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(music)

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It all started in a small upper room,

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with humble, fervent prayer

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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 power and grace.

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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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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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And the message went out to the world 
beyond.

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Corporate prayer helped a prisoner escape.

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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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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 when she was
writing

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to the Farnsworths, I believe it was,

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she says 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 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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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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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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Then tongues of fire came down

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and this fire rested on the people.

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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(music)

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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 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 
they knew

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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 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 united.

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Take, for example, Peter and Cornelius.

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Cornelius, a Jew - a Gentile. 
Peter, a Jew.

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And Jews and Gentiles would not possibly
come together

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in any intimate talking

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or visiting in one another's homes

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or eating together.

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This was the Holy Spirit breaking
down some walls.

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A Gentile of the Italian band, Cornelius,
was praying.

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It was no accident. He was praying.

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Peter on the rooftop, praying.

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And he prayed so long that he fell asleep.

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Peter has this dream of the sheet 
coming down

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with all these various animals in it.

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And God says, Peter, rise and eat.

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And Peter says, I've never eaten snakes

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and crocodiles and rodents.

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The vision of course was not about

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clean or unclean foods.

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The vision was about respect
for other cultures.

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Respect for other people.

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And God sent visions, epiphanies, to 
both of them

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that broke down the walls

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that divided them.

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And Peter declared, God has shown me

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that He is no respecter of persons.

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As both of them prayed, Jew and Gentile,

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their prayers ascended to heaven

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and met at the throne of God.

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(music)

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It was around noon when Peter went 
up to the roof to pray.

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It was here that Peter had a vision

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about a large sheet containing a mix 
of unclean animals

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representing God's affirmation

257
00:14:38,945 --> 00:14:40,475
of the diversity of peoples

258
00:14:40,475 --> 00:14:42,507
in the growing church.

259
00:14:45,587 --> 00:14:47,413
We had heard that Peter was staying

260
00:14:47,413 --> 00:14:50,367
at the house of Simon the tanner,

261
00:14:50,367 --> 00:14:56,102
and were instructed by Cornelius, 
the centurion, to go out and find him.

262
00:14:56,102 --> 00:14:58,348
While Peter was still thinking
about the vision,

263
00:14:58,348 --> 00:15:01,209
the Holy Spirit told him to go downstairs

264
00:15:01,209 --> 00:15:06,738
because three men were looking for him.

265
00:15:06,738 --> 00:15:08,494
Peter went down and told the men

266
00:15:08,494 --> 00:15:12,079
that he was the one they were looking for.

267
00:15:12,079 --> 00:15:18,253
(music)

268
00:15:18,253 --> 00:15:20,337
We then told Peter

269
00:15:20,337 --> 00:15:21,592
that Cornelius, the centurion,

270
00:15:21,592 --> 00:15:23,148
had been told by an angel

271
00:15:23,148 --> 00:15:24,242
that Peter would come

272
00:15:24,242 --> 00:15:26,036
and see him at his house.

273
00:15:26,036 --> 00:15:27,761
So, unbeknown to Peter,

274
00:15:27,761 --> 00:15:34,032
Cornelius was already expecting his visit
to Caesarea.

275
00:15:34,032 --> 00:15:36,811
What happened here was quite unusual.

276
00:15:36,811 --> 00:15:39,507
Just the fact that Peter entered 
the house.

277
00:15:39,507 --> 00:15:41,435
Remember that it was against the law

278
00:15:41,435 --> 00:15:45,629
for a Jew to associate with or
visit a Gentile.

279
00:15:45,629 --> 00:15:50,639
Cornelius told Peter how three 
days earlier

280
00:15:50,639 --> 00:15:52,668
he had been praying in his house

281
00:15:52,668 --> 00:15:57,460
when an angel had appeared before him.

282
00:15:57,460 --> 00:15:58,960
Peter shared with Cornelius

283
00:15:58,960 --> 00:16:00,916
his new understanding that God

284
00:16:00,916 --> 00:16:02,800
does not show favouritism

285
00:16:02,800 --> 00:16:04,921
and is the Lord of all.

286
00:16:04,921 --> 00:16:07,008
This was a real turning point.

287
00:16:07,008 --> 00:16:07,994
From this point on,

288
00:16:07,994 --> 00:16:12,180
the gospel was also given among
other people groups.

289
00:16:12,180 --> 00:16:16,810
And it all started out with prayer
and fasting and a vision.

290
00:16:16,810 --> 00:16:19,341
Cultures were bridged.

