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Growth Happens when Prayer Happens

by Stenoy (Steve) Stephenson

 
Adventist HealthCare witnessed historic 24-hour Praise, Prayer and Fasting 23-24 June. Historic not only because this has not taken place at least in the known four decades… but also it was a moment of going back to the Apostolic way of doing life and discipleship, where you come together in one accord. One may ask, 'Why 24-hour Praise, Prayer and Fasting?'

Two reasons; One, it was a message to the community revealing our identity that, when it comes to theology, we have and are rooted in an old school conservative Biblical orthodoxy. And in our applied theology we have a contemporary revolutionary understanding of who God is.

Two, bringing to the throne of God all the praise, worship, thanksgiving, supplication, joys, and concerns as an institution, and praying for and with the community - the apostolic way of life and discipleship.

United prayer was the methodology used in the 24-hour Praise, Prayer and Fasting - combined with songs of praise and worship, testimony, and messages from speakers from around the globe. United prayer, also called corporate prayer is a God-given secret to accessing divine power. United prayer simply means praying in harmony with other believers for a common goal (John Franklin, 2008). United prayer is Jesus' method of prayer. Jesus defines it this way: "I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. for where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there in the midst of them." Matthew

18:19-20. The Bible is full of stories of united prayer. One example will give us insight into the role united prayer should play in our lives and in our institution. Judah had returned to God under the leadership of good king Jehoshaphat. Now their faith was tested as a great multitude of Moabites and Ammonites came to make war with them. King Jehoshaphat set himself to seek the Lord and called all the people of Judah to join him in prayer and fasting for deliverance. Whole families joined in earnest prayer at the temple as Jehoshaphat entreated God for deliverance.

God's answer came swiftly. A temple musician was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave words of encouragement. Jehoshaphat and his people believed God's word and sang praises all the way to the battlefield. When they got there, they found that their enemies had killed each other off. All they had to do was clean up the spoil (Charles Spurgeon,1998). Jesus' followers met together for ten days in an upper room to pray after His ascension. They sought the promised Holy Spirit "in one accord in prayer and supplication. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…" Acts 1:14; 2:1-2 The apostles went out and preached so powerfully. Adventist HealthCare is doing the same. Adventist HealthCare believes in the Biblical way of doing life. Adventist HealthCare has leadership that believes in prayer. We cannot thrive unless we are saturated by united prayer. United prayer should be our natural response to the problems we face in the institution. United prayer allows God to speak to us and show us His plans. United prayer and praise allow God to defeat our enemies. United prayer was important to Jesus. It should be important to us too! We need others to pray with, and for us, in all times. Our Motto: growth happens where prayer happens.

Growth Happens Where Prayer Happens.  The book of Acts describes an institution anchored and empowered by united prayer; they received wisdom (Acts 1;24); sought boldness (Acts 4:24, 31); found new direction (Acts 6:6; 13:1-2); received the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:15); experienced miracles (Acts 12 & 16); strengthened each other (Acts 20 & 21); in Jesus name 'turned the world upside down' (Acts 17:6). Adventist HealthCare is blessed with a good leader like King Jehoshaphat. Brett Goods, a praying, God-fearing leader, who has called us to United Prayer. The message is simple and clear, "do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's…you will not need to fight this battle. For the Lord is with you." 2 Chronicles 20: 3 & 15

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