As We Went To Pray

Tim Franklin

Freedom Christian Center

Acts 16:16 Now it happened as we went to prayer…. Isn’t it fascinating the number of things that happen in scripture on the way to prayer. Now it happened! Say those three words to yourself out loud. Now it happened! Those are three exciting words! They imply movement, are filled with action, and resonate with a “kairos” moment—a moment in time where God’s timetable and plans intersect with man’s plans. Paul and Silas were on their way to the place of prayer—when “it” happened. Paul and Silas were not your typical, stay at home and pray, kind of guys. They understood the power of corporate prayer and gathering together with other Saints to call upon the name of the Lord.

In Luke 9:28 “Now it happened/came to pass…” This time, Jesus is taking Peter, James and John up on the mountain to pray, and suddenly—Jesus is transfigured! Elijah and Moses appear with Jesus and God audibly speaks the disciples. Not a bad day, for just being on your way to prayer.

Acts 3:1 and following, Peter and John are on their way to the temple to pray at the ninth hour. Who do they meet, but a lame beggar. They do not have any gold to help the man, but what they did have they gave to him, and the lame beggar began running and leaping and praising God. All this happened on the way to prayer.

The early church was so alive with the Presence of God that ‘things’ happened on the way to prayer. What we have in these accounts are men who were deeply connected to the power of prayer, particularly corporate prayer. The walk to prayer, did not inconvenienced them. They did not have more important things on their calendar--because prayer was important. They knew they could pray at home, alone, in quiet. But, they deeply understood what happens when men pray together, so they choose to go to prayer. Lev 26:8 Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight your enemies shall fall by the sword before you. NKJV Prayer increases exponentially in power when we pray together.

Maybe, when corporate prayer meetings are once again filled with people seeking God, then our corporate gatherings will be filled with the Presence of God. Maybe, when Saints look forward to praying together things will happen on the way to prayer.

SPECIAL BLOG POST - A prophetic picture

A Prophetic Picture by Kim Nicholas from Our Father’s House ,

Filled With Gold Bars

At our December MyHop meeting we were praying that the faith of God’s people would prevail in the middle of financial adversity. During our time of prayer and intercession the Lord gave Kim Nicholas, from Our Father’s House, a prophetic picture. She saw a picture of a jeep completely filled up on the inside with gold bars. As you looked through the windows of the jeep all you could see was the gold that was inside.

In the natural gold speaks of provision. A jeep full of gold bars would certainly meet our need and more. In the spiritual, gold speaks of God’s glory. Again, there would be an ample supply of God’s glory. The jeep itself is a vehicle built for rough terrain.

Kim felt the Lord was saying that there would be a rough ride ahead in the natural. There would be trying times that we would go through as a nation and as a people. However, there would be ample provision for our earthly needs as well as an abundant supply of Gods’ glory to take us through any and all circumstance that we might face.

As Paul said in Philippians…“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19).

Whatever difficulties we might face, we can be assured that there is no limit to Gods’ supply. He will meet all of our needs “according to His riches in glory.”

The Psalmist writes in Psalm 115:11: “You who fear the Lord trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.” Today God is our help and shield just like He was when the Psalmist penned these verses. The Psalmist goes on and in Psalm 115;13 he says:“He will bless those who fear the Lord, The small together with the great.”

God is revealing His heart towards us so we can be strong in the days ahead.

Have you been able to put your full trust and confidence in the Lord?

Do you see God, in everyday life’s circumstances as your “help” and your “shield”?

Compassion and Miracles

Pastor Gary Stebbins, Church in the Rock - Melbourne

I find myself again reading in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) where much insight can be gained by looking at the life of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 14 we find the story of Jesus feeding five thousand men and women with a few loaves of bread and a couple of fishes. Jesus had been teaching a large number of people on a hillside. As the day grew later the disciples suggested to Jesus that it was time to send the people home because there was no food to feed them.

Jesus response was so characteristic of who He is. He said, “They do not need to go away.” Jesus is not into sending people away. Earlier in this passage it says that Jesus “felt compassion for them and healed their sick.” Jesus’ heart was and is to minister to people the life and love of God. It says that the place they were in was a “desolate place.” Many people today are in a desolate place and need a mighty touch from the God that has great compassion for them. His instructions to the disciples were, “You give them something to eat.” I believe Jesus’ desire is still what it was 2000 years ago, to minister to people through His disciples and followers.

In response to the disciples request to send the people away, Jesus instead has them sit down. He takes the few loaves and fishes that they have and, “looking up toward heaven,” He blessed the food and fed all 5000. The picture we see is Jesus looking up towards heaven in a physical sense and asking the Father to bless their meal. This was an outward picture of what Jesus had already done inwardly. I believe He had “looked up” toward His heavenly Father in the quietness of His own heart. Jesus never did anything He did not hear or see His Father doing. Out of His relationship with the Father, He knew it was the Father’s heart to minister to the people and to feed them. This was not an instantaneous decision that Jesus made. He had spent many hours praying and seeking the heart of the Father. Out of this relationship with the Father He was prepared for this moment. With eyes of faith He could see the Father feeding 5000 people.

As disciples of Jesus ourselves, we must learn to “look up toward heaven.” Not just as a physical act, but as a daily discipline, taking time to read and reflect on God’s Word, to pray, and to communicate with God regularly. Not just petitioning God, but spending time in His presence, becoming familiar with His heart.

Later on in this passage of scripture, after the people are fed and the disciples are sent away, Jesus “went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.” He had found the importance of spending time in the presence of the Father. It is in this place of “presence” that He developed the Father’s compassion for people and it is coming out of this place that He was able to minister God’s life to people.

What took place on that mountain side 2000 years ago was indeed a miracle in one sense. In another sense, it came out of a place of relationship with God, one developed by spending hours with Him “up on the mountain” praying. Many today live in a barren and desolate place and greatly need a touch from God. God is looking to empower those who will invest their lives in getting to know Him.

How about you?

Have you been to the mountain recently?

Do you “look up toward heaven” regularly?

The Father is waiting for us to come to Him so He can send us out into the world to be a witness and testimony of His incredible love.

Have you taken time to allow God to deposit in you His heart of compassion for people?