From the pulpit, our pastor asked a simple question of the congregation, “How do you describe our church when people inquire about us?”
My mind began to reel with pride as I thought, “Oh yeah, I’ve got this one.” I often share with others how we are involved with missions, community outreach, and the meeting of people’s needs. Many times I have expressed my appreciation for our pastor’s ability to communicate God’s Word to us. I’ve made known the impact of both our men and lady’s ministries, not to mention our marvelous youth and children’s departments.
I should know my pastor well enough to have realized he was setting us up. He then asked, “How many of you describe us as a church that prays?”
I’m sure there were many deflated egos present… just like mine. Quite frankly, in a day where it seems each local church must compete for memberships by offering every program from sports to pizza night, who would try to entice someone with the statement, “We pray.”
Our pastor mercilessly continued to burst my bubble with the answer, “The early church would have… Paul would have… Jesus would have.”
Paul wrote to the believers in Thessalonica, “pray without ceasing (1 Thes. 5:17).” The command and not suggestion he gives is for believers to remain in communion with God.
Why wouldn’t we first and foremost identify ourselves as a people who pray? The early church was marked by the fact that they were a praying church (Acts 2:42).
Brian, the author at Summathetes provides an interesting take on this here, here, and here.
Consider these thoughts. When we rely upon our own efforts, we get what we can do. When we rely upon prayer, we get what God can do! Who is counting on your faithful prayers today?
ccragamuffin
mtsweat
A church that prays is a church that grows in God’s good time. Thanks, Michael. God bless. Carley
Very true Carley. Thanks friend and God bless you also.
Good point. All the activities of a Church would be useless if not immersed in prayer. Above all we should be a praying people. (But I wouldn’t use this as an introduction to the Church with some people)
Amen friend. You are right… prayer is our lifeline. Thanks and God bless.
Great post! Again it is so like us to focus on the good things instead of the great things which is God’s best! Blessings to you, and may you and your local church grow and thrive!
Wow, that’s very true… good rather than great. Thanks
Awesome!! I’m totally blessed. If we could do nothing else, pray could sustain us.
Thanks Kevin. God bless, friend
Living and walking in God’s HOly Word as a church should automatically bring us to His altar to join together in prayer.
Good thoughts here…as I think that being a praying church would not be one of the things I would say about our church, although we are. I tend to say we are loving, and that is true, but payer ought to be in their for sure.
Blessings
Thanks for reading, and your response friend. God bless.
I love the picture. I have a suit just like that. :>)
Talk about conviction! Thank you for these thoughts. And you just reminded me of some people I said I would pray for. Now I must follow through.,
Yeah, I know Steven. These things are always geared toward me though. I need to do the same. God bless