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[children laughing]
♪ music ♪

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♪ noble music ♪

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[multitone horn]
♪ music ♪

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[more gentle flowing]
♪ music ♪

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[male narrator]
It all started in a small upper room,

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with humble, fervent prayer

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♪ music ♪

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threatened by the authorities

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and banned from preaching,

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the church prayed and two 
men witnessed

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with great power and grace.

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♪ choral music ♪

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And people prayed everywhere, 
in one accord

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in repentance, with confession 
and humility.

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And the lives of people were changed.

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[plunged stone]
♪ choral music ♪

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♪ choral music ♪

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Two men started out 
on a missionary journey

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that would turn the world 
as they knew it upside down.

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♪ choral music ♪

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And the message went out 
to the world beyond.

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♪ choral music ♪

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Corporate prayer helped a prisoner escape.

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♪ choral music ♪

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A king requested 
that his people fast and pray

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and the enemy was defeated.

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A battle won without the need to fight.

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♪ choral music ♪

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Through a faithful servant 
and a young queen's faith and courage,

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a people were saved.

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Stories in the Bible showing 
the power of united prayer.

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As I read the book of Acts,

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it's really a book about believers 
coming together to pray,

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and a prayer-answering God.

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Personal prayer is important.

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Secret prayer is the life of the soul.

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But we know that there has never been
a revival anywhere on this planet

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that wasn't preceded by united and
continuous prayer.

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Our Lord on one occasion says where
two or more of you agree

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on touching anything that is according
to My will, it will be done.

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So there is a synergy that happens

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when we hook up together and unite
our voices in crying out to God.

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As the spirit of prophecy tells us,

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prayer is the key that unlocks the storehouse 
of heaven's treasury and blessings.

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Some of Ellen White's counsel and statements


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on united prayer are powerful as well.

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She says in one place that...

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when she was writing to the Farnsworths, 
—I believe it was—, she said

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there's more power in united prayer

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than even in private prayer.

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Then she says, why is that?

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It's because the unity of heart 
of the believers.

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It's like God gets really excited

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when we're really of one accord

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when we unite together, 
just like they did in Acts.

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Another statement she says,

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at the sound of fervent prayer, 
Satan's whole host trembles.

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Jesus knows that 
the habit of praying with others

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helps to rid our lives of the 
self-centeredness of our prayers

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when we pray by ourselves.

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So when the Bible talks about
continue earnestly in prayer,

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that's not just an individual activity.

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It's a call to the church as a community
to call out to God.

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Not to change God's mind,

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but that we come into alignment 
with God's will

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and actually I think he uses us as part 
of the answers to those prayers.

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As you look at the book of Acts,

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united prayer brought God's people together.

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In Acts chapter 1 and verse 14 and 15,

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the entire church met together and prayed.

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They knew that the task before them
was too great.

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They knew the challenge was too immense.

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They knew there was no way they could 
carry the gospel to the world.

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But yet as they prayed,
God did something miraculous.

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He poured out His Holy Spirit on the
day of Pentacost

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and three thousand were baptized.

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You know one of the ... 
when you read the text there,

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one of the things that jumps out at me is
the simple English phrase—

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they were in one accord.

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Pentacost was just an extraordinary event.

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It came after the culmination of Christ's 
ministry on this earth.

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And it looked as though everything was
completely dashed and destroyed.

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When Christ was hanging on that cross

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and then of course 
the resurrection took place.

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And He appeared to His disciples

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which gave them a completely
different perspective

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on what their ministry was all about.

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Our blessed Lord told His disciples

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to tarry in Jerusalem united in prayer.

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And that was one of the prerequisites

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for bringing that rushing mighty wind

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and the presence of the Holy Spirit
on the day of Pentacost.

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[man speaking berber]

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It was the time of Passover

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and we were in an upper room
in Jerusalem.

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We were all praying in one accord.

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We were praying for repentance
and humility,

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and we were confessing our sins.

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We were also seeking the Lord's vision,
power and the Holy Spirit.

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There was an incredible feeling of oneness

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as we prayed earnestly together.

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[man praying in Berber]

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[woman speaking in Berber]

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[female speaker] Suddenly 
there was the sound of a violent wind

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that filled the whole room where
we were sitting.

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[wind sounds]

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Then tongues of fire came down

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and this fire rested on the people.

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[man speaking Berber]

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[male narrator] All the people 
in the room were filled with the Holy Spirit.

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Now remember that at the time
of the Passover,

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people came from many countries to worship

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and now suddenly they could hear the gospel

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each in their own language.

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As a result of this, three thousand people

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were added to the believers in one day.

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♪ gently sparkling music ♪

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[woman speaking Berber]

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[female speaker] The people 
devoted themselves

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to the apostles' teaching 
and the fellowship,

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to the breaking of bread and of prayer.

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Every day they would meet together
in the temple courts.

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In their homes, they broke bread 
and ate together.

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And the number of those being saved
grew daily.

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♪ one rich chord music ♪

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And we believe something like this

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is going to happen 
in the last days as well.

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But I think only
as a church and as a people

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we get together in one accord

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and in fervent prayer, will we ...

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till we do that, we won't see that happen.

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And really, what happened at Pentacost

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is going to be again duplicated
by the Lord

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in an even greater fashion

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as the three angels' messages go forward

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as the fourth angel of Revelation 18 
has proclaimed

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and as the final loud cry is heralded 
all over the world.

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And it's going to be people 
who have submitted to the Lord,

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confessed their sins,

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and then the Holy Spirit can fall

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and can use us in a mighty way.

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Well I think in the book of Acts, 
Acts chapter 6

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it seemed like a good problem.

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The church was growing exponentially.

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But in the midst of that, there's this
food distribution challenge.

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[men arguing in Berber]
♪ animating music ♪

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[male speaker] The church 
was undergoing practical challenges.

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The Hellenistic Jews were complaining
against the Hebraic Jews

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because the former's widows 
were being overlooked

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in the daily distribution of food.

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The apostles decided that they needed

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to focus on the ministry of prayer 
and the word.

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And so they requested for seven deacons 


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to be chosen for these other 
practical tasks.

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♪ animating music ♪

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[man speaking Berber]

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[male speaker] The apostles 
asked us as a group

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to chose seven men who were known

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to be full of the Spirit and have wisdom.

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This proposal from the apostles

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pleased our whole group.

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So we went about selecting the seven men.

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Once the men were selected,

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they were presented to the apostles.

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The apostles laid their hands on them
and prayed for them.

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[2nd speaker] With prayer as a priority,
the church would never fail.

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After this, the number of disciples
increased rapidly.

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And a large number of priests
became obedient to the work.

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So I think we find a case study there

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that says when we face challenges,

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let's use wisdom, let's use our training

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but let's also recognize that we have

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a prayer-answering God who will 
give us wisdom.

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I've seen this over and over and over.

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Churches with big problems

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have solved them when they come 
together to pray.

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♪ baritone choral music ♪

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[Chief priest lecturing Peter and John]

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[Chief priest continuing 
to lecture Peter and John]

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[male narrator]
Peter and John were called in

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by the chief priests and elders about
their preaching.

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They tried to defend their actions,

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but the leaders were very hard on them.

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They were commanded not to speak

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or teach in the name of Jesus.

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After further threats, they let them go.

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Peter and John went back to their 
own people

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and reported all that the chief priests
and elders had said.

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♪ baritone choral music ♪

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[man speaking Berber]

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When we heard all this we immediately
raised our voices in prayer to God.

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The entire group prayed for 
Peter and John.

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We prayed for God to give boldness
to these two humble servants.

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Such intense prayer I had not experienced
for a long time.

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After we had prayed, suddenly the whole 
place was shaken.

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[another man speaking Berber]

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People were filled with the Holy Spirit

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and Peter and John went out

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and gave witness with great power 
and grace.

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They witnessed throughout the land

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about the resurrection of their Saviour.

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♪ final chord music ♪

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So I think Peter and John
drew great strength

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both from knowing they were praying

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but also from the power that's unleashed

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when people pray for us.

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There's a peace,

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there's a power from God

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that comes into us when that prayer
is being answered by many believers.

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♪ stern music ♪

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[female narrator] Then Esther 
sent this reply to Mordecai—

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Go and gather all the Jews
who are in Susa together

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and pray and fast for me.

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Do not eat or drink anything for 
three days and nights.

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I and my maidens will fast as you do.

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After that, I will go to the king

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even though it is against the law.

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And if I perish, I perish.

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♪ continously rising music ♪

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♪ martial fanfare ♪

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We look back at Esther now

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and we think what a gutsy girl.

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You know, what a woman of faith.

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But she was probably just as terrified

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as any of us might have been.

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It was a very desperate situation...

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You know the old saying, 
there's no such thing

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as atheists in foxholes.

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And I think 
this was a case where

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they knew without divine intervention,

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without divine intervention, 
all was going to be lost.

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But she was wise enough 
to say to her uncle, Mordecai—

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I will fast and pray.

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And I will have my people 
here in the palace fast and pray.

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But I want all of God's people
to fast and pray.

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I think we miss out a lot

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on the unleashing of God's power

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in this world by not fasting.

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And it doesn't have to mean you
have to go totally without food

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but some form of giving up something

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we really love every day

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and uniting that together with prayer

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and praying with others, 
it does something,

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moves in this great controversy.

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It's very easy at times to forget

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just how dependant we are upon God.

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And as Dwight Nelson likes to remind us—

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Pray desperate prayers!

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And Esther was desperate.

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Pray urgent prayers!

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And pray prayers of expectancy!

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And I think her prayers 
encompassed all three.

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If you look at the book of Acts,

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prayer was very uniting.

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Take, for example, Peter and Cornelius.

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Cornelius, a Jew – a Gentile. 
Peter, a Jew.

