Thoughts for Life: #3 Revival In Hereford, Texas

C. Peter Wagner shares from his book, PRAYER SHIELD, "One of the first real life experiences of the power of personal intercession I heard came from my friend Larry Lea.

He had just finished seminary and was serving as youth minister in Beverly Hills Baptist Church in Dallas.

The church was growing well, and so was Larry's youth group. He had 1,000 teenagers in his group and it was one of the largest in the area. It was then that he received his first invitation to do a citywide evangelistic crusade.

The city was Hereford, Texas; population 15, 853. Lea had felt that one of his stronger gifts was that of an evangelist and he had great faith that God would give him a significant
harvest of souls in Hereford.

The format was the type of citywide crusade in which the evangelist would preach each night in a different one of the cooperating churches.

The first night he preached his heart out but no one responded to the invitation. When the same thing happened the second night, Larry Lea began to worry.

'What's going on? I know my sermons are decent. They are theologically sound. The gospel is clear. What will I say when I get back to Dallas and report to my youth group?'

The third night the meeting was to be held in the Methodist church. Larry had arrived a bit early when two women approached him.

They saw he was nervous so they said,

"Don't worry, Brother Lea. We've prayed for you today
for eight hours."

They asked if they could lay on hands and pray for him there. When they finished, one of the women said to him,

"Does the phrase 'It is finished; mean anything to you?' "

It was Larry's text for the evening! He preached and 100 responded to the invitation!

Before the week was over, 500 had responded to the preaching and had made decisions for Christ.

Larry was elated. On the flight back to Dallas he began rehearsing how he would share the good news of his successful crusade with his youth group.

Then in a quiet moment Lea clearly heard the voice of God coming to him and saying, 'Son, you had nothing to do with that revival. The reason those people go saved was that somebody prayed the price!'

It was there and then that Larry Lea learned the value of personal intercession for leaders.

He was the Joshua on the battlefield, in this case the evangelist who went down in history as seeing 500 come to Christ in Hereford, Texas.

But the power of God came primarily through the two women who, like Moses, faithfully did the work of intercession."

Today’s post -#1 The Power of Personal Prayer Partners, in the series taken from C. Peter Wagner’s book, PRAYER SHIELD, How to intercede for pastors, Christian leaders and others on the spiritual frontlines. (pgs. 25, 26) By Regal Books

The next post is to be 6/27, from C. Peter Wagner’s book, #4 What is Intercession?

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Let’s pray: Father, it is my concern that I learn to support my pastor more faithfully.

When my spiritual leaders are preparing to minister to us, help me be ready to pray for them diligently, so Your power can be evident in their efforts. Move on others in my church to support him/her with daily prayers. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Pro. 4:11 "I have taught thee in the way of
wisdom; I have led thee in right paths."
Today’s quote: David Roper – “How can we be the strong person that God meant for us to be? Only by putting ourselves in God’s hands and asking Him to make us that way through His power and enablement.”

Our thought today: God will meet you in your small sacrificial way to proclaim Christ. You’re not disqualified because you don’t feel qualified to share the salvation message. Who knows what God will do?

Tomorrow’s post: When the Going Gets Tough Jill Savage

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