291
00:16:19,341 --> 00:16:21,462
Barriers were broken down.

292
00:16:21,462 --> 00:16:23,188
Hearts were united.

293
00:16:23,188 --> 00:16:26,098
And they became one in Jesus Christ.

294
00:16:26,098 --> 00:16:28,281
And the gospel was open to the Gentiles.

295
00:16:28,281 --> 00:16:29,214
What does united prayer

296
00:16:29,214 --> 00:16:31,592
do for breaking down cultures?

297
00:16:31,592 --> 00:16:35,049
When we are kneeling together

298
00:16:35,049 --> 00:16:37,659
different cultures, different backgrounds,

299
00:16:37,659 --> 00:16:39,391
different sociological backgrounds,

300
00:16:39,391 --> 00:16:42,088
different educational backgrounds,

301
00:16:42,088 --> 00:16:43,666
different racial complexions.

302
00:16:43,666 --> 00:16:45,936
When we are kneeling together

303
00:16:45,936 --> 00:16:49,041
our hearts are united as one in 
Jesus Christ.

304
00:16:49,041 --> 00:16:50,652
I look in Acts chapter 13,

305
00:16:50,652 --> 00:16:53,081
where the church in Antioch

306
00:16:53,081 --> 00:16:56,053
is sending out Paul and Barnabas.

307
00:16:56,053 --> 00:16:57,921
And they hands on them.

308
00:16:57,921 --> 00:17:00,629
And they pray for the blessing of the
Holy Spirit.

309
00:17:00,629 --> 00:17:04,275
The laying on of hands was the 
setting aside in Acts 13

310
00:17:04,275 --> 00:17:08,021
of Paul and Barnabas for 
ministry and mission.

311
00:17:08,021 --> 00:17:11,421
They were going to launch their 
missionary journeys.

312
00:17:11,421 --> 00:17:15,335
I don't think there's anything magical
about the hands.

313
00:17:15,335 --> 00:17:16,791
I think it's a symbol.

314
00:17:16,791 --> 00:17:19,141
Like water is with baptism

315
00:17:19,141 --> 00:17:22,035
or the unleavened bread and the
unfermented grape juice

316
00:17:22,035 --> 00:17:24,039
are in the communion service.

317
00:17:24,039 --> 00:17:26,732
When the church comes unitedly,

318
00:17:26,732 --> 00:17:28,848
and lays hands on an individual,

319
00:17:28,848 --> 00:17:30,929
they are praying for that individual,

320
00:17:30,929 --> 00:17:35,693
setting them aside for a specific task
of witness and ministry.

321
00:17:35,693 --> 00:17:39,811
As the prophets and teachers
of the early church

322
00:17:39,811 --> 00:17:41,460
were fasting and praying,

323
00:17:41,460 --> 00:17:43,447
the Holy Spirit called Paul and Barnabas

324
00:17:43,447 --> 00:17:46,393
to go on their first mission journey.

325
00:17:46,393 --> 00:17:51,960
The church prayed together before sending
them out.

326
00:17:51,960 --> 00:17:54,541
Hands were laid on them and we
prayed earnestly.

327
00:17:54,541 --> 00:17:57,001
As a united church, we prayed for 
their safety

328
00:17:57,001 --> 00:17:58,220
and that God would grant them

329
00:17:58,220 --> 00:18:01,301
the right words to speak to the multitudes

330
00:18:01,301 --> 00:18:03,552
We prayed that our missionaries would
be successful

331
00:18:03,552 --> 00:18:07,685
in spreading the gospel.

332
00:18:07,685 --> 00:18:10,078
Paul and Barnabas travelled to 
several places.

333
00:18:10,078 --> 00:18:12,607
In Cyprus, they proclaimed the word of God

334
00:18:12,607 --> 00:18:14,462
in the Jewish synagogues.

335
00:18:14,462 --> 00:18:16,245
In Pisidian Antioch almost the whole city

336
00:18:16,245 --> 00:18:18,925
gathered to hear the word of the Lord.

337
00:18:18,925 --> 00:18:21,885
When the Gentiles heard their messages,
they believed.

338
00:18:21,885 --> 00:18:25,262
The word of the Lord spread throughout
the entire region

339
00:18:25,262 --> 00:18:29,295
and the disciples were filled with joy
and the Holy Spirit.

340
00:18:32,355 --> 00:18:34,847
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders
in every church

341
00:18:34,847 --> 00:18:38,626
and prayed with fasting commending
them to the Lord.

