A Praying Church: Becoming a People of Hope in a Discouraging World

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Charles Spurgeon, the well-known British preacher of the past century, saw thousands of people come to faith in Christ under his preaching… On one of his visits to Europe, Spurgeon met an American pastor who said, “I have long wished to see you, Mr. Spurgeon, and to put one or two simple questions to you. In our country there are many opinions as to the secret of your great influence. Would you be good enough to give me your own point of view?” After a moment’s pause, Spurgeon said, “My people pray for me.” (In Iain, Murray, The Forgotten Spurgeon [Banner of Truth], p. 44). 7 Father God, I pray you would help me sleep well tonight. I thank you that you love me and care for me. Amen Lord Jesus Christ, thank you that you are the resurrection and the life, death holds no power over you. In your name, you have gathered your people to form the church. Your life and love are seen in the life and love of Christians within that church. May your church be like a city on a hill, shining your light into the darkness of the world. Neither death or life, angels or rulers, things present or future, height or depth, or anything else in all creation, will be able to separate your people from your love. Through your mighty name, Amen. Paul goes from prayer generally for all people to specific prayers for those in leadership. He says, “for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” This in part can be answered by considering the difference between God’s desire and his sovereign will. His sovereign will always happens, as God works all things for the purpose of his will (Eph 1:11). However, his desire does not always happen. God desires that all will be saved, but Scripture clearly teaches that many will be judged (Matt 25:41-46). In addition, we see this even as we consider our own desires and choices. We often have desires like recreation or rest that at times we forgo for greater reasons. There is no contradiction between God’s desire and his sovereign purposes in election (cf. Rom 9:6-24).

When inclined to worry about the future of our children – as we naturally do from time to time – use this special collection of prayers to lift up your children to our loving Heavenly Father. Lynet, a sponsored child from Uganda, was 12 years old when she heard the devastating news. Her father was ill and had been rushed to the hospital, leaving Lynet at the compound she shared with relatives.Prayer should be the priority in worship services and our individual lives. When it is not, God’s will does not get done (cf. Ez 22:30-31). You are Jehovah-Jireh, the God who provides. We thank you that you own it all and hold everything in your hands. We thank you that you know our needs before we even ask. You’re aware of all that concerns us, and you have a plan and provision. You alone can move mountains to make a way for your children. We ask for your answer, in your timing, for every need that weighs our hearts down. Some children may find it easier to pray at bedtime. Use this selection of children’s bedtime prayers to connect with God during your child’s nighttime routine: King of Kings, Lord of Lords, thank you that you are great and abundant in power, your understanding is beyond measure. In your wisdom, you have created the church, described as Christ’s body. May we work together as members of one body, using the gifts and abilities you have given us to faithfully love and serve one another. Would we find our strength from Jesus, the head of the body. May the Lord make us increase and abound in love for each other. May you establish our hearts as blameless in holiness before you. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.

Understanding that there is only one God, one Mediator, and one method for salvation should provoke us to constantly intercede for the lost. We should intercede for them while at the supermarket, while on the bus, while at the restaurant. We should also intercede for God to send laborers into the harvest to preach the gospel (Matt 9:38). God desires that none should perish, but that all would come to salvation. As Paul moves from general prayer for everybody to specific prayer for leaders, he focuses on prayer for the salvation of souls. Paul says that God “wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (v. 4). We invited singer-songwriters and Compassion ambassadors, Chloe Reynolds and Philippa Hanna, to share a prayer for kids around the world. As mentioned, the Gnostics believed that there were many mediators between God and man, and Christ was only one of them. Therefore, Paul affirms the full deity and humanity of Christ. As God, he can relate to the Father; and as man, he can relate to us. He is our mediator—our go between. Christ was our ransom, as he paid the penalty for our sins by dying on the cross (v. 6). His death for our sins—allows us to be accepted by a holy God. God now sees us through the blood and perfect righteousness of the Lamb. For that reason, only Christ can be our go between—he is the only God-man. Ephesians 1:15–23‘I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might.’

Prayer: We love You so much, Lord! We surrender fully to You and pray that Your love will guide us today and every day. May we simply be conduits of Your love to the children in our care. Amen Aunt Patricia, the director at my Compassion centre, taught us that when you believe, nothing is impossible for God,” recalls Lynet. Observation Question: What descriptors does Paul use to describe how believers should offer public prayer in church? In the uncertainty of life, give thanks that God has good plans for your children. Jeremiah 29:11 says exactly this: ‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ We pray for the lost because Christ is the only way for their salvation. 3. We should pray evangelistically because sinners are saved through preaching.