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bigmike

Prayer and Power
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:1-4
Although T. DeWitt Talmage had a long and effective ministry, he went through a period after some years in the pulpit where no one was responding to his preaching. Discouraged, he considered either going to a new church or leaving the ministry, but instead he resolved to pray. He invited five of the men of his church to join him. Later he wrote, “We entered an upper room in my home. There we agonized in prayer that there would be a great turning by people from sin to God. We had agreed that we would not leave the room until we were assured in our hearts that God would send a great spiritual awakening. At the conclusion of the gathering, I requested that the meeting be kept secret. The following Sunday, over four hundred stood for prayer. A religious awakening took place that made that winter memorable for time and eternity!”
The work that God has called us to do cannot be accomplished in our strength, no matter how talented we are, how streamlined our programs may be, or how hard we work. God's work requires God's power, and God's power comes when God's people pray. The prayers that produce power are not casual or routine, but serious, devoted, persistent, continuing and dedicated prayer.
Before Jesus chose His twelve disciples, he spent hours in prayer. “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God” (Luke 6:12). Before we attempt anything great for God, we should spend time in His presence depending on His power.
Prayer is essential for us to see God's power displayed in our life and work for Him.
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