A Sacred Journey: Three Days of Healing, Deliverance, and Renewal

Below is a description of the 3-day retreat held at a Jesuit retreat center, organized by our team from the St. Dominic Bible Study. Our Bible study group meets monthly to explore Scripture, following the Church’s liturgical reading plan. This year, being Year B, we have been focusing on the Gospel of Mark.

Twice a year, however, we step beyond our usual gatherings for an ecumenical retreat, immersing ourselves in the Charismatic life of the Church. These retreats offer a unique opportunity to pray, reflect, and experience the dynamic, Spirit-filled dimension of the Gospel that we study throughout the year. The retreat from November 8 to 10, 2024, was one such occasion—a powerful time of renewal, intercession, and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. 

The testimony below is true to the best of my recollection. Others who were there will in due time share how they have experienced this retreat from their respective vantage point. 

"Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses." - Pope Paul VI

... 

FRIDAY

We were off to a great start for the 3-day retreat organized by the Dominican bible study team, Rwanda; the evening was promising. It ended with an impromptu moment of ministry. Dr. Thierry, our guest-speaker from South Africa, was hard at work.

One of the people he prayed for caught my attention as she was on her way back. Nothing seemed to visibly happen when she was prayed for, but a thought lingered in my mind—perhaps I should try to speak with her and, if possible, pray with her again. So, I did.

For the first time, I took the risk of interpreting the strange sensation I felt on part of my head. I interpreted it as her mind being attacked, causing her to struggle with doubt. When I shared this with her, she became quite emotional and briefly shared her story: she had been a Christian in the past but was no longer practicing and wasn’t sure if God still wanted her.

I prayed for her in light of her confession, and she became visibly agitated. Michel saw me struggling with her and quickly joined me. As we prayed, she collapsed to the ground in a seated position, doing strange things as if she were fighting against a suffocating and overwhelming sensation. Dr. Thierry came over, joined by Shenge, and I believe Ruti and Joelle were there too.

It was unclear what exactly she was fighting against, but Michel and Shenge pointed out that it could have been both an evil spirit and a strong sense of emotional shame. Dr. Thierry also suggested a possible evil spirit, and he encouraged her to come back for the remaining days of the retreat to experience full freedom.

This is how we ended Day 1.

I was left wondering: This is interesting—our first spiritual and tangible manifestation on someone else, without the immediate input of our guest trainers.

Was this just a one-time anomaly, or is this the beginning of what we’ve been seeking in God’s presence since 2020?

Only the remaining two days of the retreat will tell us.

SATURDAY

It wasn't their fault, but Les couples jumeaux were about to have their minds blown on this 2nd day of the Centre Christus retreat. The night was growing late, and I was worried we wouldn't have enough time to pray. I had already suggested to Dr. Thierry that I wanted to bring my There is more team to support with prayers, even though they were not part of the retreat organizing team. From the organizing team, I only wanted Teta on board for today since she has been with us the longest, ever since October 2023 at our last retreat at the Dominican sister convent. Hence she had some level of familiarity of what was about to transpire.

Dr. Thierry agreed that he and Br. Nesbert would lay their hands on them to join the ministry time. I had suggested this model because I had noticed during the week registration that there would be many people and only two speakers wouldn’t be enough, especially since Br. Valerio couldn't come. But there was a problem.

Br. Nesbert was feeling unwell and had retired to his bedroom. Dr. Thierry kept leading people in a long, ongoing prayer session of surrendering to the Lord, hoping that Br. Nesbert would recover quickly to rejoin us. It was 8:30 PM, and we were supposed to vacate the room by 9 PM. We couldn’t wait any longer; Dr. Thierry was alone, facing 62 people wanting to experience the touch of God. We signaled Tigana, who was seated at the "Command Post" (our organizing team table at the far back), to check one last time on Br. Nesbert. He returned quickly, shaking his head from the doorway, indicating that Br. Nesbert wasn’t coming.

Dr. Thierry and I exchanged looks, and he asked, " What do we do? " I glanced at my watch—8:35 PM. There was no time to waste. I replied, " What does the Holy Spirit say to you? " Dr. Thierry began a quick song with the help of Shenge and Manu, then went into what seemed a deep inner prayer. Shortly after, he told me, "Tell your team to come."

There they were: Tigana, Lisette, Teta, myself, and le couple jumeaux, aka Ruti-Joelle and Michel-Shenge. Someone joked that we should pair up since we were in couples, and some of us did, but not all, namely Dr. Thierry, Tigana and Teta. Dr. Thierry liked the idea. So, we had the Alpha Team (Dr. Thierry - Teta), Delta-Force (Michel-Shenge), Bravo Team (Ruti-Joelle), Charlie Team (Eric-Lisette), and the Lone Star Sigma agent (Tigana Birasa). 

Dr. Thierry quickly gave us instructions and asked the audience to approach any team for prayers. I wanted to remind him that he was supposed to lay hands on us first for the N-ieme time, but he said it wasn’t needed anymore. Apparently, He had received during his brief prayer that no laying on of hands was necessary, I tried to justify the unconventional move. He just lovingly threw us violently to the “sharks”!

Delta-Force Team looked understandably anxious, and I could see Bravo Team smiling nervously too. But we had no time to think nor panic; people were already coming up for prayers. I positioned myself with Lisette for our first person, an elderly mother. Following the instructions received, I asked, " Have you surrendered your life totally to the Lord? " She replied convincingly, " Yes. " So, I informed her that we would pray for her to receive the Holy Spirit. As I was explaining what could happen when the Holy Spirit comes upon a person, I heard a soft BANG on my left. Quickly glancing over, I saw someone lying on the ground. Delta Team had their first “win” and it was fast. I wanted to be shocked—Michel-Shenge? Impossible, I thought. But I quickly refocused on our own “patient.”

Lisette and I called upon the Holy Spirit on her, and as I was praying, Delta Team was already on their third person down, and Bravo Team on my left on their second person shaking like a leaf and out of balance. Ruti-Michel, also? This is not normal, I worried. Meanwhile, our first customer was still standing with her feet firmly rooted on the ground. I wondered, this is not working. On my left again, but this time a man was crying hard from the eyes and the nose. Everything was coming out. No way, this is the Sigma Agent at work. Now, Tigana also? Unacceptable!

