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| Prayer Changes Things |
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Some time ago I attended a prayer summit that dramatically changed my prayer life. It was truly one of those experiences that happen only on rare occasions. Following one of the evening meetings, I was making my way back to the dorm room where I was staying, meditating upon what had taken place, and was reawakened to the fact that prayer is powerful. I was reminded that this is the primary way God brings about change.
You may be reading this blog and saying to yourself, "of course it is." Yet, most Christians do not believe this. They do not view prayer as a priority. Furthermore, they fail to see the value of growing in their prayer life. George Barna, founder of the Barna Group, discovered that only 7% of Christians polled had their prayer life as the number one aspect of their spiritual life they would most like to improve. Unfortunately, many Christians fail to see the significant impact their prayers can make. They have been duped into thinking that the Church can bring about change without prayer.
The fact is prayer changes things. However, instead of prayer, the Christian community has decided that the political arena would facilitate the needed change. Some Christians have opted for the political party that would bring about moral change while others have opted for the political party that would bring about social change. This is not to say that Christians should not be involved in the political arena - they should. However, Christians should not see this as the primary avenue that transforms society.
II Chronicles 7:14 states, "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." Here in lies our answer- it's prayer. Jesus echoes this sentiment regarding the importance of prayer when he says, "My house shall be called a house of prayer." What I was reawakened to that night was that if real change was going to take place in my church, my community, and my nation, it could only come about through prayer. |
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Absolutely true. And probably one of the main tactics of the enemy is to keep us from praying, keeping us too busy to pray, bombarding us with guilt about our sins to keep us from getting anywhere past telling God how bad we feel about ourselves, or making us think that it won't make that much of a difference. Prayer, because it is the most vital connection God's people can make with the Father, is our most desperate need today. Keep preaching, brother! |
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| Thanks Danny! You are exactly right. Samuel Chadwick once wrote, "The one concern of the Devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray. |
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Kathy |
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August 22, 2007 at 2:35pm |
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Pastor Tim, what a blessed experience! One of those that a blog will never do justice to, because no one would disagree that prayer is important and changes things. But when the Spirit gives us those fresh personal revelations, they are truly gifts from God and bring us into closer unity with Him.
I'm not sure today's church still comprehends communion with God. I wonder if we have not exchanged true intimacy for words, thinking that the words we speak are in themselves prayer, and we wonder why our prayers seem to make no difference. God, forgive us, and bring us back! Thank you for revealing this important truth to Pastor Tim! |
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Kathy, I really liked what you said regarding true intimacy, "thinking the words we speak are in themselves prayer. When I read what you said, I remembered a quote by R A Torrey. So I went back in my prayer file and found it.
He said, "Before a word of petition is offered, we should have the definite and vivid consciousness that we are talking to God and should believe that He is listening to our petition and is going to grant the thing that we ask of Him. We should look to the Holy Spirit to really lead us into the presence of God and should not be hasty in words until He has actually brought us there." - R. A. Torrey, in How to Pray |
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Well, I got here sooner than later. :) You are so right and I'm thankful to be part of a church that believes in the power of prayer over the power of man. I have participated in Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God two times now. In this study Henry Blackaby give example after example of the power of prayer and how God uses that powerful relationship to work through us. However, it is always good to be reminded of the power of prayer when our lives are so busy and full. Yours in Christ,
Melinda |
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JAN |
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August 22, 2007 at 3:52pm |
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Everything is being divided into "your way" "my way" "that political way"...I still believe if enough prayers are said it will be HIS way.."thy will be done"
Enjoyed this read Thanks |
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Ben |
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August 22, 2007 at 5:57pm |
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| Pastor Tim, I want to thank you for this true word from God. Christians always suggest prayer in different situations but are we just going through the Christian motions or do we really believe in the power of prayer? It's so easy with all of the other things going on in our lives to forget to keep prayer as our number one priority. Thank you for challenging me in my own personal walk to remember the importance and power of prayer. God bless you! |
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| Wow, Pastor Tim, this is the best blog I've read in weeks. Seriously! I love your take on politics. But I especially love, and am so encouraged by, your words about the power of prayer. My own prayer life has faltered recently, and I so needed to hear this. Have more to say, but not the time. I'm so glad I picked this particular blog to read. Thanks!! (and a star!) ~mike |
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| According to Luke 6:12, Jesus prayed the whole night. If we think we can do anything without prayer, we can understand where we will stand. |
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Melinky, It is sure great to be in a church that believes in prayer. Blackaby’s book is one of my favorites as well. Jan, I agree. Let God’s will be done. Ben, I am glad that this blog ministered to you. God is good. Mike your blogs have ministered to me on many occasions. I am glad I have the opportunity to return the favor. Ragland, You are right. Jesus has given us a model to follow. |
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"Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work."
