Devotional Thoughts: power of prayer

Spent the evening with our junior high youth group tonight.

It was a time of prayer and it was an uplifting time.

Their desire to follow Jesus and openness about their lives was truly a blessing to me.

As I look back on the evening, two Bible passages leap to mind.

Luke 10:38-42 described Martha and Mary. Martha was busy with household preparations while Mary listened at Jesus feet.

Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

There is a time and place for everything and it was clear that on this occasion sitting at Jesus feet was the best thing and Mary seized upon it while Martha complained to Jesus that Mary was being lazy.

As I listened to our young people offer prayers to Jesus, I felt they were seizing upon the best thing. They poured out to God praise as well as struggles in their lives. We were in communion together with the Heavenly Father and it is a very good thing.

Acts 2:14-21 described the opening thoughts of Peter in the sermon at Pentacost. He quoted Joel ...

AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS, God says,
THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND;
AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY,
AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS,
AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS;
EVEN ON MY BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN,
I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT
And they shall prophesy.

Peter used this passage from Joel to explain what was happening at the birth of the Church at Pentacost. With the death and resurrection of Jesus, a new work was beginning. When the Spirit is at work, watch out!

Indeed, with the Spirit pouring out on the sons, daughters, young, old and bondslaves, the world as they knew it was about to be turned upside down ...

AND I WILL GRANT WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE
AND SIGNS ON THE EARTH BELOW,
BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE.
THE SUN WILL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS
AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD,
BEFORE THE GREAT AND GLORIOUS DAY OF THE LORD SHALL COME.
AND IT SHALL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.

For a couple of hours tonight, I felt like I got to see a glimpse of what that looks like.

Lord, thank you for my young friends and for the devotion to you they exhibit. Help my young brothers to grow strong so they may serve you and fight for the Kingdom of God and stand firm with each other as a band of brother. Help my young sisters to grow strong so they may serve you and tell others of the risen Savior like Mary and may they know the joy of resting at your feet like the other Mary. Great Shepherd, help us as a leadership team to be plugged into you so when we give to them we would be giving from the overflow you have given to us. Help us to guard our young friends in prayer and equip the with your Words. In Jesus name, amen.