I briefly stopped praying to regroup my wandering thoughts, every team seemed to be moving in power except ours. A thought intruded my mind, it was John Wimber famous " clinic time ". In his 'Clinic Time' he had spoken about the visible sign of the Spirit presence and work on someone during ministry time. That is when I saw it. It was there since the beginning but I had overlooked it. As we called upon the Holy Spirit again, her face began to show small spasms which varied in intensity. I asked her if she was feeling something, " Yes, my face is moving, and my teeth is also moving inside.". She looked at me, puzzled, and asked Lisette and I, "Esce que c'est la magie?" 

I then realized, the Spirit was moving in her but like the patriarch Jacob, I had not recognized his presence. Now, Lisette and I became more fervent recognizing that the Master was there and hard at work, just in a different manner.

With the 2nd person we prayed for, we noticed different reactions popping up. He started with tears coming down within what seems less than 60 second, he was visibly moved. I asked him why he was crying, " I do not know ". We continued praying for him and now he started losing balance, Lisette and I caught him to prevent him to go down. He was heavy but we managed to keep standing as he kept crying. By the time we reached our third person, Alpha team, Delta-Force, Bravo team and Sigma had already piled up body count in excess. 

We were slow as each person took a long time to pray for as I was trying to understand what was also happening to them. The 3rd person was a woman who felt nothing initially. She stood motionless while Lisette and I prayed for what seemed to me 10 to 20 min. She then started crying but for no specific reason, then it stopped. At a loss for what else to say, I continued in tongues, hoping for guidance. Nothing was coming, so I wanted to let her go back to her seat but she continued standing there her eyes closed. I had no choice, I stood there with Lisette trying to murmur all type of prayers we could think of. Suddenly, I had an impression of a curse. I then ventured to say, "I break this curse in Jesus ' name," she reacted violently, clutching her right side in pain. I asked what is happening, " It is hurting " she complained. Does this happened to you sometimes? "No" she said with her eyes half closed as she grimaced with pain. Lisette and I now were revived in our enthusiasm and prayed for her fervently and BANG ... She was thrown down, and strange noises came from her, accompanied by unusual facial expressions. Her eyes started bulging out of her eye socket. She gasped for air as if she was suffocating in real time, while letting out a terrible sound.

Dr. Thierry, sensing the situation turning into a real drama, quickly joined us after the person he was praying for fell down. Bruno also joined us from the back, and so did Father Raphael, Michel and Ruti. We were facing our first case of exorcism of the day.

As the Avenger team assembled for this final battle with my 3rd case, the ladies from Delta-force and Bravo team walked away and went to attend the last person Dr. Thierry had prayed for and who was still on the ground being prayed for by Teta. This part I did not see it but I heard it. As we focused on customer no. 3, I overheard an explosive laughter coming from the side of the ladies. I didn't at first wondered about it since the voice was totally unfamiliar to me. In addition we had a serious case of exorcism going on. After a while, I realized that people in the room were converging toward the source of the explosive laughter. I stood up to see what was going on, and I realized someone was being powerfully visited by the Holy Spirit, but this time again in a manner totally different from everything he had done so far in the night. I later learned that Joelle from Bravo Team joined Teta, and innocently said "More Holy Spirit " to the person who was lying down, and the person exploded in an eternal laughter of the highest possible decibel. I knew with all my heart that it was not natural because he laughed at the same level of strength for a good 20 minute as per my estimation. Father Raphael even closed the 2nd day session of the retreat in Prayer and I gave a communiqué while his laughter was still resonating throughout the vast auditorium. Tigana finally approached the person since no one was able to control him, laid his hand on his head and kept calling the peace of God to come upon him. He repeated that same prayer incessantly until the person suddenly stopped laughing - 1 to 2 minutes after.

As we ended Day 2 , we looked at each other, wondering exactly what had just happened. We were talking to and over each other, with no one able to finish a sentence or provide a coherent account of their emotions or experiences. We kept stumbling over each other’s words, dans la joie, truly, shaking our heads in absolute astonishment and amazement. It felt as if we were in the twilight zone.

Was today’s event an exception because our Master-Chief, Dr. Thierry, needed help, and God took some of the Spirit that was in him and spread it on us? Or was it the beginning of something new for us, independently of Dr. Thierry and Br. Nesbert?

I knew that I would find out for sure on Day 3 - the last day of the retreat. On day 3, there was no formal plan to pray specifically for the Holy Spirit to fall on people, only for physical healings and other needs (which could have included the baptism of the Holy Spirit on a case by case basis) . So if a power encounter occurred then as well, I’d know with a high degree of confidence that this grace was to stay with us, beyond Centre Christus. So I anxiously looked forward to Sunday, the Lord's Day!

SUNDAY

It was quickly becoming an agitated environment, reminiscent of the Wild West. Father Raphael had just dismissed the assembly and concluding the 3rd Day of the Retreat , but participants lingered in the conference room, waiting for the rain to pass. At the front, prayer ministry was underway, drawing the amazed attention of onlookers. I had invited those in need of prayer—for illness or personal issues—to approach the ministry team. Dr. Thierry and Michel were busy ministering at the front, while Br. Nesbert was attending to people at the back.

I was speaking with a few retreat participants to get their feedback on the now-concluded three-day retreat. Their responses were overwhelmingly positive. As I engaged in conversation, I was distracted by a small commotion at the front. Glancing over, I noticed someone had collapsed near Michel. In Catholic charismatic circles, this phenomenon is referred to as "Resting in the Spirit" (See more the works of Francis McNutt, Overcome by the Spirit). Those who come from a Pentecostal background, might have called it being " Slain in the Spirit. " Given the ecumenical nature of this Catholic retreat, however, a neutral term like " Sacred Swoon ," coined by Harvard laureate Professor Candy G. Brown in her work, "Global Pentecostal and Charismatic Healing" (Oxford University Press, 2011. Page 347), feels most appropriate.

Moments later, another person, being prayed for by Dr. Thierry, gently fell into a sacred swoon, tears streaming down their face. I turned back to my interlocutor, who was visibly captivated by the scene. Her eyes stayed fixed on what was happening at the front as she attempted to speak to me. Recognizing her desire to draw closer to the ministry team, I stepped aside and encouraged her to go forward. Finally, I, too, moved closer to assist with the prayers.

I prayed for five people in turn. Each seemed to have a meaningful encounter with the Spirit of the Lord, though their experiences varied. One case stood out. Michel had finished praying for his group, leaving Dr. Thierry with a growing crowd of people eager for his ministry. As we discussed the situation, I was asked to pray for a few individuals who desired a greater grace for a life of intercession. One of them boldly requested to receive "a greater portion than anyone." Smiling, I invited her forward.

