Could you pray?

Prayer as an intermediary for God's action. Learn how through prayer God can be expected to influence society and people’s lives

One of the important topics in the Bible and in the Christian life is prayer. In it, we turn to God in heaven and ask Him to intervene in our lives or in the lives of others. Our prayers and supplications are directed to God, as the following verses show. If our prayers are directed elsewhere, it is not a true Christian prayer.

- (Acts 12:5) Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church to God for him.

- (Rom 10:1) Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

- (Phil 4:6) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Why then should we pray to God? Can’t he fulfill his good will on earth without our prayers? Yes certainly could, but God has not made humans robots, but has allowed us to be an intermediary in carrying out His will. He usually doesn’t interfere in people’s affairs unless specifically asked to do so. Heaven needs a license where prayer is the key. God gave the earth to the people (Ps 115:16: 16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: but the earth has he given to the children of men.), and therefore we must turn to God if we want Him to affect our own lives and our society here on earth.

Jesus ’teaching about prayer highlights this. God’s will is not automatically accomplished on earth, but should be prayed for. Otherwise, we cannot expect God's help and touch:

- (Matt 6:9,10) After this manner therefore pray you: Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed be your name.

10 Your kingdom come, Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

So God has given people the opportunity to turn to him in prayer. Through prayer, we can expect God’s help in our spiritual work and walk. Prayer should be the number one thing in our lives. Unfortunately, that is not always the case, but many spend their time on television programs, the internet and their hobbies. All of these may not be bad things in themselves, but they become a problem when we should make time for prayer and search for God. The abuse of free time is one of the main obstacles to it. In addition, it is worth remembering Jesus' words about the order of things: ”For whoever will save his life shall lose it: and whoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matt 16:25).

In any case, prayer is an important thing, and no believer should neglect it. The importance of prayer is shown by the fact that Jesus, the Son of God, also prayed while on earth. He often prayed in solitude and at night:

- (Mark 1:35) And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

- (Luke 5:15,16) But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.

16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

- (Luke 6:12) And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

- (Luke 22:44) And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

- (Hebr 5:7) 7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears to him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

What about Paul? He, too, was a hard-working prayer, and that is one reason why his work was successful and far-reaching. Without prayer and constant seeking God, his influence would not have been similar.

- (Rom 1:9,10) For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come to you.

- (Eph 1:15,16) Why I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love to all the saints,

16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

- (Col 1:9) For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

- (1 Thess 3:10) Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

- (2 Tim 1:3) I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of you in my prayers night and day;

If we look at the lives of the other apostles, it can be said that they also valued prayer. A good example is in the Acts of the Apostles, when the congregation's relief work began to take up too much of the apostles' time. Therefore, they set other people to help with this task. They themselves wanted to set aside more time for prayer and for the ministry of the word:

- (Acts 6:1-4) And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

3 Why, brothers, look you out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Prayer: asking, seeking, crying out to God. Prayer is often made more complicated than it really is. It is simply that we turn to God and want Him to interfere in our lives or in the lives of others. We tell Him things that bother us, just as if we were talking to another person.

Other names are also used in the Bible for prayer, such as asking or begging. Jesus referred to it several times. We can approach and pray to God the Father in His name, or through Him. On the other hand, Jesus taught that we can turn to him in prayer and supplication:

- (Matt 7:7-11) Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you:

8 For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened.

9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

- (Matt 18:19) Again I say to you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

- (Matt 21:22) 22 And all things, whatever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.

- (John 15:7,16) If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you.

16 You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

- (John 16:23,24,26) And in that day you shall ask me nothing. Truly, truly, I say to you, Whatever you shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

24 Till now have you asked nothing in my name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full.

26 At that day you shall ask in my name: and I say not to you, that I will pray the Father for you:

- (John 14:13,14) And whatever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If you shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

- (Mark 11:24) Therefore I say to you, What things soever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.

- (Eph 3:20) Now to him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

- (Eph 6:18) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

- (Phil 4:6) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

- (James 1:5) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraides not; and it shall be given him.

- (James 4:2) You lust, and have not: you kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: you fight and war, yet you have not, because you ask not.

The Bible says that prayer is also crying out to God. It's not about the volume of the voice, it's about turning to God and asking for His help and influence, either in our own lives or in the lives of others. It can be , for example, a question of the salvation of our neighbors, that there should be a revival in society, or we can tell God about our personal problems. The only condition is that our prayers do not conflict with God’s will. Then God will hear us: ”And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he hears us: And if we know that he hear us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” (1 John 5:14,15). We must cry out to God, or make known to him the things that weigh on us.

- (Gen 4:26) And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call on the name of the LORD.

- (Ps 50:15) And call on me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me. Ja avuksesi huuda minua hädän päivänä, niin minä tahdon auttaa sinua, ja sinun pitää kunnioittaman minua."

- (Isaih 30:18,19) And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious to you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy on you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: you shall weep no more: he will be very gracious to you at the voice of your cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer you.

- (Ps 4:3) But know that the LORD has set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call to him.

