The Power of a Praying Church: Transforming the Nations

The Power of a Praying Church

Good evening, everyone! Please take your seats. It is such a joy to see you all here tonight. This week has felt long, especially for those who have been fasting. But before we begin, let us take a moment to greet the people around us—on your left and your right—a warm welcome in the Lord’s presence.

Before we dive into our message, let me ask: Who has been here since day one? Raise your hand. Wow! And what about day two? Day three? Day four? If you missed any of these days, you missed a lot! Over the past few days, we have heard powerful testimonies from members of our church.

On the first day, Mike shared a testimony about a terrible accident that, through God’s grace, became a means for his family to grow in faith. On the second day, Jerel spoke about the conviction to obey God even in difficult situations, particularly in the workplace, where integrity must be upheld despite financial temptations. On the third day, Bong gave a moving testimony about healing—both physical healing and restoration within his family. He shared that even if God had not answered his prayers in the way he hoped, he would still believe and have faith. These stories remind us of the quiet yet powerful faith that exists in our church.

Tonight, our focus is on the power of a praying church and its impact on our nation. Why is it important for us, as followers of Christ, to pray for our church and our country? As we look into Acts 12, we will learn three key truths:

1. Embracing Persecution – Trials and challenges refine our faith.
2. Encountering God’s Power – When we endure, we see His miracles.
3. Evangelizing the Nations – As we witness His power, we are moved to share the Gospel.

Embracing Persecution

In Acts 12:1-3, we are introduced to King Herod Agrippa, who began persecuting believers. He had the Apostle James executed, and when he saw that this pleased the people, he arrested Peter as well. Peter was placed in prison, heavily guarded by soldiers, awaiting execution.

Imagine how Peter must have felt—afraid, confused, perhaps even angry. He was in chains, facing certain death. But what did the church do? They prayed earnestly for him.

When we face challenges, we, too, must turn to God in prayer. Often, hardships make us question God’s plan, but they also offer an opportunity to grow in faith. Instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?” we should ask, “What is God teaching me through this trial?”

Encountering God’s Power

As Peter lay in prison, something incredible happened. A bright light shone in his cell, and an angel of the Lord appeared, striking him to wake him up. “Get up quickly,” the angel said, and immediately, the chains fell off his wrists! The angel led Peter past the guards, through the iron gate, and out into the city. Only then did Peter realize—this was not a dream; it was real! God had delivered him.

How often do we fail to recognize God’s hand at work in our lives? We focus on our problems and fail to see the miracles unfolding before us. Just as Peter did not immediately realize what was happening, we, too, sometimes fail to acknowledge God's interventions. Yet, when we look back, we see that He was there all along.

Evangelizing the Nations

Once Peter was free, he did not run away to safety. Instead, he went straight to the house of Mary, where the believers were gathered in prayer. His first response was not to escape but to return to the church, to the community of faith. This is the heart of a true disciple—always returning to serve God’s people.

Because of the faithfulness of Peter and the early church, the Word of God continued to spread. Even though Herod persecuted the church, in the end, he was struck down by God. But the church? It grew and multiplied.

This is why we must pray for our church and our nation. The power of a praying church can transform lives, families, communities, and nations. If we are faithful in our calling, God will move mightily through us.

A Testimony of Faith

Tonight, I want to invite our brother, Paulo, to share his testimony. He will tell us about his journey of faith and why, through all these years, he has remained committed to serving in the church. Let’s welcome Paulo.

(At this point, Paulo shares his testimony about his parents’ faith, their struggles, and how their faithfulness in the face of trials led to the transformation of their family and community.)

Closing Encouragement

Friends, our church’s vision is to see a movement of committed followers of Christ, transforming lives, families, communities, and nations for the glory of God. If we want to see change in our country, it must begin with us. When we are faithful to God's calling, we will transform our families, our communities, and eventually, our nation.

Let us pray together:

Lord, we thank You for the power of prayer. We lift up our church, our families, and our nation to You. Strengthen our faith in times of persecution, open our eyes to Your power, and use us to share the Gospel. May we be like Peter, returning to serve even after hardship, and may Your Word continue to grow and multiply in our land. In Jesus' name, Amen.

