Let the Lower Lights Be Burning, Part 4
During this session of Bible classes, John Watts and I have led a discussion regarding the improvement of our personal prayers. While this is an enjoyable study in many regards, it is also a challenge; it reminds me of the great blessing we have in prayer and the need I have to better appreciate this great blessing God has given to His people.
God has made it clear not only that He wants us to pray, but also to trust that our prayers can have great impact. To this end, the apostle Paul admonished Christians to “pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:17) and the writer James stated, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (5:16b ESV). A life devoted to prayer with a faith that trusts these prayers are heard by the Lord should build confidence in His children!
As the apostle Peter was about to undergo a time of testing, the Lord Jesus made a powerful statement to him: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32). In this, the Lord sets an important example of praying for the strength of another. Preceding his statement about the prayers of the righteous, James echoed this point when he wrote, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (5:16a). What a blessing we have in prayer!
This congregation is richly blessed to have so many lower lights who are devoted to prayer. In a church the size of ours, there is a constant need for these godly brothers and sisters. Rarely does a week pass when members or their family or friends are not touched by some manner of difficulty or challenge. Health ailments, travel assignments, and family struggles are only a few of the challenges that often call for prayers. What a comfort to know that these lower lights stand (or maybe kneel!) ready to take petitions to the throne room of Heaven.
Speaking personally, I can assure you there is great encouragement given when someone says, “I have prayed for you and your work for the Lord.” It has also been of great encouragement when tragedy struck my family in this past year to know that so many brothers and sisters have taken requests for my family’s well-being to God. Others in this congregation have also attested to the strength they gained when similar or worse events visited their homes. Pray often and let others know you are praying for them!
May all the faithful lower lights who devote themselves to prayer for the well-being of others keep up this good work. Powerful things happen when humble saints pray!
