Prayer Journal: September 25, 2025
29. Dec. 2024 Immanuel Church Sunday Worship 1st Service Scripture Reading: Acts 16:6-10
▣ Introduction
Thank you.
※ John Bunyan, who went to prison for preaching the gospel – wrote the work The Pilgrim’s Progress and turned the whole world upside down.
Even today there are countries where you cannot preach the gospel. John Bunyan was arrested for preaching the gospel. And he received a sentence of 16 years. What would you do if it were you? Would you still attend church? Most people would not. He faced a situation of being locked up for 16 years. Usually, when those of us who live a life of faith face difficulties, we hesitate a lot, saying, “What should I do?” Because it looks as if there are no answers in sight, we are shaken. But John Bunyan was not shaken at all. There, as you know, he read the Bible and began to create a work. For a time, it became the most widely read book in the world. The title of that book is The Pilgrim’s Progress. It means “the pilgrim’s path.” He wrote that single book in prison. And it turned the world upside down.
The content is as follows. To a man named Christian, He says this: “The city you live in is not an ordinary city. It is the City of Destruction.” So he called it the City of Destruction—“a city that will be destroyed in the future.” “You must soon leave. Head toward the Celestial City.” “Do not just go alone; if possible, take your friends.” In other words, evangelize. So he takes two friends. One friend’s name is Obstinate. Obstinate refuses for three reasons and will not go. “This city will soon be destroyed.” He says, “It’s fine.” But the other friend’s name is Pliable. Because he is pliable, he follows along well like this. As they go, they enter a certain marketplace. The name of that market is Vanity Fair. It looks very splendid, but it is utterly empty. The product they try to purchase there is a product called Truth. Christian looks for it, but there is no product called Truth. The friend named Pliable sees the goods of Vanity Fair, likes them very much, and says he will live there forever and refuses to come out. In the end, Christian goes on alone.
As he goes, to reach the Celestial City he must pass through a certain gate. He tries to enter the gate, but the gate is small. He cannot get in. Then the watchman looking down from above, whose name is Discretion—“Hyo-si (曉示),” meaning “one who sees the dawn”—says, “You cannot enter here.” Looking closely, the burden on his back is larger than his body. When he removes it, he slips in.
After he enters, this watchman named Discretion gives two gifts. He gives him a sword. “This sword is the sword of the Word, and with it you can defeat the enemy.” Then he gives him armor. “This armor cannot be penetrated by any sword. And this sword can pierce anything.” He tells him to take them and go. But the moment he puts on the armor, he realizes there is no back. Strange, isn’t it? Without a back, it is like a front apron. So he ties it with straps and sets out.
As he goes, he meets a fearsome devil commander named Apollyon. With a long spear and even flapping wings, Apollyon comes attacking. Christian cannot possibly win. The wings flap, he flies, and attacks with a long spear. At that moment, Christian realizes something instantly: “This will not work. The best strategy is to run away.” So there is a saying “the 36 stratagems.” The last and greatest strategy among the strategies of battle is to flee. He tries to run away and then realizes there is no back. “Ah, if I turn back, I will die.” So he fights with all his might. Then something strange happens. No matter how much the devil commander stabs Christian with the spear, he cannot be pierced. Christian catches on to this: “Ah!” Even more surprising, the devil commander also catches on: “This one will not die.” Simply put, the devil falls into a trial. Knowing this, Christian creates a golden opportunity and kills Apollyon with the sword. With a single blow, Apollyon falls. Then he heads toward the Celestial City.
He has almost arrived when two lions stand guard. They roar to devour him. What should he do? When he tries to run, he cannot. Looking closely, that is not the case. The lions have four legs, but both front legs are tied. They are bound with chains. So, though they come near and roar, they cannot bite. Knowing this, Christian passes by calmly. That is the book’s content. It began to sell throughout the world.
1. When the way is blocked
Today we are sending off the year and entering the timetable of welcoming the New Year. So, how should we go through this year? Also, the way is blocked. We see today that Paul’s way of evangelizing was completely blocked in Asia. He tried to go to Bithynia, but that way was blocked as well.
1) Most people give up
What do we do at such times? When the way is blocked or when we face difficulty, what do we usually do? Most people give up. When we try to begin our life, it is an extremely important timetable—what should we do?
2) Religion – teaches that you reap what you sow. Almost all will die.
Religion teaches like this: “You will receive according to what you have done; you will reap what you have sown.” That is the “truth” of religion. If that is so, I cannot be saved. You might be saved, but I have nothing to receive. If we follow religion, almost all will die. “You will reap what you have sown.”
3) Buddhism – teaches that since there is a next life, endure.
