The Necessity of Prayer in the Last Days

Here's a Bible study I recently took part in. It is something every Christian needs in these times. Whoever reads this, please post a comment and let me know what you think of it.

1. Read Genesis 32:22-32

And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok. And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had. And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh. Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.
(Genesis 32:22-32)

2. The setting:

a. Jacob returning from exile (20 years)
b. Esau coming with army of 400 men
c. This situation is his fault
d. Divides his company in two
e. Makes every effort to conciliate
f. Spends

3. Hebrew names are very important!

a. Meaning of the name

i. Jabbok emptying/pouring out

ii. Jacob deceiver

iii. Israel struggling, wrestling with God and implies prevailing in Hebrew

iv. Peniel face of God

4. Summary

Those who pour out their hearts to God have their character changed from defeat to victory, and will see God face to face.

5. Additional Scriptures:

a. Isaiah 62:2, 6, 7
b. Revelation 22:4; 14:1; 3:12; 2:17


"Jacob prevailed because he was persevering and determined. His experience testifies to the power of importunate prayer. It is now that we are to learn this lesson of prevailing prayer, of unyielding faith. The greatest victories to the church of Christ or to the individual Christian are not those that are gained by talent or education, by wealth or the favor of men. They are those victories that are gained in the audience chamber with God, when earnest, agonizing faith lays hold upon the mighty arm of power." {Patriarchs and Prophets, 203}


"The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger--a faith that will not faint though severely tried. The period of probation is granted to all to prepare for that time. Jacob prevailed because he was persevering and determined. His victory is an evidence of the power of importunate prayer. All who will lay hold of God's promises, as he did, and be as earnest and persevering as he was, will succeed as he succeeded. Those who are unwilling to deny self, to agonize before God, to pray long and earnestly for His blessing, will not obtain it. Wrestling with God--how few know what it is! How few have ever had their souls drawn out after God with intensity of desire until every power is on the stretch. When waves of despair which no language can express sweep over the suppliant, how few cling with unyielding faith to the promises of God." {The Great Controversy, 621}

Latter Rain

An amazing and perhaps prophetic movement is under way.

It is called Operation Global Rain. It started when a few churches in Central California decided to hold a 10-day prayer event after the model of the early church found in Acts 2. There were no keynote speakers, but rather a group of disciples pleading for nothing else but the outpouring of the latter rain. Every night from 7 to 8 pm, a theme sheet with Bible verses and S.O.P. quotes was presented. We read these privately and then prayed, sometimes silently, other times in groups of two, and others as a congregation.

Though done at separate times, the churches all experienced revival. Animosity was laid aside and a true spirit of unity, repentance and mission took hold of the members. The idea then came about: What if all the churches in the conference were to petition the throne of God at the same time , for the same thing, the outpouring of the Latter Rain?

The idea was presented to one conference just a week ago (January, 07) and has become a reality. Last year, a great deal was made about the date 6.06.06. A popular movie about the antichrist was released on that date, and underground satanic movements glorified the day. This year is 7.07.07! And it happens to be a Sabbath. The date for Operation Global Rain will be 6.27.07 to 7.07.07!

But the vision of Operation Global Rain is much larger. Imagine all the churches of California petitioning the throne of God, at the same time for the same thing. Then, imagine all the churches in North America petitioning the throne of God at the same time, for the same thing. And then imagine the entire global church praying at the same time for the same thing, the outpouring of the latter rain!! Hence, Operation Global Rain!

This is a grassroots movement that needs your participation. By word of mouth, by email, and any other means, we need your help to spread the word. A website is currently being built for Operation Global Rain, where churches will be able to register, and download each nights theme sheet. IT WILL BE LIKE A NET EVENT without the cost of satellite uplinks or keynote speakers!

We close with this eye opening thought. The early rain was poured out on all that were praying for it. But that was only a total of about 120, who were all in one location, Jerusalem. Now, what if people around the globe were praying for the outpouring of the latter rain? If God were to be so gracious as to answer, where would that rain fall? Where would that Spirit descend? Would it not lighten the entire globe with its glory? Is this not what has been prophesied to happen according to Revelation 18:1-4?

Please prayerfully consider these two quotes from the S.O.P. and the two bible verses below.

An Awakened Church.--When we have entire, wholehearted consecration to the service of Christ, God will recognize the fact by an outpouring of His Spirit without measure; but this will not be while the largest portion of the church are not laborers together with God.--Review and Herald, July 21, 1896.

The prophecies in the eighteenth of Revelation will soon be fulfilled. During the proclamation of the third angel's message, "another angel" is to "come down from heaven, having great power" and the earth is to be "lightened with His glory." The Spirit of the Lord will so graciously and universally bless consecrated human instrumentalities, that men, women, and children will open their lips in praise and testimony, filling the earth with the knowledge of God and with His unsurpassed glory, as the waters cover the sea. {2MR 21.3}

If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:13-14

Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children…Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people…Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month." Joel 2:15,16,18,23.

Nothing like this has happened in Adventist history except the 1840-44 movement. We are told it will happen again.

The angel who unites in the proclamation of the third message is to lighten the whole earth with his glory. A work of world-wide extent and unwonted power is here brought to view. The Advent movement of 1840-44 was a glorious manifestation of the power of God; the first message was carried to every missionary station in the world, and in this country there was the greatest religious interest which has been witnessed in any land since the Reformation of the sixteenth century; but these are to be far exceeded by the mighty movement under the loud cry of the third message. The work will be similar to that of the day of Pentecost. Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, hasten from place to place to proclaim the warning from Heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the message will be given. Miracles are wrought, the sick are healed, and signs and wonders follow the believers. Satan also works with lying wonders, even bringing down fire from heaven in the sight of men. Thus the inhabitants of the earth are brought to take their stand. {4SP 429.2}

http://www.operationglobalrain.com/