Paul’s Prayer For The Church

Folks have some strange ideas about prayer. Some folks do not have the slightest idea of what prayer is.

Illus: This reminds me of Karin Wotten of Ocala, Florida who tells about the opening exercises of their Vacation Bible School, when they asked for volunteers to pray. One morning, a first grader enthusiastically waved his hand. Running to the front, he took a big breath as everyone bowed their heads and closed their eyes, quietly waiting before his voice boomed through the microphone. He said, "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America ..." (Karin C. Wooten, Ocala, Florida. Christian Reader, "Kids of the Kingdom.")

Some children probably have a better concept of prayer than most adults.

Illus: The Vacation Bible School teacher, surrounded by her group of first graders, proposed a letter-writing project. Each child was asked to write to a friend. Six-year-old Lance produced the following letter in his childish print:

“Dear Jesus,

I like to go to Bible School. I like to play with the kids. I am a good boy.

P.S. Tell the angels hello.”

( Beverly A. Flaten, Williston, ND. Christian Reader, "Lite Fare.)

Many times we use prayer as a substitute for doing good.

Illus: C.S. Lewis said this about prayer; “I am often, I believe, praying for others when I should be doing things for them. It's so much easier to pray for a bore than to go and see him.” (C. S. Lewis in Letters to Malcolm. Christianity Today, Vol. 37, no. 10.)

You can measure the spirituality of an individual or a church when you consider what part prayer has in their life.

Illus: Before the term “mega church” was ever conceived, C. H. Spurgeon was pastor of one in the heart of London, England.

When he was just twenty years of age, the New Park Street Church in London called him to be their pastor. God began to move in the midst of that church, and soon people were coming in such large numbers that the church building couldn’t hold them.

In fact, Spurgeon did something that probably no other pastor has ever done, that is, he asked his saved church members if they would stay home to make room for the many sinners that were coming.

They later constructed a new building — the Metropolitan Tabernacle — which seated 6,000 people, which was unheard of in that day, and they filled it twice every Sunday.

For thirty-one years, he filled the Metropolitan Tabernacle twice on Sunday and hundreds and hundreds of people came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ each year and were baptized.

Charles Spurgeon, who is referred to by many as the prince of preachers, would have been the first to tell you that the source of the churches strength and success wasn’t in any special program or new idea, nor was it in the words that he preached.

There was a greater source of strength. So what was it that gave this church its power?

Illus: Five young college students who were preparing for the pastoral ministry, visited the Metropolitan Tabernacle to hear Charles Spurgeon speak. While waiting for the church doors to open, Charles Spurgeon himself approached them and asked if they would like to see the powerhouse of this great church.

The soon to be preachers were delighted to see the secret to the power of this church.

Spurgeon led them through a long hallway, down a stairway, and cautiously opened a door at the bottom.

What the five young men saw astonished them. Looking through this open doorway, they saw about 700 church members bowed in prayer asking God for His blessing on the upcoming service. “That,” said Spurgeon “is our powerhouse!”

That is the powerhouse of the church today. When God’s people began to pray, the hand of God began to move among the believers. But what made this prayer so great is that you can see that Paul had a desire for this church.

If you found a “genie” in a bottle and were granted three wishes that were bound to come true, what would you ask for?

Illus: Have you heard the story of a young man who found a “genie” in a bottle? This young adult is walking down the beach and comes across an old bottle. He picks it up, pulls out the cork and out pops a genie.

The genie says, "Thank you for freeing me from the bottle. In return I will grant you three wishes." The man says, "Great! I always dreamed of this and I know exactly what I want. First, I want one billion dollars in a Swiss bank account." Poof! There is a flash of light and a piece of paper with account numbers appears in his hand. He continues, "Next, I want a brand new red Ferrari right here." Poof! There is a flash of light and a bright red brand-new Ferrari appears right next to him. He continues, "Finally, I want to be irresistible to women." Poof! There is a flash of light and he turns into a box of chocolates.