blessing above all he asks or thinks. The
teaching and the power of the Holy Ghost are alike unalterably linked to
prayer.

Our next reference will show us faith in the power that the Church's
prayer has with its glorified King, as it is found, not only in the
apostles, but in the Christian community. In chapter xii. we have the
story of Peter in prison on the eve of execution. The death of James had
aroused the Church to a sense of real danger, and the thought of losing
Peter too, wakened up all its energies. It betook itself to prayer.
"Prayer was made of the Church without ceasing to God for him." That
prayer availed much; Peter was delivered. When he came to the house of
Mary, he found "many gathered together praying." Stone walls and double
chains, soldiers and keepers, and the iron gate, all gave way before the
power from heaven that prayer brought down to his rescue. The whole
power of the Roman Empire, as represented by Herod, was impotent in
presence of the power the Church of the Holy Spirit wielded in prayer.
They stood in such close and living communication with their Lord in
heaven; they knew so well that the words, "all power is given unto Me,"
and "Lo I am with you alway," were absolutely true; they had such faith
in His promise to hear them whatever they asked--that they prayed in the
assurance that the powers of heaven could work on earth, and would work
at their request and on their behalf. The Pentecostal Church believed in
prayer, and practised it.

Just one more illustration of the place and the blessing of prayer among
men filled with the Holy Spirit. In chapter xiii. we have the names of
five men at Antioch who had given themselves specially to ministering to
the Lord with prayer and fasting. Their giving themselves to prayer was
not in vain: as they ministered to the Lord, the Holy Spirit met them,
and gave them new insight into God's plans. He called them to be
fellow-workers with Himself; there was a work to which He had called
Barnabas and Saul; their part and privilege would be to separate these
men with renewed fasting and prayer, and to let them go, "sent forth of
the Holy Ghost." God in heaven would not send forth His chosen servants
without the co-operation of His Church; men on earth were to have a real
partnership in the work of God. It was prayer that fitted and prepared
them for this; it was to praying men the Holy Ghost gave authority to
do His work and use His name. It was to pray