Prayer Effects Miracles: Internal and External Transformations

When the apostles prayed in Acts 4, the place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. Prayer effects miracles in two dimensions. Internally: hearts are savingly affected, spirits mightily strengthened. Externally: houses are moved, churches awakened, enemies frightened, mountains displaced, the world convulsed.

The blessings of spiritual worship comprise four elements. First, the devotional supplication offered to Yahweh—earnest, united, believing, sincere, specific. Second, the visible evidence of Adonai's presence: the place was shaken where they assembled, an unmistakable proof of Divine power, a reliable sign of Divine nearness, full assurance of Divine protection. Third, the invisible descent of the Spirit: the gift bestowed abundantly to every worshipper. Fourth, the Christian courage of the disciples speaking the Word of God with boldness.

A nineteenth-century preacher recalled delivering a sermon at an outdoor meeting after days of intercessory prayer. The Pentecostal blessing accompanied his proclamation. Traveling to Ohio the next day, he preached the identical sermon without prayerful preparation or community intercession. The discourse became inane and profitless—practically the same words, yet bereft of power. On Wednesday, the sermon bore power from the secret place of thunder. On Thursday, it possessed no such anointing. Prayer is not incidental to proclamation; it is the conduit of Divine authority.