- (Ps 17:6) I have called on you, for you will hear me, O God: incline your ear to me, and hear my speech.

- (Ps 34:15) The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.

- (Ps 145:18) The LORD is near to all them that call on him, to all that call on him in truth.

- (Jer 29:12,13) Then shall you call on me, and you shall go and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

13 And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart.

- (Jer 33:3) Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you know not.

- (Luke 18:6,7) And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge said.

7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night to him, though he bear long with them?

- (Rom 10:12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich to all that call on him.

- (1 Cor 1:2) To the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's:

Who is worthy to pray? If one reads the Bible, one can see that intentional and unrecognized sin can be an obstacle to prayer. For example, in the book of Isaiah (Isaiah 59:1,2) it is written: ”Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Similarly, the book of Psalms refers to the same subject. Psalm 66:18 says: ”If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”

What about unforgiveness towards others? That, too, can be an obstacle to prayer, and therefore everyone should forgive others before prayer begins. Jesus even taught that ”if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matt 6:15). Likewise, he taught forgiveness before prayer. This would be good to target the person himself as well, because sometimes people are very merciless towards themselves, as they may be disappointed with God. We should have the right relationship with our neighbors, ourselves, and God:

- (Matt 5:23-26) Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has ought against you;

24 Leave there your gift before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

25 Agree with your adversary quickly, whiles you are in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison.

26 Truly I say to you, You shall by no means come out there, till you have paid the uttermost farthing.

- (Mark 11:24,25) Therefore I say to you, What things soever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.

25 And when you stand praying, forgive, if you have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

One passage in the Bible also relates to the relationship with everyone's spouse. Peter taught that prayers can be hindered if the relationship with the spouse is not in order:

- (1 Peter 3:7) Likewise, you husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

What can be learned from the above? We should give up all conscious sin and repent, as Jesus and the apostles repeatedly taught. Moreover, when we have fallen into sin, as may often be the case because of our inadequacies (Prov 24:16 For a just man falls seven times, and rises up again.…), we must turn again and again to God confessing our sins. The good news is that we will be forgiven immediately and we can start all over again from a clean slate. The best, of course, would be if we did not sin at all, but lived all the time in victory over sin, but we are not yet in heaven and can fall. Therefore, confession of sins to God is key if we have done wrong:

- (Prov 28:13) He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.

- (1 John 1:9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

- (1 John 2:1,2) My little children, these things write I to you, that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

As we approach God, it is good to remember that it never happens through our works or that we have reached a certain level of holiness. Not so. Instead, our worthiness in prayer and throughout life can only be based on the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He is the propitiation for our sins (1 John 2:2), our worthiness before God, and our ticket to communion with God. Through the blood of Jesus, because he was the perfect atoning sacrifice for us, we can draw near to God in prayer.

Many make the mistake that when they have failed in their lives, they think they cannot approach God because of it. They stare too much at their own fall and into themselves, and ignore the fact that after the confession of sins, there are no longer any obstacles to prayer. Similarly, a person who has overcome sin in his life can regard it as an entry ticket to God’s connection. He puts his hope in his own trek.

However, neither of these is the right view, and access to God for the failed or successful passes only through Jesus and his blood. He is our mediator (1 Tim. 2:5), and He Himself has taught us how to get in touch with God through Him (John 14:6): "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me." The following verses refer to the same subject, that is, how to approach God through Jesus:

- (Eph 2:13,18) But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made near by the blood of Christ.

18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

- (Eph 3:11,12) 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

- (Hebr 10:19,22) Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

If a person sees himself as too deficient to pray to God for anything, it is worth remembering that the apostles were not worthy in themselves either. Their worthiness was based on believing in Jesus and putting their hope and faith in Him. A good example is Peter, who even denied Jesus in his weak moment. Its greater sin can hardly be committed, and yet Peter was forgiven of all, and God took him into his possession. Equally, we too can stop belittling ourselves and trust in Jesus, who is our goodness before God, and through whom we can approach God in prayer.

Another example is the Northern European Pentecostal Apostle T.B. Barratt, who saw his own wandering before his Pentecostal experience as very deficient. Yet in all his imperfections he had a strong thirst for God, so that he grew and thirsted for righteousness, as Jesus taught (Matt 5:6 Blessed are those who grow and thirst for righteousness, for they are nourished.). God fulfilled his thirst as the following lines show, and with the Pentecostal experience, his spiritual life became more in line with God's will. The question of sanctification had been his most cherished subject, though he had not experienced it properly before his renewal:

It took place yesterday, on Sunday, 7 October, between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. in the afternoon, and now you will hear what has led to this. My soul is burning! I feel like I'm the happiest man in the world. Everything has become new. I am filled with joy and peace and love for God and people! In all days, He has led me, and my innermost being has continually cried out, "Go ahead! Onward! Ever since my severe illness, more than 20 years ago, there have been forces, good forces, that have driven me forward. The question of sanctification has been my dearest subject; and I have fought for the idea of holiness, even though I have not experienced it myself.

