The power of prayer

The Power of PrayerFor months we had planned for our annual fresh fruit and vegetable distribution to the community and it looked like all was in order for the big day. Then the week before the event, we began to experience one hurdle after the other.

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This was nodifferent from previous years, so we prayed, committed it to God and pressed on. Then the afternoon before the event we found out there was no fresh fruits and vegetables available to pick up for distribution. After many calls and lots more prayerwe cancelled the event and what happened next is something only God can bring about.

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One of the leadership members suggested that we go to the location, greet those who might show up and offer to pray for them.  So early on Saturday morning, the small group of volunteers arrived; we prayed and committed the day to God and then waited and expected God to move. It wasn’t long before individuals began to come, some walked, and others drove to the location. They were looking for food and though disappointed to learn that we were unable to secure fresh fruit and vegetables to distribute that day, they welcomed the invitation to be prayed over.  

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Acts 3:5-16 describes an individual who was looking for one thing and he received something totally unexpectedly and his life was never the same again. I believe that the individuals we prayed for and encouraged on Saturday will never be the same. Prayer is powerful and effective (see James 5:16-18) and we are encouraged to prayer for one another because it brings about amazing results (see James 5:16).

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Prayer causes lives to change and communities to betransformed. God most definitely listens to prayers, answers prayers, and moves in response to prayers. ... Ephesians 6:18urges us, "And pray on every occasion and in every season.” God is looking for individuals who will stand in the gap for their community (see Ezekiel 22:30).

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Sure, you can pray for your community while just sitting at home, but you can also pray while actually walking through your community and for the people you meet along the way.  Being in the community Saturday, talking to the people and walking around the area caused my prayers to become both personal and much more focused.

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This summer, while the weather is nice, consider taking your prayers to community. Walk around your neighborhood and pray for the individuals who live there. When you take your prayers to your local area, you play an important part in transforming your community for good.

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Understand that God simply asks us to pray, the power is not in the words of your prayer but in a God who promises to do far more with your prayer than you can even imagine.

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Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for His miraculous power constantly energizes you.—Ephesians 3:20 TPTBlessings,Cindy

June - Mission Emphasis Month- Special guest Speaker June 3, 2019

God Will Come to Our Rescue

This past Saturday morning, I had a full list of things to do in the smallest possible amount of time. I could not afford any delaysand yet that is exactly what happened. I had finished one of the errands on the list and unexpectedly, my car would not start. It wanted to start, so that meant my battery was still strong but the more I tried to get the car to start, the more frustrated I became. So, I decided to call my husband, and when I did get an answer, I began to text my husband and text, and text. You get the picture. Still I did not get any response back.

I would like to say that when I cried out to God for help, I trusted Him to come to my rescue, but for whatever reason after an hour of waiting, I got out of the car and decided to walk on home. It was only a few miles and I thought it shouldn’t take me that long, but with the heat of the sunshine adding to the heat of my disposition, I was clearly not thinking right nor making much progress. After about 10 or so minutes into my walk down Richmond Highway my husband called to check in. Let’s just say he was not greeted with a warm welcome and when he pressed to see what was the matter, we discovered the reason why he never got my texts nor my phone message was because I used his work mobile number by mistake rather than his personal mobile number. He came immediately to my rescue once he found my location on Richmond Highway. He helped to get the car towed and though I did not get the checklist done, I learned a mighty lesson. When I pray, God will answer my cry for help every time. He will be there in my time of trouble and come to my rescue (see Psalm 91:15).

Are you at a place in your life where you need to be rescued? Are you ready to call out to God for help? We can rest assured that He will be there for you in your time of trouble when you call out to Him. Rather you are experiencing a loss, separation, health issue, or anything else, all you have to do is ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you (see Matthew 7:7).

Psalm 50:15 VOICE says “When you are in trouble, call for Me.I will come and rescue you.” God doesn’t lie, so when He says He will come to our rescue, He will. Notice that God says you when call for Him, He will then come to your rescue.

Remember to call on Him the next time you find yourself stranded. God doesn’t want you to try to make it on your own. No, He wants you to call on Him in your day of trouble and trust that He will come to your rescue for He is faithful.

Cindy Dennis