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Missions News
Power of Prayer
What are some things a person could experience handcuffed for the sake of the Gospel? Would strange thoughts run through an individual’s mind? Could a person pray? Is there any hope? All around the world, many stories just like this change lives in order to advance the Kingdom of God. Prayer changes things when we least expect it. In my own life, prayer is a powerful tool.
Prayer has played a huge part in my life. When I was four years old, I had a terrible disease that could have possibly killed me by the age of thirty. I had an extra artery that would not disintegrate, which made my heart enlarge. My mom saw my lips and fingernails turn blue, and she was scared for my life, fearing that she may lose her only daughter. She sent me to three different doctors and one knew what was wrong, and performed surgery on me to tighten the artery so that it would dissolve in my body. Since the operation, I no longer have these severe heart problems, but I have to be careful with any rigorous exercise.
God provided in awesome ways, on my way to China this summer. Through all the support from my church family and many others, God showed me His love for the nations. When I arrived in Los Angeles, California, I was wondering if I was going to have all the support I needed before I flew overseas to teach English. I did not start raising partners in ministry until January of 2003 and had to get $2,590. Every time I thought of the word “money,” God stretched me more. By the time, I arrived in California, God provided more than I needed or expected. I raised $2,990. I did not find out how much I had raised until I saw my account with ELIC, on their website, at an internet cafe, while in Chiangmai, Thailand at the Night Market, which is a lot like our mall.
Our God has an awesome perspective on prayer. Prayer is prevalent and powerful all over God’s Word. In Mark 9:17-29, we see a man answering Jesus’ questions, and He heals his demon-possessed boy. After the healing, Jesus said, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” Prayer is influential, especially when it comes to casting out demons. The disciples lacked faith but learned that prayer changes lives. When we have faith, we trust God in every circumstance, but when we fail to have faith, many may not be healed.
We find another example of prayer in Mark 5:21-43. Jesus calms the storm while He and His disciples were on the Sea of Galilee the night before Jesus fed the five thousand. They lacked faith, but they called on Jesus while He was asleep and were shocked at what He did. When Jesus did any kind of miracle, especially exorcizing demons, it was done by prayer. Our lives should be the same of Christ Jesus. Appealing to God is a powerful weapon and Jesus practiced it while He was here on earth.
In my own life and God’s Word, we see the power of prayer. My own life was transformed through having heart surgery and doing Camp China. Prayer is brought to life through Scripture, especially in the book of Mark. We can see how important it is for us to petition our requests to God because not only will we be changed and have a closer relationship with God, but also those around us too.
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Copyright © 2004 Elizabeth Lord. All Rights Reserved