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Weekly Message: Week 42.
Prayer the only remedy!!
One preacher when asked about how to be successful in Ministry once said number one – pray, number two –
pray, number three – pray, number four – pray and number five – pray.
Why am I saying this? I am saying this because I believe that God is calling the church to pray like we have
never done so before. The stakes are high and the battle is getting hotter and hotter.
In Act 6:1-5 we see in the early church, a challenge coming up unexpectedly. The church was in its infancy, but
vibrant and growing. It had seen exponential growth since its birth and in the midst of the manifest Power of the
Holy Spirit carnality began to manifest. The church which had been united as one, with one Lord, Spirit filled
and had one focus now had problems related to their different circumstances. The very circumstances that
grace had been especially manifested for. (Joh 17: 21, Eph 2: 14, 15). Hellenics (Jews born in Greece or
heathen countries) were up against the Hebrews (Jews born in Israel).
They which had been of one accord, as they multiplied, were now in discord. Just as in the days of old, as they
multiplied they began to murmur and corrupted themselves. (Isa 9:3). When Abraham and Lot increased their
families, there was strife between their herdsmen. (Gen 13: 7). We also see discord in the Corinthian church
with people trying to create factions and identifying with certain leaders.
Despite persecution, the church had endured and grown and had each other for comfort and strength. Many
were being born again and in the midst of all this the enemy internalised the struggle or problem. Some
problems are never intentioned but I urge you to shun divisive actions or statements and pursue unity. (1 Cor 1:
10) in the Lord. Whether black or white, African or European, Jew or Gentile, blood brother or in-law, son or step
son grace was manifested that we may be one in the Lord.
I like the way the church dealt with the seemingly emerging problem:
1. They appointed seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom. These were men of God
led by the Spirit of God and walking in His word. In my own words I will call these men of prayer or prayer
warriors. If it had been anyone else, they would have looked for people with relevant experience or good
public relation skills. But the Apostles recognised that the problem was beyond the physical.
It does not matter what role or assignment the Lord gives you in the church, at work, community or
family. It could be arranging chairs, feeding others, sweeping in church. You might be looked down upon
as a daughter in law, son in law, step son or employee but God has an assignment for you. Due to His
foresight and fore-knowledge He saw a problem coming and had a perfect plan to send someone of
honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and His wisdom – i.e. a prayer warrior. And that person could be you.
God has never been caught by surprise with your circumstances. Paul writing in prison to the
Philippians says in Philippians 1: 12 – 13 that the things that befell him were for the furtherance of the
gospel. When God wanted to bring salvation to the jailer in acts 16 he permitted Paul and Silas to be
arrested.
The Lord is ordering your steps (Psa 37:23) and you are where you are by His permission right now
unless you willingly disobeyed Him. Instead of mourning recognise that He is in control and seek to be
continuously filled by His Spirit (Eph 5:18) for effective ministry.
Some time ago after changing jobs, I had the most difficult first week that I thought of quitting. After a time
of prayer, God helped me cool my nerves and I stayed at that company for two more years before moving.
2. The Apostles prioritised prayer (Act 6:4). Even though there was a problem at hand the apostles had
revelation that prayer was the key to victory. Prayer had to be prioritised. Everything we have to deal with
or resolve has to be dealt with on a strong foundation of prayer.
Never neglect prayer to deal with your problem in the physical. Your victory lies in persevering in prayer.
No disease is worth concentrating on, no marriage problem is worth concentrating on, no addiction is
worth concentrating on and no problem is worth concentrating on.
3. In addition, the apostles never stopped preaching or ministering the word (Act 6:4). There is nothing that
frustrates the enemy more than continuous fervent prayer and ministering of the word. We will not stop
witnessing because of the internal challenges we face in the family or ministry. Our seemingly big
challenge is fertile ground for miracles and with a miracle working God victory is certain.
4. In the garden of Gethsemane, when the trying time was upon Him Jesus groaned and supplicated in
prayer (Matthew 26: 36 – 45). He was in agony. The level of His agony was depicted in the sweat of blood
that came out. All this went on whilst His disciples slept. Jesus' remedy to tiredness and sleep was
watch and pray (Matthew 26: 41).
There are times in life when we get under immense pressure or even tired from the battles we face.
Sometimes we feel like giving up on life. Every prayer time is like a real burden and it seems like God is
silent. In all those circumstances the remedy is watch and pray (Matthew 26: 41).
5. When the Israelites had just crossed the Red Sea and were in the desert the enemy struck (Exodus 17:
8 – 14.). This was in a dry and barren land and the Israelites all their lives had only been slaves. They
had never tasted war before and this was a new area / profession to the fighters. The enemy chose a
time and location of immense vulnerability to attack but it is prayer that prevailed.