Placing my hand on her shoulder, I prayed for her, asking the Lord to grant her this grace. True to my custom, I did not rush and soaked her in my insistent prayers. After a moment, Her face began to show subtle signs that something was happening. Curious, I asked if she was experiencing anything. Hesitant, she tried to suppress a laugh before admitting, "I feel like laughing." She restrained herself, even as the urge persisted. Romans 8 came to mind, where the Spirit intercedes with "inexpressible groanings". Though often associated with speaking in tongues in Pentecostal traditions, I felt this Scripture might also apply to her sudden eagerness to laugh.

As I continued praying, another woman joined in. The first recipient suddenly exclaimed, "I’m burning! It’s too much!" and began removing her scarf. Her earlier urge to laugh gave way to an overwhelming heat on her upper back. As her discomfort grew, struggling with the sensation, we helped her to her feet, but the burning persisted. Michel joined us, and together we prayed for her. She fanned herself with her scarf, attempting to cool  but not no avail. Now the heat was also on her feet. Another lady touched her back and exclaimed, "She’s burning hot!"

This is how the 3rd Day ended for us. We were still moving in the grace and power of the Holy Spirit. Clearly, the grace to collaborate with the Holy Spirit as co-workers was carried from the Saturday explosive night to the Sunday afternoon prayer time. Later that evening, during a closing supper with Br. Nesbert and Dr. Thierry, we shared notes on the retreat. We marveled at God’s grace and the diverse ways people experienced His presence and all sort of visitation including a healing of long term health issue. I confided in Dr. Thierry about the unusual manifestations during my prayers—two cases even pointed to a need for deliverance from evil spirits. I went back to my room both joyful and thinking, wondering if the Lord was calling me to delve deeper into deliverance ministry, as I had done with healing ministries over the past four years. Only time will tell if this intuition is correct, but one thing was certain: God’s grace had been profoundly evident during this retreat.

Nota Bena : I must confess though that the preparation for this retreat was unlike anything we’d done before. Previous retreats had been bathed in prayer and fasting by the immediate L’Équipe St. Dominique organizing committee—Father Raphael, Tigana, and myself—along with our guest speakers: Dr. Thierry, Br. Nesbert, and Sr. Olivia. My close friends from " There is More " also supported us in prayer. But this time around, we tried something new, something different. Though uncertain of what the outcome would look like, I hoped it would yield something extraordinary. The mindset was god big or go home, type of thinking. To fully appreciate what went into this retreat preparation, I’d have to take you few months back to give you an insider look at the spiritual preparation and sacrifices.

"Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." By this [Jesus] meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive." - John 7:38-39

Le Jeûne : Guide Chrétien pour Déverrouiller des Percées Spirituelles

Ce bref enseignement a été donné dans le cadre de l'équipe Saint Dominique, Rwanda sous le parcours spirituel "Vis ton Appel". 

En tant que chrétiens, nous sommes souvent appelés à approfondir notre relation avec Dieu à travers des pratiques spirituelles telles que le jeûne. Cette discipline, pratiquée à travers toute l'histoire biblique et encouragée par l'Église Catholique, nous aide à chercher l'intervention divine dans des moments de défis ou de situations difficiles. Aujourd'hui, nous allons explorer les principes essentiels du jeûne : sa définition, son importance pour les chrétiens, quand et pourquoi jeûner, ainsi que quelques exemples bibliques et des conseils pratiques pour bien jeûner.

1. Qu'est-ce que le jeûne ? : Comme le Père Raphael nous l'a enseigné hier soir, le jeûne est une privation de nourriture pour un but spirituel.

2. Les chrétiens devraient-ils jeûner ? : La réponse est oui. Les chrétiens sont appelés à jeûner par le Seigneur Jésus. Au début de Son ministère, Il a dit : "Quand vous jeûnez, oignez votre tête et lavez votre visage, afin de ne pas paraître aux hommes comme jeûnant, mais à votre Père qui est dans le secret ; et votre Père, qui voit dans le secret, vous récompensera ouvertement." - Matthieu 6:17-18. 

Il a été noté par des penseurs bibliques, tant catholiques (par exemple, le Dr Brant Pitre) que protestants (par exemple, Derek Prince), que Jésus n'a pas dit "si vous jeûnez", mais "quand vous jeûnez", montrant qu'il s'attendait à ce que les chrétiens aient de nombreuses occasions de jeûner. Ainsi le jeûne n'est pas optionnel; c'est une partie intégrante de la vie chrétienne.

3. Quand jeûner ? : L'Église invite les chrétiens à jeûner fréquemment. Par exemple, pendant la saison du Carême (c'est le jeûne annuel), ou à des occasions spéciales, comme le lundi 7 octobre 2024, lorsque le Pape François a appelé tous les chrétiens à jeûner pour la paix dans les régions en conflit. Il y a aussi une occasion plus fréquente de jeûner chaque vendredi.

Vous pouvez lire à ce sujet dans le Code de droit canonique de l'Église Catholique :

Can. 1251 : "L'abstinence de viande, ou de certains autres aliments comme déterminé par la Conférence épiscopale, doit être observée tous les vendredis, à moins qu'une solennité ne tombe un vendredi. L'abstinence et le jeûne doivent être observés le Mercredi des Cendres et le Vendredi Saint."

Can. 1252 : "La loi de l'abstinence lie ceux qui ont atteint leur quatorzième année. La loi du jeûne lie ceux qui ont atteint leur majorité, jusqu'au début de leur soixante ans. Les pasteurs et les parents doivent veiller à ce que même ceux qui, en raison de leur âge, ne sont pas soumis à la loi du jeûne et de l'abstinence, soient enseignés sur le vrai sens de la pénitence."

4. Pourquoi jeûner ? : Nous jeûnons lorsque nous avons besoin d'une intervention évidente du ciel dans une situation particulièrement difficile. Par exemple :

- Reine Esther : Elle jeûna pendant 3 jours pour éviter le génocide contre son peuple, les Juifs. (Esther 4:16) : "Va, rassemble tous les Juifs qui se trouvent à Suse, et jeûne pour moi ; ne mange ni ne bois pendant trois jours, nuit et jour. Moi aussi, je jeûnerai de même avec mes jeunes filles."

- Élie : Il jeûna pendant 40 jours avant de rencontrer Dieu et de recevoir une nouvelle mission, notamment celle de choisir un autre prophète pour lui succéder, Élisée. (1 Rois 19:8) : "Il se leva, mangea et but, et, dans la force de cette nourriture, il marcha quarante jours et quarante nuits jusqu'à Horeb, la montagne de Dieu."

