The growth rates of a certain sect does not mean that they are more godly or correct than anyone else. In fact it may indicate just the opposite. Scratching itchy ears does seem to attract a lot of people. Then again there is the situation of islam which is supposedly the fastest growing religious group at present even though much of their growth is due to force and not true conversions.
I believe that any two people can invoke the power of the Holy Spirit.
The word invoke simply means : to petition for help or support. So in this aspect yes this can be true even of one person. It does not mean that we can necessarily call forth some supernatural power that would be therefore in our control to do with as we wish. We ask and God provides the answer according to His will even though the answer may not be according to our desires.
I believe that if any 2 people ask God for anything that is good in the name of Jesus Christ it will be granted even though the people who asking for the
miracles are not necessarily going to heaven.
Let's turn to scripture to see what it has to say on this subject.
Psa 66:16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
Psa 66:17 I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
Psa 66:18
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: Psa 66:19 But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
Pro 1:28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
Pro 1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
Pro 1:30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
Pro 1:31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
Pro 1:32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
Pro 1:33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
Jer 7:13 And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not;
Jer 7:14 Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh.
Jer 7:15 And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim.
Jer 7:16 Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee.
Zec 7:13 Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:
Jas 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
1Pe 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
God makes up His own mind about whose prayers He will answer. It is certainly not up to us. God knows each of our hearts and our motives when we pray to Him. Beyond all doubt He will do what is right and just. Surely we realize that none of us are perfect. If we had to be perfect in order for God to hear our prayers then none of them would be heard. I am also sure that He hears the sinner earnestly crying out for forgiveness.
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