How fascinating that a people who had never fought a war on the other side of the Red Sea suddenly
find themselves fighting and winning their first battle. The battle got so intense that the intercession was
not meant for one man alone. Two young men Aaron and Hur (Ex 17: 12) joined in and interceded for
Moses and victory was granted.
I think a lot of people will identify with this - facing a battle at a time of immense vulnerability. This could
be losing your house immediately after losing your job, your family members at each other’s throat after
bereavement, a child involved in accident after parents’ divorce. Just as the Israelites triumphed at a
time like this through prayer so will you emerge triumphant through prayer.
6. In Acts 12: 1 – 7. Peter was arrested and bound with two chains between two soldiers. Besides there
were two other guards keeping the door. They thought if at all the chains fall by any means, the two
soldiers beside him will stop him. If not then the guards will stop him. The enemy thought he could stop
the preaching of the gospel this way but prayer was made without ceasing of the church. As a result
Peter was miraculously freed.
The enemy could not stop the work of God – even death could not hold the Word captive (Mat 28: 6). The
enemy will use several pieces of legislation or even threats of physical harm to try and stop the word at
work, in schools, in communities, public spaces etc. He will use Company Policies, Equality and
Diversity Legislation, Legislation against discrimination etc to try and frustrate the propagation of the
word. They might try and confine us by forbidding us to preach the word at work, hospital, schools but be
encouraged in that you cannot bind or put barriers for the work of ministry. Even mountains can move
(Mar 11: 23).
7. In John 11: 38 – 44. Everyone thought they had seen the last of Lazarus but it’s not final until God says
so.
Your situation might seem dead or beyond redemption but there is a resurrecting power that you and I
can only access through prayer.
No amount of opposition could stop the church. Be it internal challenges, personal challenges, persecution or
opposition. Be it jail or lack, sickness or death. The Lord always prevails. He is Jehovah Nissi.
The chain prayers, fasting, bible study and prayer, church services etc help us lay a strong foundation of prayer.
Not for any one’s gain but for your future victory. God is calling you to effectual fervent prayer. (James 5: 16b).
For with prayer we can ride any storm. I do not know what you are facing but what I know is your victory lies in
prayer.
Prayer the only remedy!!
One preacher when asked about how to be successful in Ministry once said number one – pray, number two –
pray, number three – pray, number four – pray and number five – pray.
Why am I saying this? I am saying this because I believe that God is calling the church to pray like we have
never done so before. The stakes are high and the battle is getting hotter and hotter.
In Act 6:1-5 we see in the early church, a challenge coming up unexpectedly. The church was in its infancy, but
vibrant and growing. It had seen exponential growth since its birth and in the midst of the manifest Power of the
Holy Spirit carnality began to manifest. The church which had been united as one, with one Lord, Spirit filled
and had one focus now had problems related to their different circumstances. The very circumstances that
grace had been especially manifested for. (Joh 17: 21, Eph 2: 14, 15). Hellenics (Jews born in Greece or
heathen countries) were up against the Hebrews (Jews born in Israel).
They which had been of one accord, as they multiplied, were now in discord. Just as in the days of old, as they
multiplied they began to murmur and corrupted themselves. (Isa 9:3). When Abraham and Lot increased their
families, there was strife between their herdsmen. (Gen 13: 7). We also see discord in the Corinthian church
with people trying to create factions and identifying with certain leaders.
Despite persecution, the church had endured and grown and had each other for comfort and strength. Many
were being born again and in the midst of all this the enemy internalised the struggle or problem. Some
problems are never intentioned but I urge you to shun divisive actions or statements and pursue unity. (1 Cor 1:
10) in the Lord. Whether black or white, African or European, Jew or Gentile, blood brother or in-law, son or step
son grace was manifested that we may be one in the Lord.
I like the way the church dealt with the seemingly emerging problem:
1. They appointed seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom. These were men of God
led by the Spirit of God and walking in His word. In my own words I will call these men of prayer or prayer
warriors. If it had been anyone else, they would have looked for people with relevant experience or good
public relation skills. But the Apostles recognised that the problem was beyond the physical.
It does not matter what role or assignment the Lord gives you in the church, at work, community or
family. It could be arranging chairs, feeding others, sweeping in church. You might be looked down upon
as a daughter in law, son in law, step son or employee but God has an assignment for you. Due to His
foresight and fore-knowledge He saw a problem coming and had a perfect plan to send someone of
honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and His wisdom – i.e. a prayer warrior. And that person could be you.
