Greetings to you in the name above every name – Jesus Christ, THE Risen Saviour! Happy last day of September! I don’t think we understand the significance of “transitional days” – but there is a psychological process associated with coming to the end of a season, a month, a specific portion of time…and, of course, there is the other side of the equation – the beginning of ________ . I will be praying for you today, asking Father to enable you to make a positive transition from one month – September – to a new month – October. Remember, according to Jeremiah 29:11 – HE KNOWS THE PLANS THAT HE HAS FOR US!
Today is a gathering time – a group of people will meet for lunch and conversation and prayer for the church family. We have been doing this for many months and, I believe, are starting to see the impact of those prayers. The format of each gathering is simple and predictable…and, to use a phrase, “predictably unpredictable” – for you cannot know how and when God will ‘show-up’ or ‘show-off’ or remain powerfully silent. I have a habit of asking the fol what God has been teaching them or where are they growing or what are they learning. I have to tell you that I have learned something new and what an application it has for prayer.
I learned that it was Great Britain, under Winston Churchill that developed the first military tank for use in ground fighting. The nature of ground fighting transitioned from a mainly ‘defensive operation’ to one of ‘offensive mobility’…that had a direct impact on the outcome of the war. Prayer is our armored tank…our major assault weapon. (taken from “The Battle Plan For Prayer” by Stephen and Alex Kendrick) Therefore, I understand afresh the importance of Jesus calling the gathering place for His people…a house of prayer! The church becomes our ‘command post’, our ‘centre of military operation’, our ‘situation room’…for the spiritual battles we are involved in.
Perhaps that is why there is a restoration within the church community of “prayer” – within our service, in stand alone gatherings, in community ecumenical gatherings, in home groups. Perhaps that is why a movie like “The War Room” is affecting so many people…and especially Christians who may have forgotten that the church is “a house of prayer” first and foremost. I don’t know how many books have been written about prayer…or how many sermons have been preached about prayer…or how many songs have been written and sung – as we have tried to find the right formula. “I do not know much about God and prayer, but I have come to believe, over the last twenty-five years, that there is something to be said about keeping prayer simple. Help. Thanks. Wow.” Anne Lamott. — asking for assistance, appreciating the good we witness, and feeling awe at the world.
We know so much about the importance of prayer…bur do we really ‘pray’ or just talk about it? Something to ponder on this “transition day.” Be blessed!