The reason the Bible tells us to pray that we might live quiet and peaceful lives is because peaceful conditions make it easier to preach the Gospel. The early Church found that out under Herod’s reign. He used his position of power to hinder the spread of God’s Word by getting violent with the preachers. He executed the apostle James and would have done the same to Peter if the believers in Jerusalem hadn’t stopped him with a fervent all-night prayer meeting.
I’m sure the people in that prayer meeting didn’t pray for Herod to be eaten by worms, but they must have prayed for God to move on the government authorities. They must have prayed for peaceful and quiet lives because shortly after that prayer meeting, Herod was struck dead by the angel of the Lord.
Once Herod was out of the way, the Word of God grew and multiplied. Clearly, when it comes to getting the Gospel to people, government leaders can make all the difference.
Just think how much simpler it is to make disciples for Jesus in the United States, for instance, than it is in a nation like China or Iran. In America, we can have church meetings, build Bible schools, witness to people on the street, buy a Bible in any bookstore, and do a great many other godly things without much interference.
We might face some minor, verbal persecution at times, but we won’t be arrested by government officials for being Christians. We won’t be beaten or beheaded by lawless zealots. We won’t be shot by rebel insurgents. Because our nation is for the most part a peaceable place, we can freely fulfill the Great Commission.
If God had His way, every nation would be like that. Let’s pray for His will to be done!
Scripture Reading: Acts 12:1 – 25
Source: Devotions for the Praying Heart by Lynne Hammond.
On the chilly March night in 1972 when Lynne Hammond took her first step into a life of Spirit-led prayer, she had no idea what was about to happen. All she knew was the hunger in her heart for God wouldn’t let her sleep. In the few short months she’d been born again, her desire to fellowship with Him had grown so strong she could hardly contain it. “Help me, God!” she cried. “I want to know you. I want to be able to talk to you. Please, teach me to pray!”
Suddenly, a heavenly presence flooded the room. Lynne sensed waves of spiritual fire sweeping over her and a beautiful language began to flow like a river from within her. Although she’d never heard of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, she knew instantly, without a doubt—this was God!
What began that night soon blossomed into a life of prayer that ultimately became a ministry of prayer when, in 1980, Lynne and her husband, Mac, founded Living Word Christian Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Under Lynne’s leadership, the prayer ministry at Living Word has become an internationally recognized model for developing effective pray-ers in the local church.
A teacher and an author, Lynne publishes a newsletter called Prayer Notes, has written numerous books, and currently serves as the national prayer director for Daughters for Zion. Her passion for inspiring and leading others into the life of Spirit-led prayer continues to take her around the world to minister to believers whose heart cry, like hers, is “Lord, teach me to pray!”