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David Wilkerson

David Wilkerson (1931 - 2011). American Pentecostal pastor, evangelist, and author born in Hammond, Indiana. Raised in a family of preachers, he was baptized with the Holy Spirit at eight and began preaching at 14. Ordained in 1952 after studying at Central Bible College, he pastored small churches in Pennsylvania. In 1958, moved by a Life Magazine article about New York gang violence, he started a street ministry, founding Teen Challenge to help addicts and troubled youth. His book "The Cross and the Switchblade," co-authored in 1962, became a bestseller, chronicling his work with gang members like Nicky Cruz. In 1987, he founded Times Square Church in New York City, serving a diverse congregation until his death. Wilkerson wrote over 30 books, including "The Vision," and was known for bold prophecies and a focus on holiness. Married to Gwen since 1953, they had four children. He died in a car accident in Texas. His ministry emphasized compassion for the lost and reliance on God. Wilkerson’s work transformed countless lives globally. His legacy endures through Teen Challenge and Times Square Church.
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Sermon Summary
David Wilkerson emphasizes the necessity of prayer in experiencing God's miraculous power, as demonstrated by the apostles who were devoted to seeking the Lord. He highlights that the early church witnessed incredible healings and miracles because they prioritized prayer, contrasting it with the modern tendency to rely solely on faith without earnest prayer. Wilkerson urges believers to understand that the same promises and power are available today if they commit to fervent prayer. He reminds us that God is unchanged and eager to respond to those who earnestly seek Him. Ultimately, he asserts that there is no substitute for spending time in God's presence to receive His guidance and power.
No Substitute for Prayer
“They brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them” (Acts 5:15). The apostles lived and ministered in the realm of the miraculous. Even laymen such as Stephen and Philip, who served tables, were mighty in the Holy Spirit, working miracles and stirring entire cities. Peter was so full of the Holy Spirit that the sick were brought into the streets on beds and couches so that his shadow would fall on them for healing. It was not uncommon to see cripples healed and leaping through the temple. Why are we not seeing such miraculous power today? God has not changed! The apostles knew the cost of the miraculous and eagerly paid it. We have the same promises as the apostles and God is willing to move in such a way again. We need more of Jesus — more of his saving power, more of the miraculous — than any past generation. Why did God respond miraculously to the apostles? Because they were given to prayer! The book of Acts is the account of holy men and women seeking the Lord’s face. From beginning to end, it tells of how prayer moved God, whether in the upper room, in prison, or in some secret house. They prayed without ceasing, spending hours and days shut in with God until they received clear, detailed guidance. And what incredible specifics God gave them! Sadly, believers today have been taught to “take everything by faith,” so they seldom pray. Don’t be misled. You can receive the very same clear word from God as the apostles did if you seek his face in prayer with intensity. There is no substitute for time spent in the presence of the King. He is eager to show you his love, mercy, grace and power. “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16).
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David Wilkerson (1931 - 2011). American Pentecostal pastor, evangelist, and author born in Hammond, Indiana. Raised in a family of preachers, he was baptized with the Holy Spirit at eight and began preaching at 14. Ordained in 1952 after studying at Central Bible College, he pastored small churches in Pennsylvania. In 1958, moved by a Life Magazine article about New York gang violence, he started a street ministry, founding Teen Challenge to help addicts and troubled youth. His book "The Cross and the Switchblade," co-authored in 1962, became a bestseller, chronicling his work with gang members like Nicky Cruz. In 1987, he founded Times Square Church in New York City, serving a diverse congregation until his death. Wilkerson wrote over 30 books, including "The Vision," and was known for bold prophecies and a focus on holiness. Married to Gwen since 1953, they had four children. He died in a car accident in Texas. His ministry emphasized compassion for the lost and reliance on God. Wilkerson’s work transformed countless lives globally. His legacy endures through Teen Challenge and Times Square Church.