When the Church Is To Stop Praying - Part 2

Our Lord has brought this home to me and I know that it has to be spoken here, for whatever reasons. Three of the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke have recorded a time when the Church was not in prayer.

These were some very holy and God-fearing people, who once asked Jesus about His Church not praying, when all other religious people were praying. Then John’s disciples came and asked Jesus, ‘How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?’ Matthew 9: 14. This was brought to me, to show, consolidate and confirm that prayer depends on God and God alone in Christ Jesus. In the simplest of words and images, our Jesus has told me that fasting and praying go together, for believers. It stands to reason then that these disciples of John are also asking about prayer. Jesus’ disciples, His Church, if you like, are being terribly different, at a time when other believers and worshippers of God, are united in a time of prayer and fast. Why is the Church not praying? There is a time when even the Church is not called to conform to fasting and praying, according to traditions, but to be free to follow Jesus' lead and do as He desires.

May Holy Spirit grant us Truth! Amen!

Let’s now look at an occasion when the Church is in specific intercessory prayer, when that prayer is no longer needed. Yes, this entire exposing is about the Church in prayer. You are being taught to be wise in the Lord’s wisdom about your present state. The praying we are being shown, is taken from a live happening, where evil is most evident in that place.

We turn to the Acts of the Holy Spirit, also known as the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts 12: 12. So when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. The account says that many were gathered in the house of Mary, praying. There is an old adage which says, “two’s company, three’s a crowd.” Whatever this means, one thing is for sure. Mary certainly does not have company at her house on this occasion. She has a crowd there in her house. Who are the people who make up this crowd? Who are the many people praying in Mary’s house? In the chapter, there are clear references and pictures indicating the kind of people who are at the house praying. We are told that the Church is praying for Peter. Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. Acts 12: 5. We also know that even before Peter has been arrested and taken prisoner by King Herod, the Church has been faithfully praying. It is a time of intense persecution of the Church by the secular power, ruler and authority. The first verse in this chapter makes it abundantly clear. Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Acts 12: 1.

Indeed, the Church is in intercessory prayer for Peter, and while in deep unceasing prayer, God answers their request and Peter is outside knocking at the door of Mary’s house. Has not prayer been answered? Is it not time for the Church to cease in supplication and intercession and rise up from their present positions of prayer? Is it not now time for action, even the action of rising and running joyfully to the door to greet Peter? Mary’s servant-girl tells the Church that Peter is outside knocking. Hasn’t she told them, in unspoken words, that their prayers have been answered, since Peter is outside knocking? The Church hears, but the Church does not believe. When I’m asked certain questions by our Lord, I am totally silenced with guilt. Where do you, O Church, stand in relation to questions which He is asking you, as a Church?

From stated evidence given thus far, you know that the praying crowd, gathered in the house of Mary is a part of the Church. It is the Church who is praying at a time when evil is rampant. It is a Church of prayer, where prayers are in the will and way of God, so that the Lord God honours their prayers with wonders and miracles. But why are they still praying when it is time to stop their supplication and intercession?

We have prayed and our prayers have been answered, but because fear has overtaken faith, we do not hear nor see how God has heard and is leading us to different deeds, for we have already been answered.