caught up to the third heaven like Paul.

There are heights in the knowledge of God that the eagle's eye of sharpest thought has never seen. God alone can carry us there. And do you know what chariot he uses? What fiery horses pull that chariot? Prevailing prayer!

Prevailing prayer actually overcomes the God of mercy. Listen to how Scripture describes it: "By his strength he had power with God. Yes, he had power over the angel and prevailed. He wept and made supplication to him. He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with us." This is wrestling prayer. Fighting prayer. Prayer that will not let go.

This kind of prayer takes the Christian to Mount Carmel and enables him to cover heaven with clouds of blessing and earth with floods of mercy. Prevailing prayer lifts the believer to Mount Pisgah and shows him the inheritance waiting. It takes us up Mount Tabor and transfigures us until—mark this!—in the likeness of our Lord, as he is, so are we in this world.

Do you want something higher than ordinary groveling experience? Then look to the Rock that is higher than you. Gaze with the eye of faith through the window of importunate prayer. And here's God's promise: when you open the window on your side, it will not be bolted on the other.