Powerhouse Prayer

The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. —Tertullian

Persecution is real

One October morning in 2006, a woman and her six children were forced to witness an attack on their husband and father. His assailants tried to force him to deny Jesus but he refused. He continued to proclaim Christ as Lord and died praying for his family. The family is determined to follow Christ, even in their grief.

Another man was sentenced to 3 years in prison for allegedly insulting a different religion. He’s an outspoken Christian with a passion for Christ. He and his wife and children continue to be faithful and refuse to deny Him.

Praying through persecution

Acts 12:1–2 ESV

1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword,

When do we bring an umbrella to church? Similarly, the changes of persecution were high. How many people do you think were planning to skip church that Sunday? How sad do you think the church was?

“The Red Sea Place” by Annie Johnson Flint

Have you come to the Red Sea place in your life, Where, in spite of all you can do, There is no way out, there is no way back, There is no other way but through?

Many before have heard God’s voice calling them to a desert land. Imagine being there when God called a whole nation into a wilderness. They did not realize that God’s blessings could not be found in Egypt’s enticing “flesh pots”. So God finally ordered them out of slavery and into a season of tears:

The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward (Exo.14:15 ESV).

There is nothing wrong with spending time with God in the desert. It is when our tears hit the desert floor that our voice most clearly raises into the sweet saving ears of Jesus. It is at that moment that He causes our tears to open up a river in our wilderness. So bring Christ your broken heart dear friend … and then listen. Ssh … listen … do you hear something?

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert (Isaiah 43:19 ESV). Then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert (Isaiah 35:6 ESV);

Brings relief where needed

Acts 12:3–19 ESV

3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. 6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 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. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” 12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place. 18 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19 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.

What made them come together after James’ died? There was a time in my life when I considered attending a church futile, boring, and a waste of time. After following the most beautiful woman in the world into a Church of Christ building, I changed my mind. Now I have no doubt that the allure of the young lady, played an important part in getting me through those seemly menacing doors. But what made me stay?

Anyone who has ever visited a church of Christ will immediately be struck by the relaxed, friendly, family atmosphere. It is clear that everyone knows each other and cares for each other. We are just one big happy family. Now, while this is nice, it would not have been enough to have kept me listening to 6,240 hours’ worth of sermons & lessons over the past 30 years.

Well, maybe it was the worship services. There is nothing quite like the experience of praising the one true God with an acapella Church. Every true worshiper has from time to time been caught up in the emotion of the moment with Goosebumps running up and down the spine and tears flowing from their eyes. Our God is an awesome God and it does not take much imagination to realize there are angels all around singing (Isa 6 ESV):

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

But truthfully, I stayed because I am a coward. I cannot imagine spending eternity in a dark, lonely, burning sea of sulfur – trying to fall asleep to the pain ridden sound of grinding teeth.

Dear friend, it’s later than you think – it’s time to come home!

Brings judgement where needed

Acts 12:19–23 ESV

19 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. 20 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. 21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. 22 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” 23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.

Know No Fear, by Neville Buchanan

As I reached over to answer my phone, 3 a.m. this morning, I wondered who was in trouble. However, I did not hesitate to answer and comfort a soul. If I, being human, can eagerly have compassion at odd times, how much more does God not desire for us to reach out to Him? And when we do turn to Him, how much more perfect is not His advice?

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:15-19 ESV).

When the cold grip of fear clutches our heart – sending chills up and down our spine – then know this beloved Christian, only God’s love will be able to settle us down.

Fear is not part of the love of God. Travel back to a drowning Peter and pay attention to why he is drowning. Do you see it? Look … because he is focused on the howling wind, he is taking his eyes of his Savior. Now, even if he can refocus his eyes on Jesus, it will not be enough. Two things are needed at this point to save him:

1. “Lord, save me” (Mt.14:30 ESV).

Matthew 14:30 ESV

30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”

2. Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, (Mt.14:31 ESV).

Matthew 14:31 ESV

31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Dear Father, we who believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son, call out to You today asking You to save us from all our fears and situations that seek to discourage us. As we refocus our eyes on your Darling Son, we know:

· That Your hand is taking hold of us;

· That You are giving us victory over all that seeks to discourage us;

· And that You are placing us back in the path and plan You have for our lives.

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.