A New Year Challenge
From the front cover of Scriptures, from the index to the maps, we are introduced to a foreign being Who is God. We find in those pages His created people encountering Him in a strange mode called prayer.
Prayer is not natural. People may come into this world with a quickly discovered desire to speak and walk to interact with the environment/society successfully, but none of us come into this world with a desire to interact with the unseen spiritual world. With great trial and error, we are taught and learn to interact with it.
Those who have grown up prior to us have taught us to pray. From early childhood, parents have tucked their little ones into bed and listened to their prayers which were repeated lyrical phrases easy to remember and recite: “Now I lay me down to sleep…bless Mommy and Daddy and Sister and Brother…”
We are all grown up now. Our prayer life should reflect the deeper reality and relationship with God the Father through Jesus the Son. Jesus taught us to pray, “Father Who art in Heaven…” We understand prayer is more about wanting His will to be done.
Prayer is the way we personally and relationally connect with our creator and Lord. We hear in Scripture that we don’t have because we don’t ask. I think that we have the asking think “down pat.” We ask for all the things we’re worried about…the crisis points of our lives – finances, family relationships, car and home repairs, etc. I wonder, however, what percentage of our prayers are for kingdom stuff?
For 2023 I’m suggesting that all who would commit to it, would add to their prayer efforts one more thing. What would happen if most of the members of BBBC would commit to praying for 1 year every day for each name on our church directory. Not just the sick ones. To pray for the deepening and strengthening of their spiritual brother’s and sisters’ personal relationship and experience with God and the Church.
This is in addition to any other prayer disciplines currently being practiced. Continue to pray for all the sick, injured, widowed and elderly. At a separate and dedicated time spend time going through the directory and praying for each person by name – for their growth and walk with the Lord. Spend whatever extra time may be needed on individuals that trigger your compassion.
This will be like daily prayer-walking the church membership. This is not a new year’s resolution. This is a commitment to hold the church up before God for spiritual growth, protection and scriptural enlightenment. It is done in anticipation of a personal and overall increase in the awareness of His moving and working among us. Ask Him for that and let’s see what happens.
To complete that effort, begin to think of one person you want to come to know Jesus and commit to praying everyday for their salvation. You may have to ask God to show you someone. You might ask God for opportunities for you to share Jesus with him or her. You might ask God to soften his or her heart. You might ask God to send others to present the truth of Jesus to him or her. You can think about it as your 1 person. It is the answer to the question: “Who’s your one?”
Let me know that you will commit to this and to what frequency of prayer you are committing. You may want to start with once a week to get the hang of it and then let it build to twice a week and then three times…and so on.
“The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:5b-7
Pastor Stephen
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