As we gather together to earnestly seek God, pleading for the power of the Holy Spirit with a “United Cry” March 6, 7, at the Embassy Suites just outside Indianapolis, it is well to remind ourselves that the greatest need of the church is not for more brilliant scholars, not for more eloquent preachers, not for more powerful evangelists, not for more wealthy donors or more sophisticated technology. The greatest need of the Adventist church today is for more mighty intercessors seeking God for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts was largely the result of the early church uniting in prayer together. The author of Acts, Luke, summarizes this earnest plea for the Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 4 verse 31, “ 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 New Testament church experienced a mighty spiritual revival as the result of intercessory prayer.
We are told what our greatest need as a spiritual community is: “A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs. To seek this should be our first work.” (Review and Herald, March 22, 1887)
I want to encourage each of you to join us on March 6, 7 to unitedly seek God for the power of the Holy Spirit. Prayer opens miraculous doors in our own personal lives and in the gospel proclamation. Intercession will make a difference for the kingdom of God and the advancement of His work in the Lake Union. As our petitions ascend like a beautiful fragrance to heaven’s sanctuary mingling with Christ’s prayers, the Christ who does, “abundantly above all we ask or think” will powerfully grant answers for the finishing of His work.
