Prayer changes things. Some put answers to prayers down to coincidences, but more coincidences happen when I pray. God answers prayers. We may not fully understand how the mystery of providence works or how exactly God intervenes in human life and history. God moves in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform. Prayer is a mighty weapon and brings divine power to destroy strongholds and to extend the kingdom of God. The prayer of a righteous man is great in its effects. We can ask, seek and knock. God opens and closes doors. He guides and directs our paths.
Christians have been praying for Peniel Church, especially since the resignation and downfall of the infamous Michael Reid. Prayer meetings were prevented in his day. His ministry seemed to rely on public relations and advertising rather than on prayer. The fruit is now plain to see.
However, there is a new era at Peniel Church. It is hoped that fellowship in prayer will be on the new agenda and that there will be joy and freedom in Christ Jesus. The Christian life is to be celebrated, enjoyed not endured with a heavy heart. In the past folk were burdened and heavy laden, but now they can come to Jesus, whose yolk is easy and His burden is light. They can discover that the joy of the Lord is their strength. They need to be strong against the dangerous wolf that worried the sheep and allegedly fleeced the flock. They can stand with the armour of God. Praise God for those who are interceding and bringing their supplications to God for the future of Peniel Church and the defeat of the troublemakers.
I believe that there is more to be revealed concerning the bleak days of the former ministry. Financial irregularities and further moral failings will come to light. They are already coming to light, as I expected. I also expected a move to re-establish the old ministry and a fight to regain some level of leadership. But toothpaste is out of the tube. There is no going back. Much of the damage has been exposed and the wounds have been seen. It is therefore important that we pray for those who have suffered. There clearly needs to be accountability and responsible leadership. This was so patently lacking under the old regime.
I am glad that there are those who have been faithfully praying for Peniel over many years and continue to pray for peace, harmony, repentance and restoration of broken relationships. God is answering prayer. Blessed are the peacemakers.
Saturday, 31 May 2008
Praying for Peniel Church
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Dedham
River Stour
3 comments:
"Prayer changes things. Some put answers to prayers down to coincidences, but more coincidences happen when I pray. God answers prayers. We may not fully understand how the mystery of providence works or how exactly God intervenes in human life and history. God moves in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform."
This is a fairly standard traditional Christian view, however I was intrigued by one of your final comments: "I am glad that there are those who have been faithfully praying for Peniel over many years", especially in the light of all the abuses that have taken place over many many years there.
It seems that you're using a 'hindsight and prayer' model to interpret things: a person prays for something and when there is a change in a particular situation, no matter after how long, the change is put down to the efficacy of prayer.
For example, Derren Brown quotes an experience he had when he was a Charismatic Christian in his early twenties. A woman in his Cell Group had a cold. She related how she sat on her bed and shouted "No, Satan, I will not have this cold. In the name of Jesus I tell you to get out. Get out! And do you know," she continued "after a few days it was gone."
The power of prayer eh!
Many people have prayed for Peniel yet still the abuses continued (some reckon for at least 18 years). Then circumstances changed and Reid was exposed. That exposure is being put down to the prayer. It's strange that God would allow such horrible things to continue for so long while prayers were said and then after YEARS of abusive behaviour decide to 'intervene'! Or is it the 'hindsight and prayer' model in play again that allows a person to see a particular event as having a deeper, divine significance? (with the 'isn't it a mystery' safety net in place should it be questioned).
I think people should pray, but also be realistic as to what prayer does: it changes the person praying, not the events prayed for. Interpreting changes in events as answers to prayer does not prove or validate it. But if it gives people comfort then fine (like the Christian lady with the cold). But don't give people false hope ("prayer changes things") or false guilt ("your prayer wasn't answered because of lack of faith/unconfessed sin..."). Life's difficult enough.
Jesus taught the God intervenes and therefore changes the events prayed for, especially when we are persistent in prayer. The parable of the unjust judge is an example.
Yes Anon,
But why are so-called 'divine interventions' so random? And if interventions ARE really by God, why are so many important things left without intervention?
As I said before, sometimes people look back at an event, and because they've been praying about it they see their prayers as having an effect. This prompts two questions:
1. why would God need our prayers before acting? and
2. if two people are praying for opposite outcomes how does the Almighty decide? Is it the fervour of the prayers, or the righteousness of the person praying ?
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