1. Luke 4:40
   When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.
   Luke 4:39-41 (in Context) Luke 4 (Whole Chapter)
2. Acts 8:18
   When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money
   Acts 8:17-19 (in Context) Acts 8 (Whole Chapter)
3. 1 Timothy 5:22
   Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
   1 Timothy 5:21-23 (in Context) 1 Timothy 5 (Whole Chapter)
4. 2 Timothy 1:6
   For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
   2 Timothy 1:5-7 (in Context) 2 Timothy 1 (Whole Chapter)
5. Hebrews 6:2
   instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
   Hebrews 6:1-3 (in Context) Hebrews 6 (Whole Chapter)

On October 29th of this year, several Christians went to lay hands on the statue of the Wall Street Bull. Their actions raised a few eyebrows, to-say-the-least, but I have yet to find a story that explains what they were doing and why without a mocking, accusatory tone and references to worshiping golden calves.

Laying on of hands has a very specific and biblical purpose (see the above referenced scripture from Bible Gateway) However, see the 3rd one down? 1 Timothy 5:22. Were the people who went to the Wall Street Bull being hasty?

1 Corinthians 8:13
Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.

Do you know why this verse cautions the apostles against eating meat? It wasn’t because Paul thought they should all be vegetarians. No. It was because some Christians were eating meat that had been offered up to pagan gods. Unbelievers as well as baby Christians, those new to the faith who sometimes get confused and get things wrong (we’ve all been there) thought that those who were eating the meat were also worshiping the pagan gods to whom the meat had been offered. Not so. The mature Christians were all, ‘hey, meat is meat and I like a good BBQ.’ They didn’t care where the meat came from because they knew it had no power nor did the gods to whom it was being offered. They were not sinning by eating the meat.

Fast forward to 2008 and a handful of enthusiastic believers head to an inanimate object, lay hands on it to pray and all of a sudden they are idol worshiping pagans. Not so. This is the thing about the internet and media in general that can be so frustrating. Anyone with internet access and an opinion can write an article without checking the facts. I think it just gives mean people with a limited vocabulary a chance to be intolerant and call those they hate, names in a feeble and unimaginative attempt at being clever. It is clear by reading this poorly written articles just how little the writer’s understood about what the Christians were trying to do. Some of the articles I read even referenced each other as a source without bringing fresh perspective into play. Well, here, read what Cindy Jacobs was really trying to do. I applaud the fact that not only was she willing to do more about the economic situation than just sit around and complain about it, but she was also rallying other believers to get involved and to be more pro-active. I think that, because of where we are as a nation and where the majority of people are in their faith, this may not have been the best way to go. I’m all for prayer. I’m all for laying on of hands, but when it comes across as religious hocus pocus and opens up Christianity for more ridicule and persecution, the plan was not executed as well as it could have been.

Prayer Needed for Global Economies

By Ivorie Anthony
The 700 Club

CBN.com – WALL STREET

In January of this year, Cindy Jacobs was in a worship service when the Lord spoke to her, “Cindy, the strongman over America doesn’t live in Washington, DC – the strongman lives in New York City! Call My people to pray for the economy.”

This word so shook Cindy; she knew she had to call the people of God to converge on New York City the week of October 29 for an emergency prayer rally to cry out against economic collapse in the midst of shaking. Read full article HERE

Dear Intercessors,

As the 2008 elections approach and economic uncertainties abound, the Lord is calling His people to be proactive and tactical in their intercession. In response to the call of the Lord, I am issuing two days of focused prayer, the first being A Day of Prayer for the World’s Economies, taking place October 29, 2008.

A Day of Prayer for the World’s Economies is centered around strategic prayer for the markets, banks and financial institutions of the world. As you know, October 29th marks the day that the stock market of the United States crashed in 1929, birthing a grave economic depression. Read article Here

Also, here is a link to go to the prayers Cindy recommended for Oct. 29th. I think they are things that we all could incorporate into our prayer life to help us be a bit more proactive instead of reactive. LINK

Last, but not least, remember to pray for the president elect. Also, the electoral part of the vote still has not been counted. Nothing is official until after November 15th. We can still pray for a different out come of the election.