Stacey Campbell has written the foreword to The Magnificent Jesus, Volume 2: Contending Prayer by Johan den Hartogh and Ken Gott. Her message begins with a simple invitation—and opens a deeper question for every reader: how does knowing Jesus change the way we pray?
“Come closer. Know Jesus. Discover who He truly is.”
These words set the tone for her foreword. The invitation is to keep drawing near, recognising that every fresh glimpse of Jesus reveals how much more there is to discover. In a rapidly changing world, Stacey points readers towards His beauty, majesty, power and love.
Knowing Jesus changes our prayers
At the heart of Stacey’s message is a conviction shaped by years of encouraging believers to pray the Scriptures:
“The more deeply we know Jesus, the more powerfully we pray.”
She describes how she and her husband, Wesley, have encouraged readers through their books on Praying the Bible to let God’s Word shape their prayers. Praying the words of Jesus, the Psalms and the prayers of the apostles allows His truth to take root in our hearts. Our minds are renewed, our faith is strengthened and our relationship with Him deepens.
That connection between knowing Christ and praying from His heart runs through her introduction to Volume 2. As we understand His character more intimately, our prayers begin to reflect His desires.
What it means to contend in prayer
Stacey describes contending prayer as flowing from a heart that knows God, holds firmly to His promises and refuses to surrender hope. It is sustained by trust in the One to whom we are speaking—even when the circumstances around us seem to tell a different story.
Her foreword gives the reader a foundation for perseverance: the character and faithfulness of Jesus Himself. To contend is to keep bringing our families, our cities and the nations before Him, rooted in His Word and attentive to the Holy Spirit.
He is the Almighty
Stacey also contributes to the book with a reflection on Jesus as the Almighty. In her foreword, she draws attention to Revelation 1:8 and its extraordinary revelation of the Alpha and the Omega—the One who is, who was and who is to come.
The One to whom we pray stands above history and every circumstance. As that truth takes hold of our hearts, Stacey writes:
“Fear gives way to confidence. Uncertainty gives way to faith.”
Her words direct us towards the glorified Christ revealed in Revelation: the Living One, the First and the Last, who holds the keys of Death and Hades. There is always more of His wisdom, holiness and glory to discover.
An open Bible and a hungry heart
Stacey encourages readers to approach Volume 2 with an open Bible and a hungry heart. Take your time. Meditate on the words of Jesus. Pray the Scriptures. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal fresh dimensions of Christ’s character, and allow what you discover to lead you into deeper worship, greater obedience and more passionate prayer.
We are grateful for her foreword and the invitation it extends to every reader of The Magnificent Jesus. Her closing words bring us back to the reason for the whole journey:
“He is worthy to be known. He is worthy to be loved. He is worthy of all our worship.”
All quotations are from Stacey Campbell’s foreword to The Magnificent Jesus, Volume 2: Contending Prayer.
Explore Volume 2: Contending Prayer, or meet Stacey Campbell.