I was praying through the prayer booklet for the
third
time.
On day 1 of week 1, this scripture zapped into
my heart “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build
My church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it”. It was the
scripture to back up the prayer focus for the day which was praying for the
protection and growth of churches in our nation.
The word “rock” in Matthew 16:18 is “petra” in
Greek. Jesus was describing Peter (whose name is
Petros meaning rock or stone) as a man whose
spiritual stature is like a rock by reason of the
firmness and strength of his soul.
Greek. Jesus was describing Peter (whose name is
Petros meaning rock or stone) as a man whose
spiritual stature is like a rock by reason of the
firmness and strength of his soul.
God spoke to me that morning that if the church in
Malaysia were to build strong on the “rock” which is Jesus (and Jesus is the Word become flesh), then no matter what kind of attacks that will come against the church (even if the attacks were like attacks from hell) the church will continue to grow and advance.
Malaysia were to build strong on the “rock” which is Jesus (and Jesus is the Word become flesh), then no matter what kind of attacks that will come against the church (even if the attacks were like attacks from hell) the church will continue to grow and advance.
Indeed in our nation, it has been like a time of the
unleashing of demonic hordes from hell assaulting
the church in various forms. Yet the Word of God is eternal and unchanging.
Come what may, the church in Malaysia as long
as it is build upon the “rock” it will not be shaken. And what is this rock? It is symbolic of
our faith which has to be build strong upon the
Word of God and on prayer.
unleashing of demonic hordes from hell assaulting
the church in various forms. Yet the Word of God is eternal and unchanging.
Come what may, the church in Malaysia as long
as it is build upon the “rock” it will not be shaken. And what is this rock? It is symbolic of
our faith which has to be build strong upon the
Word of God and on prayer.
Prayer in the early church (embedded in a lifestyle of
fellowship and sound doctrine)
strengthens the church and causes it to thrive when
faced with tough times. The best example is the early church.
strengthens the church and causes it to thrive when
faced with tough times. The best example is the early church.
In Acts 2:42 the apostles and the early believers
continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and
continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and
fellowship, in the breaking
of bread and in prayers.
Sound doctrine, close fellowship and praying
together on a daily basis brought about the rapid
growth of the church. Even as persecution and
pressure grew, the Word of God thrived rapidly
and did not waver in the midst of the opening of the “gates of hell” during those days.
together on a daily basis brought about the rapid
growth of the church. Even as persecution and
pressure grew, the Word of God thrived rapidly
and did not waver in the midst of the opening of the “gates of hell” during those days.
Before the revival in China, darkness was so
thick that it could be literally felt. You could slice
it like a knife and you could still feel a thick blanket of darkness. Chinese Christians gathered in house churches and prayed and fasted. Despite the “gates of hell” attacking the church in China, it grew like willows at the watercourses and multiplied in hundreds of thousands.
thick that it could be literally felt. You could slice
it like a knife and you could still feel a thick blanket of darkness. Chinese Christians gathered in house churches and prayed and fasted. Despite the “gates of hell” attacking the church in China, it grew like willows at the watercourses and multiplied in hundreds of thousands.
Brother Andrew once said “The underground
church prays for things Western Christians would
never think to pray about, such as strength to
never deny Christ under torture or to be blessed
with a Bible. In keeping with Jesus’ command,
the church also prays for those who persecute them”
church prays for things Western Christians would
never think to pray about, such as strength to
never deny Christ under torture or to be blessed
with a Bible. In keeping with Jesus’ command,
the church also prays for those who persecute them”
In Indonesia at the time when churches were
under attack, many believers stood firm for Jesus. Today the churches are thriving and
growing all over the nation despite the pressures they faced from outside forces.
under attack, many believers stood firm for Jesus. Today the churches are thriving and
growing all over the nation despite the pressures they faced from outside forces.
In one incident of a church building being closed
by the government, members of the Indonesian
church still met to worship in front of their church building.
They were forced to endure harassment from
people who passed by and who threw cow dung and dirt at them as they worship outside. It was reported that although “dung and dirt was thrown at the Christians making everyone, including children, very uncomfortable, one could sense that their spirit was really high. They sang praises and danced to the Lord joyfully” – Christian magazine on prayer for the persecuted church.
by the government, members of the Indonesian
church still met to worship in front of their church building.
They were forced to endure harassment from
people who passed by and who threw cow dung and dirt at them as they worship outside. It was reported that although “dung and dirt was thrown at the Christians making everyone, including children, very uncomfortable, one could sense that their spirit was really high. They sang praises and danced to the Lord joyfully” – Christian magazine on prayer for the persecuted church.
I was really blessed whilst attending the overnight
prayer with leaders and members of various
churches in the Klang Valley.
From the time we started we were worshiping and praying, worshiping and praying and declaring the Word of God for our nation. We heard all kinds of reports but each time the reports were shared, it
was always followed with a time of intense prayer and intercession. There was a sense of unity and strengthening in the Spirit. We were building our faith on the rock who is JESUS through the united prayers!
prayer with leaders and members of various
churches in the Klang Valley.
From the time we started we were worshiping and praying, worshiping and praying and declaring the Word of God for our nation. We heard all kinds of reports but each time the reports were shared, it
was always followed with a time of intense prayer and intercession. There was a sense of unity and strengthening in the Spirit. We were building our faith on the rock who is JESUS through the united prayers!
Our part is to build our faith on the rock who is
JESUS. God's part is to ensure that the gates of
hell will not prevail against us. Its just as simple as
that.
May we continue to build our lives strong in
prayer, the Word of God and fellowship so that
JESUS. God's part is to ensure that the gates of
hell will not prevail against us. Its just as simple as
that.
May we continue to build our lives strong in
prayer, the Word of God and fellowship so that
the ‘gates of hell’ will not prevail
against the church!
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