I am finding calm in the chaos by the Power of Prayer.
For the world is filled with chaos. Bombs exploding, Isis claiming responsibility, van rabbing and stabbing on London Bridge (is falling down, falling down…).
I’d never even heard of rabbing until recently.
How, O Lord, can this be?
Where are you Father?
We need you like never before.
Never before?
Remember:
Suicide bomber outside Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England
Champs Elysees attack in Paris
Stockholm truck attack
Saint Petersburg bombing
Westminster Bridge attack
Louvre knife attack
All the these happened in 2017
The list continues:
German Christmas Market
Ohio State
Orlando Nightclub shooting
The Boston Bombing
Ebola
9-11
AIDS
Edi Amin Dada
The Atomic Bomb
Nazi Germany
The Spanish Inquisition
The Crusades
Attila the Hun
The crucifixion of Christ
and the persecution of His followers
We hoped for peace but no good has come, for a time of healing but there is only terror. Jeremiah 8:15 (NIV)
People feared the world was ending with each one of these terrorizing events. And I’m sure I skipped many ungodly times where terror reigned. Yet time continues to unravel…
It is our turn to stand in the gap
Around the world
For every believer
And every lost soul.
Do you feel it – a shift in the atmosphere? A heightened need to pray? Me, too.
The terrorists at the door
The nightmare
Edi Amin Dada
Zaire
Neighboring countries
Rampages
Mass murders
One of my dear friends grew up in Uganda during the time of Edi Amin Dada, who ruled and rampaged in the country next door. Guerilla warriors raided Uganda night after night, breaking into homes as they pulled fathers from mothers, sisters from brothers and infants from mother’s arms.
Millions were slaughtered. A few survived – and turned a country around.
HOW?
They prayed – all night long – as they listened to doors being battered down, screams piercing the darkness, and footsteps receding into the night. Yet they lived through the night – night after night, over and over and over again. And changed a nation.
Uganda is now a CHRISTIAN country. And Pastor Mike is now a missionary to AMERICA to help teach us how to pray like they did to turn our country back to God! They prayed like David prayed in Psalm 3.
Want to learn how to do that? I do! I pray America repents and turns back to God. Yet…
[Tweet “A country cannot repent. Only people, one at a time…”]A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.
1 Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!
2 Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.”
3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
4 I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain.
5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
6 I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.
7 Arise, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.
8 From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.
Psalm 3
The enemy wants to bring terror to this land. Yet what lands will the Word of God reach? And who deals with terror now? Did you know that the prayer thermometer in the US is at 25%…and falling?
We simply are called to realize and utilize the POWER of Prayer to counteract this trend. We open the windows of Heaven as we pray a powerful prayer – that goes under attack.
UNDER ATTACK? Why would I say that?
The enemy is resisting you and your prayers to distract you from praying – so he can attack – without resistance.
The enemy has one job – to steal, kill and destroy. You. And everything you love. Here’s the GOOD NEWS!
[Tweet “Do you know you and your prayers are WINNING the battle?”]
Yet, have you felt:
Doubtful?
Distracted?
Challenged?
Easily irritated?
Angered like a trigger finger-just itching for a fight?
Heads up! The enemy is working hard against you to rearrange your day and to distract you from drawing near to God. So pull in even closer when these feelings creep (or leap!) in…
[Tweet “Have you noticed the enemy strikes when you are TIRED? Vulnerable? Depleted?”]7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:7-8 (NIV)
So walk with power, purity and a sound mind to remain in the power of God’s covering. Spiritual warfare (did I really just use those words?!) is real and scary, but GOD is our Protector and Mighty Shield.
[Tweet “Do NOT go to work “nekked” or exposed. Don the Full Armor of God. Pray daily.”]Pray Ephesians 6:10-19 every single day. Pray continually. Be ready with the gospel because it is your mightiest weapon. Hold your sword for the Holy Spirit to wield as you speak the truth of God’s Holy Word.
Paul and Silas turned to praying and singing in the most unlikely of places. Prison. At midnight. And everyone’s chains came loose.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. Acts 16:25-26 (NIV)
That’s the power we have in us with God’s Word. Ready to use it? Your life depends on it. Eternally. And so many other people’s lives do.
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17 (NIV)
Yes, the Kingdom of Heaven has come near. So repent and rejoice!
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12 (NIV)
Even greater things than these, the works of Jesus Christ. Thank You Lord. It is Christ in us that allows us to accomplish greater things.
We turn to You in prayer, O Mighty God, asking You to guard, guide, equip and lead us today. I’m finding calm in the chaos of life because the power of prayer is real.
[Tweet “Finding Calm in the Power of Prayer at DanceWithJesus”] [inlinkz_linkup id=725697 mode=1]
I do find strength in my prayers..
I agree, there have so many horrible and tragic events this year alone. It is easy to give in to fear but we need to pray and remember that God’s power is greater. From your neighbour at Porch Stories.
What important truth, Susan! We are called to be in prayer . . . and don’t you just love the way it can defeat fear! Thank you so much for joining the party and Counting My Blessings! God bless you!
I so feel the heightened call to prayer. We made a trip to Uganda two years ago and I was so encouraged about your story. The people we met there truly do believe in the power of prayer. Bless you sister!
Lora, I can only imagine seeing that many people who KNOW the power of prayer. Amazing. Thank you for sharing. Hugs, Susan
Certainly the enemy is working hard all around the world and it seems that our prayers don’t make much difference. But yes, one person at a time is how we must pray! Thanks for this inspiring post!
Prayer is such an underused action,isn’t it?
Instead fear, anxiety and terror fill us.
Often we think we need to come before God with big words and He just wants us to come near as we are.
Such a good thought that a country cannot repent, only people one at a time. We were talking about this at our weekly night of prayer at church this week, how the most powerful prayer we can pray is “Lord, change me!”.
Wonderful post. I love the tweet…A Country cannot repent, only people can one at a time! So true. It must start with me. Thank you for sharing!
Powerful and encouraging, Susan! Prayer is my #oneword365 this year and I’m learning and growing so much. Thank you for all these references, great post!
Susan, Spirit usually wakes me to pray. And I do. Lately, the urgency has not been there but that can only mean I must pray fervently. We must be vigilant. Ready at all times. The battle rages although the victory has already been won. Thank You, Jesus.
“A country cannot repent. Only people, one at a time…” <– that is so true!
But, Heather I have repented for the sins of America. The slaughter of Indians, slaves, and the unborn. I confess and repent as though they were my sins. I find importance in that.
Just what I needed today Susan! There is so much power and calm in realizing we don’t have to beg like an orphan in our prayers, but we can pray as His daughter and expect Him to move and work.
Powerful reminder! Thank you for challenging us to stand In prayer, one person at a time.
Powerful words, Susan. God is the only quiet place in the center of life’s chaos.