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Prayer that Shakes the Foundation
Acts 16:25-34
by Pastor Mark Misomali
Introduction
Foundation is the basis, origin or introduction. Usually it is strong,
captivating. When an introduction is not understood a wrong conclusion can be
made. Some people have abandoned to buy a book because the introduction was not
captivating. Many problems faced by Christians do not completely go away even
after prayer because the foundation is not shaken. You can cut a tree and it
disappears for two months but may resurface if the root was not removed. We
still see slabs/concrete floors of some houses that were demolished several
years back. Some Christian life shows certain features of the “old” life because
the foundation of the “old life” was not demolished. What is the foundation of
your marriage, job, ministry, and calling?
How do you know the foundation?
The answer is simple, prayer. Most problems originate in the spiritual and are
manifested in the physical. The bible says in John 12:31 that Satan is a god of
this world. No wonder the world is infested with diseases, wars, enmity. Though
we live here, as Christians, we are not of the world. Jesus chose us out of the
world – John 15:19. It is God’s desire that His will be done on earth. This is
to say that although Satan is a god of this world, God wants you and me to make
him a non-factor. Prayer takes you from this world to the spirit realm. When
Jesus taught the disciples to pray “your will be done…as in heaven” he knew that
in heaven there are better and perfect things. These better things cannot be
fulfilled if we do not pray. Prayer is an opportunity which has been
underutilized. People waste time because they don’t know prayer. Paul and Silas
did not waste time. They could have thought of climbing the walls but did
something better, prayer. In a day man comes up with many ideas/thoughts. Most
of the thoughts of God remain hidden until we pray.
Strategy
I want to list three strategies which Paul and Silas used:-
1. They believed prayer was greater than chains as a result they ignored their
feelings, circumstances, and tiredness. All they could sense was God. Many
Christians are lazy and come up with many excuses for not praying.
2. They were determined. Other prisoners heard them but did not join them. If
you only wait for church program to pray you mare missing a lot prayer can
offer.
3. They understood their position in God. They knew they had no power but relied
on God. When the problem is big for you it is not big for God – 1 John 4:4.
Results
1. All doors opened. When you pray, other subsidiary problems also go; your
neighbour may be saved. Other prisoners benefited although they did not pray
2. The will of God was established. Some Christians make conclusion without
prayer. If Paul and Silas had not prayed, they could think their imprisonment
was part of discipline by God. Certain things which happen in our nations are
not the will of God. We don’t have to blame politicians or Government, the Lord
left believers a duty … I send you (believer). You can make a difference when
you pray.
3. There was a paradigm shift. From verse 30, Paul is now being referred to as
“Lord”, what a mighty God we serve! From prisoner to Lord! In verses 33 to 34
prisoners wounds are washed, gave them food. It is about time your adversary
start serving you! You who are divorced, your spouses will start looking for
you, the despised, job losers, God is about to turn things around and your job
will be chasing you. When you pray you touch into an anointing that cannot be
denied. The prison was infested with the presence of God. It is high time to
infest schools, market places, homes with His presence through prayer.
Conclusion
Prayer is the easiest, closet forum with God. It can be done anytime, anywhere
by anyone. May be they could not allow Paul and Silas to bring bibles to the
prison but one thing they could not restrict was prayer. You can not arrest
prayer. May be your boss, your spouse does not allow you to practice
Christianity, I have good news for you, while they do that engage in silent
prayer and doors will open. You do not have to be literate in order to pray.
Sermons can be heard from radio, TV etc but there is no substitute for prayer.
Prayer is a command Luke 21: 36 and Paul emphasized it in 1 Thes 5:17.
Disobedience to God’s command is sin. The devil knows the power of prayer, which
is why he can assist you in finding excuses for not praying.
God bless you
Mark Misomali
Senior Pastor, Family Christian Church, Lilongwe, Malawi
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