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As I've traveled around the world, I've found churches growing very rapidly. We could be living in the greatest time of the advancement of Christianity in the history of the church. Unreached people groups are hearing the gospel for the first time. People in nations that have had a history of hostility towards Christianity are opening their hearts to Christ and following Him. Many historians believe we're seeing the final chapter of the history of the church - not because of decline, but rather because of fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. Jesus said, "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matt. 24:14 NIV).
Some reading this may be
thinking, "Where's all of this happening? It's certainly not taking place
in my church, my community, or my nation."
The answer to that
question is simple. Incredible church growth is taking place in nations and
among people who have made prayer a priority. When the church prays, God moves.
It's that simple. The great Christian revivals of history have always been
preceded by great prayer movements. The advancement of the kingdom of God
has been led by humble, holy praying men and women.
When Jesus instituted
the church, He birthed it in a prayer movement. He told His disciples before He
ascended to heaven, "Stay in the city until you have been clothed with
power from on high" (Lk. 24:49 NIV). The church in the book of Acts is
found praying at its inception. It continued to pray throughout those early
days, and consequently, it continued to grow.
Prayer was the priority
of the early church. If we're to see God work in our personal lives or in our
churches, then we, too, must be a people of prayer. It must take a priority in
our lives. Several years ago, I was speaking at a church growth conference. A
pastor of a very fast-growing church was also speaking. He told about the
phenomenal growth in his church. He also spoke about the "relevancy"
of his methods of reaching people for Christ.
Yet, there was something
I knew about that church that he didn't mention. I knew it because I had
preached there several times. Every time he stood to preach, there were several
men in his congregation who were on their faces in his office crying out to
God. They were weeping for the souls of men. The great underpinning of the
church was prayer. Yes, they had used creative methods in sharing the gospel.
But the power behind any Biblical method is prayer.
God has not changed.
He's the "same yesterday, today, and forever." He's simply looking for
people who've made prayer a priority. He's searching for those whose hearts
have turned towards heaven. When our priorities are in tune with His purposes,
there's nothing too difficult for us. He's still on His throne. He'll act, and
when He does, He will move in awesome power. He's waiting. Rearrange your
priorities and watch Him work.
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