(Audio Book) The Weapon of Prayer
Amy Carmichael illustrates the powerful impact of persistent prayer in overcoming spiritual opposition and protecting the vulnerable.
This sermon tells the story of a devoted Hindu mother who pleaded with her gods to hinder the work of Christians and prevent her daughter from following their teachings. Despite her efforts, obstacles arose in her daughter's marriage proposals, leading to desperation and shame. The mother's encounter with a demon god in a dream revealed that the prayers of Christians were hindering his plans, urging them to stop praying for a brief period to allow her daughter to marry and then freely follow her own beliefs.
Full Transcript
Oh, Amma, Amma, do not pray. Your prayers are troubling me. We all looked up in astonishment.
We had just had our banned prayer meeting, when a woman came rushing into the room and began to exclaim like this. She was the mother of one of our girls, of whom I told you once before. She is still in the terrible's den.
Now the mother a devote Hindu was all excitement and poured out a curious story. When you went away last year I prayed. I prayed and prayed, and prayed again to my God to dispel your work.
My daughter's heart was impressed with your words. I cried to my God to wash the words out. As he washed them out, oh no! And I prayed for a bridegroom for my daughter, and one came, and the cart was ready to take her away, and a hindrance occurred, the marriage fell through, and I wept till my eyes well nigh dissolved.
And again another bridegroom came, and again an obstacle occurred, and yet again did a bridegroom come, and yet again an obstacle, and I cannot get my daughter married, and the neighbours mock, and my cast is disgraced, and the poor old mother cried, just sobbed in her shame and confusion of face. Then I went to my God again and said, What more can I offer you? Have I not given you all I have? And you reject my prayer. Then in a dream my demon God appeared, and he said, Tell the Christians not to pray.
I can do nothing against their prayers. Their prayers are hindering me. And so, I beseech you, stop your prayers for fourteen days, only fourteen days, till I get my daughter married, and after she is married.
We asked, Oh, then she may freely follow your God. I will hinder her no more. Poor old mother! All lies are allowed where such things are concerned.
We knew the proposed bridegroom came from a place three hundred miles away, and the idea was to carry the poor girl off by force as soon as she was married. We have been praying night and day to God to hinder this, and he is hindering.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The power of prayer in spiritual battles
- Testimony of a Hindu mother affected by Christian prayers
- The hindrance of evil plans through prayer
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II
- The persistence required in prayer
- God’s protection over vulnerable believers
- The spiritual reality behind earthly events
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III
- Encouragement to continue praying despite opposition
- The role of faith in seeing God’s intervention
- Prayer as a weapon against demonic forces
Key Quotes
“Their prayers are hindering me. And so, I beseech you, stop your prayers for fourteen days, only fourteen days, till I get my daughter married.” — Amy Carmichael
“We have been praying night and day to God to hinder this, and he is hindering.” — Amy Carmichael
“Oh, Amma, Amma, do not pray. Your prayers are troubling me.” — Amy Carmichael
Application Points
- Commit to persistent prayer even when results are not immediately visible.
- Trust that God’s protection is real and effective against spiritual attacks.
- Recognize prayer as a vital weapon in spiritual battles for loved ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main message of Amy Carmichael’s sermon?
The sermon emphasizes the power and effectiveness of persistent prayer in overcoming spiritual opposition and protecting God’s people.
Who was the woman who interrupted the prayer meeting?
She was the mother of a girl under Amy Carmichael’s care, a devote Hindu who was troubled by the Christian prayers.
Why did the mother ask Christians to stop praying?
Because the prayers were hindering her plans to marry off her daughter, which she believed was causing disgrace in her community.
What does this story teach about spiritual warfare?
It shows that prayer is a powerful weapon that can thwart the plans of evil forces and protect believers.
How should listeners apply this sermon to their lives?
Listeners are encouraged to pray persistently and trust God’s protection even when facing opposition or challenges.