Prayer for a real Party in Heaven

For the past 10 days Adventists around the world prayed for the inactive church members, and former believers. Today we begin 110 days of reaching out those in our community who have lost touch. As brother Renford Cole led the Prayer devotional last Wednesday night at the North Church he red from Luke 15 three stories about reasons for partying in heaven.

First there is a Shepherd who goes to look for one lost sheep. Verse 7 concludes that heaven will be happier over one lost sinner who returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away! Then there is a woman who uses light to find a coin lost in the house. Verse 10 suggests that there is joy in the presence of God's angels when even one sinner repents. Then the story of a prodigal son, with Father welcoming his return with music and dance celebration (verse 25).

There are three types of lost people: those who need to be found, who on their own cannot find their way back and need a shepherd to help them, those who are lost “in the house,” who fall through the cracks, who are still among the family of faith but are lost inside – they need the light of the Holy Spirit shone in their soul and mind; and there are many who chose to be lost and are capable of choosing to come back, sometimes it takes to hit the rock bottom before they repent. The Trinity story of Shepherd Christ, Light of the Holy Spirit, and Love of the Father shows how broad God’s acceptance is, shows that God uses all means to save those that are lost.

Those who never strayed away and stayed faithful need to join God in his joy for every one who repents, for every one who finds his/her way back. How conscious are we of people around us who are lost and need a guide, who are in a need of teaching and mentoring to bring them back into the fold? How conscious are we of people who are still among us but their spiritual zeal has disappeared? Do we see people in our churches who need the Experience of the Holy Spirit? What about those who come back on their own? How do we treat those who are returning to faith?

You know many who had been at one time members of our church family, you know the youth who are living in London and chose not to come to the church, spending the inheritance of values that their parents placed in their early years, you know people who are coming from Sabbath to Sabbath but are in need of growth, in need of spiritual enlightening – pray for them, call them up, visit them, let them know that we care, individually.

This type of prayer and ministry will result in causing party in heaven, for every renewed person. Think of it this way: you seeking the lost is building God’s Kingdom and throwing celebration party for whole heaven! How about that as a reason for Prayer meetings?