But earnest prayer was going up
to God from the Church for his (Peter's) safety all the time he was in prison.
Acts 12:5 Living Bible
What a ruckus! I was in the shower when it all began.
The pounding of 24 canine paws flying up the stairs and around the corner to the
bathroom door and then the barking began. I knew something really important was
happening and I needed to act quickly. Leaping from the shower I grabbed a
towel, as I heard my daughter's footsteps rush by the closed door and down the
staircase. Moments later the dogs and I were in hot pursuit.
What happened was this. In the early morning hours,
long before the sun was yet to rise on this cold winter's morn, an owl had
swooped into our dog run and grabbed one of our miniature long haired
dachshunds. Fortunately the owl had only made contact with one claw which meant
it did not have the power to lift off again with its prey. It was downed in our
yard with Midge trapped underneath it, giving us time to rescue her.
Since then our dog run has been fortified by fence
extenders and a netting of overhead rope providing safety from air attack for
all the dogs.
Contemplating what happened to Midge that day, and how
we were alerted to her plight by the other dogs which in turn saved her, I found
myself thinking of the tremendous power that is unleashed when Christians pray.
When the apostle Peter was in jail awaiting execution the people of God stormed
the gates of heaven with their prayers; prayers which were answered as an angel
of the Lord was dispatched to lead Peter to freedom.
In James 5 we are admonished to call the elders of the
church if we are sick, to have them pray that we might be healed. We are to
admit our faults to one another and to pray for each other that we may be
healed, for the earnest prayer of a righteous man has great power and wonderful
results. According to these verses as well as many others, prayer=power. Prayer
works.
Let us therefore remember during this Advent Season
and every day, as God's holy and chosen people to let the power of prayer work
for us. Though we are separated by times zones, miles and cultures, in Christ,
in prayer, we are one. We are one people, who in him, are able to boldly
approach the throne of grace on behalf of those who are caught in the clutches
of oppression, war, persecution, illness and all pervasive forms of evil. We are
one body whose Head has the power to raise the dead to life, to set the captives
free, to heal the broken hearted and turn their darkness into light. So let us
remember to pray, for prayer=power. Prayer works.
Prayer: Father God and Wonderful Lord and Saviour, we
come before you, as one people in Christ, this Advent Season to pray. We lift
our voices in the unity of prayer to plead for those who are injured and ill and
for those caught by any and all forms of evil, sin and oppression. Hear our
prayers for them O Lord for healing and salvation that your name may be
glorified throughout the earth now and forever more. In Christ's name we ask.
Amen
Lynne Phipps
Atlin, BC
[email protected]
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.