There's Power in Prayer
by Phil Pearlman
Recently, we began praying for
people's needs as part of our
service in our congregation. We call them up to the front,
elders gathered around them, congregation in attendance, and
pray with them and their situations. I thought at first that
is was kind of out of place, being that most congregations
conduct prayer for people at the end of or after their service,
as to allow some people to leave. Then I started hearing the
reports of some prayers being answered.
The Lord revealed to me that part of our service to Him, is to
stand in agreement with those in the body. He impressed upon me
that praying for others is part of our walk as believers in Yeshua.
It is not a low priority, nor should it be an after thought. The
Word of God says: "Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall
agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall
be done for them of my Father who is in heaven. For where two or
three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of
them." (Matt 18:19 - 20)
God does answer prayers, but not in our ways or in our thinking.
The Lord also impressed upon me that we must give our prayers to
Him without our version of how things are to happen as a result
of prayer. It is true that prayers answered will be in Gods timing,
and in His ways. We must not try the "Name it and claim it"
method of prayer. There are many churches that pride themselves
exclaiming that "Miracles happen here", as if God picks only
certain places to bless and heal people. As believers in Yeshua,
(Jesus), we need to all realize that it is part of our belief in Him
to be in prayer and to pray for others in any and every assembly. God
is there in each assembly, and will do His will as He desires to
regardless of the surroundings or place. Some prayers He answers
immediately, and some at a later time in different ways than we
expect.
We need to make prayer for others a part of our lives and in our
congregational services, however we must keep things in proper
perspective. God is God, and we are His people. |
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