The Bible gives us several examples of people—like us—who approached the Lord with big and small prayer requests. Our prayers today are just as powerful as the prayers documented in Scripture.

Prayer Then and Now: Defeating Darkness

Then: “‘Lord, have mercy on my son,’ he said. ‘He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water’… Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.” – Matthew 17:15,18

Now: One day, Rylan*—an East-West national partner—prayed over a Hindu woman taunted by demons. In the Name of Jesus, he commanded the evil spirits to leave the woman’s body. That day, the Lord had mercy on this woman and answered Rylan’s prayer… the spirits immediately fled and the woman placed her trust in Jesus.

Prayer Then and Now: Speaking Truth

Then: “‘…Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness’… After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” – Acts 4:29, 31

Now: After fumbling through the gospel during her first day of evangelizing in Nepal, Salma*—an East-West short-term mission trip participant—asked God to fill her with His Spirit and allow her to effectively communicate the gospel. In His faithfulness, God granted her request. The rest of the week His message for salvation passionately and fearlessly poured from Salma’s lips, turning the hearts and minds of many villagers to the Lord.

Prayer Then and Now: Divine Healing

Then: “And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him… And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly” – Mark 7:32, 34, 35

Now: Montse*—an East-West short-term trip leader—stayed in bed with a high fever and persistent cough the first two days of her trip to Latin America. She prayed and her team prayed for her body to heal so she could join them in ministry. The third day she heard a Voice say, “Get up and go out!” At the words of her Savior—Jesus—Montse’s fever dissipated, cough quieted, and voice strengthened, and she set out for a day of ministry.

*Names changed for security reasons.