Most Presbyterians believe in prayer but many of us don’t pray well. The numbers of prayer meetings in churches are few and for the most part are not well attended. I remember the child’s finger play rhyme that parodies this.
‘This is the church.
This is the steeple.
Open the doors and look at how few people turned out to the Wednesday evening prayer meeting.’
In the church I pastor our focus is on becoming a people of prayer. We have a great deal to learn but we are on the way. We believe God can do great things in answer to prayer. As John Calvin, our church forebear put it: “Prayer is the key that unlocks the treasure chest of heaven.”
But when we pray do we really expect God to respond generously or do great things? Samuel the prophet urges the people to, “Fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.”
David’s Psalm 106:21 urges us also saying, “They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt.”
Jesus also reminds his followers of the great things they would be able to do as they looked to him in faith. John 14:12-14: “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name; so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”
We often forget that we, as God’s people, are to pray for and expect great things. Failing to do so is to have a failed faith. Someone has said that true faith is all about risk taking. I agree with that and would add that the risk taking also includes risky prayer. Authentic prayer must, of course, as the catechisms tell us, be prayer according to His will.
So we must develop the relationship that can know the heart of God and pray accordingly with expectation of fulfillment – that too seems a great risk to many. I can only say to fail to do it is an even greater risk.
It is looking to this faith commanded by Jesus. The Renewal Fellowship is inviting the whole church to join together this year to pray in earnestness and righteousness. (James 5 tells us that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.)
Renewal Fellowship plans to hold Presbyterian Prayer Summits across the country. What should we as Presbyterians pray for? More money, more people, more influence in our society? Perhaps, but let’s start with praying for more love for God and one another, and more openness to the renewal by the Holy Spirit. Let us ask God to enable us to develop holy character and integrity that people can count on. As we enter through Jesus into the fellowship of the Holy Trinity and present ourselves as living sacrifices to him we will be shown what specifically we are to pray for, and we will see more than we ever imagined come to pass. When we pray together the power of God is unleashed a hundredfold.
Perhaps God’s desire is this – that we become a people of prayer that reflects the vision of Zechariah 8:22-23: “And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord Almighty and to entreat Him. This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In those days 10 people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.'” It is my prayer that this vision for God’s people may become reflected in our life of prayer.