257
00:13:09,707 --> 00:13:14,196
And Jews and Gentiles 
would not possibly come together

258
00:13:14,196 --> 00:13:16,505
in any intimate talking

259
00:13:16,505 --> 00:13:18,499
or visiting in one another's homes

260
00:13:18,499 --> 00:13:19,425
or eating together.

261
00:13:19,425 --> 00:13:22,766
This was the Holy Spirit breaking
down some walls.

262
00:13:22,766 --> 00:13:28,006
A Gentile of the Italian band, Cornelius,
was praying.

263
00:13:28,006 --> 00:13:30,894
It was no accident. He was praying.

264
00:13:30,894 --> 00:13:33,904
Peter on the rooftop, praying.

265
00:13:33,904 --> 00:13:36,079
And he prayed so long that he fell asleep.

266
00:13:36,079 --> 00:13:38,885
Peter has this dream of the sheet 
coming down

267
00:13:38,885 --> 00:13:41,370
with all these various animals in it.

268
00:13:41,370 --> 00:13:43,390
And God says, Peter, rise and eat.

269
00:13:43,390 --> 00:13:45,413
And Peter says, I've never eaten snakes

270
00:13:45,413 --> 00:13:48,484
and crocodiles and rodents.

271
00:13:48,484 --> 00:13:50,390
The vision of course was not about

272
00:13:50,390 --> 00:13:51,578
clean or unclean foods.

273
00:13:51,578 --> 00:13:55,105
The vision was about respect
for other cultures.

274
00:13:55,105 --> 00:13:56,564
Respect for other people.

275
00:13:56,564 --> 00:14:02,068
And God sent visions, epiphanies, to 
both of them

276
00:14:02,068 --> 00:14:04,390
that broke down the walls

277
00:14:04,390 --> 00:14:06,058
that divided them.

278
00:14:06,058 --> 00:14:08,682
And Peter declared, God has shown me

279
00:14:08,682 --> 00:14:12,179
that He is no respecter of persons.

280
00:14:12,179 --> 00:14:15,493
As both of them prayed, Jew and Gentile,

281
00:14:15,493 --> 00:14:17,248
their prayers ascended to heaven

282
00:14:17,248 --> 00:14:19,120
and met at the throne of God.

283
00:14:19,120 --> 00:14:27,220
♪ drifting while ascending piano music ♪

284
00:14:27,220 --> 00:14:30,511
[1st speaker] It was around noon 
when Peter went up to the roof to pray.

285
00:14:30,511 --> 00:14:32,758
It was here that Peter had a vision

286
00:14:32,758 --> 00:14:36,633
about a large sheet containing a mix 
of unclean animals

287
00:14:36,633 --> 00:14:38,515
representing God's affirmation

288
00:14:38,515 --> 00:14:40,015
of the diversity of peoples

289
00:14:40,015 --> 00:14:41,757
in the growing church.

290
00:14:41,757 --> 00:14:45,227
♪ yearning flute mingled in ♪

291
00:14:45,227 --> 00:14:47,413
[2nd speaker] We had heard 
that Peter was staying

292
00:14:47,413 --> 00:14:49,757
at the house of Simon the tanner,

293
00:14:49,757 --> 00:14:53,752
and were instructed by Cornelius, 
the centurion, to go out and find him.

294
00:14:53,752 --> 00:14:55,502
♪ piano and flute continue ♪

295
00:14:55,502 --> 00:14:58,008
[1st speaker] While Peter 
was still thinking about the vision,

296
00:14:58,008 --> 00:15:00,879
the Holy Spirit told him to go downstairs

297
00:15:00,879 --> 00:15:04,608
because three men were looking for him.

298
00:15:04,608 --> 00:15:06,248
[same man speaking Berber]

299
00:15:06,248 --> 00:15:08,254
Peter went down and told the men

300
00:15:08,254 --> 00:15:12,079
that he was the one they were looking for.

301
00:15:12,079 --> 00:15:17,173
♪ piano and flute continue colourful ♪

302
00:15:17,173 --> 00:15:18,787
[2nd speaker] We then told Peter

303
00:15:18,787 --> 00:15:21,042
that Cornelius, the centurion,

304
00:15:21,042 --> 00:15:22,758
had been told by an angel

305
00:15:22,758 --> 00:15:23,892
that Peter would come

306
00:15:23,892 --> 00:15:25,416
and see him at his house.

307
00:15:25,416 --> 00:15:27,411
So, unbeknown to Peter,

308
00:15:27,411 --> 00:15:30,832
Cornelius was already expecting 
his visit to Caesarea.

309
00:15:30,832 --> 00:15:33,492
[first man speaking again]

310
00:15:33,492 --> 00:15:36,261
What happened here was quite unusual.

311
00:15:36,261 --> 00:15:38,997
Just the fact that Peter 
entered the house—

312
00:15:38,997 --> 00:15:41,165
remember that it was against the law

313
00:15:41,165 --> 00:15:43,015
for a Jew to associate with

314
00:15:43,015 --> 00:15:44,736
or visit a Gentile.

