Dr. Chapman thought, “Here’s a crank.”
But the man continued: “I’m going to pray for you that you may have the Holy Spirit’s power upon you. Two others have covenanted to join with me in prayer for you.”
Dr. Chapman said, “I didn’t feel so bad when I learned he was going to pray for me. The 3 became 10, the 10 became 20, and 20 became 50, the 50 became 200 who met before every service to pray that the Holy Spirit might come upon me. I always went into my pulpit feeling that I would have the anointing in answer to the prayers of those who had faithfully prayed for me. It was a joy to preach! The result was that we received 1,100 into our church by conversion in three years, 600 of whom were men. It was the fruit of the Holy Spirit in answer to prayer!”
What preacher doesn’t appreciate it when his people pray for him! I know I do! And we can always tell when someone is–even if that person is a “crank”!
But notice that Dr. Chapman recognized the role praying had in their work: people were saved! For the last two years here at Utica Baptist Church we’ve been emphasizing the importance of prayer in our church, and we elected a Prayer Team to lead us in our prayer efforts. And we have seen many more people come to know Christ as a result.
This coming Sunday we’re going to observe our Second Soles for Souls. I encourage each of you to bring a pair of shoes to represent someone you know who needs to know Jesus. We’re going to line them up across the front of the church, just as we did last year, and pray for those people, that one day they might come to know and love Jesus.
So this week, pray for me! But also pray that God would give you a real burden for the lost people you know. Then next Sunday, be sure to bring shoes, as many pair as you like, and let’s pray that God would draw those people to Himself.
--Rocky Henriques, www.uticabc.com