“It’s prayer time!” I have no doubt in my mind that these words were spoken shortly after Jesus ascended to His Father in heaven. No doubt! I have good reason for believing this. I took a moment just before I started writing to once again capture in my heart and mind the events of Ascension Day (see Acts 1). Angels were there, the disciples were there, which added up to 120 followers of Christ. God’s Word tells us that they “went up into an upper room.” Then it says, “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.” For me this is gripping! Why? Jesus has just left them!!! But they have each other and they have prayer! Powerful!!! We have each other and we also have prayer available to us! Wednesday evenings is our time to gather with each other and pray. First century disciples of Jesus got it right. They prayed! Let’s get it right! Let’s follow their example… Let’s pray together and let the Lord touch our hearts as He touched theirs! Make no mistake about it; corporate prayer is crucial for the life of every church. Let’s pray!
John Stott once wrote, “I remember some years ago visiting a church incognito. I sat in the back row. . . . When we came to the pastoral prayer, it was led by a lay brother, because the pastor was on holiday. So he prayed that the pastor might have a good holiday. Well, that’s fine. Pastors should have good holidays. Second, he prayed for a lady member of the church who was about to give birth to a child that she might have a safe delivery, which is fine. Third, he prayed for another lady who was sick, and then it was over. That’s all there was. It took 20 seconds. I said to myself, it’s a village church with a village God. They have no interest in the world outside. There was no thinking about the poor, the oppressed, the refugees, the places of violence, world evangelization.” Let’s not let this happen at Grace Church. Let’s pray!
I am looking forward to seeing you tonight! From 6:30-7:30 we will be praying together in our church sanctuary. This Sunday I will continue in John 17. Sunday’s crowd responded well to the message! I thank the Lord for that! Let me encourage you to be here. Be in your place… bring a friend and expect the Lord to work in your life. Be faithful… let’s have a “Summer Bump” and not a “Summer Slump!” Be faithful, Jesus was!
Jude 1:24 Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.
Praying Together!
Mike and Cheryl <><