Something I've asked again and again

John Armstrong, through the comment of a friend, posts today about something that has bothered me for years: Why are we so hesitant to really pray in our meetings? Why do we relegate prayer to 60 seconds to start the meeting and 30 seconds to close? Here is the post from Brother Armstrong's blog:

August 18, 2006
Why Do We Find Prayer So Unimportant to Our Meetings?
A friend wrote me today and shared the following account in his letter. His comments, and the question that he poses, are worth both worth consideration by anyone who professes love for Christ and his kingdom. Here is what my friend wrote:

"The other evening I opened our board meeting with a heartfelt prayer, something that I haven’t done in a while in a board meeting context. I have shared with the other board members the passion that God has been giving me for more prayer, and that we need to set aside as much time as we can and as often as we can to pray, so as to see the hand of God move in our lives, and in the lives of those we serve. Anyhow, as our evening ended (and on time) one of the executive staff members leaned over to our director as he was about to close in prayer and stated “Hey, just make sure you don’t pull one of those ‘preacher prayers’ like our friend over here, because it’s been a long night and I am ready to go.” He smiled as he looked over at me, and one other gentleman laughed, but I did not.
Why do I share this John? I am in so many Christian gatherings and board meetings and it seems that without fail we almost always tolerate real praying. Praying, in so many settings, seems like a bookend to a meeting or seminar, period."

Are we so dull spiritually that prayer, earnest and serious prayer, is something we can dispense with or leave to professional ministers? I fear the truth of an honest answer might well reveal the paucity of our true spirituality in far too many ministry settings. Next time your group meets ask the question: "What does prayer reveal about our trust in God alone?"
*******************************************

Recently I was very blessed to hear the testimony of a church in the iron range of Minnesota regarding their prayer life. I have had the privilege to have a small part in encouraging prayer there. The pastor reported that one evidence of renewed commitment to prayer is that when groups meet, they spend a great deal of time in prayer. This was sweet music to my ears.

Ben Patterson, who wrote the wonderful book Deepening Your Conversation with God, tells of introducing an hour of prayer into the Elder meetings of his church. These meetings tended to go long, into the night. His Elders were shocked -- our meetings are already too long, and you want to add an hour of worship and prayer? But, Patterson says, as soon as they began to open their meetings with an hour of worship and prayer, the meetings got SHORTER. Why? Time with God brings so many things into focus! Our priorities are not the same.

After all, whose wisdom will most greatly impact your next committee meeting? Yours, or God's?

Thank You to Gary Clark

After two years of leadership of the Prayer First Advisors, Pastor Gary Clark recently stepped down. This group helps me stay on track, advises, and was crucial in the launch of our Prayer Champions ministry.

Thank you, Gary! You were in on the gathering at Fresno where we evaluated and dreamed of a greater ministry for Prayer First. You shepherded us through the planning and launch of both the Advisors and Prayer Champions, including excellent and inspiring Champions meetings in Denver (Henry Blackaby) and St. Paul (Dee Duke). You were a great help to me these two years, and I sincerely thank you.

Now Bryan Moak will step into the Chair role. He is Executive Pastor at Berean Baptist Church, Mansfield, OH. Bryan is a superb worship leader, whose gifts have touched thousands. But he is also an excellent ministry leader, and we look forward to his help the next time our Prayer First Advisors group meets, November 30-December 1.

the power of simply praying for people

In July our family pointed the old Grand Caravan toward Warm Springs, GA, and our third time at this Joni and Friends Family Retreat and fifth JAF retreat overall. We noted, but didn't take a photo, of the van passing up the 150,000 mile marker on the odometer. Despite age and scarred beauty, the old car handled Monteagle Pass in Tennessee with ease, plus every other mountain climb, and didn't even flinch in the 96 degree heat with high humidity. We did add some oil!

For the third year I served as Retreat Pastor, speaking daily to the adults and helping provide an overall theme for the week. Under the thematic banner of Amazin' Adventure: In Search of the Saviour, I took up the theme verses from Jeremiah 29, plus additional messages of Christ the Treasure, Christ the Light of the World, and God's resources for Living in the Light. My wife and two of my daughters also served, while my eldest daughter enjoyed the fellowship with so many friends and peers in the world of disability.

Also for the third year, Christa and I provided time daily for prayer ministry. An individual or couple could sign up for a time slot, and we would meet with them, listen, and pray. My point with this post is to remind you of the significant power of simply praying for people. By 'power' I don't mean power in the signs and wonders sense (though neither am I discounting that he is able to do amazing things). I mean it in the sense of the incredible impact and joy when we pray with people in need. This kind of prayer is often neglected: all too often we think of it as a clergyman's duty. Ridiculous! God has given to believers the privilege of coming to his throne of grace. All believers, not just pastors. And when we bring people in need before that throne, there is mercy and grace for their need, and there is delight in the love unleashed in doing so. Praying for folks who are hurting is a very practical means of showing the love of Christ. It is in the very doing a testimony of our faith in Christ and confidence in God's grace and help. Here is a very simple acronym I have often used to train Christians to pray for someone in need. I call it H*A*B*I*T prayer, as in "make it a habit to pray for others around you."

H -- Honor God. Begin with a simple sentence or two of praise and adortation to God for His glory. Thank him for saving you through the cross of Jesus Christ, and giving you the amazing privilege of entering his throne room to pray.

A -- Ask specifically. Bring the person's need to the throne of grace. It is critical that you listen carefully to what the person has said, so that you can pray for them specifically rather than generally. It is disappointing to pour your heart out to someone, then have them pray as if they didn't hear a single word you said.

B -- Bless. Ask God to bless them in ways other than just the specific item prayed earlier. If the person is not a Christian, pray for their spiritual life and awakening to God's grace through Jesus Christ. If you know them well and other aspects of their life, ask God's blessing. "Lord, I ask your blessing on Ted's wife and children as well. Give him wisdom in his business...etc." If you do not know them, simply ask God to pour his blessing into every aspect of life, especially their spiritual life in Jesus Christ.

I -- In Jesus' name. We come to God in prayer only because of Jesus Christ, who gave his life for us, and opened the way for us into the Holy of holies.

T -- Touch as appropriate. If it is appropriate, take the person's hand when you pray for them, or put a hand on their shoulder, whatever seems appropriate to the situation. Take care with this. We should be neither inappropriately "touchy feely" nor cold and "hands off" as if we might catch something.

More could be said on each of these. But that can be at another time. My point today is to ask you, "Do you seize on the opportunities God gives you to pray for those in need who surround you every day?" If you don't, you are missing out on a golden opportunity to communicate with God and communicate to others the love of God.

This year at Joni and Friends Retreat, we heard again reports of answered prayer from last year's prayer ministry. Praise God. He hears and answers prayer. We serve a risen Saviour.