PRAYER AND THE UNSHAKABLE KINGDOM
In this manner, therefore pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…
Matthew 6:9-10 NKJV
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. Hebrews 12:28 NKJV
We can pray and find the solid rock of Christ when everything around is shaking. This is why King David prayed for that position: “When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2 NKJV
Prayer leads us to the Rock of Ages, to rock-solid ground, when all else is shaking. This is why prayer, both personal and corporate, is so important. Family prayer, congregational prayer, city-wide meetings, national gatherings for prayer on the National Mall–all stabilize the unstable atmosphere round about us.
Over the years I have been involved in several mass prayer meetings in Washington, DC on the National Mall in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Back in 2016, the call to prayer on April 9th was met with freakish atmospheric opposition. The weather simply went wild. The day before, April 8th, was sunny and bright: a perfect cherry blossom day in Washington. April 10th would turn out even more pleasant. But April 9th, “the prince and power of the air” threw at us all the nasty weather he could bring up from the pit. He opened his fight that morning with a hurricane-like rainstorm, pouring down cold torrents on our assembly site. The National Park Service warned us that when winds blew more than 40 miles per hour the rangers would have to shut down our prayer meeting.
We were desperately trying to keep dry. Then the hail swept in, mixed with the chilling rain. Hail pounded our tent. The canvas awning in the whipping winds no longer protected our portable stage. It was flapping wildly. Just as Ann Graham Lotz stepped up to pray, the canvas broke loose and dumped bucket loads of ice water right on top of her. Undaunted, this lovely daughter of Billy Graham never even missed a word. Her fervent prayer for the USA became a model for everyone who hopes to see America preserved for our future generations. She was absolutely soaked. But she was unstoppable! Then when the beloved pastor from Springdale, Arkansas, Ronnie Floyd went to the podium to pray, the weather turned even fouler. Now it was sleeting and snowing. The shoulders of Floyd’s black suit jacket began turning white with the cold mix.
That wicked prince of the power of the air never plays fair. Snow never comes to Washington on April 9. But it came that day, in the end of cherry blossom time. However, here’s strong Good News! We were not defeated. After three cold hours of shivering and praying, the dark clouds parted. The sun came out. The devil was routed. And democracy prevailed in Washington. Our prayer warriors had soldiered on. Victory prevailed because they refused to give up. Jesus taught us, “Men always ought to pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1 NIV)
So when the world shakes and falls apart and your best plans come undone like a dollar watch, pray! Keep praying in the face of opposition. When you persist in prayer you have firm support from the unshakable kingdom of God. Keep handy the Lord’s cell number. You will need it in time of the storm: Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to Me,” the Lord encourages, “and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know.” That is certainly Good News when you’re being shaken by a storm. Keep Praying. You’re on the solid ground of the Kingdom. And that’s Good News! His grace is amazing.
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