PRAY EARNESTLY by Pastor Jim
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The old story is told of the two angels God sent out to collect up the prayers. One angel was sent to collect the prayers of praise and thankfulness; the other was sent to gather in the prayers of requests and anxiety. The first came back with very few prayers but the second angel had to make several trips.
Scripture actually provides us with good insight regarding what keeps us from praying earnestly:
1. DOUBTING: “ask in faith without any doubting… let not that person expect that they will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded person, unstable in all their ways” (James 1:6-8)
2. DENYING DISCIPLESHIP: “Three times I prayed, that the thorn should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness.” (1 Corinthians 12:8-9)
3. DECLINING HUMILITY: “The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or this tax collector. I fast twice a week and tithe” (Luke 18:11-12)
For myself, I believe that God hears the prayers of the righteous and that He delights in providing for us. I believe that God performs all manner of miracles today; the greatest being the gift of eternal life. I am convinced that if someone truly desires to be part of a local church, then they will commit themselves to serious prayer, asking God for wisdom, provision and blessing upon all that He has called us to do.
You are one of these “laborers sent into His harvest”. (Matthew 9:38) It’s not just the staff, church officers, church council and comfort dog.
So, start praying for yourself and your work in His harvest also. If you are already praying like this, increase your time in prayer. You can never pray too much.
Lastly, ask others to pray for our ministry too. If you know anyone who is a strong person of prayer, share our monthly newsletter or our weekly Faith Forward! with them and ask them to add our church to their prayer list. We can never have too many people praying for the work God is calling us to do. Amen?
Your friend in Christ,
Pastor Jim