American Reformation Church Prayer Journal 66
ARC Prayer Meeting:
F.B. Meyer, the author of a little book called “The Secret of Guidance” wrote, "The great tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but un-offered prayer."
Instead of it being something we do everyday, like breathing, we can end up treating prayer like "break and open in case of emergency." This is why so many associate prayer with crises in our life instead of a lifestyle. A great example of that scenario was featured in my favorite film of all times; It’s A Wonderful Life. It starred Jimmy Stewart.
George Bailey is at a bar deeply troubled in his soul and utters a prayer. By the way, this was not originally scripted in the film. The character Bailey prays, “Dear Father in heaven. I'm not a praying man, but if you're up there and you can hear me, show me the way. I'm at the end of my rope. Show me the way, God."
Notice his honesty that he is not a praying man. Most would fall into that category, even ministers. Second, he is in dire straits and perhaps for the first time he wonders, God, are you there? Do you see me? Can you hear me? Can you help me? Do you even care to help me? Can you deliver me out of this mess, direct my path, guide my affairs, and show me the way? We all know the conclusion of the matter. Through a series of events, Bailey breaks and cries out to live again. All’s well that ends well.
The problem with prayer in the church is it is largely talked about or preached about, but few Christians actually practice prayer as a lifestyle. The Apostle Paul knew the necessity of prayer and understood its power when effectively exercised in the church. He declared, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.”
In the original language it says, "Continue steadfastly in prayer." The word translated, "continue steadfastly," is one word in the original language. It can be translated, "persist in, adhere firmly to, or remain devoted to or to give unremitting care to." It carries with it the idea of dedication.
Just as we should devote ourselves to the Lord, we should also dedicate ourselves to prayer. George Muller, known as one of the greatest prayer warriors of all times had this to say about persistence in prayer, “It is a common temptation of Satan to make us give up the reading of the Word and prayer when our enjoyment is gone; as if it were of no use to read the scriptures when we do not enjoy them, and as if it were no use to pray when we have no spirit of prayer. The truth is that, in order to enjoy the Word, we ought to continue to read it, and the way to obtain a spirit of prayer is to continue praying. The less we read the Word of God, the less we desire to read it, and the less we pray, the less we desire to pray."
Jesus wants us to pray always and faint not (Luke 18:1).