315
00:15:44,736 --> 00:15:47,370
♪ restrained music ♪

316
00:15:47,370 --> 00:15:50,009
[2nd speaker] Cornelius told Peter 
how three days earlier

317
00:15:50,009 --> 00:15:51,788
he had been praying in his house

318
00:15:51,788 --> 00:15:54,250
when an angel had appeared before him.

319
00:15:54,250 --> 00:15:57,000
[first man speaking Berber again]

320
00:15:57,000 --> 00:15:58,630
Peter shared with Cornelius

321
00:15:58,630 --> 00:16:00,686
his new understanding that God

322
00:16:00,686 --> 00:16:02,520
does not show favouritism

323
00:16:02,520 --> 00:16:04,491
and is the Lord of all.

324
00:16:04,491 --> 00:16:06,628
This was a real turning point.

325
00:16:06,628 --> 00:16:07,994
From this point on,

326
00:16:07,994 --> 00:16:11,630
the gospel was also given among
other people groups.

327
00:16:11,630 --> 00:16:16,600
And it all started out with prayer
and fasting and a vision.

328
00:16:16,600 --> 00:16:19,131
Cultures were bridged.

329
00:16:19,131 --> 00:16:21,312
Barriers were broken down.

330
00:16:21,312 --> 00:16:23,078
Hearts were united.

331
00:16:23,078 --> 00:16:25,828
And they became one in Jesus Christ.

332
00:16:25,828 --> 00:16:27,821
And the gospel was open to the Gentiles.

333
00:16:27,821 --> 00:16:28,974
What does united prayer

334
00:16:28,974 --> 00:16:31,092
do for breaking down cultures?

335
00:16:31,092 --> 00:16:34,189
When we are kneeling together

336
00:16:34,189 --> 00:16:36,899
different cultures, different backgrounds,

337
00:16:36,909 --> 00:16:39,241
different sociological backgrounds,

338
00:16:39,241 --> 00:16:41,918
different educational backgrounds,

339
00:16:41,918 --> 00:16:43,476
different racial complexions.

340
00:16:43,476 --> 00:16:45,506
When we are kneeling together

341
00:16:45,506 --> 00:16:48,621
our hearts are united 
as one in Jesus Christ.

342
00:16:48,621 --> 00:16:50,492
I look in Acts chapter 13,

343
00:16:50,492 --> 00:16:52,511
where the church in Antioch

344
00:16:52,511 --> 00:16:55,613
is sending out Paul and Barnabas.

345
00:16:55,613 --> 00:16:57,511
And they lay hands on them.

346
00:16:57,511 --> 00:17:00,259
And they pray for the blessing 
of the Holy Spirit.

347
00:17:00,259 --> 00:17:04,015
The laying on of hands was the 
setting aside in Acts 13

348
00:17:04,015 --> 00:17:07,661
of Paul and Barnabas for 
ministry and mission.

349
00:17:07,661 --> 00:17:11,051
They were going to launch their 
missionary journeys.

350
00:17:11,051 --> 00:17:15,025
I don't think there's anything magical
about the hands.

351
00:17:15,025 --> 00:17:16,401
I think it's a symbol.

352
00:17:16,401 --> 00:17:18,911
Like water is with baptism

353
00:17:18,911 --> 00:17:21,885
or the unleavened bread and the
unfermented grape juice

354
00:17:21,885 --> 00:17:23,619
are in the communion service.

355
00:17:23,619 --> 00:17:26,382
When the church comes unitedly,

356
00:17:26,382 --> 00:17:28,498
and lays hands on an individual,

357
00:17:28,498 --> 00:17:30,759
they are praying for that individual,

358
00:17:30,759 --> 00:17:35,503
setting them aside for a specific task
of witness and ministry.

359
00:17:35,503 --> 00:17:37,013
[male speaking Berber]

360
00:17:37,013 --> 00:17:39,491
As the prophets and teachers
of the early church

361
00:17:39,491 --> 00:17:41,130
were fasting and praying,

362
00:17:41,130 --> 00:17:43,237
the Holy Spirit called Paul and Barnabas

363
00:17:43,237 --> 00:17:45,963
to go on their first mission journey.

364
00:17:45,963 --> 00:17:48,760
The church prayed together 
before sending them out.

365
00:17:48,760 --> 00:17:50,360
♪ angelic music ♪

366
00:17:50,360 --> 00:17:51,500
[female speaking Berber]

367
00:17:51,500 --> 00:17:53,931
Hands were laid on them and we
prayed earnestly.

368
00:17:53,931 --> 00:17:56,821
As a united church, 
we prayed for their safety

369
00:17:56,821 --> 00:17:58,260
and that God would grant them

370
00:17:58,260 --> 00:18:00,911
the right words to speak to the multitudes

371
00:18:00,911 --> 00:18:03,372
We prayed that our missionaries 
would be successful

372
00:18:03,372 --> 00:18:04,865
in spreading the gospel.

373
00:18:04,865 --> 00:18:07,255
♪ soaring music ♪

374
00:18:07,255 --> 00:18:10,078
Paul and Barnabas travelled to 
several places.

375
00:18:10,078 --> 00:18:12,307
In Cyprus, they proclaimed the word of God

376
00:18:12,307 --> 00:18:14,232
in the Jewish synagogues.

377
00:18:14,232 --> 00:18:16,245
In Pisidian Antioch almost the whole city

378
00:18:16,245 --> 00:18:18,765
gathered to hear the word of the Lord.

379
00:18:18,765 --> 00:18:21,655
When the Gentiles heard their messages,
they believed.

380
00:18:21,655 --> 00:18:24,852
The word of the Lord spread throughout
the entire region

381
00:18:24,852 --> 00:18:28,875
and the disciples were filled with joy
and the Holy Spirit.

382
00:18:28,875 --> 00:18:31,725
♪ floating angelic music ♪

383
00:18:31,725 --> 00:18:34,507
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders
in every church

384
00:18:34,507 --> 00:18:38,146
and prayed with fasting commending
them to the Lord.

385
00:18:38,146 --> 00:18:39,821
They gathered the church together

386
00:18:39,821 --> 00:18:42,531
and reported all that God had done
through them

387
00:18:42,531 --> 00:18:46,030
and how He had opened a door of faith
to the Gentiles.

388
00:18:47,750 --> 00:18:49,265
As a praying community,

389
00:18:49,265 --> 00:18:52,762
when we lay hands upon those 
that we're praying for

390
00:18:52,762 --> 00:18:56,097
it represents the hand of God.

391
00:18:56,097 --> 00:18:57,882
Kneeling around that person,

392
00:18:57,882 --> 00:19:00,107
setting them aside for that task,

393
00:19:00,107 --> 00:19:02,081
we're asking the Holy Spirit to come

394
00:19:02,081 --> 00:19:04,208
to empower them, to strengthen them

395
00:19:04,208 --> 00:19:06,858
for the task that God has given them
through the church.

396
00:19:06,858 --> 00:19:10,421
I remember a story where Paul was...

397
00:19:10,421 --> 00:19:12,108
he encountered a beautiful woman.

398
00:19:12,108 --> 00:19:14,831
Her name was Lydia. And she was praying.

399
00:19:14,831 --> 00:19:18,395
And, I don't know, that might have been
beside a river, for all I know,

400
00:19:18,395 --> 00:19:20,245
it may have been beside a well.

401
00:19:20,245 --> 00:19:22,251
Maybe it was in the middle of a market.

402
00:19:22,251 --> 00:19:25,744
You know, at their time. Wherever it was.

403
00:19:25,744 --> 00:19:28,053
God was able to reach her heart

404
00:19:28,053 --> 00:19:30,561
and the Bible tells us that she accepted

405
00:19:30,561 --> 00:19:33,251
the message of the gospel and she
was baptized.

406
00:19:33,251 --> 00:19:36,452
We were a group of women 
outside the city gate

407
00:19:36,452 --> 00:19:38,518
by the river at a place of prayer.

408
00:19:38,518 --> 00:19:40,790
Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth,


409
00:19:40,790 --> 00:19:43,035
from Thyatira was also there.

410
00:19:43,035 --> 00:19:46,157
Two men came along 
and started to speak to us,

411
00:19:46,157 --> 00:19:48,354
and asked to join us in prayer.

412
00:19:48,354 --> 00:19:51,192
We later learned that they 
were Paul and Silas.

413
00:19:51,192 --> 00:19:55,515
The Lord opened Lydia's heart 
to heed Paul's message.

414
00:19:55,515 --> 00:19:59,494
She and all the members 
of her household were baptized.

415
00:19:59,494 --> 00:20:03,745
Another day Paul and Silas 
were on their way to a place of prayer.

416
00:20:03,745 --> 00:20:06,245
They were met by a female slave

417
00:20:06,245 --> 00:20:08,620
who had a spirit in her 
that could predict the future.

418
00:20:08,620 --> 00:20:12,498
She earned a lot of money 
for her owners by fortune telling.

419
00:20:12,498 --> 00:20:15,478
She followed us and shouted at us.

420
00:20:15,478 --> 00:20:19,254
This was disrupting and so Paul ordered
the spirit out of her.

421
00:20:19,254 --> 00:20:22,756
When her owners realized that their chance
of making money was gone,

422
00:20:22,756 --> 00:20:25,750
they dragged Paul and Silas to
the authorities

423
00:20:25,750 --> 00:20:27,355
and they were put in prison.

424
00:20:27,355 --> 00:20:32,762
At around midnight, these two very
positive prisoners

425
00:20:32,762 --> 00:20:35,500
named Paul and Silas were praying

426
00:20:35,500 --> 00:20:38,015
and singing hymns to God.

427
00:20:38,015 --> 00:20:40,500
The rest of us were listening to them.