342
00:18:38,626 --> 00:18:40,201
They gathered the church together

343
00:18:40,201 --> 00:18:42,821
and reported all that God had done
through them

344
00:18:42,821 --> 00:18:47,930
and how He had opened a door of faith
to the Gentiles.

345
00:18:47,930 --> 00:18:49,715
As a praying community,

346
00:18:49,715 --> 00:18:53,322
when we lay hands upon those that we're 
praying for

347
00:18:53,322 --> 00:18:56,637
it represents the hand of God.

348
00:18:56,637 --> 00:18:58,092
Kneeling around that person,

349
00:18:58,092 --> 00:19:00,417
setting them aside for that task,

350
00:19:00,417 --> 00:19:02,341
we're asking the Holy Spirit to come

351
00:19:02,341 --> 00:19:04,648
to empower them, to strengthen them

352
00:19:04,648 --> 00:19:07,368
for the task that God has given them
through the church.

353
00:19:07,368 --> 00:19:10,421
I remember a story where Paul was -

354
00:19:10,421 --> 00:19:12,248
he encountered a beautiful woman.

355
00:19:12,248 --> 00:19:14,831
Her name was Lydia. And she was praying.

356
00:19:14,831 --> 00:19:18,955
And, I don't know, that might have been
beside a river, for all I know.

357
00:19:18,955 --> 00:19:20,595
It may have been beside a well.

358
00:19:20,595 --> 00:19:22,501
Maybe it was in the middle of a market.

359
00:19:22,501 --> 00:19:26,414
You know, at their time. Wherever it was.

360
00:19:26,414 --> 00:19:28,753
God was able to reach her heart

361
00:19:28,753 --> 00:19:30,561
and the Bible tells us that she accepted

362
00:19:30,561 --> 00:19:33,621
the message of the gospel and she
was baptized.

363
00:19:33,621 --> 00:19:36,672
We were a group of women outside
the city gate

364
00:19:36,672 --> 00:19:38,988
by the river at a place of prayer.

365
00:19:38,988 --> 00:19:41,280
Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth,


366
00:19:41,280 --> 00:19:43,475
from Thyatira was also there.

367
00:19:43,475 --> 00:19:46,387
Two men came along and started to speak
to us,

368
00:19:46,387 --> 00:19:48,774
and asked to join us in prayer.

369
00:19:48,774 --> 00:19:51,582
We later learned that they 
were Paul and Silas.

370
00:19:51,582 --> 00:19:55,965
The Lord opened Lydia's heart to heed
Paul's message.

371
00:19:55,965 --> 00:19:59,754
She and all the members of her household
were baptized.

372
00:19:59,754 --> 00:20:04,705
Another day Paul and Silas were on their 
way to a place of prayer.

373
00:20:04,705 --> 00:20:06,455
They were met by a female slave

374
00:20:06,455 --> 00:20:08,620
who had a spirit in her that could predict
the future.

375
00:20:08,620 --> 00:20:12,808
She earned a lot of money for her owners
by fortune telling.

376
00:20:12,808 --> 00:20:15,718
She followed us and shouted at us.

377
00:20:15,718 --> 00:20:19,664
This was disrupting and so Paul ordered
the spirit out of her.

378
00:20:19,664 --> 00:20:23,116
When her owners realized that their chance
of making money was gone,

379
00:20:23,116 --> 00:20:26,080
they dragged Paul and Silas to
the authorities

380
00:20:26,080 --> 00:20:28,075
and they were put in prison.

381
00:20:28,075 --> 00:20:32,902
At around midnight, these two very
positive prisoners

382
00:20:32,902 --> 00:20:35,680
named Paul and Silas were praying

383
00:20:35,680 --> 00:20:38,445
and singing hymns to God.

384
00:20:38,445 --> 00:20:40,820
The rest of us were listening to them.

385
00:20:40,820 --> 00:20:43,214
Suddenly there was a violent earthquake

386
00:20:43,214 --> 00:20:45,265
and the prison shook.

387
00:20:45,265 --> 00:20:47,135
All the prison doors flew open

388
00:20:47,135 --> 00:20:50,061
and everyone's chains came loose.

389
00:20:50,061 --> 00:20:52,859
The jailer woke up, saw all the doors open

390
00:20:52,859 --> 00:20:55,441
and drew his sword to kill himself.

391
00:20:55,441 --> 00:20:57,368
He thought all the prisoners had escaped.

