Prayer
People Who Pray
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” Acts 12:1-5
I once received a letter of admonition from my friend Dr. David Gibbs. While the letter was filled with wisdom and encouragement, there was one sentence that especially struck me. He said, “Never forget, the only place power ever comes before prayer is in the dictionary.” This statement is self evident in the book of Acts. The early church could be characterized by one word: prayer.
These early Christians continued in prayer no matter what. As the Roman government was killing the apostles, these church members prayed. Even though it could have meant certain death for them, they prayed. They lived their life with the promise of Acts 5:29, “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
The reason this church was so influential and is highly revered is that they had the hand of God on them. God blessed their lives because they remained faithful to Him in prayer. Friend, you will not have a mighty church if you do not have a praying church! Prayer is the window through which God pours the blessings of Heaven into our lives.
We see the aspect of asking and receiving in Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” God wants us to come to Him for everything. He says to come to Him by prayer and supplication. This means that we are to come with a request or an appeal. We are to earnestly beseech God for an answer to our prayers!
It was once said, “Poverty-stricken as the church is today in many things, she is most stricken here, in the place of prayer. We have many organizers, but few agonizers; many players and payers, few prayers; many singers, few clingers; lots of pastors, few wrestlers; many fears, few tears; much fashion, little passion; many interferers, few intercessors; many writers, but few fighters. Failing here, we fail everywhere.”
We need to pray not only to change the things around us but also to change ourselves. When was the last time you came before God and truly sought Him? When was the last time you took time away from your busy day to meet with Him? It has been said that sinning men will stop praying, but praying men will stop sinning. What are you struggling with today? What do you need help with in your life? All your problems could be taken care of with one simple word: prayer.
Hope you guys didn't just read. - James
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” Acts 12:1-5
I once received a letter of admonition from my friend Dr. David Gibbs. While the letter was filled with wisdom and encouragement, there was one sentence that especially struck me. He said, “Never forget, the only place power ever comes before prayer is in the dictionary.” This statement is self evident in the book of Acts. The early church could be characterized by one word: prayer.
These early Christians continued in prayer no matter what. As the Roman government was killing the apostles, these church members prayed. Even though it could have meant certain death for them, they prayed. They lived their life with the promise of Acts 5:29, “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
The reason this church was so influential and is highly revered is that they had the hand of God on them. God blessed their lives because they remained faithful to Him in prayer. Friend, you will not have a mighty church if you do not have a praying church! Prayer is the window through which God pours the blessings of Heaven into our lives.
We see the aspect of asking and receiving in Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” God wants us to come to Him for everything. He says to come to Him by prayer and supplication. This means that we are to come with a request or an appeal. We are to earnestly beseech God for an answer to our prayers!
It was once said, “Poverty-stricken as the church is today in many things, she is most stricken here, in the place of prayer. We have many organizers, but few agonizers; many players and payers, few prayers; many singers, few clingers; lots of pastors, few wrestlers; many fears, few tears; much fashion, little passion; many interferers, few intercessors; many writers, but few fighters. Failing here, we fail everywhere.”
We need to pray not only to change the things around us but also to change ourselves. When was the last time you came before God and truly sought Him? When was the last time you took time away from your busy day to meet with Him? It has been said that sinning men will stop praying, but praying men will stop sinning. What are you struggling with today? What do you need help with in your life? All your problems could be taken care of with one simple word: prayer.
Hope you guys didn't just read. - James
posted by jamesvonkim at 10:24 PM
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