Many years ago it felt like I had discovered why MANY are without true power of any proof of God's presence.
Years ago John G. Lake was so full of God that he laid his hands on the sick and such deluge of God was in him that a literal lightening came out of him and struck cancers so much that moments later, his five fingers appeared on the shrinking cancer and a few hours later it had entirely dematerialised! That same man was transported from South Africa to Wales on the heels of the intercessions of his church members and by the Holy Ghost. Once in Wales he laid hands on the woman for whom his church was praying; a violent lunatic and when he prayed she was healed same hour. He told his congregation and soon, news came to confirm that the woman was healed inexplanably.
When I read these things I often weep before the Lord. Earlier this morning I was with my brother when a little child amidst convulsions was rushed to the hospital. 30 minutes ago, news came back that she is dead! A girl of less than 10 and her life is over. ERROR! It is at times like this that I cry 'where is the power as of OLD?'
O it is at times like this that I sob with Mary Magdalene 'They've taken away my Lord and I wist not where they have laid Him!'
I said it felt like I had found why we are nonplussed amidst the windows of the Church's greatest opportunity. LAZINESS! We are too lazy to pray. We say 'It is not by prayer, it is by BEING!' And we have too much knowledge but no power or results to suit! We are too lazy to FAST! We say 'Well no new testament verse ever urged any believer to fast! Fasting is for those who lack knowledge!' Yet we lack proofs. I'd rather lack the puffed up 'knowledge' and have proofs than have the overrated self-glorying sensational knowledge so-called and lack the Works of Christ! We are lazy to study the BIBLE. We say 'O, it is by revelation not by throwing your hands like blades of a windmill and quoting the BIBLE.' Yet we are unable to do any more than telling stale stories!
There is power in prayer! I KNOW! I was with a group of many friends and after we committed to intense praying we saw the sinners saved, the blind see, the cripples walk and the deaf and dumb hearing and speaking. Glory!
Once I was so deep in meditation on the Word when someone knocked on my door at about 12 am and as I opened she fell inwards and moaned 'My stomach! My stomach!' I acted on the verse on which I had been meditating. 'As the Father has life in Himself so has He given to the Son to also have life in Himself...' I quoted it and blew air on that lady. She jerked. Then she looked up at my face. 'It's gone! Thank you!' Then she straightened up and walked back to her room. She's never had that problem again!
I used to think 'why do we not always have this power?' It is because the power is resident in the Holy Spirit and until we build our life around Him and His leadings, we will stay with this painfully insufficient 'hit and miss!'
Someone is reading this who like Peter have lived a double life. You have said 'I am willing not only to go with Thee but to go with Thee to prison and to death' Yes, just like Peter, those aren't empty words. You really mean them. However, just as was the case of Peter, your vows crumble same day for Peter in same chapter and on same night vowed thrice with curses that he never knew Christ! (Luke 22:33,55-62). Peter prevailed because Jesus prayed (Luke 22:31-32) You shall prevail also! Amen!