Haystack Prayers
"You help us by your prayers."
2 Corinthians 1:11
2 Corinthians 1:11
Samuel
Mills and four of his friends often gathered together to pray for God
to send more people to share the good news of Jesus. One day in 1806,
after returning from their prayer meeting, they got caught in a
thunderstorm and took refuge in a haystack. Their weekly prayer
gathering then became known as the Haystack Prayer Meeting, which
resulted in a global mission movement. Today the Haystack Prayer
Monument stands at Williams College in the US as a reminder of what God
can do through prayer.
Our heavenly Father is delighted when His children approach Him with a common request. It’s like a family gathering where they’re united in purpose, sharing a common burden.
The apostle Paul acknowledges how God helped him through the prayers of others during a time of severe suffering: “He will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers” (2 Corinthians 1:10–11). God has chosen to use our prayers—especially our prayers together—to accomplish His work in the world. No wonder the verse continues: “Then many will give thanks . . . [for the] answer to the prayers of many.”
Let’s pray together so we can also rejoice together in God’s goodness. Our loving Father is waiting for us to come to Him so He can work through us in ways that reach far beyond anything we could ever imagine.
Our heavenly Father is delighted when His children approach Him with a common request. It’s like a family gathering where they’re united in purpose, sharing a common burden.
The apostle Paul acknowledges how God helped him through the prayers of others during a time of severe suffering: “He will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers” (2 Corinthians 1:10–11). God has chosen to use our prayers—especially our prayers together—to accomplish His work in the world. No wonder the verse continues: “Then many will give thanks . . . [for the] answer to the prayers of many.”
Let’s pray together so we can also rejoice together in God’s goodness. Our loving Father is waiting for us to come to Him so He can work through us in ways that reach far beyond anything we could ever imagine.
Reflect & Pray
What request can you and others pray for?
How has your faith been strengthened when you pray with others?
How has your faith been strengthened when you pray with others?
Father, help us to pray together even as we work together.
Praise God for his Love and Grace. A lovely reminder of how he reaches into every aspect of our lives and is ready to listen to any request, small or large.
ReplyDeleteI praise God every single day for his love and health. I pray I am able to walk and run and that I am healthy. I praise God for my wonderful husband and my family. I have seen so many miracles answered by the Lord in terms of myself and my loved ones that when I see his answers come through it reminds me of his faithfulness. My prayer life has become more strengthened because of what I see through others.
ReplyDeleteI praise God every single day for his love and health. I pray I am able to walk and run and that I am healthy. I praise God for my wonderful husband and my family. I have seen so many miracles answered by the Lord in terms of myself and my loved ones that when I see his answers come through it reminds me of his faithfulness. My prayer life has become more strengthened because of what I see through others.
ReplyDeleteI find solace in the Liturgy we celebrate every Sunday. It's one big prayer, being prayed by many, all at the same time. So many gathered together to make their requests know to God!
ReplyDeleteI have a very hard time picturing taking shelter in a haystack. Were they outside? In a barn? That would make more sense. Luckily, taking shelter in God is not nearly so scratchy. I cannot imagine my life without having God as my refuge and strength. Through the death of my grandpa, then grandma, then the sudden illness and death of my the only Auntie I ever knew, and then Troy's dad's death. I could not still be coming to work without the comfort and strength of Jesus.
ReplyDelete