TIME FOR PRAYER
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As you know, the focus of my weekly lessons has been to demonstrate the wonder of God’s Holy Word, and all the intricacies, patterns and foreshadows contained therein. But I must change my focus; for how long I do not know.
I have been concerned about the direction of the Lord’s Church for some time. In an effort to “broaden the appeal” of the Church, it has become shallow. I have personally noted a lack of basic Bible knowledge in the Church. The prophet said, “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge.”1 The Church has been broadened, but is shallow. One person noted that today’s Church is a mile wide and an inch deep.
Recent surveys show great ambiguity of believers. The responses indicate that “there could be more than one way to the Lord,” or “my religion may not be the only way.” This should cause us all to fall on our knees and beseech our Lord for His help and our growth.
What does Scripture say? Paul said, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who above all, and through all, and in you all.”2 Again from Paul, “yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.”3
In His prayer to our Heavenly Father in John 17, Jesus prayed for unity at least four times.
“Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.”4
“that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”5
“And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one.”6
“I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”7
Obviously, the emphasis in mine.
I do not think that the power of prayer is sufficiently utilized. James said, “Yet you do not have because you do not ask.”8 Just last week at the church I attend, about eighty people humbly knelt before the Lord to request the salvation of a young man. Within days those prayers were answered affirmatively. There is great power in prayer, and I implore you to go humbly to the Lord. We must all ask forgiveness for ourselves and for understanding and knowledge of God’s Word for ourselves and for His Church. Let the healing begin in the Lord’s Church, and may He also heal our land.
1 - Hosea 4:6
2 - Ephesians 4:4-6
3 - I Corinthians 8:6
4 - John 17:11
5 - John 17:21
6 - John 17:22
7 - John 17:23
8 - James 4:2