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Some Truths We Must Not Forget
By Thetus Tenney The
ranks of the army of prayer warriors are enlarging. Not only are
we becoming more numerous, but we are becoming more effective. We
are also becoming wiser concerning the wiles of the devil, our enemy.
There
is a principle we must remember. Whenever we dare to put forth our
hand in power, there is a spiritual sequence set in motion.
In
Acts 3, a classic example of this spiritual sequence begins. Peter
and John were dutifully going to pray when they became acutely aware
of a need for miraculous intervention. A lame man lay at the gate
of the temple. They had to make a choice. Should they sidestep the
need, or should they dare to reach out in faith and power? Peter
faced the problem directly. John joined him.
"And
Peter fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us"
(Acts 3:4). Together they focused on the need as Peter dared to
stretch out his hand in the name of Jesus. The mighty power of God
was manifested by the miraculous healing of the lame man.
The
second event in the sequence was the backlash of the enemies of
God. They were "grieved that they taught the people, and preached"
(the miraculous), and "they laid hands on them (Peter and John),
and put them in hold" (Acts 4:2,3).
Thank
God, it doesn't end there!
They
understood Satan's bluff and scare tactics. All that was needed
for Peter and John to set the third event of the sequence into motion
was just enough time for them to get to another prayer meeting.
"And
being let go, they went to their own company, and…they lifted
up their voice to God with one accord, and said…and now, Lord
behold their threatenings; and grant unto thy servants, that with
all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine
hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name
of thy holy child Jesus" (Acts 4:23-32).
It
seems Peter and John understood God's multiplication of power, as
recorded in Deuteronomy 32:30, because they now prayed as a company.
And there came a shaking, a filling and an empowering that continued
through the entire Acts of the Apostles.
The
sequence continues…
"By
the hands of the Apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among
the people, and they were all in one accord…" (Acts 5:12).
"And
they laid hands on the Apostles, and put them in the common prison.
But the angel of the Lord came…opened the prison doors, and
brought them forth…(Acts 5:18, 19).
They
continued in power, stretching forth their hands to the despised
Samaritans and to the dead Dorcas. About that time, Herod stretched
forth his hand against the church. However, the angel of the Lord
returned to raise up the imprisoned, sleeping Peter and to send
him back to another prayer meeting (Acts 12).
If
we dare to stretch forth our hand against the enemy to do the works
of God, we will experience the retaliation of the enemy.
We
should not be surprised when our bold venture onto the battlefield
of aggressive prayer seems to slam the door shut on us, and leaves
us imprisoned in our circumstances. Satan does not give up easy.
His immediate reaction to aggressive prayer is to intimidate us
so that we will back away in fear. He will target our faith, and
if we drop our shield, then we really become vulnerable.
"Be
strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak; for your work
will be rewarded"
(II Chronicles 15:7). Also, be wary of an overwhelming, what's the
use weariness. Daniel warned of the "wearing out of the saints"
in the end time. The end-time prophecies of the book of Revelation
emphasize the patience of the saints.
While
living in our instant society, let us not forget the powerful scriptural
words such as endurance, continuing, unmovable, and waiting. Because
He that has promised is able to perform! Abraham believed this.
Romans 4:20 gives us insight into Abraham's circumstance. "He
staggered not at the promise…but was strong in faith giving
glory to God." Therefore, be strengthened by the power of Praise!
Prepare with prayer. Proceed with Praise.
Do
not be weary in the important ministry of prayer. Your efforts are
so need so urgent, so important. Prayer is the propelling force
of the church.
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