Blog - Page 16 of 18 - Center For World Prayer Command

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD CHURCH ATTACKED BY MOB OF NEARLY 2,000

October 11, 2017October 11, 2017 by Ed ArctonNo Comments

Pray for the Christians in Devinuwara, a town in the Matara District of southern Sri Lanka, that they will continue to be vigilant and to cling to God following attacks this past spring. On April 23 at about 9 in the morning, 30 Buddhist monks, together with villagers, surrounded the Assemblies of God (AOG) church premises. The mob hurled death threats, grabbed Bibles from the female congregants and threatened to destroy the church if the services are not stopped. The pastor was not present at the time this attack took place, but subsequently, he received credible information that another attack on the church was being planned. On May 18, a mob of nearly 2,000, led by 30-40 Buddhist monks, conducted a large demonstration. Shops were closed, black flags were hung in the town, and once again, they threatened that the church would be destroyed. The protest was well-organized and accomplished with the knowledge of the local police. The perpetrators filmed the incident...

Our Ever Living Intercessor

October 9, 2017 by Ed ArctonNo Comments

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (Hebrews 7:25 NIV) Christ in His high priestly prayer specifically states, "I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me" (John 17:9). That is what He said; it only remains to learn by reverent comparison with other Scripture just what the words mean. To insist that by these words Christ meant that He never prayed for sinners would be to read into the words more than is there. We must remember that these words were spoken in a particular context; the great High Priest was appearing before the throne of mercy as Advocate and Intercessor and could at that time include in His prayers only those who were His own. When a high priest of the Old Testament appeared before the mercy seat to offer blood for the sins of Israel, his intercessions extended to Israel...

The Elders, the People, and the Prayer of Faith (Sermon)

October 6, 2017October 6, 2017 by Ed ArctonNo Comments

Resource by John Piper: Scripture: James 5:13–18 Topic: Kingdom of God Is any one among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects. Elijah was a man of like nature with ourselves and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought fort its fruit. Last week I tried...

We Should Pray for Healing

October 5, 2017October 5, 2017 by Ed ArctonNo Comments

One Sunday afternoon my wife was in bed with a high fever, groaning and unable to sleep. I was lying next to her praying. I actually wasn’t mainly praying for her. I was in a season of significant spiritual wrestling, which was absorbing most of my prayers. But I remember being filled with hope over some precious promises of God and expressing thanks to him. Suddenly, my joy in God grew unusually intense. It was both inexpressible and irrepressible. God seemed almost tangibly near. I was almost overcome and I couldn’t help overflowing in awe-filled worship. Almost immediately I knew, without doubt, that if I prayed for Pam, she would be healed. I laid my hand on her back, prayed very simply in Jesus’s name and immediately my hand sensed her body temperature drop and she was instantly asleep. She got up later completely healed. One weekday a group of us at church had gathered to pray for a brother who...

Faith Is Meant to Turn God’s Promises into Our Realities

October 5, 2017 by Ed ArctonNo Comments

What is the purpose of faith? Faith is God’s chosen vehicle to get His salvation and His blessings to you in a controlled and legal way. Now, there is more to that statement than we can cover in one article, but here is one thought – We have the promises so that we might be partakers of God’s salvation, character, and blessings. The purpose of Salvation and the purpose of faith is to turn promises into reality. Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Through these, He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason,...

Prayer of Hope?

October 5, 2017 by Ed ArctonNo Comments

There is no such thing in the Bible as a prayer of hope. Hope is a step before faith. Hope considers the answer a possibility, faith knows that the answer is a reality. Hope expects it someday, faith has it now. Hope is in the future, faith is in the now. Faith possesses the reality of the answer in the spirit, and knows that it will come to pass. Hope is a belief in the general promises of God, faith is a belief in the specific will and promise of God. Hope considers the answer a possibility, faith knows that the answer is a reality. Prayer is based on faith and not hope. We are told to believe when we pray, not hope. Jesus replied to them, “Have faith in God. I assure you: If anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it...

THE SUPREME IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER

September 16, 2017 by Ed ArctonNo Comments

(Scripture Portion: Luke 11: 1-13; 18: 1-8) To the born again soul, prayer is as essential as breathing, and to neglect it must result in weakness and defeat. It is not only important that Christians should pray, but it is of supreme importance. This fact makes our present study one to which we should give special heed. Christians need instruction about prayer - its meaning, its promises, its method and its value - look up Luke 11:1. How wonderful to be taught to pray by John; how much more wonderful to be taught by the Lord Jesus! - and look up Romans 8:26-27. What is prayer? C. H. Spurgeon said that, “The heart of prayer is the prayer of the heart.” It does not consist simply of words, gestures, forms or eloquence. “Prayer is the address of a poor creature on earth to a great Creator and loving Father in Heaven.” Think about this simple definition; it reveals the supreme wonder of...

“The Importance of Prayer”

September 16, 2017 by Ed ArctonNo Comments

Colossians 1:9-15 Ray Kesler, the former President of Youth for Christ and the current President of Taylor University, was on one of his frequent flights. When lunch was served the young man next to him declined a lunch tray. During the whole lunchtime this man sat with his head bowed, apparently in prayer. Kesler was impressed (and maybe a little humbled) by the man's devotion. He commented to the young man that he wondered if he was a Christian because it appeared that he was fasting. The young man replied with words that shook Kelser to the core of his being. "I am a Satan worshiper and the members of my church have agreed to fast every Friday at noon. During that time we pray that the leaders of the Christian world will fall. We pray that they will fall into sexual sin, and that their family life would crumble." I felt a chill as I heard that story and then immediately...

Making the transition

September 14, 2017 by Ed ArctonNo Comments

The word transition automatically implies change. Webster defines transition this way: a passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another: b: a movement, development, or evolution from one form, stage, or style to another. It is the act of preparing to do things in a different manner. It is the state of moving from one place to another or from one thing or task to another. As this year draws to an end we are transitioning into the new year. Naturally, many things are taking place as we prepare for the new year. Some customs include giving your home a thorough cleaning, discarding things we no longer have any use for, perhaps checking the freezer for items that need to be disposed of etc. Businesses take inventory of what products are left, which did well and which did not. Accountants review their financial books to determine where they stand financially. This year we have a transition of power in the...

Seize The Gates

September 14, 2017September 15, 2017 by Ed ArctonNo Comments

Dictionary.com defines gate as a movable barrier, usually on hinges, closing an opening in a fence, wall, or other enclosure. 2.an opening permitting passage through an enclosure. 3.a tower, architectural setting, etc., for defending or adorning such an opening or for providing a monumental entrance to a street, park, etc.: the gates of the walled city; the palace gate.4.any means of access or entrance THE Bible Dictionary (https://bible.gen.nz/amos/archaeology/gate.htm)describes the meaning of “gates” the "market", the "law court" (either formally in criminal cases or less formally as the place where family business or disputes were settled), the public forum where community business was discussed and gossip exchanged or the administrative center - the "Town Hall". The gates were constructed like a fortress and meant to defend the city and keep the enemy out. http://www.crystalinks.com/jerusalemgates.html.Jesus Christ was crucified outside of the gate, Hebrews 13:12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. The prophets proclaim the word of God at the gates.Jeremiah 17:19-27....