What does Buddhism teach? “Even if you suffer now, there is a next life. Endure.” Is that so? I cannot endure. That is how they teach. So, when I went to Thailand, I saw in front of a very wealthy house that a child was sweeping and doing chores very well. I asked how he could do that, and they said he does that to be born well in the next life.
4) People go to fortune-tellers possessed by evil spirits. And so they receive the leading of evil spirits.
Some people, when they try to begin a year and difficulties come, naturally go to have their fortunes told. They say the most fortune-telling is done in January. Right now is the time when fortune-tellers make money. Even deacons go. Deacons go to have their fortunes told and ask, “If I do this business, will it go well or not?” They say that even foolish pastors go. They go to a fortune-teller and ask, “If I plant a church here, will it go well or not?” The moment you have your fortune told by someone possessed by an evil spirit, you are led by evil spirits.
2. God surely guides you. You just need to go there.
Now, we are beginning to go into a year we have never been to before—2025. In fact, we have never encountered the year 2025. We only guess by God’s grace, “It will be like this,” but we do not know. But the way is blocked. “I do not know what to do.” At this point most people miss what is important.
Today I also had time to counsel a remnant. In the content it said, “I do not know what I should do.” So I will answer: “Do nothing.” If you do not know, there is no need to do anything.
1) The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Lord, guides you (verses 6–7).
What does verse 6 say today? “The Holy Spirit forbade them to speak the word in Asia.” In verse 7, “The Spirit of Jesus did not permit them.” In verse 9, “In the night a vision appeared to Paul: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’” “We concluded that God had called us.” Simple, isn’t it? This is how it begins. This means the Holy Spirit guides you. It means the Spirit of the Lord guides you. You must have this answer.
2) When you pray, God sends His angel and makes known the future (verse 9).
“In a vision” means that when you pray, God sends His angel to you and makes known the future. From here the important answer comes. You understand, right? It must always be so. God will surely guide you. You just need to go there.
3) Unbelievers, because they do not have the Holy Spirit, have no choice but to go to those possessed by evil spirits.
Unbelievers have no choice but to go to those possessed by evil spirits. They do not have the Holy Spirit. Right? That is an enormous difference. Unbelievers do not have the status of God’s children. There is nothing to be offended about. Because they do not believe, they are not God’s children. They do not have the life of Jesus. Therefore, of course they must go to those possessed by evil spirits. Of course they must go bow to a tree—just in case an evil spirit might come. Such a pitiful life. They must bow to a stone—because perhaps an evil spirit might come there. Should we live such a life? What troubles me these days is that too many of our nation’s politicians follow such strange divination, because they are anxious.
4) Confirm that this year will be one in which the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Lord, completely guides you.
From now on you must live this way daily, but we have the New Year prayer meetings ahead. You must confirm it: “This year will be one in which the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Lord, completely guides me.”
3. How should we do it? We should pray.
What should we do? We should pray. Right?
1) Hold to the covenant within the bartizan, the journey, and the guidepost that Jesus gave.
In the end, hold to the covenant within the bartizan, the journey, and the guidepost that Jesus gave. There is nothing to rush. It will become clear. “What if I am hesitant?” If you are hesitant, do not do it. “Should I do this? Should I do that?” Do not do it. God will surely guide you in 2025. Right? Here is where you must now conclude your life with an answer. If it is true that He surely guides, then it is already finished for us.
2) Paul knew this and entered into deep prayer.
Paul knew this and entered into deep prayer. Just as we now have New Year prayer meetings, he entered into deep prayer. Because I am inferior to Paul, I pray even more than Paul—simply 7·7·7, 24 prayer.
▣ Main
1. Life turning point
At this time, a tremendous life turning point arose for Paul.
1) Paul – On the night in Troas when every door was blocked, the door of Macedonia opened, fulfilling the word that he was a chosen instrument to stand before kings and Gentiles.
What was fulfilled? The word that said of Paul, “He is a chosen instrument to carry my name before kings and the Gentiles.” That door opened: “to Macedonia.” That is right. The Asian family would not work. “To Macedonia.” In today’s terms—“to Europe.” At that time Europe was in control. So what is it? A tremendous answer began to be fulfilled. You must hold to this as you send off this year. How simple is it? All you have to do is pray. If you pray, He gives the answer—it becomes certain. Do you have to see a vision? No. It comes out clearly. Do you have to dream a dream? No. It comes out clearly. Many dreams are nonsense. Therefore a clear answer must come. People dream according to their temperament—those are nonsense dreams. Someone said there was a war in his dream and it was a mess, but it turned out it was just the alarm clock ringing—wasn’t it? How much of a nonsense dream is that? Someone dreamed of a flood—and he had wet his pants. You must not believe such nonsense dreams. You must hold to the sure covenant of God.
