Answers to prayer?

Dear Oaks,

What answers to prayer did we have last week?

Well judging by the many testimonies this past Sunday they were numerous and diverse in nature.  Here is some of the fruit as I have received it from others and in my own experience:

-The twelve year old nephew of one Oak family fell about 5 metres from a balcony on to his head.  Despite the initial fears he is now fully recovered.

- The new born baby of another family was thought to have an infection but hospitals tests all came back negative.

-The sister of another Oak was prayed for during 24-7 because Doctors could not get any heart beat from the 8 week old foetus she is carrying.  All looked extremely bleak but today we have heard that all is well!

Are they answers to prayer or just coincidence?  Nobody knows but as Archbishop William Taylor said many years ago “all I know is that when I pray coincidences happen and when I don’t they don’t”.

Others testified to depression lifting; the presence of God weighing on them; the joy of prayer and to hearing His voice.  Personally I delighted and marvelled at the enormous creativity that so many demonstrated.

One Oak struggling to enjoy her work situation and feeling “taken advantage of” to her surprise was offered a 25% pay rise!  How can I get that anointing?

Prayer was offered up for new accommodation for a man known to Oak Tree who had remarked that he wanted to live closer to Acton. He has been found somewhere nearer.

Other answers include the provision of work; new Christian friends, new creative opportunities at work and much more.

I know that one of the obvious responses might be to ask about the prayers that have NOT been answered yet.  Certainly that is a valid point but for now let us celebrate what God has done and is doing.  The whole subject of prayer raises as many questions as it does answers but what is not in doubt is that prayer is vital to a healthy Christian discipleship.  Jesus prayed often and the Apostle Paul even taught we need to “pray without ceasing”.

So do let me know more of your testimonies regarding the power of prayer, and do go on learning and encouraging others to learn how to pray more effectively.

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.  Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops”. James 5:16f

You are as righteous as Elijah for you are the righteousness of God (see 2 Corinthians 5:21).   So keep praying.

In His love,

Mark