Prevailing Prayer

It was September 1957, four young men began to pray regularly in a little school near Kells, Ireland. They persevered and prevailed in prayer, so someone was converted in January the next year. Following that, there was about one conversion every week. Twelve months later they had a weekly gathering of around fifty people at their meeting, and around a hundred other small prayer groups had sprung up in the area!

They held a service the next year, which attracted a huge crowd, so they poured out onto the street. People were convicted by the Holy Spirit, so much that some of them could not stand. Revival broke out, and every night there were gatherings. They prayed, praised, read the bible, and encouraged each other. They held meetings in everyday situations: kitchens, little barns, schools, fields, and even on sidewalks. They would pray and weep all night, and neglected their farm work so they could work for souls. How did it all start? God used four young Irish lads who prevailed in prayer.

"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." James 5:16

To promote a revival, we can use two things. One moves people, we can use the other to move God. We use truth to move men, and prayer to move God.
We obviously can't tell God to do something, but we are changed in prayer, so God can move in us. It's a lot like how God always wants to forgive a sinner, but He can't forgive until the sinner's heart meets God's conditions. So when we pray, the change in us allows for God to answer.

This is why we can't have a revival without prayer. The most exciting messages and truths alone will do nothing. Remember, words will never have any effect without the Holy Spirit. We must spend time in prayer, asking for Him to speak through the words and work in people's hearts. Without it, hearts harden, because they have "heard it all before."

Prevail means to triumph, win through, succeed or overcome. So prevailing prayer is prayer that persists and wins! This is one of the most important keys to a revival. We can't have a revival without prevailing prayer. Prevailing prayer isn't just a desire for something. It's prayer that gets what is seeks, it moves God and has impact.

Looking at the story above is just a glimpse of the impact that prevailing prayer has. Whether we are commuting, working, or at home relaxing, we all have opportunities to pray. This is one of the best ways to use your life for God's glory: asking Him to move. Will you commit to learning to prevail in prayer?

David Cooper writes about being a missionary in your day-to-day life, no matter what your situation is. You can read more about lifestyle evangelism, prayer, and Christian ministry at http://www.EverydayChaplain.com.

How to stay healthy over 40

At 46, it is very hard to have the same muscular body as those 20 year olds we see in the gym. After all, we have a family, a wife that's a good cook and most importantly no time.

So, how do we stay healthy at the age of 40? Let me tell you, browsing every night looking for the answer does not help. I have done it, every night trying to figure out if there is some magic book, potion, even some magic pills that will help me stay healthy at the age of 40.

Until one of the products I tried worked. It is all about going back to the basics. What do we have to eat, what should we not eat, how much exercise do we need to stay healthy at our age. No more secrets, no potions, pills, fancy training machines, just basic stuff that your doctor would most probably tell you too.

Christian Finn basically helped me drop 25 pounds by applying a few simple methods, such as working out at the right time, the right amount, in order to lose weight even when I sleep. I even ended up going to the gym less, having more time with my family and feeling healthier.

I recommend anyone who wants to stay healthy over 40 to apply these simple techniques and see for themselves. There's no need to buy expensive products, buy special pills or follow specific fitness programs at your local gym. You can learn more here : http://bonyayad1.cfinn.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=HEALTH2

Leave It Alone!

'UZZAH...STEADIED THE ARK...AND GOD STRUCK HIM DEAD.' II SAM. 6:6-7

When 'the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah...steadied the Ark,' his intention were good. He didn't want it to fall. But he overstepped his bounds and touched what belonged exclusively to God.
Sometimes your 'strength is to sit still' (Ps. 46:10) and take your hands off what you've entrusted to God's keeping. Even when your 'oxen stumble' and things don't go the way you think they should, God doesn't need your help.
He understnads the situation better than you ever could, and when the time is right He'll 'do wonders never before done' (Ex.34:10 niv.
Sure, it's frustrating to have something withing your grasp and not be able to reach it, especially when others who seem less deserving are enjoying what you so desperately want. But the Bible says: "Be patient...trust the Lord. Don't let it bother you when all goes well for those who do sinful things" (Ps. 37:7 cev).
The Canaduan preacher A.B. Simpson said, 'Often there is nothing as godly as inactivity on our part, or nothing as harmful as restless working, for God has promised to work His sovereign will.'

Paul writes, 'Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient...and....prayerful' (Rom. 12:12 TLB).
Long-range purpose will stop you from becoming frustrated by short-term delays. That is why God said, 'He that believeth shall not make haste' (Isa. 28:16).
In Acts we read: 'Paul and his companions...[were] kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching...in...Asia' (Acts 16:6 niv).

Why?

Because:
(a) the timing wasn't right. Apollos had to go there first and lay the groundwork;
(b) God needed Paul and Barnabas elsewhere;
(c) He wanted them to be more seasoned before embarking on such a major mission.

So, leave that situation alone, in God's hand. He will do it His own way.
Hallelujah.

Keep Quiet

"A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards"

One of the things that you and I as believers must learn if we want to be faithful servants in the Kingdom of God is how to keep our mouths shut. We need to master that skill.

When we get our backs up about something, we think we have to let everybody know about it. "I'm just going to give them a piece of my mind," we say.

Don't make that mistake. Nobody wants or needs a piece of your mind--and if you give it to them, you'll only end up alienating people and bringing harm to yourself. Instead, learn to keep quiet.

This especially applies in the area of spiritual insight. When the Holy Spirit gives you discernment about a situation, don't go spreading it all over town. If you do, you'll come to the place where the Lord can't trust you with revelation and insight into things and situations.

I've seen that happen. I've known intercessors who have received revelations about someone's weaknesses or needs. They have been given insight into the the problem in someone's life, so they could pray for that person.
But, instead of keeping that information between themselves and God in prayer, they told others about it.
As a result, they lost their effectiveness as an intercessor.

Don't let that happen to you.
Develop the quiet art of a wise man, and the devil will find it increasingly difficult to harm your prayer life and ministry to others.

Kenneth Copeland.
Adapted from SuccessDigest Extra!