WEBVTT 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It all started in a small upper room, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 with humble, fervent prayer 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 threatened by the authorities 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and banned from preaching, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the church prayed that the two men witnessed 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 with power and grace. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And people prayed everywhere in one accord 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in repentance with confession and humility. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And the lives of people were changed. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Two men started out on a missionary journey 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that would turn the world as they knew it upside down. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And the message went out to the world beyond. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Corporate prayer helped a prisoner escape. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 A king requested that his people fast and pray 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and the enemy was defeated. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 A battle won without the need to fight. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Through a faithful servant and a young queen's faith and courage, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 a people were saved. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Stories in the Bible showing the power of united prayer. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 As I read the book of Acts, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 it's really a book about believers coming together to pray, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and a prayer-answering God. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Personal prayer is important. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Secret prayer is the life of the soul. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 But we know that there has never been a revival anywhere on this planet 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that wasn't preceded by united and continuous prayer. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Our Lord on one occasion says where two or more of you agree 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 on touching anything that is according to My will, it will be done. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So there is a synergy that happens 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 when we hook up together and unite our voices in crying out to God. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 As the spirit of prophecy tells us, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 prayer is the key that unlocks the storehouse of heaven's treasury and blessings. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Some of Ellen White's counsel and statements on united prayer are powerful as well. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 She says in one place that when she was writing to the Farnsworths, I believe it was, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 she says there's more power in united prayer 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 than even in private prayer. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Then she says, why is that? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It's because the unity of heart of the believers. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It's like God gets really excited 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 when we're really of one accord 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 when we unite together just like they did in Acts. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Another statement she says, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 at the sound of fervent prayer, Satan's whole host trembles. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Jesus knows that the habit of praying with others 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 helps to rid our lives of the self-centeredness of our prayers 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 when we pray by ourselves. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So when the Bible talks about continue earnestly in prayer, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that's not just an individual activity. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It's a call to the church as a community to call out to God. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Not to change God's mind, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but that we come into alignment with God's will 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and actually I think he uses us as part of the answers to those prayers. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 As you look at the book of Acts, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 united prayer brought God's people together. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 In Acts chapter 1 and verse 14 and 15, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the entire church met together and prayed. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 They knew that the task before them was too great. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 They knew the challenge was too immense. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 They knew there was no way they could carry the gospel to the world. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 But yet as they prayed, God did something miraculous. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He poured out His Holy Spirit on the day of Pentacost 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and three thousand were baptized. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 You know when you read the text there, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 one of the things that jumps out at me is the simple English phrase - 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 they were in one accord. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Pentacost was just an extraordinary event. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It came after the culmination of Christ's ministry on this earth. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And it looked as though everything was completely dashed and destroyed. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 When Christ was hanging on that cross 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and then of course the resurrection took place. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And He appeared to His disciples 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 which gave them a completely different perspective 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 on what their ministry was all about. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Our blessed Lord told his disciples to tarry in Jerusalem united in prayer. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And that was one of the prerequisites 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 for bringing that rushing mighty wind 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and the presence of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentacost. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It was the time of Passover 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and we were in an upper room in Jerusalem. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We were all praying in one accord. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We were praying for repentance and humility, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and we were confessing our sins. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We were also seeking the Lord's vision, power and the Holy Spirit. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 There was an incredible feeling of oneness 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 as we prayed earnestly together. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Suddenly there was the sound of a violent wind 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that filled the whole room where we were sitting. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Then tongues of fire came down 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and this fire rested on people. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 All the people in the room were filled with the Holy Spirit. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Now remember that at the time of the Passover, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 people came from many countries to worship. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Now suddenly they could hear the gospel 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 each in their own language. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 As a result of this, three thousand people 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 were added to the believers in one day. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 The people devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 To the breaking of bread and of prayer. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Every day they would meet together in the temple courts. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 In their homes, they broke bread and ate together. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And the number of those being saved grew daily. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And we believe something like this 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 is going to happen in the last days as well. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 But I think only as a church and as a people 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 we get together in one accord 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and in fervent prayer, will we - 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 till we do that, we won't see that happen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And really what happened at Pentacost 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 is going to be again duplicated by the Lord 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in an even greater fashion 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 as the three angels' messages go forward 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 as the fourth angel of Revelation 18 has proclaimed 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and as the final loud cry is heralded all over the world. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And it's going to be people who have submitted to the Lord, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 confessed their sins, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and then the Holy Spirit can fall 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and can use us in a mighty way. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Well I think in the book of Acts, Acts chapter 6 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 it seemed like a good problem. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 The church was growing exponentially. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 But in the midst of that, there's this food distribution challenge. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 The church was undergoing practical challenges. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 The Hellenistic Jews were complaining against the Hebraic Jews 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 because the former's widows were being overlooked 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in the daily distribution of food. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 The apostles decided that they needed 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to focus on the ministry of prayer and the word. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And so they requested for seven deacons 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to be chosen for these other practical tasks. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 The apostles asked us as a group 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to chose seven men who were known 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to be full of the Spirit and have wisdom. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 This proposal from the apostles 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 pleased our whole group. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So we went about selecting the seven men. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Once the men were selected, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 they were presented to the apostles. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 The apostles laid their hands on them and prayed for them. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 With prayer as a priority, the church would never fail. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 After this, the number of disciples increased rapidly. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And a large number of priests became obedient to the work. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So I think we find a case study there 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that says when we face challenges, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 let's use wisdom, let's use our training 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but let's also recognize that we have 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 a prayer-answering God who will give us wisdom. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I've seen this over and over and over. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Churches with big problems 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 have solved them when they come together to pray. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Peter and John were called in 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 by the chief priests and elders about their preaching. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 They tried to defend their actions, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but the leaders were very hard on them. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 They were commanded not to speak 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 or teach in the name of Jesus. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 After further threats, they let them go. