India Christian Assembly

Shall we pray?

Written by Pastor Samuel John

Today is 59th National Day of Prayer.

"President Truman signed a bill establishing an official National Day of Prayer in 1952, but U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb in Wisconsin ruled April 15 that the law violates the ban on government-backed religion.", says CNN.

The power of prayer is enormous. It moves mountains. In fact, the power is not in prayer itself, but in God to whom we pray.

Prayer is powerful because our God answers our prayer. In answering, He acts. He takes action for His people.

He stills the waves, heals the sick, multiply meager provisions, comforts the broken-hearted, and wonder of wonders, redeems people from eternal destruction though it is impossible for humans to understand with all the worldly wisdom. It is impossible like a camel passing through the eye of a needle. But to God nothing is impossible.

"Call upon me, I will answer", says the Lord.
This week:

Let us pray for all our students who are writings finals and other exams.
Let us also pray for our people who are not physically well.
Let us pray for our dear ones whose hearts are troubled due to various circumstances.
Let us pray for our spiritual and emotional needs.
Let us pray for revival.
Let us pray for each other.
Let us pray for suffering saints around the globe.
Let us pray for the nations.
Let us pray for all needs that come to our attention. In praying, let us also thank God for his love, compassion and grace.
Abraham prayed, a nation was born.
Isaac prayed, he received his God-appointed life partner.
Jacob wrestled in prayer, his destiny was changed.
Hagar prayed, his son was saved from deathly dehydration.
Moses prayed, six hundred thousand people were rescued from God's instant destruction.
Joshua prayed, and the sun and the moon cooperated in a military operation.
Hannah prayed, a prophet like no other was given as her son.
David prayed, he became the man after God's own heart.
Solomon prayer, he became the wisest man, and was blessed with much blessing that he did not ask for.
Asa prayed, a revival broke out.
Hezekiah prayed, his sickness was healed and life extended for 15 years.
Elijah prayed, God showed up in fire.
Elisha prayed, a few drops of oil became a river of oil that saved a widow and her son from starvation, poverty and slavery.
Daniel prayed, lion's mouth was shut. He asked God about his people's future, God revealed future of the world kingdoms.
Esther prayed, Israel was rescued from extinction.
Nehemiah prayer, divine favor empowered him to rebuild the fallen walls of Jerusalem and to restore worship.
Zerubbabel prayed, mountain-like oppositions and problems were removed by the Spirit of God in rebuilding God's temple.
Prophet Zachariah prayed, unusual visions of the future were given to him.
Another Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth prayed, from a barren womb came forth the forerunner of Christ, the most powerful prophet of all time.
Apostles prayed, the world was saturated with Gospel.
Church prayed, miracle after miracle happened.They gained strength to suffer and endure sever persecution.
Martin Luther prayer, reformation swept across the globe.
George Mueller prayed, God answered miraculously.
You and I have prayed, how can we forget what the Lord had done for us?

Victory belongs to those who pray. An ordinary church plans everything first and prays later. A praying church prays first and plans later. An ordinary church may or may not pray for everything it does. A prayer-focused church does everything by prayer.

An atmosphere of prayer is the breeding ground of God's miracles. When we stop praying, we will as well stop living, not physically but spiritually.

I wish Judge Barbara Crabb knew these.

An executive order was written 26 centuries ago by the most powerful king in the most powerful kingdom at that time. The order stipulated that no one will pray except to the King. But Daniel did not get frustrated. He simply prayed as he always did. The King had to spend a sleepless night as a result. The unalterable imperial Median law was altered in a night.No one can mock God.

Let us renew our commitment to pray because we are on our way to greater things for God.

Expect great things from God. Prayer will give us the confidence to attempt great things for God.

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