392
00:20:57,368 --> 00:20:59,950
But Paul assured him and shouted

393
00:20:59,950 --> 00:21:02,674
that he should not harm himself.

394
00:21:02,674 --> 00:21:07,939
The jailer ? rushed in and lay 
in front of them, trembling.

395
00:21:07,939 --> 00:21:11,270
The jailer accepted Jesus Christ

396
00:21:11,270 --> 00:21:15,435
and his whole family was baptized.

397
00:21:15,435 --> 00:21:17,069
So prayer can happen anywhere.

398
00:21:17,069 --> 00:21:19,489
For Hope Channel, you know I anchor
a program -

399
00:21:19,489 --> 00:21:21,349
I co-anchor a program called Let's Pray.

400
00:21:21,349 --> 00:21:24,093
And so here we are in a television studio

401
00:21:24,093 --> 00:21:26,932
with lights and cameras and action

402
00:21:26,932 --> 00:21:30,940
and yet we are a very much in the manner
of prayer.

403
00:21:30,940 --> 00:21:34,194
And we have seen God, we have seen

404
00:21:34,194 --> 00:21:37,784
amazing answers to prayer from the studio.

405
00:21:37,784 --> 00:21:39,559
So it can happen anywhere.

406
00:21:39,559 --> 00:21:41,157
One friend of mine has said

407
00:21:41,157 --> 00:21:43,835
that we must pray with such specificity

408
00:21:43,835 --> 00:21:46,453
we will know when God answers our prayers.

409
00:21:46,453 --> 00:21:50,719
In Acts chapter 12, Peter is in prison.

410
00:21:50,719 --> 00:21:52,933
He is scheduled for execution.

411
00:21:52,933 --> 00:21:56,472
He's chained between soldiers.

412
00:21:56,472 --> 00:21:59,775
Herod has decreed that he will die.

413
00:21:59,775 --> 00:22:02,165
As Peter's in prison, the entire church,

414
00:22:02,165 --> 00:22:04,721
I like that, the entire church is praying

415
00:22:04,721 --> 00:22:06,178
for Peter in prison.

416
00:22:06,178 --> 00:22:08,700
Right before that, James was, you know,

417
00:22:08,700 --> 00:22:11,066
taken to prison but was killed.

418
00:22:11,066 --> 00:22:13,254
And I think the people got
really concerned

419
00:22:13,254 --> 00:22:15,094
that they may now lose Peter

420
00:22:15,094 --> 00:22:17,193
when he was hauled off to jail.

421
00:22:17,193 --> 00:22:19,728
And that caused them to get worried

422
00:22:19,728 --> 00:22:23,415
so they got together and really prayed
all night long.

423
00:22:23,415 --> 00:22:26,342
King Herod had arrested some that belonged
to the church

424
00:22:26,342 --> 00:22:28,712
and was planning to persecute them.

425
00:22:28,712 --> 00:22:30,839
When Herod had James put to death
with a sword,

426
00:22:30,839 --> 00:22:33,289
and saw how the Jews had approved of this,

427
00:22:33,289 --> 00:22:36,100
he seized Peter also.

428
00:22:36,100 --> 00:22:39,377
Peter was guarded by four squads

429
00:22:39,377 --> 00:22:41,854
of four soldiers each.

430
00:22:41,854 --> 00:22:44,268
We were very concerned for his safety.

431
00:22:44,268 --> 00:22:46,652
And the church prayed earnestly for him.

432
00:22:49,712 --> 00:22:52,147
The night before Herod was going to
bring him to trial,

433
00:22:52,147 --> 00:22:54,380
Peter was sleeping between two soldiers

434
00:22:54,380 --> 00:22:57,889
bound by chains and centuries stood guard
at the entrance.

435
00:22:57,889 --> 00:22:59,996
Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared

436
00:22:59,996 --> 00:23:02,654
and light shone into his cell.

437
00:23:02,654 --> 00:23:05,000
The angel struck Peter on the side to
wake him up

438
00:23:05,000 --> 00:23:07,494
and the chains fell off his wrists.

439
00:23:07,494 --> 00:23:10,942
As he was instructed, Peter followed the
angel out of the prison

440
00:23:10,942 --> 00:23:14,691
past all of the guards to the
gate of the city.

441
00:23:17,631 --> 00:23:19,692
Many people had been praying together

442
00:23:19,692 --> 00:23:22,154
in the house of Mary, the mother of John.

443
00:23:22,154 --> 00:23:25,550
As the servant in the house, I heard 
knocking on the door.