2) Joseph – While holding to God’s covenant and praying when his mother died and he was near death, he saw the vision of world evangelization.
What is this? The entire history begins to be seen. When his mother died and he was on the verge of death, Joseph held to God’s covenant and prayed, and he saw the vision of world evangelization. Such a work arose. Right?
3) Moses – God appeared in the fire. “Go to offer the blood sacrifice.”
The people of Israel were all about to die. While he was tending sheep in the wilderness, God appeared in the fire. He remembered the word his mother had given him 80 years earlier: “Go to offer the blood sacrifice.” From that sacrifice he had heard from his mother, the works began. You must never lose this.
※ The Holy Spirit is in you and guides you. The moment you are led by the Holy Spirit, a turning point for your entire life arises. You have the qualification to be led by the Holy Spirit. This is the difference between a believer and an unbeliever. There is no other difference. The Holy Spirit is in you and guides you. To the unbeliever—truly, I am sorry—an evil spirit works and guides that person. That is why they go to have their fortunes told. That is why they go to worship idols. They have no choice. That is why spiritual problems come. Therefore, the moment you are led by the Holy Spirit, a turning point for your entire life arises.
4) David – While working alone, holding to the covenant in the pasture, he came to meet Goliath.
As you know well—while he was working alone in the pasture, holding to the covenant, one day he came to meet Goliath. He came. He met a great turning point of life.
5) Elisha, Obadiah – Having received just a little guidance of the Holy Spirit, God carried out the work of changing the world.
The nation had become an idolatrous nation and all were about to die. Look at Elisha. Look at Obadiah. Having received just a little guidance of the Holy Spirit—see Obadiah, who hid 100 prophets in the crisis. God carried out the work of changing the world. ※ The more certain, the better. The covenant does not change. God protects the church and the individuals who will carry out world evangelization.
The more certain, the better. Do not be shaken—the more certain, the better. Why? Because the covenant does not change. World evangelization is God’s will. God protects the church that will carry out world evangelization. God protects the individuals who will carry out world evangelization. No matter what anyone says, it is so. Right? Hold to this covenant firmly.
As you know, after Paul met Christ, he was completely changed. And through Ananias came the word: “He is a chosen instrument to stand before Israel, the Gentiles, and kings.” When was this fulfilled? When every door was blocked—on the night of Troas. The place was Troas. On the night of Troas.
※ When life is the hardest, God gives the best. In a certain sense, when your life is the hardest, God gives the best.
I always pray when I see the multiethnic people who have come from abroad. They are now facing the most important timetable of life. If there are people who pray for them, God will not leave them alone. You must hold on.
2. Turning point for the church – You meet the people God has prepared.
As time is short, secondly: In order to receive this guidance of the Holy Spirit, Paul prayed that night—and this became a complete turning point for the church. From then on he met people whom God had prepared.
1) While going to pray he met Lydia, and he healed the sickness of a demon-possessed person whom no one could heal.
While going to pray, he met Lydia. Lydia did not invite him first. While going to pray, he met Lydia. This is the firstfruit. It is the firstfruit of Macedonia. Paul proclaimed the gospel. The Bible says, “The Lord opened Lydia’s heart.” Then Lydia said, “Come into my house and stay.” From then the works began. If you are led by the Holy Spirit and see God’s sure guidepost, then within that turning point the work of changing the church will happen.
He healed the sickness of a demon-possessed person whom no one could heal. Right?
2) In Thessalonica, the gateway to Rome, God had prepared Jason.
It did not end there. There was a great nation that connected to Rome—Thessalonica. God sent Paul there. When he arrived, a person like Jason was prepared. And not only that.
3) God prepared the couple Priscilla and Aquila, who would change the world, and had them meet Paul.
God had prepared the couple Priscilla and Aquila who would change the world, and had them meet Paul. It was not through someone’s introduction. It was complete leading of the Holy Spirit. In this way, God had prepared them.
3. Turning point that changes the world – Rome
Today, and on the road ahead, if you, not as unbelievers but being led by the Holy Spirit—even if you are led just a little—then the third thing happens. What is it? The timetable of a turning point that changes the world. What is that? Rome. That is the end.
1) “You must also see Rome.”
Paul came to realize this. And after the works arose, he was not proud at all, not shaken at all, and said, “You must also see Rome.” Open your eyes. At this time God aligned everything in direction for Paul.
2) “You must testify in Rome also” – God quoted Paul, who had the exact covenant.
