Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.  Amen
~Ephesians 3:20-21

All praise to our great God!   Though participation dropped off dramatically for our concentrated day of prayer, I believe God was doing exactly what He did when Gideon’s army was too large…He trimmed it down to those most fully committed to put their trust in the Lord in that moment, so that He would be glorified.  Indeed, our Lord chose His warriors, and He will be glorified because of your commitment to the “Shake it Up” Prayer Event.  I also believe others will participate in a different season when they visit those posts.  God is not bound by time, and His plan is different for every person!  His power at work within us is more than we can imagine, and He will truly be glorified…over and over again!

This prayer event was triggered partially by the study of Acts, where I continually read about believers who devoted themselves to prayer.  Just after Jesus’ ascension to heaven, we read that the disciples and others gathered in the Upper Room.  In Acts 1:14, we find, “These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”

It is interesting to note:

• These prayer warriors were all with one mind. That doesn’t necessarily mean they all agreed about everything in life, but they WERE committed to the same spiritual calling.
• These prayer warriors were “continually devoting themselves to prayer.” The peace of Jerusalem, the persecution of believers, and a great awakening warrant not a single day of prayer, but “continual devotion.”  Let’s keep at it!
• This group of prayer warriors included disciples, women and family members. Let’s incorporate believers from every walk of life into our prayer circles.

Most importantly, the book of Acts is full of testimony to the power of prayer:

• Acts 2 begins with the believers gathered together in one place. Prayer was their habit, so it is likely they were highly engaged.  The Holy Spirit fell, Peter preached his first sermon, and 3000 souls were saved on that first Pentecost!
• In Acts 3, a lame beggar was healed as Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer. Then, Peter preached his second sermon and about 5000 men were saved!  (Acts 4:4)
• The Holy Spirit moved mightily in Acts 4 “when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.”  They were filled with the Holy Spirit “when they had prayed.”  May the Spirit of God fall afresh on each of us, and may we go out with renewed power of the Holy Spirit.
• In Acts 6, the disciples devoted themselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word, then prayed and laid hands on the first deacons of the church.  Mighty things happen under the inspiration of prayer.  Let’s be ready for the ministry God has for us!

On and on it goes, and you get the idea!  The birth and growth of the early church happened because of devotion to prayer, and God consistently “shook things up!”  Believers, I believe God is still in the business of shaking things up as we devote ourselves to prayer, as those early believers did.

Indeed, our God is a prayer-hearing, prayer-answering, miracle-working God!  Let’s be devoted, then see what He has in store in our day!  And if you are reading this after our prayer event has concluded, please know that God has called you to a different time and season for prayer!  Thanks for joining in prayer for the peace of Jerusalem, for persecuted believers, and for a third Great Awakening in our nation that will impact the world!

Thank you so much for your commitment to prayer with believers all over the world!  You are indeed mighty prayer warriors.  Many blessings!