There’s a remarkable story in the book of Acts that describes what can happen when the church prays.
King Herod Agrippa had cast James, the brother of John, into prison. He then sent an executioner to kill him with the sword. Seeing that many people in Jerusalem were pleased with this, he decided to also imprison Peter.
However, when Herod sent a squadron of sixteen soldiers to arrest Peter, the entire church began to pray for his release.
Acts 12:5 says, “So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.”
In other words, they began to pray without ceasing for Peter. They knew he could not be spared from God's cause. They realized they had reached a moment in time when the church would not survive without special help from God.
You know how the story ended. It was the last night before Peter’s execution, and while the church was earnestly praying, God heard their prayers and sent a mighty angel from heaven to rescue Peter.
This amazing story illustrates what can happen when God’s people come together with one heart to pray and to make Jesus the King over all of our life’s circumstances and needs. It is then that God chooses to do the miraculous!
In Steps to Christ, Ellen White wrote, “Prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven's storehouse where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence.”
Prayer connects you and me to the source of all power. Prayer changes things. Prayer can do anything that God can do. God’s ear is always open when we come to Him in prayer, He is always available; we never get a busy signal.
When the church prays, God hears our prayers.
When the church prays, God answers our prayers.
When the church prays, God answers our prayers with power.
When the church prays, lives are changed. When the church prays, sinners will come running and asking, "What must I do to be saved?" When the church prays, drug addicts are released from their addictions. When the church prays, the wayward child you've been praying for comes home. When the church prays, the sick are healed.
When the church prays, the truth will be preached from the pulpits. When the church prays, we will forgive one another. When the church prays, the church will know that God hears from heaven. When the church prays, blessings will come down. When the church prays, the Holy Spirit will pour out His latter reign.
So, if there was ever a time for the church to pray, it is now!
We are told that every revival in history has started with prayer. There has never been a mighty outpouring of the Spirit in a revival which did not begin in the persistent prevailing prayer of a desperate people.
Wouldn’t you like to see a revival begin throughout Upper Columbia Conference and beyond?
My friend, what the church needs today is not more machinery or better machinery — not new programs or more novel methods. What the church needs today is men and women the Holy Spirit can use — men and women of prayer.
One of the great challenges that we face in UCC is how to reach out to lost men and women and boys and girls for the kingdom of God. No matter where you go all around the world, it seems like we don't know how to really go about reaching the many people in our communities. But God says, “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know” (Jer. 33:3).
Beginning Sept. 1, UCC begins 40 days of prayer. We invite anyone in UCC and beyond to pray every single day for one specific thing — that God would pour out His Holy Spirit among us and give us a vision for how to reach lost men and women and boys and girls for His kingdom.
It is my prayer that you would accept this invitation and join in this special 40-Days of Prayer between September 1 and October 10.
Pray when you’re driving down the road, when you’re out for a walk, when you have family worship or when you have your own personal time. Pray any way you want, but I ask that you sincerely pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon UCC, that we might receive God’s vision for reaching lost men and women and boys and girls for His kingdom.
For information and resources to support your family, church and school during the 40 Days of Prayer, please visit uccsda.org/vertical.
