Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Power of Prayer
Matthew 18: 18 - 20
Vs.20 “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
 Jesus promises us that wherever it may be, whether in the desert or the oasis, in the fire or on the poles, in the raging waters or a resort, wherever two or more gather together in His name, He will be amidst them. He is not a listener from a far away land, He is beside us personally. He will be with us while we go through our painful storms as well as in our prayerful assembling together in His name. The Creator and Sustainer of the universe want to have a personal relationship with us and that bond is developed through prayer. He likes when believers come together and ignite each other spiritually in prayer as well as intercede for others in need.
 If our prayers are in alignment to His will, they will be answered. He sees the big picture which we cannot see. He has a plan to prosper us, has a hope and a future for us.  His delays are not His denials. He is just waiting for the right time when we can handle what we asked for.
When we are in a storm, we feel that God has abandoned us, but He carries us in the palm of His hand through the storm. That experience that we go through is for His glory. He uses that situation to build our spiritual muscle. God did not prevent Daniel’s friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego   from going into the furnace, but His protecting presence was with them in the fire. Not even a hair of theirs was burned. They went into the fire tied and came out by themselves liberated. That was a mind blowing experience for the spectators; they saw the glory and power of God.
When Paul and Silas worshipped and prayed in the prison, the earth quaked, and their chains fell off. Still they did not run away. This experience transformed the jailer and he became a believer and was baptized. When the believers interceded for Peter’s liberation from the prison, he was freed from there by an angel.
 We must not be worriers but prayer warriors. We must bring all our problems to Him in prayer. We are told to cast our burdens on His mighty shoulders.  He will carry it for us. He is just a prayer away.
PRAYER
Lord, whenever we gather together in your name, empower us with the assurance that the Lord of lords is amidst us, and is passionately listening to us. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The passionate, corporate prayer of believers avails much.

Saramma Chacko, Epiphany MTC, NY
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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