Most every professing believer of Christ would agree that prayer is both a privilege and a responsibility. Apart from the incredible grace of God through Jesus’ atoning work, we would have no opportunity to approach God in prayer. God has taken up residence in regenerate followers of Christ in the person of the Holy Spirit who intercedes on our behalf before the Father. The Scripture says that He searches our inner most being and prays to the Father in ways that we cannot. That’s a wonderful privilege we take for granted far too often.
Prayer is also a responsibility that we have in our walk with the Lord. Thessalonians instructs us to pray without ceasing. Luke 18:1 states that Jesus taught His followers that they should pray at all times and not give up. It is as important to our spirit as air is to our bodies. Prayer is the means by which we stop depending upon ourselves and surrender to the power of God only. A lamp will remain cold and dark if it is not plugged into an electric outlet. In like fashion, a Christian will remain powerless without prayer. Prayerless and powerless Christians make prayerless and powerless churches.
This fall, The Gathering returns to offer a season of focused prayer. Beginning August 14 at 5 pm, we will gather together in the Worship Center on Sunday evenings. Each week will be different from the others in how we pray. Some weeks we may pray together as a large group. Some weeks we may break out into small groups. Some weeks we may have a season of prayer. Some weeks we may have certain folks who will lead our prayers. Some weeks we may include a song or songs of praise and worship. Some weeks we may sit together in quiet meditation.
I believe it is going to be an exciting time as we continue to sharpen the gospel message, see the mission around us, and be faithful to our mandate. Let us pray together that God will use these opportunities to renew us and to make us eternally significant in our world.
I love you folks,
Pastor Jerry