Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 46

February 15;   Acts 12:5;   101/260(I);   ‘The Praying Church’

Acts 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.       NIV 

King Herod was persecuting Christians.  He had James, the brother of John killed and then had Peter arrested.  Once the Church found out that Peter was in prison, they offered up constant prayer.  The Lord sent an angel and supernaturally delivered Peter from the prison.  This is one huge blessing of being part of a local church.  Christians who know and believe the same biblical truths, because of what they have been taught, stand with those in the Church who have a need.  There is tremendous power in individual prayer and that power is multiplied greatly when other Christians of ‘like, precious faith,’ unite their faith together to meet a need of someone in their congregation.  Every Christian needs to be in a strong, Bible believing, Spirit filled church.  The role of a Pastor, who is the only one of the ‘Five Fold’ ministers called to a local church, is to equip or teach the congregation the Word of God.  He is also responsible to build up (edify) every believer who attends the church he pastors.  This is also done by the teaching of the Word, praise and worship, prayer and ministry to the individual.  The Lord holds the pastor responsible to teach the Word, to empower the congregation by the Holy Spirit, to teach the congregation how to pray effectively and use their God given talents to be a blessing to those who attend.  The responsibility of the congregant is to attend church and desire to be discipled.  How important it is to pray for others when they have a need and in return others will pray for you when a need arises in your life.  There is nothing stronger than a praying Church.