There are two glorious “BUTs” in the 12th Chapter of the Book of Acts.
“But the Church was earnestly praying to God” (verse 5).
“But the Word of God continued to increase and spread” (verse 24).
Here we consider the first one – PRAYER. It is very interesting to find that women have played a vital role in the ministry of prayer throughout the Bible. The passage under consideration here is one striking example. When Peter was put in prison, the Church was earnestly (fervently, continuously, intensely) praying for him. God honoured their cry by releasing an angel from Heaven who released Peter from the prison miraculously. It was night. “Then Peter came to himself and said, ‘Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent His angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating.’ When this had dawned on him, he went to the HOUSE OF MARY the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had GATHERED and were PRAYING.” This was essentially a Prayer Cell of WOMEN. How do we say that?
a) Any home is generally known after the name of the man of the house. Here we read it as “the house of Mary the mother of John.” Only when a cottage meeting for women is announced in the Church, we know it is customary to refer to the meeting place after the name of the lady of the house, i.e. in Mrs. So-and-so’s house.
b) When Peter knocked at the door, that being night and the time of severe persecution by the rulers, only a male member should have come out to open, if it had been a general gathering. But we read that, “a maid named Rhoda came to answer,” thus indicating again that it was a women’s prayer meeting.
c) Also from what Peter told those who were praying inside the house – “Tell James and the brothers about this” – it is obvious that brothers were not there and it was exclusively a women-gathering for prayer.
Number is not a criterion for the successful formation and functioning of a Prayer Cell. God’s minimum is TWO. “If TWO of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in Heaven. For where TWO or THREE come together in My Name, there am I with them” (Mt 18:19, 20). Therefore start a Prayer Cell in your house straightaway even if you are able to get just one or two ladies to agree with you in prayer. I give below a few guidelines for your cell.
These Prayer Cells also enable you to meet each other atleast once a week to share your personal soul-winning news, the various experiences of the leading of the Spirit, etc, of the week. And you can bring your sacrificial offerings to the gathering to collect together and send to ministries. Weekly saving was one method of the early Christians (1 Cor 16:2)
PRAYER MOVES THE ARM THAT MOVES THE WORLD!
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
There are two glorious “BUTs” in the 12th Chapter of the Book of Acts.
“But the Church was earnestly praying to God” (verse 5).
“But the Word of God continued to increase and spread” (verse 24).
Here we consider the first one – PRAYER. It is very interesting to find that women have played a vital role in the ministry of prayer throughout the Bible. The passage under consideration here is one striking example. When Peter was put in prison, the Church was earnestly (fervently, continuously, intensely) praying for him. God honoured their cry by releasing an angel from Heaven who released Peter from the prison miraculously. It was night. “Then Peter came to himself and said, ‘Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent His angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating.’ When this had dawned on him, he went to the HOUSE OF MARY the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had GATHERED and were PRAYING.” This was essentially a Prayer Cell of WOMEN. How do we say that?
a) Any home is generally known after the name of the man of the house. Here we read it as “the house of Mary the mother of John.” Only when a cottage meeting for women is announced in the Church, we know it is customary to refer to the meeting place after the name of the lady of the house, i.e. in Mrs. So-and-so’s house.
b) When Peter knocked at the door, that being night and the time of severe persecution by the rulers, only a male member should have come out to open, if it had been a general gathering. But we read that, “a maid named Rhoda came to answer,” thus indicating again that it was a women’s prayer meeting.
c) Also from what Peter told those who were praying inside the house – “Tell James and the brothers about this” – it is obvious that brothers were not there and it was exclusively a women-gathering for prayer.
Number is not a criterion for the successful formation and functioning of a Prayer Cell. God’s minimum is TWO. “If TWO of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in Heaven. For where TWO or THREE come together in My Name, there am I with them” (Mt 18:19, 20). Therefore start a Prayer Cell in your house straightaway even if you are able to get just one or two ladies to agree with you in prayer. I give below a few guidelines for your cell.
These Prayer Cells also enable you to meet each other atleast once a week to share your personal soul-winning news, the various experiences of the leading of the Spirit, etc, of the week. And you can bring your sacrificial offerings to the gathering to collect together and send to ministries. Weekly saving was one method of the early Christians (1 Cor 16:2)
PRAYER MOVES THE ARM THAT MOVES THE WORLD!
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
