30 Days - Day 13

Day 13

Acts 6:5-7

5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

What happens when we pray for people? What happens when we pray for those in positions of authority? What happens when we are committed to prayer. There have been a number of studies done to try to determine the effects of prayer. The results and the methods have been mixed and sometimes dubious. However, it doesn’t matter what the studies say so much as what the Word says, and here an already growing church grew even more. The number of those who could be called disciples grew as well. What is more, we see that a great number of priests were also obedient to the faith. God empowering His work makes a huge impact, even on those seemingly impossible to reach. If there was any part of the population that should have been tough to reach it probably would have been the priests, yet they are coming to faith. God had empowered their work so that even the priests could see the true hand and power of God reflected in the actions of the Church.

The apostles knew that it was important that these men, entrusted with this position, needed prayer and God’s power to do the work to which they were called. They needed to be confirmed by God in this work. So they prayed for them. They laid their hands on them. They verified God’s will and, in Christ, empowered them for the work. Even though these men were men already full of the Holy Spirit they needed and gladly accepted this prayer.

Paul made it clear that he desired that “...first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority...”. How necessary it is within the church that we pray for one another. Of course, we know this. It is a simple and basic Biblical truth. However, it never hurts to be reminded. God has called us to pray for one another. When we pray then God also works through our prayers. We need care enough for one another and for the Father who loves us to pray for each other. How important it is that God’s work has His empowerment and, He is determined that this will happen through prayer.

Prayer Request Day 13

1) Phil and Yvonne preparing for another steering meeting (Tuesday,September 11)for Crisis Pregnancy Center - pray for preparation of materials and people, media projector being shipped - that it will arrive in time to use, wisdom for Phil and Yvonne as they prepare and lead the group through various issues and questions
2) Continue to pray for Phil's back and general health and safety for both Phil and Yvonne
3) For us as we try to prepare for Jim's mom and dad to travel to Slovenia. They will have opportunities to perform and teach puppets to various ministries, plans need to be completed/solidified - October
4) Wisdom and guidance as we prepare for various opportunities in the coming week - teaching, relationships and meetings