Imagine a complete power grid failure in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico during one of the hottest summers on record. Doesn’t sound fun, does it? But that’s exactly what happened to Northern India.
On July 30th, 2012, North India’s energy crises cascaded across the country when three regional power grids collapsed, leaving over 600 million people without electricity in the sweltering heat. More people lost power than the combined population of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Certainly it’s tough to brave the New Delhi heat with temperatures in the upper 90’s and a relative humidity of over 80%, but that was the least of their problems. Local electric trains were thwarted, the Metro rail was stopped, traffic lights went dark, coal miners were trapped underground, and commerce was brought to a standstill. A story even emerged of interrupted cremations, leaving bodies half burned in limbo.
Whether in India, Europe, or the Americas, our civilizations rely on power for everyday life. When the power is stripped away, our lives come to a screeching halt.
I’m reminded that both Jesus and Paul spoke about power being central to the Christian life. Jesus said,
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” Acts 1:8 CSB
Paul says this about power:
“[our] faith might not be based on men’s wisdom but on God’s power.” 1 Corinthians 2:5 CSB
So many Christians live a life with a failed power grid. I don’t mean to suggest that God’s power has failed us. By no means! I’m only suggesting that, at times, we fail to access the source of power given to us—that is, prayer!
Samuel Chadwick said this:
The one concern of the Devil is to keep the saints from praying. He fears nothing from prayer-less studies, prayer-less work, prayer-less religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.