We’ll continue diving into the subject of the necessity of prayer, and cover reasons and examples for its relevance in our lives.
A well-known minister tells the following story of his failure to pray. He said it had been many years since he had thought of his old Sunday School teacher, but suddenly he was on his mind. This continued for several days, and the minister wondered how his old teacher was doing.
Sometime later the minister found out this man had suddenly died after being stung by bees because of an allergic reaction. He also realized the man died around the time he had repeatedly thought of him. Now he understood! The Lord was highlighting this man first and foremost for prayer and intercession, which could have averted this situation or lessened the outcome.
Years later, after this incident, the minister was attending a conference where the Sunday School teacher’s son was speaking. After the service, the minister introduced himself to the man’s son and told him the story, apologizing for being spiritually dull and not praying for his father when the Lord laid him on his heart several times.
The son replied, saying numerous individuals told him similar stories, and all said God put his father on their hearts, but they were too dull to understand it was for prayer and intercession.
Only God knows how many times throughout history He has moved upon individuals to pray on behalf of others and how often situations were left unchanged for the better because no one listened, obeyed, and prayed.
He saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor…. Isaiah 59:16
So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Ezekiel 22:30
Reading these passages causes me to wonder how often the Lord has looked for someone to intercede on behalf of others, so He could intervene, but no one responded.
Reese Howells Answered the Call to Prayer
A man named Reese Howells was known for his selfless intercession during the rise of Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin. He and a band of intercessors were committed to stay in intercession until victory was manifested. They were faithful and as a result, the war was ended, and the devil’s plans averted. It is reported even Winston Churchill acknowledged a correlation between Howells’ strong prayer life and the final outcome of World War II.
Remember, in His Sovereignty, God has chosen to give mankind authority to rule over earth on His behalf (see Genesis 1:26), and He has not changed His mind. There is a time coming when He will come to judge the world, set up His Kingdom and reign over the affairs of men, but until then it is our responsibility to have dominion as stewards over the earth.
One way of exercising our dominion is through prayer. He has given us the right and privilege of inviting Him into the affairs of life to altar the course of history if needed.
Before closing, let’s look at an unusual instance of how powerful this collaboration with God through prayer can be.
Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel: "Sun, stand still over Gibeon; And Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon."
So the sun stood still, And the moon stopped, Till the people had revenge Upon their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day.
And there has been no day like that, before it or after it, that the LORD heeded the voice of a man; for the LORD fought for Israel. Joshua 10:11-14
This is a remarkable example of prayer’s powerful influence when we collaborate with the Lord. Joshua cried out to the Lord, and then spoke in faith altering the orbital revolution of our solar system, resulting in a monumental victory over Israel’s enemies.
God wants to do marvelous things on our behalf, if we will only believe, pray, and stand in faith.
More next time. Until then, may God our Heavenly Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, richly bless and keep you.
James Brown 10/16/2023