428
00:20:40,500 --> 00:20:42,884
Suddenly there was a violent earthquake

429
00:20:42,884 --> 00:20:44,645
and the prison shook.

430
00:20:44,645 --> 00:20:46,895
All the prison doors flew open

431
00:20:46,895 --> 00:20:49,761
and everyone's chains came loose.

432
00:20:49,761 --> 00:20:52,259
The jailer woke up, saw all the doors open

433
00:20:52,259 --> 00:20:54,511
and drew his sword to kill himself.

434
00:20:54,511 --> 00:20:57,048
He thought all the prisoners had escaped.

435
00:20:57,048 --> 00:20:59,610
But Paul assured him and shouted

436
00:20:59,610 --> 00:21:02,154
that he should not harm himself.

437
00:21:02,154 --> 00:21:07,509
The jailer called for lights, rushed in 
and lay in front of them, trembling.

438
00:21:07,509 --> 00:21:10,750
The jailer accepted Jesus Christ,

439
00:21:10,750 --> 00:21:14,875
and his whole family was baptized.

440
00:21:14,875 --> 00:21:16,839
So prayer can happen anywhere.

441
00:21:16,839 --> 00:21:19,249
For Hope Channel, you know 
I anchor a program ...

442
00:21:19,249 --> 00:21:21,349
I co-anchor a program 
called Let's Pray.

443
00:21:21,349 --> 00:21:23,963
And so here we are in a television studio

444
00:21:23,963 --> 00:21:26,262
with lights and cameras and action

445
00:21:26,262 --> 00:21:30,010
and yet we are very much 
in the manner of prayer.

446
00:21:30,010 --> 00:21:32,944
And we have seen God ...,

447
00:21:32,944 --> 00:21:36,214
we have seen amazing answers to prayer,

448
00:21:36,214 --> 00:21:39,019
... from the studio, 
so it can happen anywhere.

449
00:21:39,019 --> 00:21:40,497
One friend of mine has said—

450
00:21:40,497 --> 00:21:42,985
we must pray with such specificity

451
00:21:42,985 --> 00:21:45,973
that we will know 
when God answers our prayers.

452
00:21:45,973 --> 00:21:50,249
In Acts chapter 12, Peter is in prison.

453
00:21:50,249 --> 00:21:52,643
He is scheduled for execution.

454
00:21:52,643 --> 00:21:56,042
He's chained between soldiers.

455
00:21:56,042 --> 00:21:59,245
Herod has decreed that he will die.

456
00:21:59,245 --> 00:22:01,995
As Peter's in prison, the entire church

457
00:22:01,995 --> 00:22:04,475
—I like that—
the entire church is praying

458
00:22:04,475 --> 00:22:05,768
for Peter in prison.

459
00:22:05,768 --> 00:22:08,700
Right before that, James was ... 
—you know—

460
00:22:08,700 --> 00:22:10,766
taken to prison, but was killed.

461
00:22:10,766 --> 00:22:13,254
And I think the people got
really concerned

462
00:22:13,254 --> 00:22:14,824
that they may now lose Peter

463
00:22:14,824 --> 00:22:17,193
when he was hauled off to jail.

464
00:22:17,193 --> 00:22:19,728
And that caused them to get worried

465
00:22:19,728 --> 00:22:23,165
so they got together and 
really prayed all night long.

466
00:22:23,165 --> 00:22:26,342
King Herod had arrested some 
that belonged to the church

467
00:22:26,342 --> 00:22:28,522
and was planning to persecute them.

468
00:22:28,522 --> 00:22:30,839
When Herod had James put to death
with a sword,

469
00:22:30,839 --> 00:22:33,289
and saw how the Jews had approved of this,

470
00:22:33,289 --> 00:22:35,449
he seized Peter also.

471
00:22:35,449 --> 00:22:37,090
[female reporting in Berber]

472
00:22:37,090 --> 00:22:39,377
Peter was guarded by four squads

473
00:22:39,377 --> 00:22:41,334
of four soldiers each.

474
00:22:41,334 --> 00:22:44,268
We were very concerned for his safety.

475
00:22:44,268 --> 00:22:46,417
And the church prayed earnestly for him.

476
00:22:46,417 --> 00:22:49,262
[male further reporting in Berber]

477
00:22:49,262 --> 00:22:51,857
The night before Herod was going to
bring him to trial,

478
00:22:51,857 --> 00:22:53,990
Peter was sleeping between two soldiers

479
00:22:53,990 --> 00:22:57,889
bound by chains and 
centuries stood guard at the entrance.

480
00:22:57,889 --> 00:22:59,996
Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared

481
00:22:59,996 --> 00:23:02,254
and light shone into his cell.

482
00:23:02,254 --> 00:23:04,740
The angel struck Peter on the side to
wake him up

483
00:23:04,740 --> 00:23:07,254
and the chains fell off his wrists.

484
00:23:07,254 --> 00:23:10,742
As he was instructed, Peter followed the
angel out of the prison

485
00:23:10,742 --> 00:23:14,771
past all of the guards to the
gate of the city.