Oswald Chanbers |
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Grant |
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August 22, 2007 at 9:36pm |
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Let me get this straight now. So, you are not saying that our prayers are magic and that they change things, but it is God who changes things, but is more likely to do so if we pray and ask him to. Is that what you are saying?
The reason I ask, is that some Christians seem to think that prayer is like an incantation that witches would do, and that God must do what we ask, when we ask, no matter whether or not he would rather answer no or maybe but later or something else.
Do I get your drift, or would you answer this differently?
Blessings, Grant. |
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| Grant, I believe that God answers prayer according to His will. He is completely sovereign. I undertsand that some believe that God is the cosmic puppet in the sky. I don't feel that way. |
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Grant |
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August 23, 2007 at 12:06am |
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Yo, bro! Right on Dude! I often wonder when Jesus will say to some that he never knew them, if he was talking about their prayer life.
Blessings, Grant. |
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Glenn |
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August 23, 2007 at 5:52am |
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Thank you Pastor Tim for this timely word. I for one don't take as much time in quite prayer, just being in God's presence and letting him guide my prayers as I should. He will reveal to us those things he wants us to pray about when we wait on him. Your words are a real encouragement to return to my knees in every situation, remembering that I need to see each situation through HIS eyes and pray for HIS will.
peace
Glenn |
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| Glenn, I am glad that God used this blog to enourage you. You are exactly right when you said that we need to see every situation through His eyes so we can pray according to His will. Thy will be done Lord! |
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| The exchange betw Grant and Pastor Tim above is priceless. Am still enjoying this conversation! ~mike |
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Pastor Tim,
I can't add a lot to what has already been said. I fully believe that prayer has many purposes - some of which we have no clue, but the primary purpose that most of us miss is the deep communion with God. It is the primary reason we were created. If people don't have a prayer life, then they don't truly understand God's will for them. The reason, IMHO, that Jesus prayed so much was to make sure his will was in line with His Will...if that makes sense...so should it be with us.
As for leaning in the limited arms of government - as opposed to the everlasting arms of God - it is an error this country has come to accept and if we don't change it, that alone could be our demise. Another topic for another blog.
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Voice, I like your comparison of the limited arms of government and the everlasting arms of God.
Also, you hit the nail on the head regarding the primary purpose of prayer, which is communion with God. Too many times we seek the hand of God instead of the face of God.
Good word voice. |
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| Excellent BLOG Excellent discussion, perhaps if we all agreed to pray at a certain time for say REVIVAL. Say for the spirit to let our polititions know right from wrong. we could agree long enough to get to the "thy will be done" part of the prayer. This BLOG may not have been perfect but it was Excellent. |
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| Thanks Dave! You idea about jointly praying about revival is excellent! |
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Wow, great blog pastor Tim. I don't have too much to say that hasn't already been mentioned but, I too have been slipping in my prayers with God, but I'm happy to say not any more. Funny how someones simple words can leave a stamp on someones heart. Thats the power of God I guess!! As said several times already, but not enough..GOD IS GOOD, GOD IS GREAT!!
I do have one question though. I've heard it is better to pray on your knees and bow down to the Lord, rather than just bowing your head, or laying in bed. Do you agree with that? If so, why is that? I am a true believer in prayer and even though they may not be answered right away or how you would want them, they are indeed answered......according to Gods will, and thats how I end all of my prayers!!
Thanks for yet another inspirering Blog! |
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Crystal,
Thank you for your kind words. Concerning your question about ones posture in prayer my answer to this is two fold. First, because we are God’s children and have been justified in the court of heaven we can call upon Jesus at any time. With that said, I would also say that our position of our body in prayer is, in itself, an act of worship. When you kneel while praying you are in effect acknowledging who God is – the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Kneeling also expresses submission and reverence. When we lay prostrate before the Lord we are acknowledging His holiness. Raising ones hands can be an act of surrender. |
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Grant |
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August 23, 2007 at 4:01pm |
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Posture can help our attitudes or even be an outward expression of an inner attitude, but like raising hands or genuflecting (kneeling), it is useless without that inner attitude. The scriptures are full of various postures, including prostration.
However, it's important not to get too legalistic about prayer, saying things like we need to do it this way or that, making it a straight jacket with so many rules.