May we all be encouraged to remain steadfast in faith, knowing that God is undefeated and that through Him, we too will stand victorious. Amen.

Who Am I In Christ?

Who Am I in Christ?

Good afternoon, everyone! It is a joy to see you all here today. Before we dive into our message, let’s take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate the fathers in our midst. We thank God for your love, your sacrifice, and the way you lead your families. Let us pray for all fathers today:

Father in Heaven, we thank You for the fathers You have placed in our lives. We pray that You would bless them with wisdom, strength, and endurance as they lead their families in faith. May they always look to You as their ultimate example of love and leadership. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Understanding Our Identity in Christ

As we continue in our series on the book of Colossians, we arrive at a crucial question: Who am I in Christ?

Identity is a question that resonates deeply with all of us. We often define ourselves by our roles—father, mother, son, daughter, worker, or student. But what truly defines us?

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, helps us understand our identity in Christ. Colossians 2:9-10 says, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ, you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.” This passage tells us two essential truths:

1. Jesus is God. In Him, the fullness of Deity dwells.
2. In Christ, we are made complete. Our true identity is not found in the things of the world, but in Him.

The Identity Given by the Father

Our identity is not something we create for ourselves—it is given. Just as a child receives their family name at birth, we receive our identity from our Heavenly Father. In Matthew 3:17, when Jesus was baptized, a voice from Heaven declared: “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him, I am well pleased.”

Before Jesus performed any miracles, before He taught the crowds, before He went to the cross, the Father declared His love for Him. This same truth applies to us. Before we do anything for God, He already loves us. We do not earn our identity—we receive it through Christ.

Who Is Christ?

Paul’s goal in writing to the Colossians was to ensure they knew Christ deeply. Colossians 2:2-3 says, “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

To understand our identity, we must first understand who Jesus is. Jesus Himself declares in John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.” The Jews asked Him plainly, “Who are you?” And He answered, but many still did not believe.

Is it possible that God has revealed Himself to us many times, yet we fail to recognize Him? Do we listen, yet not believe?

A Testimony of Faith

There are moments in life when our faith is tested. Let me share a personal story. My wife and I were overjoyed when we found out we were expecting our first child. However, during the third trimester, a routine ultrasound revealed abnormalities. The doctors diagnosed our baby with skeletal dysplasia, a condition that could range from mild deformities to life-threatening complications.

We prayed fervently, sought medical opinions, and hoped for a miracle. The second ultrasound only confirmed the diagnosis—it even seemed worse than before. We wrestled with God in prayer, surrendering our plans and desires to Him.

Then came the third ultrasound. This time, the doctors were astonished. The abnormalities that had been present were gone. Our baby was completely healthy.

I cannot explain it. But what I do know is this: God answers prayers. He is in control. He is good.

This experience solidified our faith as a family. We decided that no matter what, we would trust and serve this God who is sovereign, loving, and powerful.

Who Are We in Christ?

Knowing who Christ is leads us to the next question: Who am I in Christ? Paul tells us in Colossians 2:6-7, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

A follower of Christ is someone who:

1. Receives Jesus – We do not earn salvation; we receive it as a gift.
2. Lives in Him – Our identity is rooted in Christ, not in our accomplishments.
3. Is Strengthened in Faith – Through trials and blessings, we grow deeper in our relationship with Him.
4. Overflows with Thankfulness – Gratitude marks the life of a believer.

A Final Challenge

As we close, let me ask you: Do you know who you are in Christ?

The world may tell you that your worth is based on your success, your failures, or the opinions of others. But God says:

• You are chosen. (1 Peter 2:9)
• You are loved. (Romans 8:38-39)
• You are redeemed. (Ephesians 1:7)
• You are complete in Him. (Colossians 2:10)

Do not let the world define you. Let God’s Word define you. Who you are is found in Christ alone.

Let us pray:

Father, we thank You for the truth of Your Word. Help us to embrace our identity in Christ, to live as people who are loved, redeemed, and complete in You. Strengthen our faith, deepen our understanding, and let our lives reflect Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.