But how bad I felt in my own eyes in the face of God's purity and holiness! I saw my own ambition, selfishness, stubbornness, and carnality. Oh, my God, I saw so much, so much that would grieve the Holy Spirit! I was broken and bent to the ground time and time again. (1)

These things are worth praying for. When praying, some people’s prayers can focus only on their own things: “my well-being, my financial income, my interpersonal relationship, the success of my children in life, etc.” Nor are these in themselves bad topics if a person has a real need and emergency. Yes, they can also be prayed if necessary.

However, if prayer topics deal only with well-being and comfort in this life, the most important prayer topics will be left out. For the most important topics of prayer should always be the fulfillment of God’s will in society, that God’s work should progress, and that people should come into the right relationship with God so that they can be saved and enter heaven. Such prayers have an effect until eternity.

Here are some important topics, several of which are mentioned on the pages of the Bible. A few examples of how the same things have been prayed after the days of the Bible and received answers have been included.

• Saving people should be the number one topic. For example, Paul had this kind of concern for both non-Jews and his own people. In the letter to the Romans (Romans 10:1), he told how he prayed for the people of his own people that they would be saved: "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved."

In modern times, we should follow the same pattern that Paul had. Prayer for the salvation of our loved ones (relatives, neighbors, coworkers, superiors...) should be a constant topic in our prayers. Through prayer, the resistance that people naturally have towards God and why they do not seek salvation can be broken.

Sometimes the salvation of others has to be prayed for years or even decades before it is seen to be put into practice. For example, George Müller, who received thousands of answers to prayer, had to wait up to decades before some people were saved. He brought the same persons before God daily for years, but they were not saved until after his death. Müller is a great example of the endurance of prayer:

The whole big secret is in not giving up before the answer comes. Over the course of 52 years, I have prayed every day for two men who are the sons of a childhood friend of mine. They are not yet saved, but they will be saved! How could it be otherwise? I rest on the unerring Promises of Jehovah. One great fault of the children of God is that they are not persistent in prayer. They do not stand firm. If they wanted to receive something for the Glory of God, they would pray until they received it. Oh, how good, kind, merciful, and condescending towards us is He, whom we are dealing with! He has given me, the unworthy, more than I imagined to pray, or even think about! I am only a weak, sinful man. But He has heard my prayers tens of thousands of times and used me to lead tens of thousands of people to the truth. I say tens of thousands in this and other countries. These unworthy lips have preached the Gospel to multitudes, and many, many have believed and received Eternal life." (2)

• One should pray for authority. It means the parliament, the president, city leaders, judges, the police, etc. Praying for authority can contribute to a peaceful life and to making it easier for the gospel to spread in society. The following verses, among others, refer to this important topic of prayer:

- (Jer 29:7) And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray to the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall you have peace.

- (1 Tim 2:1-4) I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;

4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

In his book Ihmeellisiä herätyksiä, Charles Finney tells how a few revivals in his time affected key and leading people in cities. They had been prayed for and several of them came to a living faith:

The revival I am now telling about completely changed the moral situation and the later stages of Rochester. Most men and women in leading positions in the city came to conversion…

I have told that the moral situation changed greatly through this revival. The city was new, economically prosperous and enterprising but full of sin. The population was especially intelligent and ambitious but as the revival swept through the city by bringing large crowds of its most remarkable people, men and women, to conversion, there happened a very miraculous change concerning the order, peacefulness and morality. (3)

• You can pray on behalf of the media. Journalists, program makers and media companies play a key role in what perceptions spread to society. Now the media is mainly used by the devil so that anti-God thoughts, lies and lifestyles spread strongly through them to society. People believe these lies and misconceptions in the media, and their opposition to God is growing.

• The breaking of lies can be prayed for. One such lie is the theory of evolution with its millions of years, a notion that occurs in almost every second nature program. When people believe everything is born of themselves, that is, they reject God as the creator, they do not believe in any other teaching of the Bible. For example, Richard Dawkins, a well-known denyer of God, has stated that Darwin's theory gives him a valid reason to be an atheist.

Other lies in Western countries include e.g. false teachings about sexuality. So it is accepted sexual relations outside the marriage of a man and wife, as well as homosexual relations and abortion. Similarly, a new concept is trans-ideology, which questions the difference between a man and a woman, talks about multiple genders, gender reassignment, etc. The breaking of these lies can be prayed for, just as we can pray for people who promote these things.

What about other countries outside the West? There, people are bound by different religions such as Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. They reject Jesus ’atoning work and try to achieve salvation through deeds (The Catholic Church is also almost entirely on the same path. Most Catholic priests have not received salvation). We should pray for all these lies to be broken so that they do not take people to hell.

In his book Ihmeellisiä herätyksiä, Charles Finney tells how in his time, in the revivals of the 19th century, the false thought structures that ruled people were broken. The same can be prayed in modern times:

Many doctors were also converted in those great awakenings in which I was. I would think that their studies would make them liable to doubt and to be materialistic. But they are sensible, and when the Gospel is presented to them as perfect, it is as easy to win them as any other person and they turn to God. It is true that their studies have not made them as ready to comprehend the moral principles of God as the study of jurisprudence, but I have, however, found them to be open to contrition, and they are not at all difficult to handle, as far as the great question of salvation is concerned.

Universalism, Unitarianism and generally all kinds major mistakes of people have collapsed in these great awakenings. I have learned again and again that people must only become thoroughly convinced of their sin by the Holy Spirit to be immediately and forever gladly ready to give up those viewpoints. (4)

• You can pray for priests and bishops. Many priests have never been saved, and therefore they accept anti-Biblical doctrines such as universalism (the doctrine of the salvation of all), homosexual relationships, or premarital heterosexual relationships. Such spiritual blindness is characteristic of unsaved priests, and it is worth praying for their salvation.

The situation was the same during the apostles. The greatest opponents of Jesus and the apostles were the religious Pharisees (Paul was also a Pharisee before his salvation) and the priests. However, the Acts of the Apostles tell how they were saved:

- (Acts 6:7) And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

• One can pray for the proclamation and the proclaimers. For example, Charles Finney, a well-known 19th-century preacher, was assisted by Father Nash, who prayed while Finney preached. This was a great reason why, through Finney's proclamation, large multitudes came into living faith. Likewise, Paul asked for intercession for the word of the Lord to spread quickly and for God to open the doors to the proclamation of the word.

- (2 Thess 3:1) Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

- (Col 4:2,3) Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

3 With praying also for us, that God would open to us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

- (Eph 6:18,19) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

19 And for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Prayer can be seen as a key factor in the proclamation of the word bearing fruit. Through prayer, many spiritual works have originated and congregations have emerged in the communities. Prayers have paved the way for the proclamation of the word to bear fruit. Sometimes it has taken years or decades of prayer.

One description of a praying person is the following quote. This is a praying woman who prayed for every city in North Texas until a church was built there. She spent hours in prayer daily, and her prayers were answered. Word preachers and pastors were later allowed to reap the consequences of a woman's effort:

On that particular Sunday, we gathered at the home of my future wife. There was an adorable, old lady. I had heard of him, but had never met him. She was commonly referred to as Mother Howard. She was referred to as “the mother of Israel”.

He ate with us, but as soon as we had finished eating and started dating each other, she inquired about a room where she could retreat to solitude.

… The pastor told me, “Praying is her job. She gets up at four in the morning and prays from four to eight every morning. She then prepares himself a little to eat, goes to pray for a couple of hours, eats a light lunch and then usually comes to us for a little while. At two or three in the afternoon, he returns to pray. Sometimes he prays until midnight. If the burden of prayer has been placed on his heart, he will pray all night. ”

This woman served as a intercessor.

She was reborn years earlier in Dallas. The family then moved to a city where there was no full gospel church. In fact, there was no such thing in any nearby town.

One by one, city by city, she prayed until a church was built there. Then she went to pray for the next city and continued until a church was built there,

Mother Howard, that old, little woman, a great saint of God, prayed a church to every city, village, and corner in North Texas.

I have been thinking about the moment when we will get to heaven and it is time for the awards ceremony. The pastors who built the churches are ready to step forward to receive their prizes. But Jesus calls Mother Howard.

The work was done because of her intercessions! No one saw her. We barely knew of her existence. But she didn’t spend her time visiting and socializing on Sunday afternoons. She did her job. She literally sacrificed her life for others. (5)

• One prayer topic is to pray laborers to spiritual work, as Jesus admonished. This is how the laborers whom God wants for different actions are brought to light. Such laborers are needed in hundreds, in the homeland and in the mission fields:

- (Matt 9:37,38) Then said he to his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few;

38 Pray you therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.

There are good examples in this area. Many spiritual workers are the result of prayer. For example, Charles Finney, mentioned several times, was the subject of prayers, and as a result, Finney came to faith, received a strong baptism of the Spirit after faith, and revival began soon after.

Well-known prayer John Hyde, “praying Hyde,” is another example. He was in faith, but a friend of his father said he would take him as a prayer of object so that Hyde would be filled with the Holy Spirit. At first, Hyde became angry about the matter, but eventually he experienced renewal and gained new strength in his life after a relatively unknown man had prayed for him.

A third example is the family of the well-known preacher David Wilkerson. His son Gary Wilkerson, himself a preacher, has told in his book The Divine Intercessor how his grandmother's grandmother prayed for her family and that Christian leaders would rise from her family. This prayer was answered:

… I thank the Lord for those who hide in the prayer chamber. I know that generations ago, grandmother of my grandmother prayed for her family. She was not a spiritual leader; she just hid in her prayer chamber and prayed that God would give Christian leaders from her family. Her son became an evangelist, her grandson became a pastor and a leader of the church. Her grandson's son became an evangelist and the pastor and his grandson's grandson writes this book. All this in response to the relentless prayers of a woman that few have ever heard of. While many have heard of David Wilkerson, the son of her grandson, very few have heard of her. She was one of these praying women — a widow who prayed in a chamber for spiritual leaders in the church. (6)

• The outpouring of the Holy Spirit can be prayed for. The first outpouring of the Holy Spirit took place on Pentecost during the apostles, but it has taken place in all the great revivals since. For example, the book of Isaiah contains a related promise: “For I will pour water on him that is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground: I will pour my spirit on your seed, and my blessing on your offspring” (Isaiah 44: 3). Likewise, the following promise of Jesus is related the topic:

- (Luke 11:13) If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Personally, I understand that anyone can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost right away simply by asking, but it is a different matter to pray to God for a broader outpouring of the Holy Spirit over society, and that requires a longer prayer. It is not just a matter of asking for a few minutes, but a long-term prayer in which you want God to influence society through His Holy Spirit. Without it, all spiritual work is somewhat useless.

One example of this area is the description given by Charles Finney. It is about a city where the presence of the Holy Spirit was so strong that people came to guilt and salvation. There was no need to argue with them because God Himself showed people their condition. Before this Finney tells about a woman who had prayed much, and this certainly had an impact on the birth of the city’s atmosphere.

… Mr. Aiken, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, provided the burial. I heard from him that a spirit of prayer had begun to manifest in his congregation and in the city of Utica. One of the most notable women of the congregation was so troubled in her soul about the state of the congregation and the wickedness of the city that she had prayed for two days and nights almost incessantly until she was tired out. Her soul did work so hard that her strength went to such an extent that she could no longer bear her inner burden unless she could get someone to pray with he, on whose prayers she could lean, and who carried her wish to God.

I understood this and told Mr. Aiken that now the work begins in the heart of this woman. He admitted that, of course, and hoped that I would immediately come to his congregation to begin with him. That's what I did soon, and the work began. Its power was felt immediately, and the influence of the Holy Ghost filled the entire region. The meetings were crowded every night, and the work spread greatly, especially to both presbyterian congregations. I divided my time between them.

... So this largest hotel in the city became the center of spiritual work, and many turned there. The mail wagons stopped at the hotel as they drove through, and so immense was God's influence on society as a whole that I heard that many people who stayed there only for a meal or for the night had come to great feeling of guilty and to conversion before leaving the city. It was a very common phenomenon, both in Rome and here, that no one could be in the city or pass through it without knowing the presence of God; so His influence seemed to permeate these regions, and God's life enlivened the whole atmosphere. (7)

• One prayer topic that can be brought before God is gifts of Spirit. Many people are sick, bound, have soul wounds from difficult relationships, and need help. Spiritual gifts are needed for this purpose. It is good, of course, that there are doctors, medicines and psychiatrists in society, but people do not always get help through these worldly helpers or aids. That is why churches need gifts of Spirit to meet people’s needs and to help them have a proper relationship with God. This also includes the gift of separating spirits so that the action of the devil can be identified. For example, Paul exhorted to pray these gifts.

- (1 Cor 12:28-31) And God has set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I to you a more excellent way.

- (1 Cor 14:1) Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy.

If we look at the activities of Paul and the other apostles, they had these gifts in use. It was manifested in the sick healing and other miracles happening. It is true, of course, that even the devil’s servants can work miracles, such as magicians in the time of Moses, but they cannot lead people to salvation, and the miracles they do bind people spiritually. In any case, gifts are needed, such as they were in use during the early church:

- (Acts 5:12) And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders worked among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

- (Rom 15:18,19) For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not worked by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about to Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

- (Hebr 2:3,4) How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by them that heard him;

4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

One example of the use of spiritual gifts is the healing revival that was in the United States after World War II. In this revival people not only saved and entered into a proper relationship with God, but numerous people were also healed because the gifts worked in that area. Here are a couple of quotes from these events that were current when they were written:

There is movement throughout the country: God is speaking to His people. Signs, wonders, and miracles are happening, so that the greatest meeting places in the earth are full of people who will come to see the miraculous things brought about by the hand of God. The gifts of healing, along with other gifts, are gaining their former status in the church. The supernatural power is again as evident as in biblical times.

… When we say that we live in the days of the Bible, we mean in particular that the power of God now manifested is comparable to that of the New Testament church. It is true that God has always revealed Himself to those who have humbly sought His face. But it is also true that Almighty God has chosen certain times when He will express His power to a more special degree.

… It is an indisputable fact that we now have a time of soul-searching from heaven, manifested by miracles, signs, and wonders. The gifts of healing are obvious, and miracles are happening more and more. The deaf hear, the blind see, and the dumb speak. The lame walk, and people sentenced to death for cancer and other destructive diseases recover. Many bedridden patients have risen from their beds to thank God in front of a large, astonished crowd. People who have been in wheelchairs for a long time have risen to their feet when they have been commanded to rise in the name of Jesus. And some of them have jumped for joy like that lame man mentioned in the Bible who was healed at the Beautiful Gate. We are indeed living the days of the Bible again! (Gordon Lindsay: Elämme jälleen Raamatun päiviä / Bible days are here again, p. 5,6,8)

But there has been a huge revival here in Chicago as well. Most of our churches have experienced its effect very strongly, and God has shown His miraculous authority. The distress of sin has begun to manifest, feelings have had to be cleansed, and the great joy of salvation has been seen. The roots of bitterness have been completely taken away, and the love of God has been able to fill hearts.