- Moïse : Il jeûna pendant 40 jours avant d'apporter la directive de Dieu à une nation nouvellement formée et indisciplinée. (Exode 34:28) : "Il fut là avec le Seigneur quarante jours et quarante nuits ; il ne mangea pas de pain et ne but pas d'eau."

- The Lord Jésus : Le Seigneur jeûna pendant 40 jours avant de commencer Son ministère public devant un public hostile qui finirait par Le tuer 3 ans plus tard. (Matthieu 4:1-2) : "Alors Jésus fut emmené par l'Esprit dans le désert pour être tenté par le diable. Après avoir jeûné quarante jours et quarante nuits, il eut faim."

- L'Église à Antioche : Ils jeûnerent pour que de nouveaux ministères de grâce naissent afin d'avancer le Royaume de Dieu sur terre, et Saint Paul et Saint Barnabas reçurent leur appel apostolique après cela. (Actes 13:2) : "Pendant qu'ils adoraient le Seigneur et jeûnaient, le Saint-Esprit dit : 'Mettez à part pour moi Barnabas et Saul pour l'œuvre à laquelle je les ai appelés.'"

- Daniel : Il jeûna pendant 21 jours en priant pour la liberté d'Israël de la captivité babylonienne. (Daniel 10:2-3) : "En ces jours-là, moi, Daniel, je pleurais pendant trois semaines. Je ne mangeais pas de mets délicats, je n'ai pas mangé de viande ni de vin, et je ne me suis pas oint la peau jusqu'à la fin des trois semaines."

En d'autres termes, lorsque nous avons besoin de voir l'intervention miraculeuse de Dieu ou Sa providence dans notre situation difficile, ajouter le jeûne à nos prières peut être recommandé. Voyez le témoignage d'Esdras :

"J'avais honte de demander au roi des soldats et des cavaliers pour nous protéger des ennemis sur le chemin, parce que nous avions dit au roi : 'La main bienveillante de notre Dieu est sur tous ceux qui se tournent vers Lui, mais Sa grande colère est contre tous ceux qui L'abandonnent.' Nous avons donc jeûné et prié notre Dieu à ce sujet, et Il a exaucé notre prière." - Esdras 8:22-23

5. Comment jeûner ? : Lorsque vous jeûnez, rappelez-vous de ces 3 points : Attitude, Prière et Foi.

a. Attitude : Dieu est attiré par l'humilité et résiste à l'arrogance. Pour que votre jeûne soit accepté par le Seigneur, montrez des actes d'humilité envers les autres (soyez aimable, gracieux, serviable, etc. - en d'autres termes, soyez chrétien). Votre disposition du cœur sera essentielle à votre jeûne réussi.

b. Prière : Pendant votre jeûne, associez-le à des prières fréquentes, surtout pendant vos heures de repas habituelles. Puisque vous ne mangerez pas, ou du moins pas beaucoup, consacre ce temps à la prière, à la lecture de la Bible, etc.

c. Foi : Soyez dans l'attente de voir le Seigneur intervenir en votre faveur. Rappelez-vous qu'il y a une récompense pour ceux qui jeûnent, comme Jésus nous l'a dit (voir ci-dessus Matthieu 6:17-18). La récompense est que le Père qui voit dans le secret interviendra ouvertement en votre faveur. N'oubliez pas également l'exhortation de l'Épître aux Hébreux :

"Mais sans la foi, il est impossible de lui plaire ; car celui qui s'approche de Dieu doit croire qu'il existe et qu' il récompense ceux qui le cherchent." - Hébreux 11:6

6. Combien de temps un jeûne doit-il durer ? : Cela dépend de l'objectif du jeûne. Dans la Bible, différents personnages ont jeûné pendant des durées différentes : 40, 21 et 3 jours. Quant aux heures, différentes personnes rompent leur jeûne à différentes heures, de 15h à 18h jusqu'à minuit.

Rappelez-vous que vous devez rompre votre jeûne lentement en mangeant un repas léger, tout comme le matin. Il y a une raison pour laquelle le repas du matin s'appelle "petit-déjeuner" ; c'est parce que votre corps a jeûné toute la nuit, et vous le rompez avec de la nourriture légère. Eh bien, gardez la même logique, car vous pourriez avoir prolongé ce jeûne un peu plus longtemps pendant votre état éveillé. Mangez léger, même si vous avez très faim.

Il existe 3 types de jeûnes, pour des raisons dd conviniences je vais les appellé :

1. Jeûne sec, qui supprime toute nourriture ou boisson ;

2. Jeûne léger, qui supprime seulement la nourriture mais conserve les boissons (eau, jus) pour rester hydraté ;

3. Jeûne partiel, qui permet des aliments légers et des boissons simples, comme des légumineuses et de l'eau, mais qui supprime les aliments et boissons attrayants comme la viande et d'autres délices. Cela est généralement pratiqué par ceux qui entreprennent des jeûnes plus longs ou lorsque quelqu'un a des problèmes de santé mais souhaite s'engager dans une période de jeûne.

Note: Pour nos jeûne de vendredi, je voudrais vous recommender si vous le permettez, le jeûne léger.

Note importante : N'oubliez pas que le jeûne n'est pas une compétition. Cela n'a jamais été et ne le sera jamais. Vous jeûnez selon votre force tout en faisant preuve de bon jugement. Si vous avez des questions sur la meilleure façon de le pratiquer, demandez à ceux qui sont expérimentés et peuvent vous donner des conseils tout au long du processus. Le jeûne, comme la prière, peut être appris. N'hésitez pas à poser des questions en cours de route.

Intercession of Saints: No Need for other saints prayers? - A Discussion with Shamelessly Red

On my Youtube channel, I have had a series of discussion on the topic of the intercession of the saints. I hope I wanted to share the one I had with this interlocutor who goes to the name, ShamelesslyRed. His comments are in yellow.

.............

 ​ @ShamelesslyRed  Sorry for the inconvenience of the disappearing comments, I hope it gets fixed soon. Having said that, I still haven't seen the response to my comments nor where in Deuteronomy 18 a prohibition on the intercession of saints is found. Hopefully, your comments gets through one day to provide the missing evidence.

