Ephesians 6:18

The ministry of prayer is such a very integral part of worship. In prayer we bow our knees in humble adoration and worship, confessing our brokenness and our desperate need for healing. Prayers of confession bring us to that place of honesty and sincerity before Him – “. . . A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Psalm 51:17). Especially in these challenging times of the now, daily prayers are needed to help carry us through. May we desire more than ever to live – a prayer–defined life. Constantly, we are being reminded by His Spirit that we must have specific portions of our day set apart for regular times of prayer and devotion.

Apostolic leadership of the Early Church unhesitatingly declared “But we shall give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4). No wonder the atmosphere all around them seemed so supercharged with the power of the Almighty on a continual basis. They prayed and heaven came down (Acts 4:31). They prayed and God delivered (Acts 3:1). They religiously observed set times of prayer. There is an undeniable correlation in the Word of God between prayer and miracles. When God’s people humble themselves and call on Jesus, looking to heaven as they expectantly pray, His Word reassures us that He will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land – (2 Chronicles 7:14). So many of the promises of divine favor are predicated upon the faithful, humble prayers of the saints.

Lately, I find myself having a renewed respect for some Catholic churches. They are open almost the entire day for individuals to come and pray and seek His face. Wouldn’t it be nice if more of our churches could be known again as houses of prayer, where people can come in, pray, meditate and seek the Lord, sometimes in solitude and silence. Maybe it’s asking too much but this is what His Word says about the House of the Lord, both in the Old and New Testament – (Isaiah 56:7; Luke 19:46; Mark 11:17). It speaks of the outcasts and strangers being made joyful in the Lord’s house of prayer. It is called “an house of prayer for all people” (Isaiah 56:7). 

We are people of prayer, pastors who pray, leaders who incessantly pray. We plain refuse to leave the place of prayer. We will make time to pray despite all the other pressures to the contrary. We light up our churches with prayer. We are primarily pray-ers. The life of prayer and the practice of prayer must be meticulously observed among us. I am called not only to preach but first to pray! It cannot be over emphasized, Jesus said “. . . my house is the house of prayer . . .” (Luke 19:46).

May God help us again in the Church of God of the Northeast Region not just to pray on Monday nights or Tuesday nights or during a pandemic or when we are ill or seriously distressed. Like His disciples we still earnestly pray “. . . Lord teach us to pray . . .” (Luke 11: 1). There is really a desperate need for us to come under a long apprenticeship of prayer. We aspire never to graduate from the prayer closet. It is our one aim and desire always to live a prayer-defined, Jesus-filled life. Let us pray! Always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18).