Our church is planning a significant outreach to the community this year.
I'm betting that Satan will fight our efforts. We must fight back in prayer.
"We are in a battle of cosmic proportions," says James Banks, "and eternal souls hang in the balance."
Banks, author of The Lost Art of Praying Together, says that the best way of advancing God's kingdom is to pray together.
"United prayer is the most effective weapon God has given us, because through it, we call down his power and blessing."
Like many others, he points to Jesus' powerful statement in Matthew18:19: "If two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven."
And he notes the apostle Paul's words in Ephesians 6 where he says that our struggle is against the "spiritual forces of evil" and prayer is our key weapon.
We are told that if we ask according to God's will, the Lord will respond. So, it is vital that we seek what God wants - and we seek it together as a praying people.
Our church is reaching out to the community so that people will enter the kingdom of God. We know that is what God wants.
Banks quotes Billy Graham's statement: "There are three things necessary for a successful crusade. The first is prayer, the second is prayer, and the third is prayer."
Prayer has been a central part of every Graham crusade. The results testify to the importance of prayer.
So, prayer will underlie our efforts to serve and to speak to our neighbours, friends and family in the name of Christ.
Jesus prayed before speaking to the great crowds. What an impact he had!
May the Lord work through our prayers as we make our own efforts to advance his kingdom in our community.
I'm betting that Satan will fight our efforts. We must fight back in prayer.
"We are in a battle of cosmic proportions," says James Banks, "and eternal souls hang in the balance."
Banks, author of The Lost Art of Praying Together, says that the best way of advancing God's kingdom is to pray together.
"United prayer is the most effective weapon God has given us, because through it, we call down his power and blessing."
Like many others, he points to Jesus' powerful statement in Matthew18:19: "If two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven."
And he notes the apostle Paul's words in Ephesians 6 where he says that our struggle is against the "spiritual forces of evil" and prayer is our key weapon.
We are told that if we ask according to God's will, the Lord will respond. So, it is vital that we seek what God wants - and we seek it together as a praying people.
Our church is reaching out to the community so that people will enter the kingdom of God. We know that is what God wants.
Banks quotes Billy Graham's statement: "There are three things necessary for a successful crusade. The first is prayer, the second is prayer, and the third is prayer."
Prayer has been a central part of every Graham crusade. The results testify to the importance of prayer.
So, prayer will underlie our efforts to serve and to speak to our neighbours, friends and family in the name of Christ.
Jesus prayed before speaking to the great crowds. What an impact he had!
May the Lord work through our prayers as we make our own efforts to advance his kingdom in our community.
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