Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: Tremendous answers to prayer have resulted from gatherings for united prayer.
In addition to the specific answers received, there are always great spiritual benefits, as all those praying learn to prevail more effectively.
1. The spirit of prayer is deepened. When one believer prays in the Spirit, God's holy fire and prayer passion works more deeply in others who are joining in prayer. (Together We Pray (Google image)
By hearing the prayers of others, we can become more deeply convinced that we are praying in the will of God.
Said Finney,
"Nothing is more calculated to beget a spirit of prayer
than to unite in social prayer with one who has the
Spirit himself."
2. Love of the brethren and unity are intensified. The more you pray together, the more you sense each other's heartbeat, burdens, joy in the Lord, and Christian experience.
To quote from Finney again,
"Nothing tends more to cement the hearts of Christians
than praying together. Never do they love one another
so well as when they witness the outpouring of each
other's hearts in prayer." Principles of Prayer
Apart from personal sin, nothing is more certain to hinder prevailing prayer than disunity. Disunity in a home hinders the prayer of the members of the home (1 Peter 3:7).
Disunity in a church hinders the prayers of the church. There are many scriptural injunctions to maintain unity in the church (Rom. 12:16, 18; 14:19; 15:5-7; 1 Cor. 1:10; 7:15; 2 Cor. 2:11; Heb. 11:14).
Many a church has experienced revival when God brought members of the church into unity. Many years ago in the central section of India, a missionary was praying to God to send revival to the work where he was involved.
As he prayed earnestly day after day, the Holy Spirit brought to his mind another missionary in his own organization with whom he had had a serious disagreement.
Every time he got down on his knees to pray, the other missionary's face came before him. Finally, he boarded the train and went to the town where the other missionary lived.
He walked from the train station to the missionary's house and knocked on the door. The other missionary came to the door, surprised to see him.
Falling on his knees outside the door, the first missionary began
to ask forgiveness from the other. "Come on in," the second missionary pleaded. "I'm the one who needs to ask your forgiveness."
They prayed together and wept together and were fully reconciled. Then each prayed for God to send revival to the other's work. As they separated, each began to pray daily for God to send revival to his own work and to the work of the other. Within twelve months both churches experienced mighty revival.
3. Faith is strengthened. The more you hear others joining in prayer for the same needs, the stronger your faith tends to become. You become encouraged by the way God is giving faith to them.
You become more persevering and more constant in prayer for the need as you find others persevering for the same concern. Heart warms heart. Prayer kindles prayer. Faith strengthens faith.
Courage and expectancy rise, and you are able to plant your feet on God's promises with new firmness and determination. Others "amen" your prayer, and you "amen" theirs, and step by step you both grow in assurance, lay hold of the throne of God, and are able to agree in prayer (Matt. 18:19).
Used by permission of the author and Duewel Literature Trust, Inc., Greenwood, Indiana (With Jean's impressions added)
Mighty Prevailing Prayer
#78 Blessings from United Prayer
by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
(pp. 130 -132) Zondervan
Today's Bible verses-
(Is. 33:2 AMP) "O LORD, be gracious to us; we have waited [expectantly] for You. Be the arm [of Your servants—their strength and defense] every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble."
(Mark 10:27 KJV) "And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible; but not with God: for with God all things are possible."
(Ps. 33:18 KJV) "Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy."
Today's quote
Mary Southerland- "It is so easy to relegate our spirituality to religious activity when all He really wants is to spend time with us. When the tears fall, He wants to wipe them away, collecting each one so that He can pour them back into our lives as a refreshing rain of restoration.
God longs for us to forever run into His arms, sharing every hurt and rejoicing in every victory. The Father yearns to wrap His strong arms around us, bringing the peace we so desperately need. I
desperately want the Father to bring back the new again ... and live a life that celebrates the amazing truth that the real Jesus is here.
Let's pray-
Father, I sometimes I feel like my life is spinning out of control. I’m tired of the imbalance I see in the way I live.
Help me learn how to establish priorities that please You and reflect Your plan for me.
I commit to spending time with You each day, seeking Your wisdom and direction. I love You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen."
Quote and prayer are from The Real Me is Here, in an email post from Mary.
Rocket Fuel Lisa Buffaloe: "I’ve been under intense spiritual warfare, and at times the sensations and emotions seem overwhelming and hopeless.
One night I dreamed I was in an oppressive darkness with the enemy closing in and surrounding me. With human vision, no escape was possible..."
Upcoming posts-
Why Make Him Lord?
31st- Saturday's post by Jean Oathout
#79 Spiritual Power is Multiplied
Jan/1st- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
#80 Examples from Christian History
5th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
Let Go!
7th- Saturday's post by Lisa Buffaloe
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God wants to hear your choice."
(Published by Lighthouse Publishing
31-day Devotional
+ my testimony
+ my testimony
A sample verse from p. 76-
"Will you look always to the One
Who's called you by His voice?
It's in your hand what will be done. God wants to hear your choice."
of the Carolinas. Used by permission).
A great gift for someone who may need help
to prepare for marriage, or for those in a
to prepare for marriage, or for those in a
marriage, wanting some helpful advice.
This post addresses an important issue for me. There are so many issues in my life and it the world that concern me. The only way to overcome them and for God to resolve then is for us to pray. United prayer has so much power. Please direct us, Lord to find prayers partners and pray, pray, pray!
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