Prayer Meeting

How important is prayer? Jesus has much to say about prayer and teaches its importance by his own habit of prayer. He also teaches his disciples to pray, offering the Lord's Prayer as a model to follow. 

Someone has suggested that the types of prayers can be summed up as “Help”, “Thanks” and “Wow.” I would add “Listen” and “Melt me, Mold me, Fill me, Use me.” And “Forgive me.” Our "Help" prayers need to be for ourselves, our church and our world - specifically spelled out needs. God hears our prayers.

We’re to pray in private – for some time every day and at meals. We also need to pray together as a church. Prayer together is powerful. Here’s what Jesus says:

“If two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done to them by my Father who is in heaven. For when two or three have gathered together in my name, I am there in their midst.” Matthew 18:19-20

Have you ever been to your church prayer meeting? Jesus promised that every prayer meeting is filled with His Spirit! Are we passionate about praying for the needs of the church? The pastors and elders need our prayers. Our church services need to be bathed in prayer.

Are we passionate about praying for the needs of our missionaries? They lead difficult lives and may be persecuted or in danger. They need our prayers.

Do we pray for the needs of our country? We can pray specifically for the Supreme Court, for Congress, for specific bills or decisions they are about to make. Right now we must pray for the presidential election, that it will be orderly, honest, and peaceful and that the new president will unite our country.

Do we pray for the needs of our world? We can pray for Muslims to come to know Christ. Many are doing so. We can pray for our country to turn back to God; to return to the standards of morality God’s Word commands. We can pray for our unsaved family members.

Andy Stanley in his book Handle with Prayer says:

“We are to pray for the body of Christ – the church. We are responsible for praying for all the saints. (Eph. 6:18) One part of the body of Christ is under persecution. Another part is lukewarm. Another part is cold, having set aside the truth of the Word of God and doubting its authenticity. Still another part of the body is in financial need. We are to intercede for each part according to its specific needs, not just toss out a general request such as, “Bless the church.” We are to pray for all the saints, not just the group we are personally involved with.” Pg 115

Andrew Murray in his book With Christ in the School of Prayer says:

“Who can say what power a church could develop and exercise if it would assume the work of praying day and night for the coming of the Kingdom, for God’s power, or for the salvation of souls?.....God rules the world by the prayers of his saints…Prayer is the power by which Satan is conquered and through prayer the Church on earth has access to the powers of the heavenly world.” Pg 115

The world is standing in the need of prayer and so are we. Don’t miss the sweet hour of prayer available at your church weekly.

“If two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” Matt. 18:19-20 NASB

Blessings, Dottie

The Commands of Jesus

ASK THE LORD FOR HARVEST WORKERS

Matt. 9:35-38 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.”

Luke 10:2 ”The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.”

John 4:35  ”I tell you open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”

ASK THE LORD FOR HARVEST WORKERS

In Mathew’s gospel the context of this plea for workers gives many details: Jesus has been preaching and teaching the good news in many towns and he healed every disease and sickness. Yet in looking over the crowd he has compassion on them because they are “harassed and helpless” like lost sheep. The Message says “his heart broke” because they are “confused and aimless.” Jesus is moved because their spiritual needs are even more desperate than their need for physical healing. This is often true of us and our world. Aren’t today’s people in our nation as well as other nations “harassed and helpless?” Aren’t many “confused and aimless?” Aren’t our spiritual needs at the root of many of our troubles?

Jesus’ call for harvest workers is not as simple as I thought. He tells the disciples to PRAY to the Lord so he will send more workers. Jesus in effect is saying our prayers make a difference. Our prayers to God for workers are effective and result in people hearing God’s call. Are we called to be workers? We should first pray and then wait for God’s specific call on our lives. What does he want me to do? There is a great need for many workers to help our sin-sick world.

PRAYER FOR HARVEST WORKERS

Father, we need harvest workers to reach out to the hurting and lost people in the world who don’t know you. We pray, as Jesus commanded, Lord, send out workers. Show us how to impact others spiritually so they can come to know you. Show us the ways you want us to spread the good news and win disciples to you. We pray for the many missionaries and ministries around the world who reach lost and desperate people offering them food, water, shelter, and medical care as well as teaching them about you. Bless and empower them. May all Christians reflect your glory to the world so you can set them free. 

Blessings, Dottie