Secret Police have already fired upon and killed demonstrators in nearby Timisoara. Would the Romanian army follow orders and fire on demonstrators here in Arad? A prayer said by hundreds of thousands helped the army commanders decide.
I have a huge request for this moment. I ask every soul here. This is my request. I have no other. I ask us all to get down on our knees and say the Lord's prayer. I ask all you souls in Romania. I ask you. I implore you. I implore you, please, please. Everyone on your knees.
Please, all of you, on your knees! We are humble before the face of God, humble yourself, on your knees!
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Arad declares Romania a Christian country! Hurray! Hurray!
The army allowed the demonstration to continue in Arad. The revolution swelled, and culminated 3 days later, on Christmas Day, with the ouster of romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. On that day, communism died in Romania.
Romanians who lived through those last days of 1989 say that prayer, individual and corporate, was critical.
As we reflect on those masses asking for God's Kingdom to come to their cities and country, we desire God's Kingdom to come and be expressed through five million new churches around the world.
Lord Jesus, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen.