9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It all started in a small upper room, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 with humble, fervent prayer 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 threatened by the authorities 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and banned from preaching, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the church prayed that the two men witnessed 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 with power and grace. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And people prayed everywhere in one accord 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in repentance with confession and humility. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And the lives of people were changed. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Two men started out on a missionary journey 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that would turn the world as they knew it upside down. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And the message went out to the world beyond. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Corporate prayer helped a prisoner escape. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 A king requested that his people fast and pray 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and the enemy was defeated. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 A battle won without the need to fight. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Through a faithful servant [br]and a young queen's faith and courage, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 a people were saved. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Stories in the Bible showing [br]the power of united prayer. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 As I read the book of Acts, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 it's really a book about believers [br]coming together to pray, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and a prayer-answering God. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Personal prayer is important. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Secret prayer is the life of the soul. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But we know that there has never been[br]a revival anywhere on this planet 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that wasn't preceded by united and[br]continuous prayer. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Our Lord on one occasion says where[br]two or more of you agree 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 on touching anything that is according[br]to My will, it will be done. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So there is a synergy that happens 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 when we hook up together and unite[br]our voices in crying out to God. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 As the spirit of prophecy tells us, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 prayer is the key that unlocks the storehouse [br]of heaven's treasury and blessings. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Some of Ellen White's counsel and statements[br]on united prayer are powerful as well. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 She says in one place that when she was[br]writing to the Farnsworths, I believe it was, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 she says there's more power in united prayer 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 than even in private prayer. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then she says, why is that? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's because the unity of heart of the believers. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's like God gets really excited 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 when we're really of one accord 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 when we unite together just like they did in Acts. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Another statement she says, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 at the sound of fervent prayer, [br]Satan's whole host trembles. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Jesus knows that the habit of praying[br]with others 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 helps to rid our lives of the [br]self-centeredness of our prayers 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 when we pray by ourselves. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So when the Bible talks about[br]continue earnestly in prayer, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that's not just an individual activity. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's a call to the church as a community[br]to call out to God. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Not to change God's mind, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but that we come into alignment with God's will 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and actually I think he uses us as part [br]of the answers to those prayers. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 As you look at the book of Acts, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 united prayer brought God's people together. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In Acts chapter 1 and verse 14 and 15, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the entire church met together and prayed. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They knew that the task before them[br]was too great. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They knew the challenge was too immense. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They knew there was no way they could [br]carry the gospel to the world. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But yet as they prayed,[br]God did something miraculous. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He poured out His Holy Spirit on the[br]day of Pentacost 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and three thousand were baptized. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You know when you read the text there, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 one of the things that jumps out at me is[br]the simple English phrase - 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 they were in one accord. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Pentacost was just an extraordinary event. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It came after the culmination of Christ's [br]ministry on this earth. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And it looked as though everything was[br]completely dashed and destroyed. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 When Christ was hanging on that cross 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and then of course the resurrection took place. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And He appeared to His disciples 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 which gave them a completely[br]different perspective 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 on what their ministry was all about. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Our blessed Lord told his disciples[br]to tarry in Jerusalem united in prayer. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And that was one of the prerequisites 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 for bringing that rushing mighty wind 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and the presence of the Holy Spirit[br]on the day of Pentacost. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It was the time of Passover 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and we were in an upper room[br]in Jerusalem. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We were all praying in one accord. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We were praying for repentance[br]and humility, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and we were confessing our sins. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We were also seeking the Lord's vision,[br]power and the Holy Spirit. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There was an incredible feeling of oneness 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as we prayed earnestly together. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Suddenly there was the sound of a [br]violent wind 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that filled the whole room where[br]we were sitting. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then tongues of fire came down 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and this fire rested on people. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 All the people in the room[br]were filled with the Holy Spirit. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Now remember that at the time[br]of the Passover, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 people came from many countries to worship. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Now suddenly they could hear the gospel 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 each in their own language. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 As a result of this, three thousand people 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 were added to the believers in one day. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The people devoted themselves[br]to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 To the breaking of bread and of prayer. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Every day they would meet together[br]in the temple courts. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In their homes, they broke bread [br]and ate together. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And the number of those being saved[br]grew daily. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And we believe something like this 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 is going to happen in the last days as well. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But I think only as a church and[br]as a people 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we get together in one accord 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and in fervent prayer, will we - 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 till we do that, we won't see that happen. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And really what happened at Pentacost 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 is going to be again duplicated[br]by the Lord 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in an even greater fashion 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as the three angels' messages go forward 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as the fourth angel of Revelation 18 [br]has proclaimed 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and as the final loud cry is heralded [br]all over the world. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And it's going to be people who have [br]submitted to the Lord, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 confessed their sins, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and then the Holy Spirit can fall 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and can use us in a mighty way. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Well I think in the book of Acts, Acts chapter 6 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 it seemed like a good problem. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The church was growing exponentially. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But in the midst of that, there's this food distribution challenge. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The church was undergoing[br]practical challenges. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The Hellenistic Jews were complaining[br]against the Hebraic Jews 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because the former's widows were[br]being overlooked 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in the daily distribution of food. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The apostles decided that they needed 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to focus on the ministry of prayer [br]and the word. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And so they requested for seven deacons [br] 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to be chosen for these other [br]practical tasks. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The apostles asked us as a group 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to chose seven men who were known 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to be full of the Spirit and have wisdom. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This proposal from the apostles 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 pleased our whole group. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So we went about selecting the seven men. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Once the men were selected, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 they were presented to the apostles. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The apostles laid their hands on them[br]and prayed for them. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 With prayer as a priority,[br]the church would never fail. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 After this, the number of disciples[br]increased rapidly. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And a large number of priests[br]became obedient to the work. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So I think we find a case study there 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that says when we face challenges, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 let's use wisdom, let's use our training 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but let's also recognize that we have 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 a prayer-answering God who will [br]give us wisdom. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I've seen this over and over and over. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Churches with big problems 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 have solved them when they come [br]together to pray. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Peter and John were called in 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 by the chief priests and elders about[br]their preaching. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They tried to defend their actions, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but the leaders were very hard on them. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They were commanded not to speak 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or teach in the name of Jesus. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 After further threats, they let them go. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Peter and John went back to their own people 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and reported all that the chief priests and [br]elders had said. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 When we heard all this we immediately[br]raised our voices in prayer to God. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The entire group prayed for Peter and John. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We prayed for God to give boldness[br]to these two humble servants. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Such intense prayer I had not experienced[br]for a long time. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 After we had prayed, suddenly the whole [br]place was shaken. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 People were filled with the Holy Spirit 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and Peter and John went out 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and gave witness with great power and grace. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They witnessed throughout the land 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 about the resurrection of their Saviour. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So I think Peter and John[br]drew great strength 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 both from knowing they were praying 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but also from the power that's unleashed 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 when people pray for us. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There's a peace. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There's a power from God 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that comes into us when that prayer[br]is being answered by many believers. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Go and gather all the Jews[br]who are in Susa together 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and pray and fast for me. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Do not eat or drink anything for three days[br]and nights. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I and my maidens will fast as you do. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 After that, I will go to the king 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 even though it is against the law. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And if I perish, I perish. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (music) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We look back at Esther now 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and we think what a gutsy girl. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You know, what a woman of faith. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But she was probably just as terrified 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as any of us might have been. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It was a very desperate situation. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You the old saying, there's no such thing 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as atheists in foxholes. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I think this was a case where they knew 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 without divine intervention, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 without divine intervention, [br]all was going to be lost. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But she was wise enough [br]to say to her uncle, Mordecai 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I will fast and pray. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And I will have my people [br]here in the palace fast and pray. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But I want all of God's people[br]to fast and pray. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I think we miss out a lot 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 on the unleashing of God's power 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in this world by not fasting. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And it doesn't have to mean you[br]have to go totally without food 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but some form - giving up something 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we really love every day 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and uniting that together with prayer 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and praying with others, it does something, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 moves in this great controversy. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's very easy at times to forget 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 just how dependant we are upon God. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And as Dwight Nelson likes to remind us 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 pray desperate prayers. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And Esther was desperate. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Pray urgent prayers. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And pray prayers of expectancy. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And think her prayers encompassed all three. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 If you look at the book of Acts, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 prayer was very united. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Take, for example, Peter and Cornelius. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Cornelius, a Jew - a Gentile. Peter, a Jew. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And Jews and Gentiles would not possibly[br]come together 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in any intimate talking 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or visiting in one another's homes 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or eating together. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This was the Holy Spirit breaking[br]down some walls. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 A Gentile of the Italian band, Cornelius,[br]was praying. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It was no accident. He was praying. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Peter on the rooftop, praying. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And he prayed so long that he fell asleep. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Peter has this dream of the sheet [br]coming down 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 with all these various animals in it. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And God says, Peter, rise and eat. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And Peter says, I've never eaten snakes 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and crocodiles and rodents. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The vision of course was not about 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 clean or unclean foods. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The vision was about respect[br]for other cultures. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Respect for other people. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And God sent visions, epiphanies, to [br]both of them 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that broke down the walls 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that divided them. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And Peter declared, God has shown me 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that He is no respecter of persons. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 As both of them prayed, Jew and Gentile, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 their prayers ascended to heaven 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and met at the throne of God. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (music) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It was around noon when Peter went [br]up to the roof to pray. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It was here that Peter had a vision 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 about a large sheet containing a mix [br]of unclean animals 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 representing God's affirmation 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of the diversity of peoples 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in the growing church. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We had heard that Peter was staying 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 at the house of Simon the tanner, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and were instructed by Cornelius, [br]the centurion, to go out and find him. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 While Peter was still thinking[br]about the vision, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the Holy Spirit told him to go downstairs 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because three men were looking for him. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Peter went down and told the men 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that he was the one they were looking for. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 (music) 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We then told Peter 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that Cornelius, the centurion, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 had been told by an angel 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that Peter would come 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and see him at his house. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So, unbeknown to Peter, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Cornelius was already expecting his visit[br]to Caesarea. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What happened here was quite unusual. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Just the fact that Peter entered the house. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Remember that it was against the law 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 for a Jew to associate with or[br]visit a Gentile. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Cornelius told Peter how three days earlier 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 he had been praying in his house 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 when an angel had appeared before him. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Peter shared with Cornelius 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 his new understanding that God 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 does not show favouritism 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and is the Lord of all. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This was a real turning point. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 From this point on, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the gospel was given among[br]other people groups. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And it all started out with prayer[br]and fasting 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and a vision. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Cultures were bridged. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Barriers were broken down. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Hearts were united. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And they became one in Jesus Christ. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And the gospel was open to the Gentiles. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What does united prayer 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 do for breaking down cultures? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 When we are kneeling together 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 different cultures, different backgrounds, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 different sociological backgrounds, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 different educational backgrounds, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 different racial complexion. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 When we are kneeling together 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 our hearts are united as one in Jesus Christ. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I look in Acts chapter 13, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 where the church in Antioch 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 is sending out Paul and Barnabas. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And they hands on them. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And they pray for the blessing of the[br]Holy Spirit. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The laying on of hands was the [br]setting aside in Acts 13 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 of Paul and Barnabas for [br]ministry in mission. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They were going to launch their [br]missionary journeys. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I don't think there's anything magical[br]about the hands. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I think it's a symbol. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Like water is with baptism 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 or the unleavened bread and the[br]unfermented grape juice 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 are in the communion service. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 When the church comes unitedly, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and lays hands on an individual, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 they are praying for that individual, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 setting them aside for a specific task[br]of witness and ministry. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 As the prophets and teachers[br]of the early church 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 were fasting and praying, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the Holy Spirit called Paul and Barnabas 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 to go on their first mission journey. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The church prayed together before sending[br]them out. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Hands were laid on them and we[br]prayed earnestly. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 As a united church, we prayed for their safety 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and that God would grant them 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the right words to speak to the multitudes 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We prayed that our missionaries would[br]be successful 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in spreading the gospel. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Paul and Barnabas travelled to [br]several places. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In Cyprus, they proclaimed the word of God 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in the Jewish synagogues.