Do you ever look at the early church and wonder why we don't have the same results? Think about it. When is the last time you went to church and saw the dead raised or the blind receive sight? I have to be honest and tell you that while I did hear stories from Brother Richards (my pastor when I was a child), I have never personally witnessed anyone raised from the dead. If God is the same, yesterday, today and forever, I have to wonder why it isn't happening now. Maybe it would be wise to study the prayer habits of the early church and see what they did. Maybe if we did the same, we would have the same results.
So I did.........(with some help from Sister Pamer) and found out a few really important things. First, they had a great teacher. In Luke 11 we find that they asked the Master to teach them to pray.... and He did. And then, they simply did what He taught them. He taught them three things and I want to share those with you today.
1. Jesus taught the early church to get together and pray. (Matthew 18:19-20) He said if two of you shall agree, it shall be done and also gave us a promise of His presence...where two or three are gathered, He will be in the midst of them. What might not be accomplished alone, could be done with you get together. Kind of goes with the "there is strength in numbers" theory.
2. Jesus taught persistent prayer. We find this is two parables, the unjust judge and the friend who needed bread. Keep praying, keep asking. Don't grow weary no matter how hopeless it seems. Don't give up. Be persistent in your prayers.
3. Jesus taught passionate prayer. He tells us in James 5:16 that the "effectual, fervent prayer of the righteous produces results." He also showed us this concept in Gethsemane. This is the type of praying that is hard and not for the faint of heart. How odd that we understand the difficulty associated with natural things (digging a hole, planting and growing a garden, raising children, etc) yet we think great things are going to happen in the Spirit with half-hearted, nonchalant prayers.
When the early church got to the upper room, they prayed the way they had been taught. (together, persistent, passionate prayer) We know this from Acts 1:14 "They all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication" "One accord" in this context meant "unanimous, fierce passion". This tells me they got together and passionately prayed for the same thing. (Yet why so often in corporate prayer meetings we all get in our corners and pray for different things?)
When they got together for this extended time of prayer (talk about persistence) prayed passionately, praying for the same thing, miracles began to happen. They Holy Ghost fell, they had fresh vision, anointed preaching, the house was shaken, there were deliverances and healings. This one accord praying tore open the windows of heaven and got them in to the realm of the miraculous.
Maybe you and I should try this same thing and see what happens. I will if you will.
Lisa Marshall
Strategic Prayer Coordinator
World Network of Prayer
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MINISTRY
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MINISTRY: David and Yonda Schwarz (Costa Rica), Steve and Kari Shirley (Dominican Republic/Leeward Islands), Richard and Pamela Smoak (Tanzania/Burundi), Gary and June Sones (Spain), Mokles and Terry Sedra (Eygpt), J.R. and Janet Black (Spanish Caribbean/ABC Islands), Bennie and Pat Blunt (Tonga/Samoa/American Samoa)
A.I.M. - Associates in Missions: Lincoln and Marjorie Graham - Nigeria (AFR), Nathaniel Gration - Papua New Guinea (PAC)
FULL-TIME EVANGELIST: Jefferey C. Leverton - Buchanan Dam, TX, Luke D. Levine - Imperial, MO, J.D. Linsteadt - Commerce, TX, J. Bonner Long - Priceville, NB
BIBLE SCHOOLS: Northeast Christian College, Christian Life College
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WNOP'S PERSONAL REQUESTS
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To minister to the needs of others through prayer, click here to pray over WNOP's personal prayer list.
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STATE FOCUS - Georgia
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The state focus this week is Georgia. Please pray for Governor Sonny Perdue and Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson. Please pray for all district officials, home missionaries and pastors.
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WORLD NEEDS
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Boston - July 9, 2010: A federal judge ruled Thursday in Boston, the federal law banning gay marriage is unconstitutional because it interferes with the right of a state to define the institution and therefore denies married gay couples some federal benefits.
U.S. District Judge Joseph Tauro ruled in favor of gay couples' rights in two separate challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act, known as DOMA, a 1996 law that the Obama administration has argued for repealing. The rulings apply to Massachusetts but could have broader implications if they're upheld on appeal.
The state had argued the law denied benefits such as Medicaid to gay married couples in Massachusetts, where same-sex unions have been legal since 2004. Tauro agreed and said the act forces Massachusetts to discriminate against its own citizens in order to be eligible for federal funding in federal-state partnerships.
The act "plainly encroaches" upon the right of the state to determine marriage, Tauro said in his ruling on a lawsuit filed by state Attorney General Martha Coakley. In a ruling in a separate case filed by Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, Tauro ruled the act violates the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution. Coakley called it a "landmark decision" and "an important step toward achieving equality for all married couples in Massachusetts."
Tom McClusky, senior vice president of the conservative Family Research Council, said the rulings result in part from "the deliberately weak legal defense of DOMA" that the Obama administration mounted on behalf of the government. "While the American people have made it unmistakably clear that they want to preserve marriage as the legal union of one man and one woman, liberals and activist judges are not content to let the people decide," McClusky said in a statement.
The law was enacted by Congress in 1996 when it appeared Hawaii would soon legalize same-sex marriage and opponents worried that other states would be forced to recognize such marriages. The lawsuit challenges only the portion of the law that prevents the federal government from affording pension and other benefits to same-sex couples.
Since then, five states and the District of Columbia have legalized gay marriage.
Boston College professor Kent Greenfield, a constitutional law expert, said the rulings could have a legal impact outside Massachusetts if they're appealed and a higher court with a broader jurisdiction agrees. An appeal would be considered by the First Circuit, which also includes Rhode Island, Maine and New Hampshire. "One things that's going to be really interesting to watch is whether the Obama administration appeals or not," he said.
Justice Department spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler said the department is reviewing the decision.
Greenfield added the rulings might encourage other attorneys generals who oppose DOMA to sue to try to knock it down.
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GUIDELINES FOR SMALL-GROUP PRAYER
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A while back, I was filled with an intense desire to start a small-group prayer ministry in my church. But when I approached my pastor, I could tell he was less than thrilled. I was puzzled by his response. Shouldn't a pastor be excited about people praying?
Then I realized that his lack of enthusiasm might have stemmed from negative experiences with "prayer" (also known as gossip) groups in the past. In order to dispel his fears, I devised a set of guidelines to govern the proposed prayer group. After I submitted the following guidelines to him in writing, he immediately gave me the go-ahead. The guidelines might help you and your own pastor as you propose a church prayer ministry. more
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PRAYER QUOTE
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Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees. - Victor Hugo, Les Misérables, 1862
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