This fall was the so-called Freeman Conference. Chicago’s magnificent Colosseum, which until a couple of years ago would have been far too spacious to hold revival meetings, now proved utterly inadequate. That huge ballroom was filled to the brim twice a day. Great miracles and signs were seen. The sick of all kinds, many of them with lung disease and cancer, recovered perfectly. Many lame were allowed to leave the meetings healthy and give up their crutches. There was a group of large ambulances in front of the Colosseum, and most of them returned empty when empty. (Jos. D. Mattsson-Boze: Vuoria siirtävä usko, s. 10,11)

One way to pray. In the previous songs, we went through prayer topics that every believer can pray about. But how can everyone get start?

First, we need to be purposeful and determined. Time must be set aside for prayer, otherwise prayer will become nothing. We need to prioritize things and reduce unnecessary things to do. These include watching TV, social media, and all sorts of hobbies that can steal time from prayer.

When starting to pray, one of the best ways is to make a list of things you pray for. If the list is long, you may want to write it down on paper so you can remember it if necessary. Usually, when a person constantly repeats this list in prayer, the paper can be given up because the prayer topics begin to remain in memory.

One model is to pray for each topic for e.g. 5 minutes until moving on to another topic. If there are 12 prayer topics on the list, it becomes one hour of prayer. (The same pattern has been followed, for example, in prayer meetings of Korean churches, where lists of prayer topics have been distributed). If necessary, the same list can be prayed several times a day, which will be several hours of prayer. This list may include e.g. the following prayer topics. Each can make a list of their own:

• Parliament, the president, the city councils and that these people would be saved

• Relatives, their salvation

• Neighbors, their salvation

• Coworkers, their salvation

• The outpouring of the Holy Spirit and that the Holy Spirit shows people their need to be saved

• Spiritual gifts to the congregation to help people

• Breaking lies such as evolution theory, false teaching about sexuality, and religions (Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism…)

• Salvation of key personnel from groups which bring out previous teachings

• The media (TV, newspapers and other magazines, radio channels, Internet) and that the media people are saved

• Priests and bishops and their salvation

• For the progress of spiritual work (Pray you therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.

Matt 9: 37,38) and for workers

• Renewal of own faith of life, own personal and family needs, guidance to spiritual and worldly things.

Prayer is a key factor.

- (James 4:8) Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded.

If man is a being of eternity, and heaven and hell are true, the most important thing is the salvation of the soul from hell. However, people usually don’t want to think about these things and have all sorts of excuses to reject God and the conversation about the state of their souls. They do not turn to God and are not interested in spiritual matters. This is a common condition in all societies.

How could this be changed? How can people be made to understand that they must make a decision to God in time so that they do not lose their souls?

The answer is that we can, of course, talk to our neighbors and give them spiritual reading, for example. However, if all this has already been done, there is no choice but to pray for them so that these people turn to God. If it then happens that these people turn or a wider crowd turns, it can be called a revival.

Wider revivals are still quite rare. Usually, the revivals are local and minor, and in addition, it may take decades between the revivals.

However, it is characteristic of all revivals and of God’s action that they have been preceded by prayer. Revivals do not come by hoping or being inactive, but prayer is a key factor in their birth. Someone has prayed somewhere, and then others in the revival collect the prey that has been achieved through prayer. (Jesus also taught that the apostles could cut because others had struggled; John 4: 35-39). Ronald Dunn has noticed this connection between prayer and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit:

I have been researching revival movements and revival for most of my life, and I constantly come across one absolute principle. There is not a single case in written church history where there has been a significant outpouring of the Holy Spirit within the revival movement without being preceded by the persevering, relentless prayers of desperate people. The revival has never come because people have marked it on their calendar. It has come because God has written it in their hearts. (8)

Dunn also tells of another case from Wales where there was a revival. A foreign evangelist came to the meeting and said, "I came here to Wales to unearth the secret of the Wales' revival."

Evan Roberts, who heard the man speak, aimed immediately at the guest with his finger and shouted, “There’s no secret in that! Ask, and it shall be given you. ”

What does this mean? It’s not about superhumans, talents, or anything like that, it’s that things have been prayed for for years or decades, and then an answer is finally received. The seeds of prayer must be sown or they have been sown in order to reap the harvest later. This is the same law as in agriculture. It is useless to wait for the harvest if no sowing work has been done first.

The connection between prayer and God’s action is well illustrated by the following examples.

• Evan Roberts, referred to above, prayed for 11 years of revival and 13 years of the fullness of the Spirit before anything happened. He did not receive an immediate answer, but brought the same things over and over again before God.

