I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. Now we will soon be closing out not only another year but another decade, the first decade in the 21st century. This first decade will no doubt be remembered as a decade of great disasters, a major terrorist attack toward the beginning, a major hurricane around the middle and a major collapse of the financial system toward the end. Could these events be signs that Jesus may be coming back soon? While it would seem so, the Bible makes it clear that we don’t know the day or the hour when it will actually take place.
Over the years I have pretty consistently said that more important than knowing when is making sure we are ready whenever it happens. That is what we need to focus on, not only for ourselves but also for those around us. There are many that are not ready and we need to do what we can to help them get ready. Prayer is a foundational element of that process. I believe that is why the early church we read about in the Bible devoted themselves to prayer.
Last Sunday I mentioned four reasons why we need prayer. One, because lost people are bound by the god of this world. Two, because lost people are blinded to the gospel by the god of this world. Three, because saved people are in a battle with the god of this world. And four, because even saved people sin and need forgiveness and cleansing.
Who is the god of this world? Satan the devil who leads the kingdom of darkness and works tirelessly to kill, steal and destroy. But, the Bible says we have been called out of darkness into the kingdom of light led by Jesus who gives life and life more abundant. It is time for us to step up to the plate and enter into spiritual warfare by devoting ourselves to prayer like they did in the early church.
In response to a suggestion Ned Irvin, our prayer coordinator made, I encouraged the congregation to move outside our comfort zone to not only talk about prayer but to do it. I had the whole congregation form groups of three all over the auditorium, men with men and women with women and asked them to pray first for the lost in our community and second for each other. I was blessed to hear the blend of voices being lifted up in one accord as the groups began to pray. I believe something significant was released in our church. After the service Sunday a former member of our church who was visiting shared with me a word she felt God laid on her heart as she was praying with the group she was in. The sense of it was that we are not to be discouraged by the empty seats but are to view them as an opportunity to bring more people in. She went on to say that thousands and millions of people are being affected by the Cornerstone ministry as people have gone out, including herself, taking with them what God had ministered into their lives while here.
I wasn’t surprised by the thousands but I wasn’t sure if she heard right about the millions. I felt a little like Gideon when the angel of the Lord addressed him as a valiant warrior when he was feeling more like a fearful coward hiding out in a winepress. I thought maybe that part of the word was for some other ministry. But she was excited about what the Lord showed her and the word he had given her that greater things were in store for the church than what has yet been experienced.
By faith I thanked her for sharing the word and said that I would receive it. I’m sure millions are not a problem for God. After all God used Gideon and three hundred men to defeat a whole army of experienced warriors. Nothing is too hard or to many for God. I’m sure there are more than enough lost people in this community to again fill the Broadway church. We need to pray for them that they will get saved.
This Thursday night as we worship and pray the New Year in I want us to ask God to give us a prayer strategy for 2010. We need to develop intentional ways to pray for both the lost. Let’s bring them in in 2010. What do you think?
Blessings for a prosperous 2010,
Pastor Gerald Martin
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