1) You said, "Ask yourself if you have a personal relationship with Christ. And if you do, why do you feel the need to pray to saints that have died. ... I hope you will understand that if the King is your father, you don't need to ask his servants no longer on earth to petition Him." Answer 1: There is 2 questions here, firstly , it is about having a personal relationship with Christ. Since you have not define what you meant by the expression 'a personal relationship with Christ' , I will therefore take the liberty to assume until further notice that what is meant is to have frequent charismatic or mystical encounter with the love of the Lord Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. From this perspective, the answer is yes. I do. Secondly, you wonder why would any one who has such relationship with Christ feel the need to pray to saints that have died. The answer is simple, because: A) I am *NOT* the only one who has relationship with the Lord Jesus and some saints (believers on earth or in God's presence due to physical death) have a deeper relationship with the Lord than I have in certain respects. For this reason, we have a legitimate reason to ask those who are deeper in that relationship with God than us to support us in prayer. To illustrate this with two biblical episodes, Example 1: remember the passion narrative where st. Peter, who had a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus, and yet for one specific moment he prayed (asked) st. John to ask a pertinent question to Jesus on his behalf although they both had immediate access to Jesus: "But there was one of His disciples leaning upon Jesus' bosom, the one whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore signaled to him to ask whom it might be of whom He spoke. And lying on Jesus' breast, he said to him, Lord, who is it? " - John 13:23-25 Example 2: remember that Job friends were in direct contact with God and yet they were directed to ask for Job intercession for the forgiveness of their sins instead of doing it themselves despite the fact that they were matter of fact directly conversing with the Lord Himself: "After these words had been spoken by the LORD to Job, the LORD spoke to Eliphaz from Teman ... So take seven bulls and seven rams and bring them to my servant Job. And bring a whole burnt offering for yourselves and my servant Job will pray for you. ... So Eliphaz from Teman, Bildad from Shuah, and Zophar from Naamath did precisely as the LORD had spoken to them, because the LORD showed favor to Job." - Job 42:7-9  B) As member of the same body of Christ, we support and carry each others burden. And this is exemplified by St. Paul who prayed (requested) the Ephesians to pray for him, and not only for him but to also pray for other saints: "Pray in the Spirit at all times with every kind of prayer and request. Likewise, be alert with your most diligent efforts and pray for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that, when I begin to speak, the right words will come to me. Then I will boldly make known the secret of the gospel" - Ephesians 6:18-19 Note: Clearly, asking (praying) other to pray for us to God is not a betrayal of the existence of our relationship with God, but is a proof that we are one body and we support and care for each others either when we are in this body or out of this body. Our membership to the body of Christ is not rescinded at our physical death, for we remain in the true vine (one body of Christ) as branches (members of that holy body): "that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together." - 1Corinthians 12:25-26  2) You said: "They're not omni-present. Only the Holy spirit searches the hearts of believers." Answer 2: The saints do not have to be omni-present to fulfill their tasks as intercessors or prayer partners. This was the whole point of this very video. I would invite you to listen to it once again attentively. 3) You said: " And ask yourself what old testament saint God ever allowed prayer to after they passed on. None of them were prayed to. There's a strict warning against this practice." Answer 3: I do not know which one in the Old Testament God allowed for such privilege, maybe to Abraham in the parable of the bad rich and Lazarus, but in any case this is irrelevant to our discussion of the intercession of the saints nowadays since in the new covenant inaugurated by Christ, believers in Christ who have passed on are regarded as alive, "Jesus said to her, I am the Resurrection and the Life! He who believes in Me, though he die, yet he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" - John 11:25-26 Moreover, there is no text whatsoever that suggest that the command to pray for each others (Ephesians 6:18) should be discontinued at the physical death, especially given that we still live and never die in the Lord's presence as per the Lord Jesus statement. I see zero biblical evidence that there is a warning against the practice of the intercession of saints, let alone a supposedly STRICT warning for that matter. I know that protestant prohibit that but Protestantism prohibition has no authority on a Christian. Only God has authority on a Christian through the Holy Scriptures, Apostolic Traditions (2 Thessalonians 2:15; 3:6) and the Church authoritative teachings (Matthews 18:17-18)

........

UPDATE:

Prayer is usually taken to mean, to ask, to make a request, to make a petition. The Merriam Webster dictionary give us the definition of prayer in this way:

1.: to make a request in a humble manner.

2.: to address God or a god with adoration, confession, supplication, or thanksgiving.

Therefore, based on the above we can find examples in the Bile were people prayed (request made to) other people so that they in turn can pray (make request to) God. An example is st. Paul who prayed (requested) the Ephesians to pray (petition) God on his behalf:

Ephesians 6:18-19,  "Pray in the Spirit at all times with every kind of prayer and request. Likewise, be alert with your most diligent efforts and pray for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that, when I begin to speak, the right words will come to me. Then I will boldly make known the secret of the gospel"

Note therefore that there is a biblical example of a man (st. Paul) praying (making requests to) other men so that in their turn they may pray (make a request) for him on a specific need. 

Thank you and God Bless you.

Praying Great Prayers

PRAYER

This is a briefing of the message i have preached at Living Word Association (LWA) last Saturday and the subject was praying great prayers.

INTRODUCTION:

 “And David girded his sword on his armor, and he tried to go. But he had not tested it. And David said to Saul, I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them. And David put them off him.” - 1Sa 17:39

David refused to go for war with a weapon he didn’t have the experience to use. I will do the same here, and only refer to life style Jesus had used as I have come to understand it.

When it comes to the subject of prayer, there is no easy way to explain it. Many years ago, due to a series of personal frustration about this subject I decided to no longer buy books related to prayers. And below, I will avoid quoting the wisdom that my fellow Christians have received from the Lord on this topic. I will simplify it for the readers. I will rather concentrate on Jesus life as a model of what would a great prayer lifestyle look like. Jesus life style had been tested and his biography is easily accessed by all, unlike that of many of his disciples over the century. Since we are Jesus disciple’s we will learn best from His example.

“And it happened in those days that He went out into a mountain to pray, and He was spending the night in prayer to God.  And when it was day, He called His disciples. And He chose twelve of them, whom He also named apostles: ” Luke 6:12-13 

We learn 3 things about this verse,

1.    The mountains – There is a Place Jesus went

2.    The Night to the day – There is a Time frame His prayers took

3.    To God – There is an Object to His prayer - The Provider.

I will start from reverse order,

1. God:

Jesus prayed to the God, the Father from whom all good things come from. He left us a partten. Jesus wanted us to know what was His source of all goodness, favor and blessings. He only had one, it was His Father. As one of Jesus disciples reckoned later on, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning.” - James 1:17 

The Psalmist knew the same truth, “I, even I, will call to God, and Jehovah  will save me.” He called on God for his salvation.” - Psalm 55:16 

2. TIME & PLACE 

Jesus didn’t just pray in a hurry way. It is true that not all prayers Jesus made were long prayers as this could be seen in this episode of the resurrection of Lazarus,

“Then they took away the stone where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.  And I know that You hear Me always, but because of the people who stand by I said it, so that they may believe that You have sent Me.” - John 11:41-42  

This was rather a short prayer I assume. It might not have taken hours or long minutes to utter a similar request to Father. It makes sense that Jesus wouldn’t make long prayer before a public. When he was in public, it was usually action time. Hence, leaving us also a model of short prayers before significant actions, such as resurrecting someone or multiplying breads.

1. Time

 “And it happened in those days that He went out into a mountain to pray, and He was spending the night in prayer to God.  And when it was day, He called His disciples. And He chose twelve of them, whom He also named apostles: ” Luke 6:12-13 

This may sound unusual, but Jesus took long hours in prayers before He selected his disciples. I learn from this that important decisions should be taken in prayers. And more importantly, there is nothing too important that we should leave it outside the realm of prayers – long, persistent and incessant prayers. It is astonishing that Jesus did take at time long moments of prayers in his private life, not only when he chose his 12 apostles. See below:

 “And rising up quite early in the night, He went out and went away into a deserted place, and He was praying there. And Simon, and those with him, searched for Him.  And finding Him, they said to Him, All are seeking You.” - Mar 1:35-37 

a.1. Jesus Praying Life

In Mark 1:35, Jesus prayed when it was still darker to the morning when the disciples and the rest of the public woke up which brings up the notion of time; and he prayed in a secluded or private place like a deserted place, bringing hence the notion of place. These two things are important. Let me first start with the subject of time.

a.2. There is a Time for Everything - Prayer

 “And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land.” - Mar 6:46

This event of Mark 6, is well known since after those long hours of prayers, Jesus rejoined the disciples by walking on water. In this episode, we learn that not only did Jesus look for a private place to make his long prayers, but that he also had a finite time for socializing. He didn’t sacrifice prayers over socializing or ministry. In this case, he requested the crowd and the disciples to leave him so that he could have some time of personal prayers. This is an important lesson for personal organization.

 

a.3 Jesus took important decision during prayers

 “And He [Jesus] said to them, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful to death. Stay here and watch. And He went forward a little and fell on the ground. And He prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to You. Take away this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.” - Mark 14:34-36.

In this episode of Jesus life, just before his betrayal and the cross, Jesus wrestled with a difficult decision. And he came over and over the final conclusion. We recognize the agony of Jesus before the cross but even in this time of ‘despair’, he never forsook prayers. He considered it important to speak with the Father over those very difficult issues and very difficult decisions of life. The account, tells us that Jesus might have done more than an hour in prayer to resolve this issue, as the context of the story reminds us that he woke up his disciples who couldn’t pray with him for just 1 hour.

2. Place

As already shown in previous texts, finding a place was important for Jesus. The question is why? I believe that this text of one of Jesus disciple tells us why he needed to be alone in prayer:

 “[For Jesus], in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong cryings and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard in that He feared,” - Hebrews 5:7 

Heb5:7 tells us of the intensity and the repetitive time of prayers Jesus had when he was on earth. He offered prayers to God with a lot of tears and crying. Having been repetitively in prayer sessions with people speaking to God from depth of their heart, I have witness some disturbing emotional behavior. And as it is for any emotional expression, when someone (Mr. A) is not feeling the same way with the one who expresses his feeling (Mr. B), then Mr. A will necessarily feel overwhelmed by the explosion of Mr. B emotions. And I suspect that this is the reason why Jesus looked for a secluded place, deserted places, mountains – in brief, places where there were no one in order for Him to pray God the Father and wrestle with the issues that pained him the most without creating scene for bystanders. It was sacred time and painful time for the Christ. There was nothing magical or supernatural about the deserted places or the mountains. There were just places where serious matter could have been dealt with in prayers, far from praying eyes.

The Psalmist felt the same at times, “Evening and morning, and at noon, I will pray and cry aloud; and He shall hear my voice.” Psalm 55:17 

This verse above speaks of the time invested in prayers, “Evening, Morning and at Noon” and it also reveals the intensity of the pray “Pray & cry aloud”. This happened to Jesus, to the Psalmist and to countless saints over history. There is nothing abnormal about it.

But because our pain or our emotion could be misunderstood, it is better to keep it private, as it is written, “So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.” - Romans 14:16 

Extra Info:

“And when he had learned that the document was signed, Daniel went to his house. And his windows were open in his roof room toward Jerusalem; and he kneeled on his knees three times a day and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did before.”- Daniel 6:10   

Daniel 6:10 also make reference of 1) a private Place of prayer, in his case it was his house; 2) a Time of prayer: 3 times a day and 3) a Methodology of prayer: he prayed toward Jerusalem. For Christians the methodology is to pray the Father in the name of Jesus. We can knock on the door confidently because we know who the door to the Father is, namely Jesus. We can search and we will find because we know who the way to the Father is, namely Jesus.

Another point important to remember, even in Daniel’s life, despite the daunting task of the administration of the Kingdom of Babylon, he still had time – lengthy time if put together – during his heavy schedule to pray. So it was with the Psalmist who happened to be King David. He gave himself into prayers.

NB: “O my God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not answer; and in the night, and am not silent.” Psalm 22:2 

Ps.22:2, we are informed that sometime a saint may well pray for a long time without immediately receiving a satisfying answer. When God doesn’t answer when you cry, what should we do?

My belief is to do like Jesus did in Gethsemane, keep praying! Paul followed the same methods, he kept praying after repeated failure to receive an answer – 3 times he insisted before he got his answer.

We are exhorted to remain pray full:

“Continue in prayer and watch in it with thanksgiving,” Colossians 4:2 

“For my love they are my foes; but I am in prayer.” “Psalm 109:4  

THE PLACE OF PRAYER BEFORE AND DURING REVIVALS - XIII

This is the last post about prayer from R. Torrey! I hope you have enjoyed the series here at Help Me Understand.
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No treatment of the subject How to Pray would be at all complete if it did not consider the place of prayer in revivals.

The first great revival of Christian history had its origin on the human side in a ten-days' prayer-meeting. We read of that handful of disciples, "These all with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer." (Acts 1:14, R.V.) The result of that prayer- meeting we read of in the 2nd chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, "They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (v.4) Further on in the chapter we read that "there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls." (v.41,R.V.) This revival proved genuine and permanent. The converts "continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers." (v.42,R.V.) "And the Lord added to them day by day those that were being saved." (v.47,R.V.)

Every true revival from that day to this has had its earthly origin in prayer. The great revival under Jonathan Edwards in the 18th century began with his famous call to prayer. The marvelous work of grace among the Indians under Brainerd had its origin in the days and nights that Brainerd spent before God in prayer for an endowment of power from on high for this work.

