The following is taken from Pastor Benny Hinn's monthly letter:
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September 7, 1774 - It was the second fateful day of the First Continental Congress as representatives met from throughout the American Colonies. They faced what appeared to be impossible odds. War clouds with England loomed over the ill prepared settlers. Still, representatives from scatted towns, villages, and farmlands agreed to meet at Carpenters Hall in Philadelphia. From the first moments of the Congress, it was apparent to everyone that extreme prejudice - religious, political, and regional - seemed to riddle any attempts at unifying the unique and diverse people throughout the thirteen colonies. Fighting the greatest military power of the known world seemed hopeless, if not preposterous.
On the second day of the Congress, the Rev. Jacob Duche, a Philadelphia clergyman, was invited to offer the first prayer of the assembly. He began by reading Psalm 35. John Adams reported, "I never saw a greater effect upon an audience. It seemed as if Heaven had ordained that Psalm to be read on that morning."
Everyone seemed to sense the crossroads they faced. Some of the men who would rewrite history knelt at the chairs, while others stood, heads reverently and humbly bowed. The mood was somber as Rev. Duche began praying for God's guidance and favor on America. After this first prayer was completed, a profound silence followed. The sense of responsibility upon each man present appeared to be overwhelming. Samuel Adams later recalled, "His prayer was an unparalleled success." A new boldness filled the air, along with a powerful purpose and determination to carry out whatever difficult tasks lay ahead. History was changed forever during those brief moments of infancy in America's struggle for independence.
In that moment, and in so many ways, prayer has played a vital role in the birth, survival, development, and success of our nation. Today, as America stands at a fateful crossroads, believers - now more than ever - must understand the unparalleled power of effective prayer: And the secret to effective prayer must center on a heart that has been prepared.
This is a secret to effective prayer that I learned early in my Christian walk. Whenever you come to God in prayer, whether in public or in the privacy of your prayer closet, be absolutely certain that you have entered God's presence before you utter a single word in prayer.
Just as we can learn from those great men who joined together in the "First Prayer," we can learn much from the heroes of the faith - champions who knew how to pray effectively and shake their generations for God! In his book "The Plain Man's Book of Prayers", William Barclay wrote:
Prayer is not a way of making use of God; prayer is a way of offering ourselves to God in order that He should be able to make use of us. It may be that we talk too much and listen too little...
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In the same letter Pastor Benny goes on to say:
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We are approaching a crossroads in America that will determine the future of our nation...and the world!
I can tell you without reservation that if we lose the United States we will lose the world! America has been the backbone of world evangelism during the past two centuries. Yet too many Christians right here at home have lost sight of what is really important and have become complacent and comfort minded. Many of our churches which once blazed with revival fires are now little more than social clubs.
Rev. Peter Marshall is bestselling author of "The Light and the Glory"...As a recent guest on "This is Your Day", he said something that should awaken every believer throughout America: "The tragedy today in our nation is that we don't know America's destiny. We've lost our sense of purpose and destiny. We desperately need nationwide revival in America. Otherwise we will lose our nation."
God is shaking the nations. Pray that He will bring that shaking to America, too! And pray that a mighty outpouring of monumental proportions will come as we follow the clear-cut, step-by-step directions for national revival found in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." "
By George Konig
July 24, 2005
www.georgekonig.org
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