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Peter and John went back to their own people 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 When we heard all this we immediately raised our voices in prayer to God. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 The entire group prayed for Peter and John. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We prayed for God to give boldness to these two humble servants. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Such intense prayer I had not experienced for a long time. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 After we had prayed, suddenly the whole place was shaken. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 People were filled with the Holy Spirit 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and Peter and John went out 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and gave witness with great power and grace. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 They witnessed throughout the land 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 about the resurrection of their Saviour. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So I think Peter and John drew great strength 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 both from knowing they were praying 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but also from the power that's unleashed 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 when people pray for us. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 There's a peace. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 There's a power from God 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that comes into us when that prayer is being answered by many believers. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Go and gather all the Jews who are in Susa together 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and pray and fast for me. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Do not eat or drink anything for three days and nights. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I and my maidens will fast as you do. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 After that, I will go to the king 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 even though it is against the law. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And if I perish, I perish. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (music) 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We look back at Esther now 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and we think what a gutsy girl. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 You know, what a woman of faith. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 But she was probably just as terrified 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 as any of us might have been. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It was a very desperate situation. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 You the old saying, there's no such thing 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 as atheists in foxholes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And I think this was a case where they knew 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 without divine intervention, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 without divine intervention, all was going to be lost. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 But she was wise enough to say to her uncle, Mordecai 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I will fast and pray. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And I will have my people here in the palace fast and pray. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 But I want all of God's people to fast and pray. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I think we miss out a lot 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 on the unleashing of God's power 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in this world by not fasting. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And it doesn't have to mean you have to go totally without food 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but some form - giving up something 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 we really love every day 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and uniting that together with prayer 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and praying with others, it does something, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 moves in this great controversy. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It's very easy at times to forget 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 just how dependant we are upon God. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And as Dwight Nelson likes to remind us 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 pray desperate prayers. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And Esther was desperate. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Pray urgent prayers. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And pray prayers of expectancy. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And think her prayers encompassed all three. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 If you look at the book of Acts, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 prayer was very united. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Take, for example, Peter and Cornelius. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Cornelius, a Jew - a Gentile. Peter, a Jew. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And Jews and Gentiles would not possibly come together 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in any intimate talking 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 or visiting in one another's homes 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 or eating together. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 This was the Holy Spirit breaking down some walls. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 A Gentile of the Italian band, Cornelius, was praying. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It was no accident. He was praying. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Peter on the rooftop, praying. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And he prayed so long that he fell asleep. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Peter has this dream of the sheet coming down 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 with all these various animals in it. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And God says, Peter, rise and eat. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And Peter says, I've never eaten snakes 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and crocodiles and rodents. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 The vision of course was not about 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 clean or unclean foods. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 The vision was about respect for other cultures. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Respect for other people. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And God sent visions, epiphanies, to both of them 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that broke down the walls 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that divided them. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And Peter declared, God has shown me 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that He is no respecter of persons. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 As both of them prayed, Jew and Gentile, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 their prayers ascended to heaven 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and met at the throne of God. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (music) 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It was around noon when Peter went up to the roof to pray. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It was here that Peter had a vision 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 about a large sheet containing a mix of unclean animals 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 representing God's affirmation 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of the diversity of peoples 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in the growing church. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We had heard that Peter was staying 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 at the house of Simon the tanner, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and were instructed by Cornelius, the centurion, to go out and find him. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the Holy Spirit told him to go downstairs 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 because three men were looking for him. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Peter went down and told the men 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that he was the one they were looking for. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (music) 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We then told Peter 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that Cornelius, the centurion, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 had been told by an angel 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that Peter would come 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and see him at his house. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, unbeknown to Peter, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Cornelius was already expecting his visit to Caesarea. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 What happened here was quite unusual. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Just the fact that Peter entered the house. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Remember that it was against the law 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Cornelius told Peter how three days earlier 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 he had been praying in his house 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 when an angel had appeared before him. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Peter shared with Cornelius 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 his new understanding that God 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 does not show favouritism 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and is the Lord of all. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 This was a real turning point. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 From this point on, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the gospel was given among other people groups. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And it all started out with prayer and fasting 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and a vision. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Cultures were bridged. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Barriers were broken down. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Hearts were united. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And they became one in Jesus Christ. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And the gospel was open to the Gentiles. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 What does united prayer 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 do for breaking down cultures? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 When we are kneeling together 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 different cultures, different backgrounds, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 different sociological backgrounds, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 different educational backgrounds, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 different racial complexion. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 When we are kneeling together 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 our hearts are united as one in Jesus Christ. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I look in Acts chapter 13, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 where the church in Antioch 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 is sending out Paul and Barnabas. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And they hands on them. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And they pray for the blessing of the Holy Spirit. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 The laying on of hands was the setting aside in Acts 13 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of Paul and Barnabas for ministry in mission. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 They were going to launch their missionary journeys. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I don't think there's anything magical about the hands. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I think it's a symbol. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Like water is with baptism 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 or the unleavened bread and the unfermented grape juice 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 are in the communion service. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 When the church comes unitedly, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and lays hands on an individual, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 they are praying for that individual, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 setting them aside for a specific task of witness and ministry. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 As the prophets and teachers of the early church 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 were fasting and praying, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the Holy Spirit called Paul and Barnabas 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to go on their first mission journey. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 The church prayed together before sending them out. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Hands were laid on them and we prayed earnestly. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 As a united church, we prayed for their safety 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and that God would grant them 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the right words to speak to the multitudes 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We prayed that our missionaries would be successful 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in spreading the gospel. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Paul and Barnabas travelled to several places. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 In Cyprus, they proclaimed the word of God 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in the Jewish synagogues.