• William Seymour, who has become known for the revival of Azusa Street that began more than a hundred years ago, was a powerful prayer. Before the revival broke out, he first prayed five hours a day, then increased his prayer time to six hours, and later, upon arriving in Los Angeles, he prayed for eight hours a day. (Cecil M. Robeck, Jr: ”Seymour had prayed five hours each day for two and half years…”, Ch.3, (p. 93).

• John Wesley, known for revivals in England in the 18th century, taught about the connection between prayer and God’s blessing:” Hold up feeble arms by believing and praying; support the knees that are weak. Do you have prayer and fast days? Make haste to the throne of grace and continue there in perseverance, and the blessings will come down..” (9)

• The largest churches in the world are in South Korea. But why is that? Certainly one reason is that there is an emphasis on the importance of prayer more than anywhere else. Night prayer meetings have also been held.

• There was a revival in the Hebrides in 1949-1952. Characteristic of this revival was that most people were saved outside the Church. God’s presence was evident so that people became aware of their sins and their need for salvation. They were found lying on the side of the road and confessing their injustices around the police station. Throughout society, people suddenly became aware of their need for God, and asked God to save them.

Before this revival, however, the situation on the islands was almost dead spiritually. There was an 800-seat church on the island of Lewis, but only a few people, but no young people, attended the services. However, the revival changed everything, and suddenly the churches began to fill up and people were saved.

But what was the secret of this revival? Duncan Campbell, who has become known for this revival, gave a simple answer to it. He stated that he himself had no part in the matter, but “the intercessors pulled the revival down before I had entered the island on foot”.

In particular, two elderly siblings over the age of 80 were involved in the prayer, one blind and the other had a severe arthritis. When they could do nothing else, they prayed daily for hours in their cottage until the blessing came down. Duncan Campbell arrived as an invited preacher just as revival was about to begin as a result of prayers.

• Frank Bartleman, who wrote the book on the revival of Azusa Street and was one of the central figures in this revival, was himself a hard-working prayer. He wrote about this in his book Azusa Street 312. He mentioned how pessimism prevailed at the beginning because of the circumstances of that time:

When we began to pray in the spring of 1905, no one seemed to believe in anything unusual. Pessimism prevailed among the saints because of the circumstances at the time. But circumstances had changed. God Himself had given us faith in the better. Nothing special had done it. It was born out of nowhere. Can't He do the same today?

I was anxious to get to know Him more truly and to see God’s work progressing vigorously. My innermost being was heavy and cried thirstily for a strong awakening.

… I had to pray fervently for revival work in those days. I didn’t have much rest during the day or at night, but time was spent in meetings and prayers.

… God came wonderfully to us and gave us confirmation as we struggled and asked God to shed His Spirit for people. At that time, my life was completely filled with prayer. I prayed night and day.

… The spirit of intercession had taken over me so strongly at that time that I prayed almost night and day. I also fasted severely until my wife at times almost believed I couldn’t live. My Lord's sorrow had begun to weigh on me.

… I visited day and night in various mission clubs and constantly encouraged people to pray in faith for revival. I spent the whole night with Brother Boehmer again praying.

… At that time the Lord gave me a word to write in several new flyers. But I saw more clearly than ever that my main job was to descend lower, out of sight to pray. I prayed many times that the spirit of intercession would not leave me.

… I lived in the power of the spirit of prayer for many months, moment without moment, without interruption. It became a natural part of me. (10)

As stated, prayer is a key factor behind revivals and in people turning to God. But prayer should be enduring so that the same things are brought before God time and time again. (It is true, of course, that some things can be immediately received from God as a gift, such as salvation, which everyone can immediately experience. We do not have to be prayed it repeatedly, but we can receive it immediately. Likewise, Jesus warned against vain repetitions, that is, the mechanical repetition of words, but this is not the case if the prayer arises from the heart and is directed to God. Jesus also prayed, reciting the same words three times, Matt 26:44). Although prayer has had no results so far, it should still be continued because we are urged to be enduring in this area. Earlier examples showed how enduring prayer has ultimately produced results, even though everything seemed hopeless at first. Furthermore, it is worth remembering that these people were not superhuman, but as deficient as we are. The reason they received the answer was not in their goodness, but because they thirsted for God to intervene in the affairs of society. The same pattern certainly applies today.

Among other things, the following Bible verses illustrate the importance of endurance in prayer:

- (Luke 18:1-7) And he spoke a parable to them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, Avenge me of my adversary.

4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

5 Yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge said.

7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night to him, though he bear long with them?

- (Luke 11:5-8) And he said to them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves;

6 For a friend of my in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?

7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give you.

8 I say to you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needs.

- (Col 4:2) 2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

Fasting. One part of spiritual life is fasting, which has been neglected especially in Western countries. This practice has not been much followed, although it should be a part of our spiritual life. If we look at the Bible, fasting was a common practice on both the Old Testament and New Testament sides. Well-known persons who fasted were Moses, King David, Elijah the Prophet, Ezra the Teacher, Nehemiah, Esther the Queen, Daniel, Jesus, and the Apostles. The following verses show how fasting was an important factor in Old Testament times:

- (Ezra 8:21,23) Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.