486
00:23:14,771 --> 00:23:17,251
[female further reporting in Berber]

487
00:23:17,251 --> 00:23:19,252
Many people had been praying together

488
00:23:19,252 --> 00:23:21,734
in the house of Mary, the mother of John.

489
00:23:21,734 --> 00:23:25,544
As the servant in the house, 
I heard knocking on the door.

490
00:23:25,544 --> 00:23:30,844
♪ soothing string music ♪

491
00:23:30,844 --> 00:23:33,114
With caution, I went to open the door

492
00:23:33,114 --> 00:23:36,254
and to my surprise, there stood Peter.

493
00:23:36,254 --> 00:23:39,765
We had just been praying 
earnestly for him in prison.

494
00:23:39,765 --> 00:23:42,025
[male further reporting in Berber]

495
00:23:42,025 --> 00:23:44,758
Once again, united prayer had worked

496
00:23:44,758 --> 00:23:49,515
and the word of God 
continued to spread and flourish.

497
00:23:49,515 --> 00:23:51,954
No one who was 
at that prayer meeting that night

498
00:23:51,954 --> 00:23:55,021
would ever forget that they have a God

499
00:23:55,021 --> 00:23:57,105
answering prayer after that night.

500
00:23:57,105 --> 00:23:58,660
Everywhere those people went

501
00:23:58,660 --> 00:24:01,653
for the rest of their lives, 
they told that story,

502
00:24:01,653 --> 00:24:03,914
which is part of the reason 
we know it today,

503
00:24:03,914 --> 00:24:06,511
they told that story with great power

504
00:24:06,511 --> 00:24:09,595
because it was utterly convincing to them

505
00:24:09,595 --> 00:24:12,274
of not only God's willingness to help,

506
00:24:12,274 --> 00:24:15,884
but God's ability to do it 
on a grand and surprising scale.

507
00:24:15,884 --> 00:24:19,568
Here were three big, huge nations

508
00:24:19,568 --> 00:24:23,314
converging on his little 
dinky kingdom of Judah

509
00:24:23,314 --> 00:24:26,011
and from a human standpoint,
it was wipeout.

510
00:24:26,011 --> 00:24:28,518
Jehoshaphat says some very honest things

511
00:24:28,518 --> 00:24:30,446
about the ones praying.

512
00:24:30,446 --> 00:24:31,764
We don't know what to do.

513
00:24:31,764 --> 00:24:32,751
We're weak.

514
00:24:32,751 --> 00:24:35,704
We're helpless against this great number
that's come against us.

515
00:24:35,704 --> 00:24:39,667
But he says some very honest things
about who God is too.

516
00:24:39,667 --> 00:24:43,008
God, You are capable. You are willing.

517
00:24:43,008 --> 00:24:46,055
You are able and we are ready.

518
00:24:46,055 --> 00:24:49,692
All of which prepared God's people
for His deliverance.

519
00:24:49,692 --> 00:24:51,984
But I think when we humble ourselves 
in prayer

520
00:24:51,984 --> 00:24:54,131
we're giving God permission

521
00:24:54,131 --> 00:24:56,901
to break through in a supernatural way.

522
00:24:56,901 --> 00:24:59,742
And, we're even told in the book,
Christ's Object Lessons,

523
00:24:59,742 --> 00:25:01,778
that we are to present our prayers

524
00:25:01,778 --> 00:25:05,583
with a determination that
will not be denied.

525
00:25:06,343 --> 00:25:08,196
What a promise.

526
00:25:08,196 --> 00:25:24,797
♪ ominous music ♪

527
00:25:24,797 --> 00:25:27,241
Many people came and told Jehoshaphat

528
00:25:27,241 --> 00:25:31,101
that a vast army was approaching 
to wage war against him.

529
00:25:31,101 --> 00:25:34,869
Alarmed by this news, 
Jehoshaphat proclaimed

530
00:25:34,869 --> 00:25:37,099
a fast for all of Judah.

531
00:25:37,099 --> 00:25:39,853
People came from every town in Judah

532
00:25:39,853 --> 00:25:42,379
to fast and pray together.

533
00:25:42,379 --> 00:25:44,584
We were part of a large group and

534
00:25:44,584 --> 00:25:48,868
Jehoshaphat was earnestly 
asking God for assistance.

535
00:25:48,868 --> 00:25:51,506
Then a man called Jahaziel stood up

536
00:25:51,506 --> 00:25:55,032
and said that Jehoshaphat 
should not be concerned—

537
00:25:55,032 --> 00:25:58,004
that it was not his battle 
but God's battle.

538
00:25:58,004 --> 00:26:05,251
♪ urgent music ♪

539
00:26:05,251 --> 00:26:07,191
[man speaking Berber]

540
00:26:07,191 --> 00:26:08,659
It was early in the morning

541
00:26:08,659 --> 00:26:11,376
when we set out to the desert of Tekoa.

