After They Prayed

It wasn’t until I really prayed that I felt a change in me.
It wasn’t until I really sought the face of God that I saw a difference. It wasn’t until I became the prayer person that I am today-in my own way-that I saw how God was moving things on my behalf.  I am thankful.

It’s not just a changed environment for me, it’s a changed mind!

That happened with serious prayer and an encounter with God that’s going to last eternal in my soul.

Now Lord consider their threats and enable your servants to speak Your word with great boldness [not hesitating or fearful in the face of danger]. Stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs [see/vision] and wonders [acts] through the name of Your Holy Servant Jesus. After they prayed, the place where they were meeting [sitting] was shaken and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly. Acts 4:29-31 (New International Version)

What place are you sitting at?

Where are you meeting? And for what?

We are in a time where the priority for God’s presence is diminishing. We create our own false expectations, unmet needs, challenges, miscommunication, incompatibility, feelings, thoughts and pains.

I cannot get you to come to prayer meets. I cannot get you to come to church. I cannot get you to renew or change your mind. I cannot get you to fast or even to your full potential. Only the Spirit of God can. And Spirit talks to Spirit!

We must stop asking if we are going to be there. Just show up. The only thing you should ask is why we are not there. People have a heavy incline to go everywhere else FIRST before church…before prayer…and they do their own thing prioritizing what is really important to them.

“The sinking ship crisis does not create convictions, it reveals them.”
Tim Chaddock

This speaks to what really matters in life and what we are drawn to do. This is not to say those that miss the 1 or 2 fellowship meetings…this is for those that miss MANY. That there is no unction or concern to be a part of the body of Christ–as a family. We are just instruments and we are living in the last days. We will get under the darkest times ever and if we don’t train ourselves to plug into His presence of God or the body of Christ, chances are we will face the worst.

As the saying goes, “Survival of the Fittest!” Get yourself fit–spiritually. Fit for work. Fit for the kingdom. Make this work more attractive for you. Make this priority for you. Put God first in all things.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33 (New International Version)

Attach yourself to where you need to be in the body of Christ and detach from frivolty. One of these is more difficult than the other–you’ll see which one that is.

There is a distinction between powerlessness and power. There is an ownership of that. Some things we cannot do NO MATTER WHAT. This includes changing people, solving problems, controlling their behavior and actions. Surrender to the right powerlessness and what you can’t control. Take ownership of the power on what you can do. We have to stop looking for something that we are NEVER going to find. But when we seek the Lord through prayer–we will find a world of opportunity.

These men and woman of God did much–AFTER THEY PRAYED. Just like the opening of Acts Chapter 2–they were already filled in the upper room. And they prayed for MORE in Acts Chapter 4. The place that they were at was first shaken–and then they were filled again. God does that! But you have to PRAY!    

When you have those ill feelings– PRAY!

When you are facing challenges– PRAY!

When you are in a state of confusion– PRAY!

When you have questions for Him– PRAY!

When you are struggling with addictions– PRAY!

In every season of your life and in every day that you are blessed with –pray first, and everything else will follow.

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
James 5:13-16 (New King James Version)

Church of God–we must return to that place of prayer! That is where everything works and where everything is going to make sense. It is where you will feel that peace that surpasses understanding. It is where you will see the will of God unfold in your life. It is the platform for you to progress, prosper and be fully prepared for your purpose.

Have you prayed today?

You still have time. Talk to Him. Walk with Him. Live with Him. In times where we are faced with adversity, trials and more… we can abide in a place of safety…after we have prayed.