Hi Everyone,

A powerful testimony on the power of corporate prayer!

In 1857, America was riding the wave of a strong economy and as tends to be true in times of prosperity that showed a radical decrease of interest in the things of God. There was a layman named Jeremiah Lamphier whose concern led to a call for prayer. He placed notices in NYC calling for a weekly prayer meeting on Wednesdays from noon till one at a rented space on Fulton Street. The first prayer meeting was on September 23, 1857. Only six people came, and they didn't arrive until just before 12:30. The next week, the attendance jumped to 20. However, the numbers continued to climb week-by-week.

On October 10th, the Stock Market crashed and financial panic ensued. Trouble had its humbling affect and the hearts of many turned to spiritual matters. It wasn't long until somewhere between 10 and 50,000 businessmen were meeting every day in NYC to pray at noon. By week 15, the meetings moved from weekly to daily. In 1858, this prayer movement leaped to every major city in America. The Second Great Awakening swept all over America. Estimates are that a million Americans out of a population of 30 million at that time were converted in less than two years. And it all started with prayer.

Rees Howells, a Welsh coal miner, journeyed to South Africa as a missionary in 1910, in response to a burden from the Lord. Six weeks after arriving, he joined in a prayer meeting. Out of that came, the sweeping work of the Holy Spirit in which they had two revival meetings a day, for fifteen months and all day on Fridays. As a result, thousands were converted.

Space does not allow me to share other testimonies on the power of corporate prayer. The question is, will God do that again in response to corporate prayer. The answer is a definite YES, when God’s people pray together.

When the early Church faced unprecedented persecution, they did not scatter but came together and prayed. Acts 4:24-31:

1. They acknowledged the sovereignty of God over the nation. When our politicians make policies that hinder the preaching of the Gospel, we must remember, our God is GREATER. v24-28 “So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them,…..”
2. They did not ask for better methodologies nor were they paralysed by the lack of political connections. They asked God for BOLDNESS to do and say what must be done v 29 “….Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word…”
3. They prayed for the supernatural manifestation when they were surrounded by natural people and spiritual forces, to authenticate the preaching of Jesus Christ v 30 “…..by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your Holy Servant Jesus.”
4. God answered them by giving them a new anointing, they were filled with the Holy Spirit afresh because it was a new day and they were facing new challenges v31 “…..And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness……”

The work of God continues because of their boldness to continue doing what was commissioned for them to do. We do not need better methods and not everyone can afford them. What we need, is an emboldened Church to march on in the power of the Holy Spirit. What we also need is a greater manifestation of God’s power that will bring a new level of faith to all who hear the Gospel and strike fear on those who oppose it. We must strengthen corporate prayer in every church today. This is one of the most pressing need!

Your Pastors,

Pastor Ong & Pastor Nancy.