Traditions, postures, fads and even authors like Richard Foster do some good in that they focus our minds on prayer, but they can leave us with the feeling that unless we follow a particular formula, we are just not up to scratch.
I have been in churches where if you did not feel comfortable raising your hands you were chastised from the pulpit and in another church where those who did were told not to, contradicting Paul. Such things are just plain manipulative and legalistic.
The bottom line is that we do pray and often and from the heart. |
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| Of course worship starts in the heart, but don't limit worship simply to the heart. We are called to love God with our heart, mind, and will. |
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Grant |
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August 23, 2007 at 5:45pm |
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| Very good comment! I am reminded of the Great Commandment "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." |
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| Thank you Pastor Tim....excellent blog.....for me, it also is a reminder of how important prayer is. God Bless You!! |
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| Thanks a lot Tim and Grant. Those were my thoughts on it, I just wanted to double check. I always thought as long as you pray with you heart, mind and soul to God and really mean what you say then he will listen and eventually answer according to his will....the way he see's (knows) best!! |
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Prayer is our "powerful" spiritual tool. It should be with us at all moment. How many times have I left my cell phone home and went to work? Many times! How did I feel when I realized it? I felt LOST. Why? Because communication at all time with my family and friends is important and necessary. Knowing that they can get in touch with me in a matter of seconds is important; all it takes is a dial and a “hello”. We should view prayer the same way. Prayer is the tool to get us in touch with our heavenly father. No matter where we are or what we are doing, we can always talk to God. While driving down the street, shopping in a store, or at a baseball game....no matter where we are, we can talk to God.
OHHH, and if He were to put us on hold, we would get as a background music the angels singing “Hallelujah” Can you imagine??? ;-) |
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Lourdes,
I really liked your cell phone analogy. As a matter of fact, I am going to use it this Sunday in my sermon. Good Word! |
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Prayer is the key to our relationship with the Father. Yes Prayer does change things but also without it we cannot grow, we begin to be drawn away from the Lord. Without prayer we have no fellowship with God, Our strength, wisdom, growth and needs depends on Prayer. Prayer should be number one for the Christian. Without that communion with our Father it would be hard to live a life of totally submission and obediance and our light wouldn't not shine for those that God is calling. |
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Gene |
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August 24, 2007 at 10:12am |
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The key to our personal relationship with Christ is simply to recognize and respond to His Presence. Period. Part of that response is our dialogue with Him. That dialogue includes periods of listening as well as periods of talking, the two components of what most people refer to as prayer. Prayer is one of the natural consequences of experiencing the Presence of God. I believe that prayer hits a brick wall when conducted outside of recognizing the Presence of God. So if you want to change things, connect first with God. |
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| Gene, I agree. One is to first connect with God. We are primarily to seek his face and not his hand. However, when we connect with him we will discover his heart, and his heart is to extend His kingdom. The key is balance. This is why Jesus taught us how to pray the Lord's prayer. One of the effects of this prayer is a balanced prayer life. |
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| Pinkblossom - Prayer is definitely connecting with God and developing an intimate relationship. Martin Luther, the great reformer thought communioning with God was so important that he stated, "I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer." |
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Gene |
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August 24, 2007 at 10:54am |
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Pastor, to carry your point about the Lord's Prayer one step further, note its form.
First it recognizes the holiness of God. Although we can state those words and understand them academically, their significance only hits us if we enter into His Presence.
Secondly, it recognizes His will over our own. Many of our own prayers are ineffective because we too often treat God as our own personal butler. But if we are in His Presence, then we will confess our weakness and recognize His Power and Glory. When this happens, placing His Will before our own is natural.
Third, it reminds us of what is really important. Getting a passing grade on a high school test, dealing with a sticky problem between friends, fearing for the life of someone close, these are all natural concerns that we should certainly pray for. But they all need to be in context of what we need from God's perspective, not our own. |
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I personally think that one of the hindrances of our prayer life is coming to God without expectation. "What if it is not His will?", or "Why should God stop the world for me?", and what about "Is He really listening?" You know, we defeat our prayer life if we don't believe He cares enough to answer our prayers.
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I can't imagine a day in which I don't speak with my Father, I cherish that intimacy. Thank you for writing about the significance of prayer and it's ability to bring change. I have had many answered prayers, and I can see God's hand moving in situations I have prayed about. This summer, I had an opportunity to take a wonderful class on meditative prayer at my church which has helped me to further develop my relationship with God.