23 So we fasted and sought our God for this: and he was entreated of us.

- (Neh 1:4) And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,

- (Dan 9:3, 21-23) And I set my face to the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

21 Yes, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.

22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give you skill and understanding.

23 At the beginning of your supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show you; for you are greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

- (Joel 1:14) Sanctify you a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry to the LORD,

- (Jonah 3:5,10) So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.

10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do to them; and he did it not.

In the New Testament fasting still plays an important role. Jesus began His activity with a long fast, and other examples of fasting can be found. One interesting mention is Jesus' words that fasting can be important in the work of deliverance:

- (Matt 4:2) And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered.

- (Matt 9:14,15) Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but your disciples fast not?

15 And Jesus said to them, Can the children of the bridal chamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

- (Matt 6:16) Moreover when you fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear to men to fast. Truly I say to you, They have their reward.

- (Mark 9:28,29) And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?

29 And he said to them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

- (Luke 2:36,37) And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

- (2 Cor 11:27) In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

- (Acts 13:1-4) Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed to Seleucia; and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

Although fasting promotes health and cleanses the body of waste products, there are still situations and illnesses where fasting is not usually recommended because it can have more harm than good. Such conditions may include diabetes that requires insulin treatment, pregnancy and breastfeeding, serious coronary and vascular diseases, liver or kidney deficiency, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, serious mental disorders or psychosis, and long-term fasting of teenagers. If you are suffering from one of the above-mentioned conditions, it may be wise to avoid fasting, or try a half fast. If you are not sure about your own situation, talk to your doctor. In addition, if you do not have prior experience of fasting, it is good to start with a fast of one to three days.

There are also certain rules for stopping fasting. The longer the fast is, the more important it is to stop it properly. It should always be stopped with natural juice (the first meals only natural juice), a very light fruit and vegetable diet, a thin broth and berry soups. They are eaten the more days, the longer the fasting has lasted. (Generally, the transition to a regular diet is recommended after a fast of at least one week.) Switching to strong food too soon can be harmful, even dangerous, and cause medical conditions. Therefore, fasting for 1-2 days at regular intervals is easier because after that you don’t have to worry much about what you eat.

What is the spiritual significance of fasting? It is noteworthy that, for example, in the healing revival that began after World War II, it played an important role (Billy Graham's activities began around the same time). The great wave of fasting and prayer affected America and the rest of the world from 1946-1947. The most important lighter was Franklin Hall’s book Atomic Power With God Through Fasting and Prayer. Thousands prayed and fasted for the revival to begin and for spiritual gifts to be used more.

Well-known fasters were also John Wesley and George Whitefield, who lived in the 18th century and whose activities are thought to have contributed to the fact that England did not experience the same revolution as France. John Wesley has stated: “Hold up feeble arms by believing and praying; support the knees that are weak. Do you have prayer and fast days? Make haste to the throne of grace and continue there in perseverance, and the blessings will come down.” (11)

One example is the movement of God born during Jonathan Edwards, which was preceded by fasting in addition to prayers. William Cooper wrote the following statement in Jonathan Edwards ’book,“ The Noticeable Features of the Spirit of God, ”in its preface. In it he referred to both prayer and fasting:

How dead and dry it has been in all the Reformed churches for a long time. The effects of the Spirit are gone. Conversions have been rare and uncertain. This has been a sad state of religion among us in this country for years. That is why in our public prayers we have constantly prayed that God would pour out His Spirit upon us. Most churches have set aside days for seeking the Lord in prayer and fasting so that He would come and pour out the rain of righteousness upon us. And now, “Look! The Lord we have been looking for has suddenly come to His temple. ” The age of grace in which we now live is indeed one that neither we nor our fathers have seen. In some situations it has been so enormous that I believe no such thing has happened since the mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit just after the resurrection of our Lord. Apostolic times seem to have returned to us, such has been the manifestation of the power and grace of the Spirit of God in the gatherings of His people. (12)

REFERENCES:

1. Martin Ski: T.B. Barratt - Helluntaiapostoli, p. 108-110

2. Charles Price: Ihmeitätekevä usko, p.37

3. Charles G. Finney: Ihmeellisiä herätyksiä, p. 240, 245

4. Charles G. Finney: Ihmeellisiä herätyksiä, p. 296

5. Kenneth E.Hagin: Esirukouksen taito (Handbook on How To Intercede), p. 137,138

6. Gary Wilkerson: Taivaallinen esirukoilija (The Divine Intercessor), p. 35

7. Charles G. Finney: Ihmeellisiä herätyksiä, p. 149, 151

8. Ronald Dunn: Mitä jos rukoilisit? (Don’t Just Stand There Pray Something), p. 235

9. Leonard Ravenhill: Miksi herätys viipyy?, p.8

10. Frank Bartleman: Azusa-katu 312 (Azusa Street), p. 52, 38,43,46,65,72,75,76

11. Leonard Ravenhill: Miksi herätys viipyy?, p.8