But earnest prayer was going up to God from the Church for his (Peter’s) safety all the time he was in prison. Acts 12:5 Living Bible

What a ruckus! I was in the shower when it all began. The pounding of 24 canine paws flying up the stairs and around the corner to the bathroom door and then the barking began. I knew something really important was happening and I needed to act quickly. Leaping from the shower I grabbed a towel, as I heard my daughter’s footsteps rush by the closed door and down the staircase. Moments later the dogs and I were in hot pursuit.

What happened was this. In the early morning hours, long before the sun was yet to rise on this cold winter’s morn, an owl had swooped into our dog run and grabbed one of our miniature long haired dachshunds. Fortunately the owl had only made contact with one claw which meant it did not have the power to lift off again with its prey. It was downed in our yard with Midge trapped underneath it, giving us time to rescue her.

Since then our dog run has been fortified by fence extenders and a netting of overhead rope providing safety from air attack for all the dogs.

Contemplating what happened to Midge that day, and how we were alerted to her plight by the other dogs which in turn saved her, I found myself thinking of the tremendous power that is unleashed when Christians pray. When the apostle Peter was in jail awaiting execution the people of God stormed the gates of heaven with their prayers; prayers which were answered as an angel of the Lord was dispatched to lead Peter to freedom.

In James 5 we are admonished to call the elders of the church if we are sick, to have them pray that we might be healed. We are to admit our faults to one another and to pray for each other that we may be healed, for the earnest prayer of a righteous man has great power and wonderful results. According to these verses as well as many others, prayer=power. Prayer works.

Let us therefore remember during this Advent Season and every day, as God’s holy and chosen people to let the power of prayer work for us. Though we are separated by times zones, miles and cultures, in Christ, in prayer, we are one. We are one people, who in him, are able to boldly approach the throne of grace on behalf of those who are caught in the clutches of oppression, war, persecution, illness and all pervasive forms of evil. We are one body whose Head has the power to raise the dead to life, to set the captives free, to heal the broken hearted and turn their darkness into light. So let us remember to pray, for prayer=power. Prayer works.

Prayer: Father God and Wonderful Lord and Saviour, we come before you, as one people in Christ, this Advent Season to pray. We lift our voices in the unity of prayer to plead for those who are injured and ill and for those caught by any and all forms of evil, sin and oppression. Hear our prayers for them O Lord for healing and salvation that your name may be glorified throughout the earth now and forever more. In Christ’s name we ask. Amen

Lynne Phipps
Atlin, BC lynnephipps@hotmail.com