Max & Peterson pray in Kampala Uganda Minister's Convention Sept, 2011
PRAY BROTHER PRAY!By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
Prayer Changes
People! Prayer Changes Families! Prayer Changes Nations! Prayer Changes Situations!
If ever there was a time when this world needed God's intervention it is now. Without doubt, we are presently facing very serious global problems that could spin out of control embroiling our planet with disastrous results for all mankind.
The forces of radical Islam are taking over the Arab Peninsula and terrorist Iran is about to become a nuclear power. A weak, inept and corrupt Obama Administration is rapidly falling apart causing consternation at home and emboldening her enemies abroad.
Added to the economic chaos in the USA and the horrific natural disasters happening there, is the turmoil in Europe and the rise of the Chinese military power as well the resurgence of Russia as a friend of Iran and potential enemy of Israel.
ALL IS NOT LOST: THERE IS STILL PRAYER!
I have always been refreshed, encouraged and emboldened by the Life of Hudson Taylor the great Man of Prayer and Missionary to China.
It has been said that the sun never rose for forty years without finding Hudson Taylor on his knees interceding for China.
Here is an account taken from Heroes of Faith on Pioneer Trails by E. Myers Harrison.
In the year 1854 a sailing vessel was becalmed in the vicinity of New Guinea. Seeing the distressed look on the captain's face as he peered intently into the sea, a young Englishman inquired as to the cause of his anxiety.
On the shores of the island, cannibals were rushing about and lighting fires in great glee. Presently the captain spoke again: "We have done everything that can be done."
"No," responded the young man, "there is one thing we haven't done. Four of us on board are Christians. Let each of us retire to his cabin and in agreed prayer ask the Lord to give us a breeze immediately."
This was agreed upon and done. After a few minutes of earnest intercession, the young man came up on deck confident that the petition had been granted. Finding the first officer, a godless man, in charge, he requested him to let down the corners of the mainsail.
"What would be the good of that?" he asked. The young man told him that he and three others had been asking God to send a wind, that it was coming immediately and that there was not a minute to lose, since they were so near the reefs. With a look of contempt, the officer replied with an oath: "Nonsense! You can't pray up a wind."
Noticing a few moments later that the topmost sail was beginning to tremble, he said: "That is only a cat's-paw — a mere puff of wind." "Never mind what you think," cried the young man. "Let down the mainsail quickly."
This he was not slow to do. Hearing the heavy tread of the men on deck, the captain came up from his cabin and saw that the breeze had indeed come. In a few minutes they were sailing away from the dangerous reefs, much to the disappointment of the native cannibals on the beach.
Writing of this and similar experiences, the young man said: "Thus
God encouraged me, ere landing on China's shores, to bring every variety of
need to Him in prayer, and to expect that He would
honor the name of the Lord Jesus and give the help which each
emergency required."
So we have been introduced to a remarkable man, J. Hudson Taylor, and to
the text, John 14:13, which was woven into the fabric of his life and into the
texture of his stupendous achievements: "And whatsoever ye shall
ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the
Son."
ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD!
JESUS said: "Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptations." (Mark 14:38); "But thou when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which seeth in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." (Matt 6:6,7)
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses (debts, sins) as we forgive those who trespass (sin) against us. and lead us not into temptations but deliver us from evil (the Evil One) For Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen." (Matt.6:9-13)
JESUS COMMUNED OFTEN WITH HIS FATHER!
JESUS prayed at His baptism in Jordan River. (Luke 3: 21). He prayed all night (Luke 6: 12). He prayed before ordaining His twelve disciples (Luke 6: 12). He prayed after the seventy disciples testified of the great victories in His Name. (John 10: 21). He prayed for Simon Peter. (Luke 22:31). He prayed very early in the morning. (Mark 1:35)
JESUS prayed on the Mount of Transfiguration (Luke 9:29). He prayed before calling back Lazarus from the dead. (John 11:41,42). He prayed when He knew the masses intended to make Him king (John 6:15). He prayed His Father to send the blessed Holy Spirit. (John 14:16)
JESUS prayed for and blessed little children (Matt. 19:13). He prayed with great unction during His intercessory ‘High Priestly Prayer’ prior to His arrest (John 17:1-26). He prayed during the Last Supper (Luke 22:19). He prayed until His sweat became like blood in Gethsemane. (Luke 22:42). While hanging on the cross Jesus prayed for those who had crucified Him! (Luke 23:46)
And today as our High Priest, He is interceding for us to the Father as He pleads our cause as our Advocate. (Heb.7:25). He taught His disciples to pray (Matt.6: 9-15) and He gave us the warning: “Watch and pray, lest ye fall into temptation.” (Matt.26: 4; Mark 14: 38)
JESUS commanded: "Pray thou therefore the Lord of the Harvest that He will send forth labourers into His harvest." (Matt.9:38). St. Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, urged Christ's followers: "Pray without ceasing." (1 Thes. 5:17). And the beloved St. John prayed: "Even so, Come Lord Jesus." (Revelation 22:20)
LET US PRAY
Almighty Eternal God, my Heavenly Father, I
approach thy Throne of Mercy and Grace in the name of Thy Crucified and Resurrected
Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Be merciful to us, Thy humble servants, O Gracious Lord and save us! Forgive our many sins and restore to intimate fellowship by the blessed Holy Spirit, all who have drifted away from Thee.
Bless, I pray, all who are in the Church and those who are not, those who have wandered away and those who have become lukewarm in their love for Thee.
I confess that I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins according to the Scriptures, was buried and rose again on the third day, according the Scriptures. By faith, I now receive Him as my Lord and Saviour, my Master and my God. I renounce the Devil and all his works and all his ways in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.
