Bringing the Presence of God in Through Prayer

Happy Sunday!

If you’ve spent anytime around the church you may have had a similar experience.  We went to Bishop’s Bible Study Wednesday evening.  We expected to hear from Bishop Thomas.  We enjoyed the prayer and the praise and worship. All the while, we were looking at the entrances, expecting Bishop to walk in at any minute.  Then we were told that Bishop would not be teaching because he was still out of town.  Of course, he selected one of the very capable associate ministers to teach the lesson.  In the past I may have headed for the door quickly! Too many bad experiences.  I didn’t come to hear anyone else, I came to hear my pastor!  I could be at home watching, “Modern Family”, “The Middle” and “Cougar Town”! (All spoken in a cry baby tone with my lip poked out!)  It brings to mind the television show, “Dinosaurs”.  You remember it, don’t you?  The little baby dinosaur would repeatedly say, “Not the Mama!”  In my mind I could hear myself saying, “Not the pastor, not the pastor!”  LOL! I’m much more mature now.  I haven’t arrived just yet, but I am aware that GOD can use anyone to get the Word to us.  He even used a donkey in the Old Testament.  So I decided to stay and see what the minister had to say. 

I’m so glad I stayed!  The minister was Evangelist Elaine Penn.  She says she came to Phoenix from New York, by way of Maryland.   Her topic was, “Bringing the Presence of God in Through Prayer”.  She used Acts 16: 16-26 as her scripture reference.  So you may say, “What does this have to do with me? Well, Paul and Silas managed to stay positive in a very negative situation. Are you staying positive in your negative situation?  All they did was help a poor slave girl by setting her free from demon possession.  They should have been applauded,  but they were treated like criminals. 

Beat Up and Thrown in Jail (Message Translation)

^16-18One day, on our way to the place of prayer, a slave girl ran into us. She was a psychic and, with her fortunetelling, made a lot of money for the people who owned her. She started following Paul around, calling everyone's attention to us by yelling out, "These men are working for the Most High God. They're laying out the road of salvation for you!" She did this for a number of days until Paul, finally fed up with her, turned and commanded the spirit that possessed her, "Out! In the name of Jesus Christ, get out of her!" And it was gone, just like that.

 ^19-22When her owners saw that their lucrative little business was suddenly bankrupt, they went after Paul and Silas, roughed them up and dragged them into the market square. Then the police arrested them and pulled them into a court with the accusation, "These men are disturbing the peace—dangerous Jewish agitators subverting our Roman law and order." By this time the crowd had turned into a restless mob out for blood.

 ^22-24The judges went along with the mob, had Paul and Silas's clothes ripped off and ordered a public beating. After beating them black-and-blue, they threw them into jail, telling the jail keeper to put them under heavy guard so there would be no chance of escape. He did just that—threw them into the maximum security cell in the jail and clamped leg irons on them.

 ^25-26Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God. The other prisoners couldn't believe their ears. Then, without warning, a huge earthquake! The jailhouse tottered, every door flew open, all the prisoners were loose.

I know it’s a long read, but I love the story!  Evangelist Penn gave us three points! You know I love points! 

Bringing the Presence of God in Through Prayer:

·         Atmosphere - is defined as surrounding influence or environment.  Paul and Silas were in a terrible place, but they created the perfect atmosphere for a miracle!  They didn’t waste time complaining about how they were innocent.  They didn’t cry about how bad their wounds hurt, how dark the prison was, or how unfair their situation was!

·         Agreement – Paul and Silas agreed to praise God, and God recognized!  Matthew 18:19-20 (Amplified Bible) Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven.   For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, there I AM in the midst of them. 

·         Approach - Paul and Silas knew how to approach God.  Psalm 100 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.  Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.


Have a wonderful week!  Remember long before the rappers said it, grandmothers, preachers, and parents told us, "What don't kill you makes you stronger!"  Hang on in there!  One day your test will be your testimony, and your pain will be gain!  


Love Cynthia