But the church was earnestly praying... (Acts 12:5)

God sometimes speaks to us by repeatedly drawing our attention to something. We might notice something unusual three or four times over a few days or a week or more. It might be coincidence, but then again, it might be a God-incidence. In the past several weeks, I've been noticing that people I know have been talking about how God has been answering prayer.

A construction worker should have been a "vegetable" after being crushed by 300kg of chain falling on him from 6m above. THE CHURCH PRAYED and he was home with his wife and children just weeks later, progressing with painkillers and physiotherapy.

A missionary couple who've never operated in the gift of healing were asked to pray for a cancer patient. THEY PRAYED AND ANOINTED HER WITH OIL and she was healed.

A Muslim woman confessed to her believing friend that she had nothing in her life to make her happy. Her friend spoke about God's loving care for us and asked, "CAN I PRAY FOR YOU?" The next day, the woman received the long-awaited invitation to sponsor her family and attributed it to her friend's simple prayer.

An airline traveller struck up a conversation with a Muslim flight attendant and asked, "WHAT CAN I PRAY FOR YOU?", adding that she would be praying in the name of Jesus. This prayer led to the flight attendant and his loved one experiencing the strong presence of God, and to another attendant asking to hear more about Jesus. 

A young boy fell from about 4m and seriously damaged his internal organs. HIS GRANDPARENTS PRAYED and he was healed as the medical staff were trying to figure out how best to treat him.

A baby in process of international adoption by diaspora Afghans was left stranded in Kabul by the Afghanistan crisis. A MISSIONARY FRIEND PRAYED in Jesus' name for a blessing, the baby was accompanied onto a plane and obtained papers en route through a variety of airports until he reached his adoptive parents in the US.

This seems to me like an abundance of occurrences of distinct answers to prayer among people I personally know within a space of about a month. I'd like to acknowledge that this is an area where the Holy Spirit is working right now and get on board with Him by being more alert to people's needs and praying bold prayers for them. Signs and wonders are supposed to accompany us who follow Jesus, but for any number of reasons, many of us are not praying boldly for the Lord to display His goodness in answer to our prayers. Let's move out of the season of discouragement and unbelief and walk in step with the Spirit. 

And by the way, Muslims believe in God and know from the Qur'an that Jesus does miracles. And in my experience most Muslims are heart-warmingly open to having Christians pray for them.

Let's pray!

DECLARE: Lord Jesus, You are the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

REPENT: Forgive us for losing sight that you are a miracle-working God "who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us" (Ephesians 3:20). Forgive us for failing to make the most of the opportunities You have given us (Ephesians 5:16).

ASK: "[We] believe; Help [us] overcome [our] unbelief!" (Mark 9:24) "Increase our faith!" (Luke 17:5-6)

PRAISE God aloud, recalling wonders He has done in the past in the Bible and in your own life.

THANK the Holy Spirit for being continually available to fill you with holy boldness, guide you in where and how to use it and give you the words of life to pray and speak over people He is highlighting to you.

DECLARE: "To [You] be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:21)