Boasting in Weakness

Small beginnings eventually affect entire communities. When my father, David Wilkerson, started a church in Times Square, Manhattan, the main area on 42nd Street was a darkened mess. Every few feet, one could see a drug dealer, a prostitute, or a porn theater.

My dad’s approach to any ministry was always to begin in prayer, and he asked me to lead a Friday night prayer meeting at the church. Those first meetings drew 20 to 30 people. We faithfully cried out for God to bring change to the city. Over time, our meetings grew to almost 800 people.

As we lifted our voices in prayer, God placed a burden on our hearts for 42nd Street. Soon, we noticed changes taking place, like fewer drug addicts and prostitutes. One by one the porn theaters closed. Finally, a developer came in and bought up property, completely changing 42nd Street. I believe this is partly due to a praying people who believed God would do great things.

The first effect of a godly testimony is the building up of our faith; the second is the building up of others’ faith. “I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down” (2 Corinthians 10:8, NLT). In essence, Paul says, “Not only did God work mightily through my life, but his work through me is meant to stir up your faith to greater works.” Our faith is contagious. It builds up the faith of others to engage in greater acts of boldness.

Our testimony will never result from our own strength, zeal, or effort. We see evidence of this in Paul’s same letter: “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness” (2 Corinthians 11:30, ESV). If we lean on our strengths, our testimony will lose its power; but the more we acknowledge our inability and have faith in God’s ability, the more God’s power will rest on us. “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).