God has never been caught by surprise with your circumstances. Paul writing in prison to the
Philippians says in Philippians 1: 12 – 13 that the things that befell him were for the furtherance of the
gospel. When God wanted to bring salvation to the jailer in acts 16 he permitted Paul and Silas to be
arrested.
The Lord is ordering your steps (Psa 37:23) and you are where you are by His permission right now
unless you willingly disobeyed Him. Instead of mourning recognise that He is in control and seek to be
continuously filled by His Spirit (Eph 5:18) for effective ministry.
Some time ago after changing jobs, I had the most difficult first week that I thought of quitting. After a time
of prayer, God helped me cool my nerves and I stayed at that company for two more years before moving.
2. The Apostles prioritised prayer (Act 6:4). Even though there was a problem at hand the apostles had
revelation that prayer was the key to victory. Prayer had to be prioritised. Everything we have to deal with
or resolve has to be dealt with on a strong foundation of prayer.
Never neglect prayer to deal with your problem in the physical. Your victory lies in persevering in prayer.
No disease is worth concentrating on, no marriage problem is worth concentrating on, no addiction is
worth concentrating on and no problem is worth concentrating on.
3. In addition, the apostles never stopped preaching or ministering the word (Act 6:4). There is nothing that
frustrates the enemy more than continuous fervent prayer and ministering of the word. We will not stop
witnessing because of the internal challenges we face in the family or ministry. Our seemingly big
challenge is fertile ground for miracles and with a miracle working God victory is certain.
4. In the garden of Gethsemane, when the trying time was upon Him Jesus groaned and supplicated in
prayer (Matthew 26: 36 – 45). He was in agony. The level of His agony was depicted in the sweat of blood
that came out. All this went on whilst His disciples slept. Jesus' remedy to tiredness and sleep was
watch and pray (Matthew 26: 41).
There are times in life when we get under immense pressure or even tired from the battles we face.
Sometimes we feel like giving up on life. Every prayer time is like a real burden and it seems like God is
silent. In all those circumstances the remedy is watch and pray (Matthew 26: 41).
5. When the Israelites had just crossed the Red Sea and were in the desert the enemy struck (Exodus 17:
8 – 14.). This was in a dry and barren land and the Israelites all their lives had only been slaves. They
had never tasted war before and this was a new area / profession to the fighters. The enemy chose a
time and location of immense vulnerability to attack but it is prayer that prevailed.
How fascinating that a people who had never fought a war on the other side of the Red Sea suddenly
find themselves fighting and winning their first battle. The battle got so intense that the intercession was
not meant for one man alone. Two young men Aaron and Hur (Ex 17: 12) joined in and interceded for
Moses and victory was granted.
I think a lot of people will identify with this - facing a battle at a time of immense vulnerability. This could
be losing your house immediately after losing your job, your family members at each other’s throat after
bereavement, a child involved in accident after parents’ divorce. Just as the Israelites triumphed at a
time like this through prayer so will you emerge triumphant through prayer.
6. In Acts 12: 1 – 7. Peter was arrested and bound with two chains between two soldiers. Besides there
were two other guards keeping the door. They thought if at all the chains fall by any means, the two
soldiers beside him will stop him. If not then the guards will stop him. The enemy thought he could stop
the preaching of the gospel this way but prayer was made without ceasing of the church. As a result
Peter was miraculously freed.
The enemy could not stop the work of God – even death could not hold the Word captive (Mat 28: 6). The
enemy will use several pieces of legislation or even threats of physical harm to try and stop the word at
work, in schools, in communities, public spaces etc. He will use Company Policies, Equality and
Diversity Legislation, Legislation against discrimination etc to try and frustrate the propagation of the
word. They might try and confine us by forbidding us to preach the word at work, hospital, schools but be
encouraged in that you cannot bind or put barriers for the work of ministry. Even mountains can move
(Mar 11: 23).
7. In John 11: 38 – 44. Everyone thought they had seen the last of Lazarus but it’s not final until God says
so.
Your situation might seem dead or beyond redemption but there is a resurrecting power that you and I
can only access through prayer.
No amount of opposition could stop the church. Be it internal challenges, personal challenges, persecution or
opposition. Be it jail or lack, sickness or death. The Lord always prevails. He is Jehovah Nissi.
The chain prayers, fasting, bible study and prayer, church services etc help us lay a strong foundation of prayer.
Not for any one’s gain but for your future victory. God is calling you to effectual fervent prayer. (James 5: 16b).
For with prayer we can ride any storm. I do not know what you are facing but what I know is your victory lies in
prayer.
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