Prayer’s Powerful Result
Remarkable things happened when the early church prayed. The fourth chapter of the book of Acts records just one of those audacious prayers and the nearly unbelievable events that followed a time of very bold prayer.
The threat of opposition was real; the disciples knew they faced the same dangers that had taken the life of Jesus. So they prayed for boldness to speak the gospel truth and for the active healing presence of God to be evident in their midst and in their ministry.
The scripture says that signs and wonders gave evidence of God’s activity in the midst of this new community of followers of Jesus Christ. One of those dramatic signs was the incredible community that formed around Jesus Christ.
“Not a needy person among them” (Acts 4:34) is a sign and wonder that we long for in every community. Many sold land and goods, then brought the proceeds and laid it at the disciples’ feet. Why should we imagine it is different with God today?
In prayer, we need to speak whatever truth is in us: pain and grief, fear and disappointments, yearnings, and desire, questions and doubt, hope and faith, failure and weakness, praise and thanks, despair and sorrow, anger and, yes, even hatred.
—Marjorie J. Thompson
Soul Feast
Prayer changes things. I can testify to that! Most of us can. And yet, we so often forget this as life’s challenges and struggles loom large. The Bible says, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16). We don’t know God’s eternal, sovereign plans in all their detail, but we do know that He hears and answers ours prayers. We know that He wants us to pray and to believe that He will answer our prayers as they are in accord with His will. Let’s not be afraid to pray, but pray earnestly, believing that He will accomplish His purposes through our intercession. What’s happening in your world right now? Let’s take it to the throne! —DH
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics