"Our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction."1 Thessalonians 1:5
When Paul went to Thessalonica, amazing things happened. Then he moved on to Athens and to Corinth. You'd think that after his great success in Thessalonica, Paul would have arrived in Corinth full of confidence, but he says the opposite: "I came to you, in weakness and fear and with much trembling."(1 Corinthians 2:3)
Why does Paul say that? Because the power does not reside in him. He knows that it comes from above, and every time he stands up to speak, he's absolutely dependent on God. When the Holy Spirit moves, the word Paul preaches is the means of bringing blessing and transformation to many lives. But apart from the Spirit of God, he knows that he's only a man talking, and nobody's life is changed by that. So, he prays.
If you think one life can be set free from the power of darkness by my preaching or by your parenting, you're greatly mistaken. It is God who opens blind eyes, and softens hard hearts. It is God who drives back the dark powers that keep people bound. It is God who brings new birth, sends new power and grows new fruit. When you see that you will pray-not out of duty, but out of sheer gratitude and joy that we have the privilege.
This means we need to be praying if we want these things to happen among us!
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