MAKING PRAYER MEETING EVEN MORE INTERESTING

Last week’s Prayer meeting circle expanded again.  And the sharing time was especially warm.  I felt and knew the Presence of the Spirit was with and among us.

This series of blogs was prompted by a line I read in the writings of Ellen G. White where she says that “the prayer meetings should be the most interesting gatherings that are held.” And it made me wonder “how.”  What would it take for it to be reality?  Last week I shared that the advice she gives is that every person must take a responsibility for this, and our own prayer life, with which we begin our days is the key, staying tuned into what God is doing in our lives prepares us for prayer of thanksgiving and testimony.  Interesting people having interesting things happen make interesting prayer meeting!

Today I like to bring to bring to you the rest of the statement, where she warns about lack of concern about prayer meetings and the substitute formality that exists in many churches.  She says that many prayer meetings are “frequently poorly managed. Many attend preaching, but neglect the prayer meeting. Here, again, thought is required. Wisdom should be sought of God, and plans should be laid to conduct the meetings so that they will be interesting and attractive. The people hunger for the bread of life. If they find it at the prayer meeting they will go there to receive it.  Long, prosy talks and prayers are out of place anywhere, and especially in the social meeting. Those who are forward and ever ready to speak are allowed to crowd out the testimony of the timid and retiring. Those who are most superficial generally have the most to say. Their prayers are long and mechanical. They weary the angels and the people who listen to them. Our prayers should be short and right to the point. Let the long, tiresome petitions be left for the closet, if any have such to offer. Let the Spirit of God into your hearts, and it will sweep away all dry formality.”  (Testimonies to the Church, Volume 4.  p. 70,  1881)

A few years later she wrote “the empty seats in our prayer meetings testify that Christians do not realize the claims of God upon them; they do not realize their duty to make these meetings interesting and successful. They go over a monotonous, wearisome round, and return to their home unrefreshed, unblessed.” (Review & Herald, April 22, 1884)

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It’s simple and easy to understand.

Letting the Spirit of God into our lives is the main ingredient to interesting prayer and life.

MAKING PRAYER MEETING INTERESTING

This past Wednesday I share some thoughts from writings of Ellen G. White with people about our prayer meetings.  The reflections are so important to me that I will include those principles in my blogs over the next couple of weeks.

First, the success of prayer meeting begins long before one attends it.  At the beginning of each day “before leaving home, go to God in secret prayer. Plead with Him for His blessing, and He who ‘sees in secret, shall reward thee openly.’ With your heart softened by the love of Jesus, go to the meeting, feeling that you are personally responsible for its success. If but few attend, you should feel under double responsibility. You are in the service of God, and should do what you can with your talent, tact, and skill to make His worship interesting.”(Signs of the Times,  Dec. 4, 1884.)

Just pause here and think, when we pray and seek experience with God daily, we will experience His work in our lives, we will see, understand and will be blessed to overflow, our hearts will be filled with testimonies of God’s glory.  When a person with such experience shows up at any meeting, and takes personal responsibility for giving God the glory, all will be blessed!

On another occasion she wrote that the purpose for our “prayer and social meetings should be seasons of special help and encouragement. Each one has a work to do to make these gatherings as interesting and profitable as possible... This can best be done by having a fresh experience daily in the things of God, and by not hesitating to speak of His love in the assemblies of His people.” (Southern Watchman, March 7, 1905)

Again, notice the emphasis on daily fresh experience, and decisive attitude of taking initiative, not faltering, not hesitating, not waiting for others to do, but instigating sharing and praise!  Also, note the emphasis on each one being responsible!

As you come out to the mid-week prayer gathering of believers in our House of Prayer here, start preparing for it now!

REPENTANCE, RENEWAL, REVIVAL

Last Sabbath I shared with you about a time in our church history when pioneers would meet at the House of Prayer and earnestly confessed their sins of indifference, neutrality, lackadaisical attitude, discussing among themselves the uncomfortable possibility that they were Laodicean!  From 1855 to 1860 they, Early Adventists, literally called themselves Laodicean church.

