When God’s People Pray, God Speaks

Do you remember a time in your life when you prayed about a specific request and God spoke to your heart? Maybe it was God’s Spirit who spoke. Maybe it was a child of God. Or maybe God spoke through His Word.

Once my wife Shelley and I were wrestling with what seemed to be an open door in ministry; but we were struggling with what we were hearing and experiencing. I knew I needed to clarify God’s call so I spent a day in prayer, fasting, and reading God’s Word, seeking God for His clear direction. I prayerfully read through select portions of Scripture, asking God to speak as I read. As I was reading through 2 Corinthians, God spoke clearly through His Word. Paul was writing to the Corinthian believers and he told them that although a door was opened to him by the Lord, he had no rest in his spirit so he said good-bye and left (2 Corinthians 2:12-13). That was my answer and it was an incredible moment. God had spoken to my heart through His Word as I prayed.

In Acts 1, we enter one of the early church’s prayer meetings. During the prayer meeting, Peter addresses the need to find someone to take Judas’ place as an apostle (Acts 1:13-14, 21-26). They needed a leader, so the apostles and disciples prayed together. In their prayer they acknowledged that 1) the Lord is omniscient, He knows everything; and, 2) that the Lord is sovereign, He is in charge. Since God knew all things and since God was in charge, they asked Him to show them who He had chosen. Matthias was God’s chosen apostle to replace Judas.

In Acts 6, Luke records a time when a need arises in the church (Acts 6:1-7). In short, a problem arose because the Hellenistic Jews believed their widows were not getting their fair share of the food that the church provided for their care. So the Apostles called the church together and charged them with selecting “seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3). Luke doesn’t tell us whether or not the church prayed about this specific decision, but based on the account in chapter 1, and the church’s commitment to prayer in chapter 2, I’m inclined to believe the church prayed. Once the seven men were selected, Luke tells us that the apostles “prayed and laid their hands on them” (Acts 6:6).

I love the Apostles’ commitment to prayer and preaching. While it was important to them for the widows to be cared for, they couldn’t be responsible for this ministry because it would take them away from their God-given calling. Therefore, the decision to select seven men for this work. As a result of the Apostles’ commitment to prayer and preaching, “the preaching about God flourished, the number of the disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7). God blessed His church. And what God did then, He can do again.

There’s another time when the early church was in God’s presence (Acts 13:1-3). They were worshiping Him, fasting, and praying. And once again, God speaks. He tells His people to set apart Barnabas and Saul to the work He had called them to.

In the first century church God’s people prayed and God spoke. When they prayed about a replacement for Judas, God spoke. When they needed to appoint seven men to serve the church, God spoke. When it was time for the church’s first mission trip, God spoke. The early church was committed to prayer. And Luke is clear: both the church’s leaders and the church’s members prayed. They prayed together. They prayed together continually.

From the early church’s experiences we learn that when God’s people pray, God shows up, God shows out, and God speaks.

Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6, “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” God may not answer like we want Him to, but since He knows everything and since He’s in charge of everything, we can trust Him to do what’s best for our good and His glory.

Child of God, when God’s people pray He shows up, He shows out, and He speaks. Remember, what God did then He can do again! So let’s pray.

No Need To Despair

In light of recent events taking place in our nation and around the world, Christians would do well to remember that God is sovereign. He is still on His throne. He still reigns. The psalmist reminds us that “God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne” (Psalm 47:8).

With recent elections taking place in various countries, and our own nation’s upcoming election in November, we need to remember that God is sovereign. In reflecting on this I was reminded of two former world leaders. The first was Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, wrote: For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth” (Romans 9:17). Pharaoh did not appoint himself as king. God raised up Pharaoh as king of Egypt for His express purpose: to reveal HIS power and to make HIS name known in all the earth. It is also important to note that God is the One who defeated Pharaoh (Exodus 14:26-28).

The second world leader was Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar was a proud, self-centered man. In fact, he made an image of gold and commanded everyone to fall down and worship this image (see Daniel 3:1-7). By the sovereign plan of God, King Nebuchadnezzar had become great and strong. In fact, Scripture tells us that his dominion extended to the ends of the earth (Daniel 4:22). One day King Nebuchadnezzar was walking on the roof of his palace and proudly said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:28-30). Then God called out to King Nebuchadnezzar:

“O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will”  (Daniel 4:31-32).

We can only imagine what Nebuchadnezzar encountered. It was quite a humbling experience. Following this ordeal, Nebuchadnezzar blessed the Most High:  

for his [God’s] dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” … Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble (Daniel 4:34-37).

No doubt God used these two kings for His purpose. As I read the stories of these two world leaders, I was reminded of the words of King Solomon: “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will” (Proverbs 21:1). Through the centuries kings, queens, presidents, and prime ministers have come and gone, but there is One who will never leave His throne. He is eternal, sovereign God. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and for all eternity, He sits on His throne. There is no need to despair! Keep trusting in Him.

You Are Not Alone

Have you ever been treated unfairly? Have you ever been betrayed by someone close to you? Have you ever been falsely accused? Have you encountered other experiences when life just seemed unfair? If you answered yes to any of these questions you are not alone!

The Bible tells the story of a young man named Joseph. Humanly speaking, one could say life was unfair to Joseph. Joseph was disliked by his brothers. Of course, Joseph did not help matters when he bragged about dreams he had where his brothers would bow down to him (Gen. 37:5-9). His dad did not help because he showed favoritism,  going even as far to make Joseph an expensive robe to wear (Gen. 37:3). His brothers were  jealous and hated him; so much so, they plotted to kill him (Gen. 37:4, 18). Fortunately his brother Reuben intervened and spared his life; however, his brothers ended up selling him and Joseph ended up in Egypt (Gen. 37:25-28). He was bought by a man named Potiphar, one of King Pharaoh’s officials (Gen. 39:1).

So how did Joseph make it in a strange land, surrounded by complete strangers?  Rather than simply survive, Joseph thrived. Scripture tells us that “the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man” (Gen. 39:2). Joseph found favor in Potiphar’s eyes and was placed in charge of his household. God blessed everything that Potiphar owned for Joseph’s sake. However, Joseph’s hardships were not quite over. Potiphar’s wife lied about him and the charges were so serious that Joseph was put in prison (Gen. 39:11-20). While in prison, God gave him favor in the sight of the prison warden and Joseph was put in charge of all the prisoners (Gen. 39:21-22). Eventually Joseph was called upon to interpret the dreams of King Pharaoh, which he did with God’s help. King Pharaoh observed that the Spirit of God was on him and since Joseph was so discerning and wise, Pharaoh promoted him to the second highest position in the land of Egypt (Gen. 41:38-44).

Even while living in a strange place surrounded by strangers, Joseph was faithful. He was faithful to serve those who were over him. He was faithful to obey God’s commands by not committing adultery with Potiphar’s wife even though she pursued him time and time again. He was faithful while a prisoner. He was even faithful to forgive his brothers for selling him (Gen. 50:15-21). How could he remain faithful even when life seemed so unfair? He knew God was with him. He knew God was watching over him. He knew God was working out His plan (Gen. 50:20).

If you are a child of God who is going through some difficulty remember that you are not alone. God is with you! He is watching over you and He is working out His plan for your life (Rom. 8:28-29). If you are reading this and are not a child of God, then understand that you desperately need Him. Turn to God and admit to Him that you are a sinner in desperate need of His salvation. Believe the good news that Jesus died for you (Rom. 5:6-8) and then confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead and you will be saved (Rom. 10:9).