February 8, 2009
DAY 22
Posted by KI Contributor
Scripture: Acts 12:1-17
A Praying Community that Includes You
“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16b)
Often I wonder if my prayer is working, if it has power to change, and whether God will answer my prayer or not. Although I know the truth is that God answers our prayers, I often feel – in fact, I am deceived – that God only answers the prayer of the righteous and holy but not mine, a prayer of an ordinary person.
The story in the above passage reveals a great truth about prayer: “So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for Him.” (v. 5) As the community of faith – the church – gathers together and prays, God answers. Prayer is effective. Consider Peter’s experience in prison: Double chains, soldiers, iron gates – all gave way to the power of prayer. The power of the Roman Empire was nothing compared to the community in prayer.
And in this community of prayer, we find Rhoda, a little servant girl. While being perhaps the least among all gathered, Rhoda delightfully became the first one to welcome the answer to their prayer.
The truth is that Rhoda, a little servant girl, was a righteous one. And her righteousness came through the blood of Jesus. She was made righteous not according to her merits and deeds, but according to what Jesus has done, and her faith in Him. And her prayers had great power and effectiveness because of Jesus.
Have you ever felt like I have – little and small and not sure of the power of your prayer? Know that you are righteous, your prayers have great power, and you’re part of the praying community of YNCC. Aren’t you?
PRAYER FOCUS: AIDS
AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since 1981. In 2005, 10 people were newly infected with HIV worldwide every minute. There are 40.3 million living with HIV/AIDS worldwide, one-third of which are between the ages of 15-24; 43% of those infected with HIV are women; Africa has 12 million AIDS orphans. Pray that God will intervene against this epidemic. Pray that God will inspire new teachers of the Bible to confront the causes of AIDS to bring about personal and social transformation. Also, pray that churches will send out laborers of compassion and love to AIDS orphans and children infected with HIV.
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