444
00:23:31,200 --> 00:23:33,494
With caution, I went to open the door

445
00:23:33,494 --> 00:23:36,674
and to my surprise, there stood Peter.

446
00:23:36,674 --> 00:23:39,935
We had just been praying earnestly for him
in prison.

447
00:23:42,025 --> 00:23:44,998
Once again, united prayer had worked

448
00:23:44,998 --> 00:23:49,925
and the word of God continued to spread
and flourish.

449
00:23:49,925 --> 00:23:52,254
No one who was at that prayer meeting
that night

450
00:23:52,254 --> 00:23:55,201
would ever forget that they have a God

451
00:23:55,201 --> 00:23:57,595
answering prayer after that night.

452
00:23:57,595 --> 00:23:59,520
Everywhere those people went

453
00:23:59,520 --> 00:24:01,933
for the rest of their lives, they told
that story,

454
00:24:01,933 --> 00:24:04,294
which is part of the reason we know
it today,

455
00:24:04,294 --> 00:24:06,681
they told that story with great power

456
00:24:06,681 --> 00:24:10,175
because it was utterly convincing to them

457
00:24:10,175 --> 00:24:12,854
of not only God's willingness to help,

458
00:24:12,854 --> 00:24:16,354
but God's ability to do it on a grand and
surprising scale.

459
00:24:16,354 --> 00:24:19,808
Here were three big, huge nations

460
00:24:19,808 --> 00:24:23,604
converging on his little dinky kingdom 
of Judah

461
00:24:23,604 --> 00:24:26,541
and from a human standpoint,
it was wipeout.

462
00:24:26,541 --> 00:24:28,698
Jehoshaphat says some very honest things

463
00:24:28,698 --> 00:24:30,876
about the ones praying.

464
00:24:30,876 --> 00:24:31,834
We don't know what to do.

465
00:24:31,834 --> 00:24:32,861
We're weak.

466
00:24:32,861 --> 00:24:35,914
We're helpless against this great number
that's come against us.

467
00:24:35,914 --> 00:24:40,067
But he says some very honest things
about who God is too.

468
00:24:40,067 --> 00:24:43,008
God, You are capable. You are willing.

469
00:24:43,008 --> 00:24:46,415
You are able and we are ready.

470
00:24:46,415 --> 00:24:49,862
All of which prepared God's people
for His deliverance.

471
00:24:49,862 --> 00:24:52,414
But I think when we humble ourselves 
in prayer

472
00:24:52,414 --> 00:24:54,401
we're giving God permission

473
00:24:54,401 --> 00:24:57,341
to break through in a supernatural way.

474
00:24:57,341 --> 00:24:59,982
And, we're even told in the book,
Christ's Object Lessons,

475
00:24:59,982 --> 00:25:02,218
that we are to present our prayers

476
00:25:02,218 --> 00:25:06,233
with a determination that
will not be denied.

477
00:25:06,233 --> 00:25:08,726
What a promise.

478
00:25:08,726 --> 00:25:23,977
(music)

479
00:25:23,977 --> 00:25:27,581
Many people came and told Jehoshaphat

480
00:25:27,581 --> 00:25:31,801
that a vast army was approaching to wage
war against him.

481
00:25:31,801 --> 00:25:35,199
Alarmed by this news, Jehoshaphat 
proclaimed

482
00:25:35,199 --> 00:25:37,489
a fast for all of Judah.

483
00:25:37,489 --> 00:25:40,133
People came from every town in Judah

484
00:25:40,133 --> 00:25:42,789
to fast and pray together.

485
00:25:42,789 --> 00:25:44,714
We were part of a large group and

486
00:25:44,714 --> 00:25:49,208
Jehoshaphat was earnestly asking God
for assistance.

487
00:25:49,208 --> 00:25:51,786
Than a man called Jahaziel stood up

488
00:25:51,786 --> 00:25:55,342
and said that Jehoshaphat should not
be concerned,

489
00:25:55,342 --> 00:25:58,094
that it was not his battle but 
God's battle.

490
00:25:58,094 --> 00:26:05,681
(music)

491
00:26:07,621 --> 00:26:09,059
It was early in the morning

492
00:26:09,059 --> 00:26:11,716
when we set out to the desert of Dacoa(?)

493
00:26:11,716 --> 00:26:13,664
We were seriously concerned about facing

494
00:26:13,664 --> 00:26:17,657
this huge army, but we were told to
have faith.

495
00:26:17,657 --> 00:26:22,472
We had also prayed.