The Laodicean picture of Jesus knocking on the door led many to cry out, thanking for a reminder for humility and rededication.  A genuine revival began as people said “I open the door of my heart, Lord Jesus, come in!”  Those who were accepting the call for revival cleared away the rubbish, overcoming selfishness, criticism, hatred, they marched together in harmony, but not in their own strength, they agonized in prayer for God’s deliverance!  Our church was known for “wet cheeks” and “shining faces.” 

Last Wednesday night there were about 30 people in the church Prayer meeting as the Community Service volunteers came and joined in.  Some commented excitedly about how good it is to see the prayer meeting growing.  We noted that it was the eve of Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of Ten Days of Awe, or feast of Trumpets, days of repentance leading to the Day of Atonement next Sabbath.  Not many were initially aware of that, but even beforehand they were moved to pray for repentance, for seeking God’s Will.  What a day that will be when our Prayer meeting attendance will be greater than our regular convocation numbers!  When we would also be known for our joyous faces, as all would be reconciled to one another, when grudges would be dropped, when all bitterness would be truly laid “at the cross.”

As we are preparing for the Lord’s Supper next Sabbath, I invite you to put on your calendars a special appointment – November 6-13.  Every night at 7 pm we will come together in prayer.  Elders will lead in short Biblical exhortation preparing all to pray blessings and intercede for their friends and families.  A week of Prayer Evangelism, a week of Revival.  And it all must be preceded by repentance.  We are ambassadors of Reconciliation, commissioned by God, as though He is making His appeal through us. (2^nd Corinthians 5:19-20)

A HOUSE OF REVIVAL: PRAYER EVANGELISM

Back from “home-stay” vacation.  Good time fixing things around the house with boys, working on my dissertation, getting occasional “emergency” calls from members, and getting antsy to get back to work.

Fall is traditionally reminds us of “harvest” time, and, knowing that lay evangelism is not being prepared for September as planned, I was not at peace.  I am sure that members are cognizant of their individual work, if seeds were planted reaping is needed, but if no planting and watering of souls was done this year – then harvest is not in the picture. 

Last weekend I attended with the whole family the Festival of Laity and heard pastor Jules preach “The Day Jesus cursed” sermon.  You know the story – the fig tree story, leaves but no fruits story.  I sat thinking that we are so engrossed in doing the “church work” that we are not doing the “work of the church.” 

You may wonder what is the difference – well, let me share this perspective: the church has a purpose, and accomplishing its purpose if doing the work of the church.  That purpose is leading people to Jesus, calling people out of the world into the fellowship of ekklesia, the chosen ones, the peculiar people.

 The “church works” on the other hand are things of maintenance, organizational routine miscellaneous business.  These are important too, for we cannot be without cleaning the grounds, the building, singing in choir, playing instruments, sorting clothing and goods to give away.  These are “leaves” and they are of secondary importance.  The fruits is what Jesus was looking for that day when he cursed. (Mark 11:13-14,21)

I am going to get the DVD of that sermon and make it available for all who wants to watch it, but my point is not about just watching the sermon.  What fruits are out “tree” is showing forth?

As I went for a recommitment appeal with many other pastors, I prayerfully asked the Lord to show when and how can we do a harvest “reaping” this year, and right there in prayer I got an answer: week of prayer.  Why not invite our friends that we pray for and do a Prayer Evangelism?  I know we have not done it like this before, so let’s do it for the first time, instead of regular week of prayer – have our lay leaders, elders, prepare those messages each night and preach their heart for twenty minutes, and then pray and pray a blessing for our friends.  That’s a type of “evangelism” no one would say no to.  A simple invitation – “come with me to be prayed for, we would like to pray for you tonight!”

I am going to share this in details with elders coming Tuesday, and asking you to pray for empowerment and revival in our midst!