Because of this, Paul stood in court. God spoke directly: “Paul, do not be afraid. You must testify in Rome also. Be of good courage.” God quoted Paul’s words. Why? Because Paul had God’s exact covenant.
If you hold to this covenant that you received on the night of Troas, God will quote your words, actions, and life. This is an important beginning. From the moment you hold to God’s sure covenant, God will take hold of your work. Right? You will not need to worry about your health. Remnants’ studies? You will not need to worry.
3) “You must stand before Caesar” – What the angel of the Lord said while he prayed in the hold of the ship when they met the storm.
Not only that. A world of complete crisis came. As you know, though Paul had no crime, he was going to Rome as a prisoner to stand trial. The name of that ship was Alexandrian. I mention the name to set the historical evidence. He had to sail to Rome on that ship. Paul was a man of prayer. Having evangelized much, he knew: “If we go now, we will all die in the storm. We must wait here for a while before going.” No one listened to Paul. But there was a centurion in charge, right? His name was Julius. Because he was uneasy—he had responsibility—he called the shipowner and asked, “This man says we will meet a storm; is that right?” The shipowner said, “There has never been a storm at this season.” So the centurion named Julius asked the captain, “Is it true that this ship will meet a storm?” The captain, speaking from experience, said, “Impossible.”
But Julius was a Roman officer and a very prudent man. He asked again. He asked the whole group for their opinion: “This man insists the ship will meet a storm; shall we still go?” The 276 people aboard all said, “Let us not rest here—let us go to Phoenix.” Phoenix is a good place to rest. “Let us rest a bit there and then go.” No one listened to the evangelist.
But as they went, a tempest suddenly struck. A violent storm struck suddenly. Because it struck suddenly, there was no countermeasure. As the violent storm struck, the ship began to sink. The storm was so fierce that they did not know how many days had passed. They did not know whether it was night or day. The ship began to sink. They roughly estimated it had been about fourteen days—fourteen days in the storm. All hope was gone. Others were screaming to survive, praying, throwing cargo overboard. Useless. In disaster, the shipowner’s money does not work. Right? The captain’s skill does not work. The centurion’s rank does not work. While they were in turmoil and the ship was sinking, Paul went down into the hold and began to pray. Then God appeared to Paul: “Last night an angel of the Lord stood by me and said, ‘Paul, do not be afraid. You must stand before Caesar.’” Having heard this, Paul came up and comforted the people on board. At first he rebuked them a little: “Did I not tell you this would happen?” “But last night the angel of the Lord spoke to me and said, ‘Do not be afraid. You must stand before Caesar.’” After this word was delivered, the storm began to subside. What happened? Paul’s going to be tried—settled. He was on the way to Rome to stand trial. What is it? The turning point that changes the world. It was connected all the way there.
As you send off this year and enter the next—just even briefly—it is fine. You must pray. How truly should you begin? What should you do when the door is blocked for you? What should you do when difficulties come? It must become the turning point of receiving the perfect guidance of the Holy Spirit.
▣ Conclusion
1. When you are sick – Rely on nothing and pray before God
To conclude—if you become sick, what should you do? Rely on nothing and truly enter before God in prayer, as Paul prayed. Paul prayed to the point that he said he did not know whether he was in the body or out of the body.
2. When you fall into crisis – Pray before God. When Israel collapsed and was scattered as wanderers, the disciples of the synagogue whom Paul had prepared were sent out.
What should you do when you fall into complete crisis? Paul did not go up on deck. Shouldn’t people go up? But what could he do if he went up? He went down into the hold of the ship and began to pray before God. After this—A.D. 70. Not long after—Israel collapsed. They were scattered throughout the world as wanderers. At that time, Paul began to send out the disciples of the synagogue he had prepared. It seems like a dreamlike story. Because God does it. But what I am telling you now is a historical fact.
3. Hold to the exact covenant.
Hold to the exact covenant. Before this year ends and before the New Year comes, hold to the exact covenant. As to which covenant you should hold, I will speak as a reference at the New Year time.
In October of ’87—October 1987—I came into Yeongdo. When I came, some of our early members were there—our deaconesses. I made one promise with them: “If our church carries out the gospel movement, God will be responsible for everything. If you and I are truly people who will carry out the gospel movement, God will bless our church.” I said that and began. Disciples are arising throughout the world.
I bless you in the name of Jesus Christ that you will hold to the sure covenant completely by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Let us pray.
Prayer. We thank You, God. Though it is a short time, let it be an important time. As we finish the year and enter the New Year, let us see God’s perfect covenant. Let us see the turning point in our lives. Now let us see the turning point in our church. And now work so that we can see the turning point for our posterity and for the world. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.