496
00:26:22,472 --> 00:26:24,686
When our reconnaissance platoon came
over the hill,

497
00:26:24,686 --> 00:26:28,921
we only saw dead bodies all around.

498
00:26:28,921 --> 00:26:31,505
The enemy had apparently turned on
each other.

499
00:26:31,505 --> 00:26:34,482
Jehoshaphat's prayers had won them
the battle

500
00:26:34,482 --> 00:26:37,167
without even having to fight.

501
00:26:37,167 --> 00:26:39,187
When you look at prayer

502
00:26:39,187 --> 00:26:40,521
in the book of Acts in the Bible,

503
00:26:40,521 --> 00:26:42,401
a definite pattern emerges.

504
00:26:42,401 --> 00:26:44,856
That pattern is that the disciples,

505
00:26:44,856 --> 00:26:48,361
as they begin to share what God has put
on their hearts,

506
00:26:48,361 --> 00:26:52,435
they are persecuted, sometimes to
the point of death.

507
00:26:52,435 --> 00:26:55,521
As the persecution begins,

508
00:26:55,521 --> 00:26:57,942
they actually gather the believers 
together.

509
00:26:57,942 --> 00:27:02,334
They pray and the Holy Spirit
is poured out.

510
00:27:02,334 --> 00:27:03,688
Thus causing the word of God

511
00:27:03,688 --> 00:27:07,095
to be spread even more boldly.

512
00:27:07,095 --> 00:27:09,648
Thus the church of God grows.

513
00:27:09,648 --> 00:27:11,755
United prayer is critically important

514
00:27:11,755 --> 00:27:15,601
to the church because it is the key

515
00:27:15,601 --> 00:27:21,755
to national revival and to the healing of
national challenges.

516
00:27:21,755 --> 00:27:24,409
Prayer, especially united prayer,

517
00:27:24,409 --> 00:27:25,862
is not about leverage,

518
00:27:25,862 --> 00:27:28,020
twisting the hand of God with more people

519
00:27:28,020 --> 00:27:31,301
praying the same phrase over and
over again.

520
00:27:31,301 --> 00:27:34,147
It is about God's people together

521
00:27:34,147 --> 00:27:36,341
getting aligned with His will.

522
00:27:36,341 --> 00:27:38,880
When we pray, I think it changes
our hearts.

523
00:27:38,880 --> 00:27:42,430
And when we can unite together in prayer,

524
00:27:42,430 --> 00:27:45,421
there is a unity that is experienced.

525
00:27:45,421 --> 00:27:48,662
And then when we ask, whatever we ask,

526
00:27:48,662 --> 00:27:52,145
in the powerful name of Jesus, 
things happen.

527
00:27:52,145 --> 00:27:54,957
Why is united prayer important?

528
00:27:54,957 --> 00:27:57,573
Because it opens our hearts

529
00:27:57,573 --> 00:28:00,551
to the power of the living God

530
00:28:00,551 --> 00:28:03,008
to accompany our witness.

531
00:28:03,008 --> 00:28:06,154
It brings you to the foot of the cross
together.

532
00:28:06,154 --> 00:28:09,401
United prayer is unleashing God's power

533
00:28:09,401 --> 00:28:10,628
in the universe and I believe

534
00:28:10,628 --> 00:28:12,482
in a great controversy.

535
00:28:12,482 --> 00:28:14,574
He's what we need, not the prayer.

536
00:28:14,574 --> 00:28:18,050
In the controversy between good and evil

537
00:28:18,050 --> 00:28:21,329
God does not violate our 
freedom of choice.

538
00:28:21,329 --> 00:28:28,341
But as we pray, God opens up new avenues
of working.

539
00:28:28,341 --> 00:28:31,621
Isn't God already working for that son
or daughter before we pray?

540
00:28:31,621 --> 00:28:34,049
Isn't He working for the community
before we pray?

541
00:28:34,049 --> 00:28:36,863
He is. But he's limited by their choice.

542
00:28:36,863 --> 00:28:39,993
But as we pray, just like in the 
book of Acts

543
00:28:39,993 --> 00:28:44,996
as the church prayed, God honours
the choice of the praying one.

544
00:28:44,996 --> 00:28:48,969
And miracles occur as we pray unitedly.

545
00:28:48,969 --> 00:28:52,781
When we get things right on the vertical

546
00:28:52,781 --> 00:28:56,715
they will become right on the horizontal.

547
00:28:56,715 --> 00:29:28,671
(music)