MARK #1: EARNEST PRAYER Continued (see previous post by clicking here)

In the previous post, we saw from Acts 12 that when God’s people earnestly pray, people are set free. Acts 12 continues like this:

“When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him” (Acts 12:10).

When God’s people earnestly pray, God opens doors we could never open on our own. If we are laying down our lives in anticipation of revival, then God will open doors for the advance of the gospel. But many of those doors will lead to suffering, persecution, denial, and opposition. Are we ready for that? Are we willing to lay down our life so that others can have new life?

Once the angel left him, Peter was convinced that the Lord had worked on his behalf, and he went to Mary’s house where he knocked on the front door. After doubting it was him, they finally let Peter in the house and he told them all the Lord had done, and then Luke writes:

“Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there” (v18-19)

Not only does God open doors we could never open on our own, but when God’s people earnestly pray, it throws the enemy into confusion. No matter how strong the enemy might look, nothing will frustrate the plan of God. If God chooses to bring revival, he will do it and nothing will stop him. Nothing will prevent the forward progress of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not the suffering of the saints; not the tyranny of terrorists; not the complacency of the called; not even the Satanically-inspired schemes of a dictator. And God’s demolishing of these barriers is so overwhelming that he will throw the forces of the enemy into utter disarray in the process.

Luke ends by writing this in Acts 12:22-24:

“When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him.”

When God’s people earnestly pray, God alone gets the glory and the impact of his word is multiplied. This was true of the New York City Revival in 1857. At the time, the population of Manhattan was around 800,000 people. Following the stock market crash earlier that year, many businessmen were falling on hard times and didn’t know where else to turn. In their distress, they started gathering together every lunch hour through the week to pray for their city. When they gathered, they were praying for the coming of the Kingdom, and they saw God respond to their prayers in powerful ways.

Later that year, it was estimated that approximately ten percent of the population of Manhattan came to know Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. That’s approximately 80,000 people surrendering their lives to Jesus Christ! Let that sink in. Think of all the people — the family members, the friends, the people that had been on prayer lists for months, years, maybe even decades — who were finally ushered into the Kingdom because God’s people prayed and God answered in saving power.

Hearts softened. Minds restored. A city changed. Why? Because God used the faithful and passionate pleas of a growing group of “normal” people who prayed for their city.

Never underestimate the power of the prayer meeting. God used it more than 150 years ago. Why not still use it today? “But prayer meetings are boring,” some say. “They’re outdated. They don’t meet my needs. They’re uninspiring.”

Sadly, loved ones, this is not a reflection of the prayer meeting; this is a reflection of the pray-er. This is the reflection of a heart that has become bored, outdated, unfulfilled, and uninspired by the Living God. This is the heart that needs to repent. More often than we care to admit, this is my heart and your heart. This is the heart that needs to find grace, mercy, love, and true fulfillment at the cross of Jesus Christ.

This, in the end, is the heart that needs to be revived.