A most remarkable and widespread display of God's reviving power was that which broke out at Rochester, New York, in 1830, under the labors of Charles G. Finney. It not only spread throughout the State but ultimately to Great Britain as well. Mr. Finney himself attributed the power of this work to the spirit of prayer that prevailed. He describes it in his autobiography in the following words:
"When I was on my way to Rochester, as we passed through a village, some thirty miles east of Rochester, a brother minister whom I knew, seeing me on the canal-boat, jumped aboard to have a little conversation with me, intending to ride but a little way and return. He, however, became interested in conversation, and upon finding where I was going, he made up his mind to keep on and go with me to Rochester. We had been there but a few days when this minister became so convinced that he could not help weeping aloud at one time as we passed along the street. The Lord gave him a powerful spirit of prayer, and his heart was broken. As he and I prayed together, I was struck with his faith in regard to what the Lord was going to do there. I recollect he would say, `Lord, I do not know how it is; but I seem to know that Thou art going to do a great work in this city.' The spirit of prayer was poured out powerfully, so much so that some persons stayed away from the public services to pray, being unable to restrain their feelings under preaching.

"And here I must introduce the name of a man, whom I shall have occasion to mention frequently, Mr. Abel Clary. He was the son of a very excellent man, and an elder of the church where I was converted. He was converted in the same revival in which I was. He had been licensed to preach; but his spirit of prayer was such, he was so burdened with the souls of men, that he was not able to preach much, his whole time and strength being given to prayer. The burden of his soul would frequently be so great that he was unable to stand, and he would writhe and groan in agony. I was well acquainted with him, and knew something of the wonderful spirit of prayer that was upon him. He was a very silent man, as almost all are who have that powerful spirit of prayer.

"The first I knew of his being in Rochester, a gentleman who lived about a mile west of the city, called on me one day and asked me if I knew a Mr. Abel Clary, a minister. I told him that I knew him well. 'Well,' he said, 'he is at my house, and has been there for some time, and I don't know what to think of him.' I said, 'I have not seen him at any of our meetings.' 'No,' he replied, 'he cannot go to meeting, he says. He prays nearly all the time, day and night, and in such agony of mind that I do not know what to make of it. Sometimes he cannot even stand on his knees, but will lie prostrate on the floor, and groan and pray in a manner that quite astonishes me.' I said to the brother, 'I understand it: please keep still. It will all come out right; he will surely prevail.'

"I knew at the time a considerable number of men who were exercised in the same way. A Deacon P---, of Camden, Oneida county; a Deacon T---, of Rodman, Jefferson county; a Deacon B---, of Adams, in the same county; this Mr. Clary and many others among the men, and a large number of women partook of the same spirit, and spent a great part of their time in prayer. Father Nash, as we called him, who in several of my fields of labor came to me and aided me, was another of those men that had such a powerful spirit of prevailing prayer. This Mr. Clary continued in Rochester as long as I did, and did not leave it until after I had left. He never, that I could learn, appeared in public, but gave himself wholly to prayer.

"I think it was the second Sabbath that I was at Auburn at this time, I observed in the congregation the solemn face of Mr. Clary. He looked as if he was borne down with an agony of prayer. Being well acquainted with him, and knowing the great gift of God that was upon him, the spirit of prayer, I was very glad to see him there. He sat in the pew with his brother, the doctor, who was also a professor of religion, but who had nothing by experience, I should think, of his brother Abel's great power with God.

"At intermission, as soon as I came down from the pulpit, Mr. Clary, with his brother, met me at the pulpit stairs, and the doctor invited me to go home with him and spend the intermission and get some refreshments. I did so.

"After arriving at his house we were soon summoned to the dinner table. We gathered about the table, and Dr. Clary turned to his brother and said, 'Brother Abel, will you ask the blessing?' Brother Abel bowed his head and began, audibly, to ask a blessing. He had uttered but a sentence or two when he broke instantly down, moved suddenly back from the table, and fled to his chamber. The doctor supposed he had been taken suddenly ill, and rose up and followed him. In a few moments he came down and said, 'Mr. Finney, brother Abel wants to see you.' Said I, 'What ails him?' Said he, 'I do not know but he says, you know. He appears in great distress, but I think it is the state of his mind.' I understood it in a moment, and went to his room. He lay groaning upon the bed, the Spirit making intercession for him, and in him, with groanings that could not be uttered. I had barely entered the room, when he made out to say, 'Pray, brother Finney.' I knelt down and helped him in prayer, by leading his soul out for the conversion of sinners. I continued to pray until his distress passed away, and then I returned to the dinner table.

"I understood that this was the voice of God. I saw the spirit of prayer was upon him, and I felt his influence upon myself, and took it for granted that the work would move on powerfully. It did so. The pastor told me afterward that he found that in the six weeks that I was there, five hundred souls had been converted."

Mr. Finney in his lectures on revivals tells of other remarkable awakenings in answer to the prayers of God's people. He says in one place, "A clergyman in W----n told me of a revival among his people, which commenced with a zealous and devoted woman in the church. She became anxious about sinners, and went to praying for them; she prayed, and her distress increased; and she finally came to her minister, and talked with him, and asked him to appoint an anxious meeting, for she felt that one was needed. The minister put her off, for he felt nothing of it. The next week she came again, and besought him to appoint an anxious meeting, she knew there would be somebody to come, for she felt as if God was going to pour out His Spirit. He put her off again. And finally she said to him, 'If you do not appoint an anxious meeting I shall die, for there is certainly going to be a revival.' The next Sabbath he appointed a meeting, and said that if there were any who wished to converse with him about the salvation of their souls, he would meet them on such an evening. He did not know of one, but when he went to the place, to his astonishment he found a large number of anxious inquirers."

In still another place he says, "The first ray of light that broke in upon the midnight which rested on the churches in Oneida county, in the fall of 1825, was from a woman in feeble health, who, I believe had never been in a powerful revival. Her soul was exercised about sinners. She was in agony for the land. She did not know what ailed her, but she kept praying more and more, till it seemed as if her agony would destroy her body. At length she became full of joy and exclaimed, 'God has come! God has come! There is no mistake about it, the work is begun, and is going over all the region!' And sure enough the work began, and her family were almost all converted, and the work spread all over that part of the country."