542
00:26:11,376 --> 00:26:14,934
We were seriously concerned 
about facing this huge army,

543
00:26:14,934 --> 00:26:17,417
but we were told to have faith.

544
00:26:17,417 --> 00:26:19,502
We had also prayed.

545
00:26:19,502 --> 00:26:21,872
♪ urgent music ♪

546
00:26:21,872 --> 00:26:24,266
When our reconnaissance platoon 
came over the hill,

547
00:26:24,266 --> 00:26:26,561
we only saw dead bodies all around.

548
00:26:26,561 --> 00:26:28,621
♪ electric music ♪

549
00:26:28,621 --> 00:26:31,175
The enemy had apparently turned on
each other.

550
00:26:31,175 --> 00:26:34,182
Jehoshaphat's prayers 
had won them the battle

551
00:26:34,182 --> 00:26:36,627
without even having to fight.

552
00:26:36,627 --> 00:26:38,377
When you look at prayer

553
00:26:38,377 --> 00:26:40,111
in the book of Acts in the Bible,

554
00:26:40,111 --> 00:26:41,891
a definite pattern emerges.

555
00:26:41,891 --> 00:26:44,506
That pattern is that the disciples,

556
00:26:44,506 --> 00:26:48,361
as they begin to share 
what God has put on their hearts,

557
00:26:48,361 --> 00:26:52,435
they are persecuted, sometimes 
to the point of death.

558
00:26:52,435 --> 00:26:54,981
As the persecution begins,

559
00:26:54,981 --> 00:26:57,592
they actually gather 
the believers together.

560
00:26:57,592 --> 00:27:01,774
They pray and 
the Holy Spirit is poured out.

561
00:27:01,774 --> 00:27:03,688
Thus causing the word of God

562
00:27:03,688 --> 00:27:06,515
to be spread even more boldly.

563
00:27:06,515 --> 00:27:09,418
Thus the church of God grows.

564
00:27:09,418 --> 00:27:11,515
United prayer is critically important

565
00:27:11,515 --> 00:27:15,191
to the church because it is the key

566
00:27:15,191 --> 00:27:21,505
to national revival and to the healing of
national challenges.

567
00:27:21,505 --> 00:27:24,009
Prayer, especially united prayer,

568
00:27:24,009 --> 00:27:25,552
is not about leverage,

569
00:27:25,552 --> 00:27:28,020
twisting the hand of God with more people

570
00:27:28,020 --> 00:27:31,301
praying the same phrase 
over and over again.

571
00:27:31,301 --> 00:27:33,887
It is about God's people together

572
00:27:33,887 --> 00:27:35,931
getting aligned with His will.

573
00:27:35,931 --> 00:27:38,780
When we pray, 
I think it changes our hearts.

574
00:27:38,780 --> 00:27:42,080
And when we can unite together in prayer,

575
00:27:42,080 --> 00:27:45,191
there is a unity that is experienced.

576
00:27:45,191 --> 00:27:48,432
And then when we ask, whatever we ask,

577
00:27:48,432 --> 00:27:51,885
in the powerful name of Jesus, 
things happen.

578
00:27:51,885 --> 00:27:54,957
Why is united prayer important?

579
00:27:54,957 --> 00:27:57,313
Because it opens our hearts

580
00:27:57,313 --> 00:28:00,351
to the power of the living God

581
00:28:00,351 --> 00:28:02,488
to accompany our witness.

582
00:28:02,488 --> 00:28:05,874
It brings you to the foot of the cross
together.

583
00:28:05,874 --> 00:28:08,981
United prayer is unleashing God's power

584
00:28:08,981 --> 00:28:10,338
in the universe—I believe

585
00:28:10,338 --> 00:28:12,222
in a great controversy.

586
00:28:12,222 --> 00:28:14,244
He's what we need, not the prayer.

587
00:28:14,244 --> 00:28:17,760
In the controversy between good and evil

588
00:28:17,760 --> 00:28:20,899
God does not violate our 
freedom of choice.

589
00:28:20,899 --> 00:28:28,001
But as we pray, 
God opens up new avenues of working.

590
00:28:28,001 --> 00:28:31,251
Isn't God already working for that son
or daughter before we pray?

591
00:28:31,251 --> 00:28:33,889
Isn't He working for the community
before we pray?

592
00:28:33,889 --> 00:28:36,393
He is. But he's limited by their choice.

593
00:28:36,393 --> 00:28:39,513
But as we pray, 
just like in the book of Acts

594
00:28:39,513 --> 00:28:44,446
as the church prayed, God honours
the choice of the praying one.

595
00:28:44,446 --> 00:28:48,549
And miracles occur as we pray unitedly.

596
00:28:48,549 --> 00:28:52,521
When we get things right on the vertical

597
00:28:52,521 --> 00:28:55,961
they will become right on the horizontal.

598
00:28:55,961 --> 00:29:12,245
♪ solemn string music ♪

599
00:29:12,245 --> 00:29:28,671
♪ unfolding in full symphonic sound ♪