THE SOUND OF PRAYING

Proverbs 15:29 The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.

It’s two o’clock in the morning and I am sleeping deeply but when God wants to speak, a little bit of sleep isn’t going to stop Him.  Now, I am wide awake with these words rolling over and over in my mind, “I HEAR THE SOUND OF PRAYING.”

The rest of my night was filled with Biblical examples of when prayer was made and the results…God answered because GOD HEARS THE SOUND OF PRAYING.

In the Old Testament we read about the Children of Israel’s cry for deliverance, God heard their cry and led them out of bondage. Hannah prayed so desperately for a child that the Priest thought she was drunk, but God heard her plea and Samuel was born. Job prayed and had his health, children and wealth restored. Elijah prayed, God heard and sent fire to consume the sacrifice. Hezekiah’s prayers extended his life for 15 years.  And who can forget Daniel.  His dedication to prayer three times every day, even defying government orders, saved him from the mouth of lions and gave him insight and revelation from God.  Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Jonah, David, Moses and the list goes on and on.

THE EARLY CHURCH WAS BUILT ON PRAYER.

Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in PRAYER and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and with His brothers.

Before His ascension, Jesus gathered His followers together and told them to “Wait for the Promise.”  120 gathered together in an upper room and I can assure you they were not discussing, debating, taking selfies or sharing Facebook gossip…no, Acts 1 tells us they were PRAYING.  And as they prayed, THE SOUND OF PRAYING collided with THE SOUND FROM HEAVEN and they were all FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Acts 2:2 AND SUDDENLY there came a sound from Heaven, as of a mighty rushing wind, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

Paul and Silas were in Philippi, preaching Jesus, baptizing people and casting out spirits.  Not everyone appreciated the demonstration of the Power of God, so Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown in jail; their feet securely fastened in stocks.  Instead of pleading their case before God, asking, “what did we do to deserve this?” or “We were just trying to obey God, where is He now?” The Bible tells us they began to PRAY and SING HYMNS to God.  Well God heard THE SOUND OF PRAYING and…

Acts 16:26 SUDDENLY there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.

Acts 10 tells the story of Cornelius, a Gentile.  He feared God, gave alms generously, and PRAYED to God always.  One day God heard THE SOUND OF PRAYING and sent an angel to Cornelius, who informed him that his “PRAYERS HAD COME UP FOR A MEMORIAL BEFORE THE LORD.”  At the same time, God sent a vision to Peter to go to Cornelius’ house with a message of Salvation.

 

Acts 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.

Not only was Cornelius and his house filled with the Holy Ghost but the message of Salvation was now available to all Gentiles, all because God heard THE SOUND OF PRAYING from one man.

GOD’S CHURCH IS STILL BUILT ON PRAYER!

Matthew 21:13 And He said to them, Is it not written, My house shall be called a House of Prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.”

Men and women of old and the early Church understood the Principle of Prayer; God has not changed. There will be no revival without Prayer.  There will be no deliverance without Prayer.  We cannot reach our world with the Gospel without Prayer. God still responds to THE SOUND OF PRAYING! 

In Matthew, Jesus declares, “My house shall be called a House of Prayer.”  NOT a Concert Hall, NOT a Friendship Club, Not a Event Venue of Entertainment, Not a Donut Shop and Coffee Bar, NOT even a House of Preaching, because God hears and responds to THE SOUND OF PRAYING!

As a mom, I hated the sound of whining and I learned to tune it out quite well.  But you let me hear a fervent and sincere cry of “MOM, I NEED YOU!” It could be in the middle of the night, from the backyard or in a crowded mall, everything stopped because my child needed me and I heard the cry.

So it is with our Heavenly Father.  Whatever you lack, whatever your need, PRAY because God hears THE SOUND OF PRAYING!