“SEARCH ME, God, and know my heart; TEST ME and know my anxious thoughts. SEE IF THERE IS ANY OFFENSIVE WAY IN ME and LEAD ME in the way everlasting.” (Psalms 139:23-24)
In the face of persecution, the church did not shy away, and neither did it cower in the face of pressure. Instead, it gathered together to do the only thing they knew to do, PRAY. They began to lift their voices unto heaven and declare that GOD WAS THE CREATOR OF THE WORLDS AND EVERYTHING IN THEM, AND HE WAS IN CONTROL OVER EVERYTHING. They believed that anything that needed to be done GOD COULD DO IT.
“Be PERSISTENT and DEVOTED TO PRAYER, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving.” (Colossians 4:2) Continuous conversations (through prayer) with our heavenly Father are one of the means He uses to impact us personally. When we are faced with insurmountable odds, pray. To explain this, let’s remember how the early church handled conditions that could have potentially ended badly. While Peter and John faced persecution from the religious leaders, the early church faced a critical moment in its infancy—how would they respond to the threats? “A crippled beggar saw Peter and John were about to enter the temple. So, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, and so did John. Then Peter said, “LOOK AT US!” So, the man watched them closely. He expected to get something from them. Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold. But I’LL GIVE YOU WHAT I HAVE. IN THE NAME OF JESUS Christ of Nazareth, GET UP AND WALK.” Then Peter took him by the right hand and helped him up. AT ONCE the man’s feet and ankles became strong. HE JUMPED to his feet and began to walk. He went with Peter and John into the temple courtyards. HE WALKED AND JUMPED AND PRAISED GOD.” (Acts 3:3-8)
“…PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER…The effective, FERVENT (energeō: to be mighty in) prayer of a righteous man AVAILS (ischuō: to exercise force) much.” (James 5:16)
Paul tells Timothy and us, “…you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you WISE FOR SALVATION THROUGH FAITH which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:14-15)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham