How to Make a Difference...
Last Thursday was the National Day of Prayer,
A time to pray for our country,
To seek God FIRST as a nation,
That God's will be done in the USA as it in heaven.
I was asked a very poignant question about prayer that made me think...
"Can you show me evidence that prayer has changed anything?"
"If prayer was so powerful, then why are things in a such a pathetic state?"
BOOM!!
Whoaaa... great questions.
How many people are thinking the same thing?
If prayer was so powerful, then why isn't it working?
FIRST...
IS prayer powerful?
Do we REALLY believe it makes a difference?
JESUS did...
"In these days [Jesus] went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God."
If Jesus needed to pray all night, how about us?
When is the last time we did that?
I never have.
"[Jesus] took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. "
If Jesus used prayer to make a DIFFERENCE, shouldn't we?
The APOSTLES did...
"we will give ourselves CONTINUALLY to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
The apostles made prayer such a PRIORITY? Why?
Was it because they knew it was the start to everything?
"as we pray most EARNESTLY night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith"
If the apostles used prayer to make a DIFFERENCE, shouldn't we?
The CHURCH did...
"So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was EARNESTLY praying to God for him... "
When is the last time you gathered as a church to pray EARNESTLY all night for anything? The early church did and they saw miracles happen.
"Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared... and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists."
If the early church used prayer to make a DIFFERENCE, shouldn't we?
SECONDLY...
We must acknowledge that if we're not USING prayer, then we won't see results.
Did you know that Christianity and prayer have been on the decline for decades?
Prayers have been taken out of school,
Pledge of allegiance declaring "one national under God" is no longer said,
God is being edged out of this country bit by bit and we're seeing the consequences.
That correlation is evidence in itself.
God tells us to use PRAYER for our leaders and country.
"supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."
Are we?
Out of 20 people you know, how many are praying for this country regularly?
1 out of 20? Maybe 0?
So is PRAYER not working or are WE not working?
Which one is broken?
This is how POWERFUL prayer is...
Jesus started His ministry in power with PRAYER and fasting,
Moses got the Ten Commandments in PRAYER and fasting,
Nineveh was spared from destruction through PRAYER and fasting.
Prayer is like a spark that lights the fire,
It makes the impossible possible,
It opens closed doors,
It softens hard hearts.
Prayer is a GAME CHANGER.
That's why Satan has been trying so hard to bury it and snuff it out.
That's why Satan is using so many attractive distractions to keep us from PRAYING.
LASTLY...
Are you willing to DO something about it?
Do you want to make a DIFFERENCE?
Will you pray 1 minute a day for a week?
If you are take these 3 Steps:
Step 1) Pick a time to pray for 1 minute for the country daily.
Step 2) Set an alarm and/or calendar appointment.
Step 3) DO IT.
If you're not happy with where the county is headed, are you wiling to put your PRAYER where your mouth is?
What would happen if EVERY person in America spent 1 minute a day praying for our country?
The possibilities are endless.
Let it start with YOU.
"Dear Heavenly Father,
Teach me how to make a difference with PRAYER,
Teach me that my prayers are POWERFUL,
That I am not helpless in this declining country.
You are HOPE,
So let me HOPE in the power of PRAYER,
Let me see new possibilities,
Light a fire of HOPE within me.
Help me awaken others to PRAYER,
To the necessity of EARNEST prayer,
Starting with 1 minute a day,
Consistently and earnestly,
And continue to move and grow me.
Use me to make a DIFFERENCE with PRAYER.
Jesus, help me follow Your example of prayer,
Grant me a new HUNGER for prayer.
Holy Spirit, baptize me in your fire and awaken a PASSION for prayer.
Your will be done,
In Jesus name, Amen."
Cheers to making a DIFFERENCE!
Cheers to embracing the power of PRAYER.
Cheers to being part of the solution NOT the problem.
Have an amazing day! ^_^
