Just want to remind everyone we will begin a new Training Track Series “Turn It Around: Changing Life’s Circumstances with Prayer and Fasting“.
As I was reading this morning in Mark 9 of how the man brought his son first to the disciples and then to Jesus for deliverance, I saw how this chapter is so full of the power of God for our lives today, IF we will believe and IF we do it His way.
When the man asked Jesus to “…have compassion on us and help us” the response of our Lord was so powerful to the man and for us today…”All things are possible for one who believes” (ESV). “One who believes” spoke to me strongly. When we are in trouble or when we are going through difficult times, we do need the prayer, love and encouragement of others. But, it really boils down to “one who believes” and it is is really between that “one” (ourselves) and God. I remember one Sunday a Word came to me that the Lord wanted to heal someone and it was a matter between Himself and that person. That person was in the congregation and she had just heard the Lord say those very words to her a short time before. She claimed that Word for herself and He touched her in that meeting and she was healed. All things are possible to the one who believes!
Later, when the disciples asked Jesus why they could not cast out the demon, He responded “this kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer” (ESV). How important prayer is to us. We see our Lord’s example as He would pull Himself away for long periods of time and pray. I have read statistics that report, on the average, Christians pray less than 4 minutes/day, including pastors. What a sad testimony. Could this be the reason we see so little power in the churches today? We tweak out a miracle every once in a while and make excuses for the rest of the times when we do not see God move as we desire. We cry out for souls and the devil continues to keep many blinded to the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Join us September 1st as we begin our series on Prayer and Fasting. Begin preparing yourselves for the 40 day fast beginning September 24th that will take us up to November 2nd. We must fast and pray if we want to see changes in our nation. I believe the changes we desire can only come about by prayer.
We are still the greatest nation on the earth, and IF we will continue to follow the principles of God’s Word and the God that made us great, we can remain that same great nation and greater.
May God’s blessings richly overflow into your lives this day!
Thank you for this word of encouragement.
I have often referred to this story. We talk about losing our healing and in some, I guess, this may be so. It is interesting that Jesus says here, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”
We are joint heirs with Christ. Do we not have the same Spirit that indwelt Him? Let us be bold to tell diseases to leave and “Never Come Back.” Let us not settle for less than the best.
So true Pastor Donna! If it were not for prayer I woujld not have seen the change in my own family. I hope it is eviden to others as well. We are not the same as we were when we first came to Impact and that came about through prayer. I would like to add this: the Bible says we are to pray without ceasing. We do not always see the fruit of our prayers as quickly as we would like, but they always come to pass in God’s time. I am still praying and believing for all of my children to know and serve Him, and I expect to see that come to fruition, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but it will come to pass because His word says so.