Prayer should be a priority in every Christian's life, and it saddens me that it is not. It is through the connectedness of prayer and the Word of God that I have grown significantly since meeting Jesus 3 years ago.
Blessings, Hugs and Love. |
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Faye E |
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August 24, 2007 at 2:19pm |
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| Pastor Tim that was excellent (Word) I appreciate it very much I was just thinking this morning that I need to pray more. God Bless your Ministry. |
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If you only knew. This past year Dr. Walker Moore of Awestar.org totally challenged me to pray like he does. I'm trying. And he says he is praying for me faithfully...even from the jungle or on the road speaking all over the place. He is like J.F. Hutton...only when he speaks, God listens. Why is that? Because he totally trusts God for BIG needs that missionaries frequently encounter and he only asks GOD...no one else. He and his team of prayer warriors fast and pray and get down on their faces on the ground and pray with all their hearts and souls. And God DOES answer their prayers. I have some HUGE prayer requests for our county, our church and the missionaries as well. I want God to use me and my family to fill up the Kingdom of God more than anything else. It was a book "This Present Darkness" by Frank Perretti that made me aware of how VITAL our prayers are...that God includes us in the spiritual battles going on in the heavenlies...and only to the degree that we are praying do amazing things happen, because this is the way God's will is set up! He wants us to pray for all men, all times for all things! And He loves to answer! And He really does care for us. He wants us to be victorious and KNOW that He answered our prayers so we can praise Him. I'm so glad I know that prayer is THE most exciting thing I do all day. And I love to pray God's words back to Him in my prayers. I am still learning...but thanks to Paul Mason and Ed Wrather and Walker Moore and now you, I am GREATLY encouraged in my goal to grow in prayer. I have not yet achieved "George Mueller" status...but I understand the concept...to totally believe and not to doubt that God will build his Kingdom through my prayers. < :))))>< Connie Radomski |
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| I so feel you Pastor Tim. The church I attend has cooperate prayer every tuesday evening from 7-8pm and it is required of church staff members to attend. My husband and I being as involved as we can in our church for the Glory of our God attend as well as do our children. It is a great blessing to hear the praise reports from our prayers and to see how it has not only helped my prayer life, but that of my children as well. Just recently I was blessed with answered prayer in regards to my 14 year old son being transferred on to 8th grade due to being deserving of this and it being the educational committees lack of being diligant in there position to cause him the problems he was experiencing and our 10 year old daughter was bit on the upper lip by a great dane and pitbull mix dog and was given 20 stitches. God has healed her with minimal scarring and continues to do so each day. The greatest healing was of course to her spirit. Our pastor's wife teaches our adult sunday school and she teaches on prayer for 2 weeks and then praise and worship for two weeks as they go hand in hand. It has been such a great growth in my life words can't begin to describe. Prayer is powerful and God's reach has no boundaries. Ask and you shall receive! Bless you and Love to you and yours |
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Margaret,
You are very fortunate to attend a church that has corporate prayer every week.
According to Jim Cymbala, "Prayer is the opening of the heart so we can receive all these good things that God has for us every day. It's like sitting down at a table that God has prepared for us. He says, 'I have everything you need today - all the grace, all the wisdom, all the provision that you need - but sit down at the table and eat. Don't be so rushed and so busy and try to live without My supply.'"
You have definitely learned this principle. |
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MaKelly |
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September 04, 2007 at 9:21am |
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Pastir Tim
Prayer is a part of my everyday life,uplifting the saints & sinners to come to christ parying for others and my family, It's my conversation with my God and not just when something not right or asking for a list of things. To me it's about giving thanks every time I wake up, tomorrow is not promise to me. I also ask him about everything in my life, to reveal to me what is it that is not pleasing to him and I do get a answer. I so excited and grateful that Jesus made a way through him that we can reach the father, it's a must in my life. Yes it has changed my life. When I was in the world I did pray but I did not know if God heard me or not and I truly did not belive he did.
This scripture let me know that God did hear me, and when I cried out in pray he heard.
The word said Matthew 5
But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and on the unjust, too.
46 If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.
47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.
48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect |
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MaKelly, you have expounded correctly on the multifaceted dimensions of prayer. It is both for us and for others. |
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MaKelly |
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September 04, 2007 at 4:38pm |
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Pastor Tim
It's by the Mercy and Grace of our God that i'm still alive and I know that was the power of prayer because a lot of people were praying for me, some I did not even know about.
Matthew 18
20 For where two or three gather together because they are mine,* I am there among them.” |
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