So I would like you to turn in your Bibles to Acts chapter 12.

And the title of my message is the power of prayer.

And what better way to start a message on prayer than to pray?

So let's pray together.

Father, we ask your blessing now on this time of Bible study. We want to know more about

how to pray effectively. How to see our prayers answered in the affirmative. So speak to us

as we open your word. We ask it now in Jesus' name. Amen. Acts chapter 12. As we approach the 10th anniversary of 9-11, I wonder,

has America changed in the immediate aftermath of that unthinkable attack, we saw a dramatic

return to faith on the part of many Americans. You remember the scenes

yourself, I am sure. Prayer meetings on street corners, people gathering together in

neighborhoods to hold a vigil. Members of Congress standing on the steps of the Capitol building and spontaneously breaking

into God bless America. Church attendance overflowing. Churches were packed on the Sunday following

9-11. People were trying to make sense of it, turning to God. But things didn't stay that way very long,

did they? One of the things you were praying about was, would we be attacked again? It was

great concern. Would there be another terrorist strike against our nation? And we prayed. And yes,

we want to thank God for our security and for our experts out there

that do their best to protect our country. But we have to also acknowledge that it has

been God's mercy that America has not faced another full-blown terrorist attack since

9-11, though there have been attempts. But is that what we have done? Well, it's interesting they're

having a commemoration ceremony at Ground Zero on 9-11, and there's not a single person offering

a prayer in that event. Not a single pastor or minister of any kind or any person that's going

to give thanks to God. Have we forgotten that the Lord

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