The great revival of 1857 in the United States began in prayer and was carried on by prayer more than by anything else. Dr. Cuyler in an article in a religious newspaper some years ago said, "Most revivals have humble beginnings, and the fire starts in a few warm hearts. Never despise the day of small things. During all my own long ministry, nearly every work of grace had a similar beginning. One commenced in a meeting gathered at a few hour's notice in a private house. Another commenced in a group gathered for Bible study by Mr. Moody in our mission chapel. Still another--the most powerful of all--was kindled on a bitter January evening at a meeting of young Christians under my roof. Dr. Spencer, in his `Pastor's Sketches', (the most suggestive book of its kind I have ever read), tells us that a remarkable revival in his church sprang from the fervent prayers of a godly old man who was confined to his room by lameness. That profound Christian, Dr. Thomas H. Skinner, of the Union Theological Seminary, once gave me an account of a remarkable coming together of three earnest men in his study when he was the pastor of the Arch Street Church in Philadelphia. They literally wrestled in prayer. They made a clean breast in confession of sin, and humbled themselves before God. One and another church officer came in and joined them. The heaven-kindled flame soon spread through the whole congregation in one of the most powerful revivals ever known in that city."

In the early part of the seventeenth century there was a great religious awakening in Ulster, Ireland. The lands of the rebel chiefs which had been forfeited to the British crown, were settled up by a class of colonists who for the most part were governed by a spirit of wild adventure. Real piety was rare. Seven ministers, five from Scotland and two from England, settled in that country, the earliest arrivals being in 1613. Of one of these ministers named Blair it is recorded by a contemporary, "He spent many days and nights in prayer, alone and with others, and was vouchsafed great intimacy with God." Mr. James Glendenning, a man of very meager natural gifts, was a man similarly minded as regards prayer. The work began under this man Glendenning. The historian of the time says, "He was a man who never would have been chosen by a wise assembly of ministers nor sent to begin a reformation in this land. Yet this was the Lord's choice to begin with him the admirable work of God which I mention on purpose that all may see how the glory is only the Lord's in making a holy nation in this profane land, and that it was 'not by might, nor by power, nor by man's wisdom, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord.'" In his preaching at Oldstone multitudes of hearers felt in great anxiety and terror of conscience. They looked on themselves as altogether lost and damned, and cried out, "Men and brethren, what shall we do to be saved?" They were stricken into a swoon by the power of His Word. A dozen in one day were carried out of doors as dead. These were not women, but some of the boldest spirits of the neighborhood; "some who had formerly feared not with their swords to put a whole market town into a fray." Concerning one of them, then a mighty strong man, now a mighty Christian, say that his end in coming into church was to consult with his companions how to work some mischief."

This work spread throughout the whole country. By the year 1626 a monthly concert of prayer was held in Antrim. The work spread beyond the bounds of Down and Antrim to the churches of the neighboring counties. So great became the religious interest that Christians would come thirty or forty miles to the communions, and continue from the time they came until they returned without wearying or making use of sleep. Many of them neither ate nor drank, and yet some of them professed that they "went away most fresh and vigorous, their souls so filled with the sense of God."

This revival changed the whole character of northern Ireland.

Another great awakening in Ireland in 1859 had a somewhat similar origin. By many who did not know, it was thought that this marvelous work came without warning and preparation, but Rev. William Gibson, the moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland in 1860, in his very interesting and valuable history of the work tells how there had been preparation for two years. There had been constant discussion in the General Assembly of the low estate of religion, and of the need of a revival. There had been special sessions for prayer. Finally four young men, who became leaders in the origin of the great work, began to meet together in an old schoolhouse in the neighborhood of Kells. About the spring of 1858 a work of power began to manifest itself. It spread from town to town, and from county to county. The congregations became too large for the buildings, and the meetings were held in the open air, oftentimes attended by many thousands of people. Many hundreds of persons were frequently convicted of sin in a single meeting. In some places the criminal courts and jails were closed for lack of occupation. There were manifestations of the Holy Spirit's power of a most remarkable character, clearly proving that the Holy Spirit is as ready to work to-day as in apostolic days, when ministers and Christians really believe in Him and begin to prepare the way by prayer.

Mr. Moody's wonderful work in England and Scotland and Ireland that afterwards spread to America had its origin on the manward side in prayer. Mr. Moody made little impression until men and women began to cry to God. Indeed his going to England at all was in answer to the importunate cries to God of a bed-ridden saint. While the spirit of prayer continued the revival abode in strength, but in the course of time less and less was made of prayer and the work fell off very perceptibly in power. Doubtless one of the great secrets of the unsatisfactoriness and superficiality and unreality of many of our modern so-called revivals, is that more dependence is put upon man's machinery than upon God's power, sought and obtained by earnest, persistent, believing prayer. We live in a day characterized by the multiplication of man's machinery and the diminution of God's power. The great cry of our day is work, work, work, new organizations, new methods, new machinery; the great need of our day is prayer. It was a master stroke of the devil when he got the church so generally to lay aside this mighty weapon of prayer. The devil is perfectly willing that the church should multiply its organizations, and deftly contrive machinery for the conquest of the world for Christ if it will only give up praying. He laughs as he looks at the church to-day and says to himself:

"You can have your Sunday-schools and your Young People's Societies, your Young Men's Christian Associations and your Women's Christian Temperance Unions, your Institutional Churches and your Industrial Schools, and your Boy's Brigades, your grand choirs and your fine organs, your brilliant preachers and your revival efforts too, if you don't bring the power of Almighty God into them by earnest, persistent, believing, mighty prayer."

Prayer could work as marvelous results today as it ever could, if the church would only betake itself to it.

There seem to be increasing signs that the church is awakening to this fact. Here and there God is laying upon individual ministers and churches a burden of prayer that they have never known before. Less dependence is being put upon machinery and more dependence upon God. Ministers are crying to God day and night for power. Churches and portions of churches are meeting together in the early morning hours and the late night hours crying to God for the latter rain. There is every indication of the coming of a mighty and widespread revival. There is every reason why, if a revival should come in any country at this time, it should be more widespread in its extent than any revival of history. There is the closest and swiftest communication by travel, by letter, and by cable between all parts of the world. A true fire of God kindled in America would soon spread to the uttermost parts of the earth. The only thing needed to bring this fire is prayer.

It is not necessary that the whole church get to praying to begin with. Great revivals always begin first in the hearts of a few men and women whom God arouses by His Spirit to believe in Him as a living God, as a God who answers prayer, and upon whose heart He lays a burden from which no rest can be found except in importunate crying unto God.

May God use this book to arouse many others to pray that the greatly-needed revival may come, and come speedily.

LET US PRAY

The End!

By R. A. Torrey (1856-1928)