Let's Become a House of Prayer
As a small congregation, we are limited in resources; both in finances and manpower. As loving people committed to God, however, we should not focus on our limitations, but should instead look at our capabilities.
Instead of being known as that quiet well-meaning little church, we should seek to be known as that church where they really love to pray, We can and should strive to be a house of prayer for all people-for all nations. That is a reasonable and reachable goal for us.
Our pastor has returned to us with a greater passion for prayer than ever. He is sharing that renewed vigor with us and encouraging us to follow his lead. Persistent, fervent prayer is the only path if we seek revival.
We have been looking at a version of Saint Patrick's breastplate prayer. The thrust of that prayer is seeking Christ's presence with us at all times, in all circumstances. If we have that constant divine presence, we no longer need to dwell on the temporal problems the world burdens us with.
Scripture instructs us to "abide in me". Unfortunately, we haven't yet learned how to abide in Jesus all the day long on every day. We strive to, but we are distracted by the world, and often by our own efforts. We need to be constantly restored and renewed in Jesus.
I would like to share these excerpts of prayer from John Eldredge's "Walking With God" that I think go hand in hand with Saint Patrick's prayer and that we can assuredly pray for ourselves:
"My dear Lord Jesus, I come to you now to be restored in you, to be renewed in you, to receive your love and life, to take refuge in you. I honor you as my Sovereign, and I surrender every aspect of my life totally and completely to you. I give you my body, soul, and spirit; my heart, mind, and will. I cover myself with your blood, and I ask your Holy Spirit to restore my union with you, renew me in you, and lead me in this time of prayer. I bring the kingdom of God and the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ over my home, all through the hours of this day. And in the authority of Jesus Christ I bring the full work of Jesus between me and all people now-their spirits, souls, and bodies. I summon the angels of the Lord Jesus Christ and ask them to build a shield of protection around me and my home. I ask your Spirit to fill my home with your presence and to go forth and raise up prayer and intercession for me this day."
When we fix our eyes on our Lord Jesus and dedicate our days to him in prayer, we will see transformation in our lives. When we do this as a church as the body of Christ, we will see a transformation in our community.
Ephesians 6:18-19 (TNIV) says, "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people."
