Marks of a Real Christian
Dr. Paul explained how the persecuted Church was able to recognise true Believers, and identify informers planted by the communist government: "A real Christian loves God, a real Christian loves to read the Bible. A real Christian loves to pray. A real Christian hates sin." Then he added: "We don't count our members by how many attend the Sunday service, but by who attends the Bible study and prayer meeting." Learning from the Persecuted Over the last 30 years of ministering to the persecuted churches, I have had the privilege of participating in some vibrant and dynamic prayer meetings in Mozambique and Angola, Romania and Sudan, in Nigeria and the Congo, in Northern Ireland and in Zimbabwe. However, I have been disturbed to see the low priority placed on prayer in most Western churches. While prayer meetings in persecuted churches are packed to over flowing, intense and wholehearted, the same could not be said about most mega churches in peace and prosperity. Reformation Fire During my Missions to Europe when I have the opportunity to visit many of the great Reformation centres: Wittenberg, Zürich and Geneva, I was struck by the emphasis each of the Reformers placed on the central importance of prayer. Thomas Cranmer produced the Book of Common Prayer to help reform the worship in the Church of England. Along with The 39 Articles to reform doctrine, and the Book of Homilies to reform the preaching and teaching, Thomas Cranmer compiled the Book of Common Prayer to reform the worship of the Church. Whatever Happened to the Prayer Meeting? As I witnessed the powerful prayer meetings in Northern Ireland, I was convinced that we need to bring back the prayer meeting as a integral part of our weekly church programmes, rediscover the power of prayer, and seek the fire of God. Revive Your Devotional Life It is my heartfelt prayer that readers will experience the power of dynamic Bible-based prayer through this practical handbook. Those who want to revive their prayer life, restore their church prayer meetings, and see the course of history change by prayer, will want to obtain this handbook which includes chapters on prayer and the sovereignty of God, praying for the persecuted, praying for justice, the imprecatory Psalms, how to revive our devotional lives, and guidelines for extended prayer focus, national repentance and Revival. May God be pleased to use this book for His glory. The Power of Prayer Handbook includes 10 chapters, 3 appendix's and 20 illustrations. You can view the Table of Contents and a sample chapter of this E-Book online here. To order copies of The Power of Prayer Handbook contact: Christian Liberty Books, P.O. Box 358, Howard Place, 7450, Tel/Fax: 021-689-7478, E-mail: [email protected], Website: www.christianlibertybooks.co.za Those in North America can order from: Frontline Fellowship-USA, P.O. Box 728, Manitou Springs, CO 80829, USA, E-Mail: [email protected], Website: www.frontlinefellowship.net.
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