CCF International Church

PERSPECTIVE – PS ELEANOR PILLAY

Prayer is able to manifest the presence of God.

When we experience the manifest presence of God, He makes his presence known among us.

MANIFEST means to show forth or to make known.  

Fervent, faith-filled prayer, often combined with fasting and or sacrifice invites this experience.

2 Chronicles 7:1 When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. 2 And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’s house.

Our prayers may not always be answered immediately but God sees our sacrifice and hears our prayers. He responds to Solomon with His Manifest Presence by consuming the sacrifice and filling the temple with His Glory

2 Chronicles 7: 4 Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the Lord. 5 And King Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand head of cattle and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep and goats. So the king and all the people dedicated the temple of God.

2 Chronicles 7:11 When Solomon had finished the temple of the Lord and the royal palace, and had succeeded in carrying out all he had in mind to do in the temple of the Lord and in his own palace, 12 the Lord appeared to him at night and said: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices.

The construction of the temple continues over many months and God finally answers Solomon and speaks to Him giving him the ultimate manifest presence. His residence in the temple.

The building was Solomon’s work, done in the power and inspiration of the LORD. The consecration of the building was God’s work. Solomon could build a building, but only God could bless it with His presence. Prayer and sacrifice are a combination that attracts God.

1 Corinthians 3:16 “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 

Romans 12:12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship

In this season we are the spiritual temple of God. The church of Jesus Christ is built with living stones  It is imperative that we submit our lives to the continual building of the spiritual temple through prayer and to offer our lives as a drink offering, poured out daily in sacrifice to our great God so that His Manifest Presence takes residence in us.

Notes extracted from the book “Rest in the Day of Perils” –  Dr S.Y. Govender

Solomon’s prayer resulted in the manifest Presence of God

2 Chronicles 7:1 When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. 2 And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’s house.

Corporate prayer of the believers prior to Pentecost was followed by the manifestation of God’s Presence

Acts 1: 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

Acts 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Corporate prayer of the early Church resulted in the shaking of the place where they were gathered because of the manifestation of God’s Presence

Acts 4:29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Corporate prayer of the Church resulted in Peter’s release from prison. Angelic visitation is a manifestation of God’s power and Presence (Acts 12:5,7)

Paul and Silas were beaten and placed in stocks. Despite their great discomfort, pain and the lateness of the hour, they prayed. The result : God’s Presence manifested

Acts 16:25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 

The prayer of Hezekiah and Isaiah

(2 Chronicles 32:20-22)

Kinds of prayers that invite the Manifest Presence of God :

Fervent, desperate, earnest prayers :

James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Psalms 145:18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.

Luke 22:42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Fasting demonstrates fervency, earnestness and desperation. Daniel’s fervent prayers accompanied by fasting was followed by an angelic visitation (Daniel 10:2-30)

United Prayer

Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

Acts 4:24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them,

Unceasing Prayer

Acts 12:5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.

Acclamation/Praise

The psalmist praised God seven times a day

Psalms 119:164 Seven times a day I praise You, Because of Your righteous judgments.

Praise is good

Psalms 92:1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;

Praise pleases God

Psalms 135:3 Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; Sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant.

Praise is the fulfilment of purpose

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Praise is the recognition of His Kingship

Revelation 15:3 They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying:“Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways,O King of the saints! Praise advertises His goodness

Psalms 145:12 To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts,

And the glorious majesty of His kingdom. Jesus did not stop the people from praising Him when He rode into Jerusalem (Luke 19:37-38, Matthew 21:9)

God inhabits the praises of His people

Psalms 22:3 But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.

Praise is the attitude by which we enter His Presence

Psalms 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

God’s Presence manifested when He was praised with one accord in Solomon’s temple 

2 Chronicles 5:13 indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever,” that the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, 14 so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.

Prayer is engaging God who is a Spirit; it is engaging the supernatural realm and inviting the Presence of a Living God to intervene in earthly, human affairs. It allows the believer to access His Divine and Holy Presence; to come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

CENSORSHIP OF GOSPEL

In Acts Chapter 4 we see Peter and John enduring intense persecution and threats for preaching in the name of Jesus which was forbidden by the Sanhedrin

Acts 4:18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

The Sanhedrin (symbolic of an institution) wanted to control the teaching.

SEEKING DIVINE INTERVENTION – PRAYER

Peter, John and the other believers seek Divine intervention and help from the Creator of Heaven and Earth. They asked the Lord to give them boldness to preach the gospel; courage to proclaim His praises 

Acts 4:24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things?26 The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the LORD and against His Christ.’ 27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

A PRAYER FOR BOLDNESS 

Courage to declare the Word of the Lord “with all boldness” is Divinely enabled through prayer. The prayer also was for the Lord would perform “signs and wonders” including healing in the midst of the people.

THE DIVINE VISITATION FOLLOWING THE PRAYER

The place where they had assembled was shaken by His visitation and the Word of the Lord was declared with boldness – just as they had prayed. Glory to God!

IMPORTANT NOTE

Our gatherings (believers) must be spiritually configured to “host” the Presence and Divine visitation of the Lord.

Prayers, praise, worship, proclaiming His Name, having a high expectancy for His manifest Presence; lifting up of our hands to Him and other spontaneous expressions of praise and worship.

Psalms 22:3 But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.

God inhabits and is enthroned in our praises of Him. 

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