Since its creation in 1994, the Assemblies of God National Prayer Center (NPC) has received millions of calls, e-mails requesting prayer, and requests submitted to http://prayer.ag.org. Many of those requests have been prayed over by volunteers working the 1-800-4-PRAYER call line and by others serving on the Intercessory Prayer Network who receive requests that come to the Web site, via e-mail, the phones and other means.
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| Maempa |
However, John Maempa, director of the NPC, believes there are still many people who are missing out on the power of prayer in their lives — either too timid to share their needs with others or trying to somehow solve their own problems.
"Frequently, prayer is a last resort for people — not until they’re truly broken and desperate do they turn to God," says Maempa. "Of course, God can perform a miracle at any time for anyone, but I believe that until we set aside our pride and ask for His help, it may be a sign that we're not ready to receive His help."
Despite the untold numbers who have yet to ask for God's help, Maempa says that answers to prayer are regularly reported to the National Prayer Center. "When people pray, God's hears their requests," Maempa states. "Every week we receive notes or calls from people telling us how God met their needs."
James Meredith, assistant director of the National Prayer Center, gathered a few of the recent "praise reports" received by the NPC. "Testimonies of God's faithfulness do so much to encourage others' faith," Meredith says. "In fact, answers to prayer are often what helps close the gap for those who are struggling with making a commitment to Christ."
Recent answers to prayer received at the NPC include:
* Rebecca requested prayer for an unborn baby boy who was losing weight in the womb and diagnosed with a partially missing brain. After prayer, he was born normally and in good health.
* Nora was told by doctors that she may have cancer. After prayer, test results were clear. She praises God for grace and protection.
* JP was told he had 72 hours to live. After prayer, he has made a recovery. Hospice has left, and he is now back to walking, eating and doing farm work.
* Olivia received a report from the doctor that the leukemia she suffers from is almost completely gone from her body.
* Emery had a test showing a large mass on her kidney. After prayer, the mass is gone.
* Stephanie praises God that her mother and stepfather accepted Christ last week.
* Darlene had severe disfiguration of her skin caused by a virus. After two weeks of prayer by prayer partners, every strange bump and lump has cleared — to the amazement of doctors, who had said plastic surgery was the only solution.
* Lundyn was hospitalized with leukemia. After prayer, doctors can find no sign of the disease, and have no medical explanation for the change. Her family is rejoicing in God’s power and mercy.
* Mary was suffering severely with a back problem. While watching the Sunday morning service of her home AG church, she was instantly healed.
* Mark secured a job after a year and a half of unemployment.
"It's inspiring to see God working in so many miraculous ways," Meredith says, "but even as I gathered these answers to prayer, I wondered how many answers we haven't heard about."
"I can't emphasize it enough — nothing is too hard for God," Maempa says. "I encourage those who have any kind of need to turn to God in confidence. His answer may not always be instantaneous or the one expected, but going through any hardship with God by our side is so much better than going through it on our own."
To submit a prayer request, see http://prayer.ag.org or call 1-800-4-PRAYER.
