The Power of Prayer

Make sure to check “The Latest” section of this blog for the latest on Kristi.

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January 26, 2022

Over the past 19 days, we have seen God’s people unite in prayer – to beg Him for Kristi. We have seen an overwhelming response from God. We have seen Him work through the Doctors and Surgeons, Nurses and Staff, The Church and the Community. It has been amazing to observe from our vantage point. God has put Kristi in a position to impact people. He has put me on a hospital floor to meet lots of new people and develop new relationships. All the while, the power of people praying has swayed hearts, moved procedures, discovered issues, directed doctors, and bombarded us with peace and hope.

This is called confessional prayer. Not the kind of confessional prayer for the forgiveness of sins. But the kind of confessional prayer that unites under one purpose.

This is a prayer of agreement. A prayer of assent. A prayer of declaration. A prayer of celebration. The word used in the New Testament for confession means to say the same things as another. When we “confess the Lord Jesus,” we are in agreement with who He is. We celebrate who He is. We unify under who He is. This kind of prayer is not ashamed or shy. It is bold and declarative.

These past couple weeks, we have been blessed by the confessional prayer of so many thousands of people around the country and world. God has heard!

Kristi and I have been on a journey our entire marriage to live a confessional life. In confessional, we mean transparent and authentic. Confessional in that we own up to our mistakes and never trying to hide them. Confessional in that we are open to any conversation about any topic. Confessional in that we will walk through our beliefs without fear when they are questioned. Confessional in that we understand we are far from arrived at any destination. Confessional in our love for one another. Confessional in our disagreements with one another. Confessional in our love for people.

Living a confessional life this way does not mean perfection – far from it. We stumble and fall often. We are continually reminded that we are on this side of heaven as we pick ourselves up and look at the mess we’ve made and beg God for grace to fight again. We simply have not settled for the excuse that “we are only human”. We believe in the progression toward the purpose for which God has placed us on this planet. It Is for this time and place He has created us. He will accomplish His work in us. We yield to that.

Over our lifetimes, we have seen and been convinced by the power of prayer, especially when an army of warriors gather in agreement for a cause.

I saw this when I was diagnosed with cancer in 1991. God led my parents to the right Doctors and the right treatment – even though it was experimental at the time. 30 years later, I am still convinced it was the thousands of warriors that prayed for me that made the difference in my life. Their prayers have never died. Their prayers are still impacting my life today. Did you know that your prayers never die? There was a family that prayed specifically for my wife and children and the impact of our ministry back in 1991. Their prayers have proved true and still continue to work to this day!

Our daughter Lily and her adoption journey. We saw thousands of people walk with us in prayer as we navigated the tedious system in Panama. After law changes and disappointments that lasted 3 years, we finally stood before the judge and became Lily Rae Rhoton Crossen’s parents on paper, even though she was ours since the day we got her at 6 weeks old. God moved so many miraculous pieces during 2007 and 2010! The powerful prayers of warriors around the world did that!

Our son Max’s adoption story. As complicated and as difficult as his sister’s journey was, Max’s was opposite. From day of birth to final adoption decree before a judge in Oklahoma City, less than 3 months had past. Once again the powerful prayer of people around the world!

Our move to Oklahoma from Costa Rica. I can only say it was the power of our warrior partners that accomplished more than we dreamed.

We have seen God move mountains, heal church members, raise men who were told they’d be dead by the weekend, cast out evil spirits in neighboring homes (I know, seems wild – it was), mend marriages, heal diseases, redeem people, reconcile loved ones, and the list goes on and on. All through the powers of praying warriors unified in confession with one another.

Now Kristi is seeing this. She is experiencing the love and attention from the Father through your powerful prayers! He is not done being gloried through her story. He is still moving! I received so many texts, Facebook messages, emails, and direct messages tell me about prayers happening all day every day. It is humbling and amazing.

We continue to trust! Although our health will fail, and the enemy tries his best, our God will never fail. He will do what He has purposed to do!

Paul says “don’t worry, pray”

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

The result is the guarding of hearts and minds. We are witnesses to this.

James says “the prayer of righteous (not perfect, but brothers and sisters) does great work”

“Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.”

James 5:14-15

And to round it out, Paul says that God hears and will do more than we ask or think.

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

Ephesians 3:20

We not only believe by faith these promises to be true, but we have tasted and seen them. Our faith has become sight. I pray your faith has been strengthened over the past 2 weeks. Let’s be amazed together at the explosive power of prayer!

Ray Rhoton

#jointhefight

#warriorqueen

#kristiswar