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Praying Unto Glory

Bible Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

For the remained of this month’s devotionals, we will be looking at five prayers of the Apostle Paul.  These prayers are especially helpful to us for a couple of reasons.  Sometimes our prayers miss the mark as to what we should be praying about (James 4:2-3).  Likewise, we tend to focus our prayers on earthly needs and concerns (Romans 8:26-27).  These prayers of Paul instruct and encourage us to pray for that which is clearly in accordance with God’s Word, and with a view to “things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2).  Prayer has such a role in us, working a change in us that our hearts might be increasingly aligned to God’s will (Romans 12:1-2; Philippians 2:13), as we eagerly anticipate the glorious future God has prepared for us.

These prayers are helpful too in instructing us in how we can best pray for others.  This is how Paul prayed for the churches and believers he was ministering to.  He loved them.  He wanted God’s best for them.  And so, he prayed these prayers.  We should note that his prayers were uniquely suited to the particular needs of each congregation.  But in the totality of them all find a wide range of good things to pray for others.

“To this end” at the beginning of verse eleven looks back to the preceding.  Jesus is coming again “to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed” (2 Thessalonians 1:10).  The radiance of the glory of Jesus at His second coming will far surpass the beauty and glory of anything we’ve ever seen!  But note also, how He will be glorified in His bride, the church, as He has worked in her “that he might present the church to himself in splendor” (Ephesians 5:27).  What a day that will be!  

With that glorious destiny in mind, Paul was praying that God might make us “worthy of his calling” (2 Thessalonians 1:11).  The believer is never “worthy” apart from the gracious intervention of God.  The sense here is that the believer’s practice might be progressively conformed to his position (Ephesians 4:1).  Secondly, Paul prayed that God may “fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power” (2 Thessalonians 1:11).  The prayer reminds us of our absolute dependence on God’s powerful inner working if such things might be fulfilled in us (Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 2:10, 3:20-21).  The worthy walk for which Paul prayed, was unto a particular purpose: “so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him” and that by the grace of God.  Put simply, the prayer is that we might walk in a manner worthy of our calling, by God’s power bearing good works and acts of faith, unto the glory of God (1 Peter 2:12)!

In his wonderful book, Praying with Paul, D. A. Carson writes, “It is vitally important to reflect on the extraordinary holistic thinking that is represented by this prayer…We are not to think of ourselves as basically independent and on the right track but occasionally in need of a little input from the Deity, a little blessing called down by an appropriately formulated prayer…Paul’s vision is much broader, much more holistic.  He remembers the grace we have received in the past, and thinks through the direction of our lives–our ultimate home in the new heaven and the new earth.  He envisages the final consummation, the final vindication, and grasps what kind of lives we should be living in the light of that end.  That vision properly places us in God’s universe, which was made by and for him, answerable to him, redeemed by him, and it establishes what our priorities must be wherever that vision prevails.  Paul’s petitions and stated goals are perfectly aligned with this vision.”

So many of our prayer requests focus on immediate and earthly needs, but this prayer reminds us that we should pray regarding how we should now live in view of our future glorious destiny.

O THAT WILL BE GLORY

When all my labors and trials are o’er,
And I am safe on that beautiful shore,
Just to be near the dear Lord I adore
Will through the ages be glory for me.

Refrain:
O that will be glory for me,
Glory for me, glory for me;
When by His grace I shall look at His face,
That will be glory, be glory for me.

When by the gift of His infinite grace,
I am accorded in heaven a place,
Just to be there and to look on His face
Will through the ages be glory for me. [Refrain]

Friends will be there I have loved long ago;
Joy like a river around me will flow;
Yet just a smile from my Savior, I know,
Will through the ages be glory for me. [Refrain]

Praying for the Lost

Bible Reading: Romans 10:1-9

George Mueller (1805–1898) is widely considered one the greatest men of prayer in the history of the church. We know him best today for his orphanages. Through his orphanage in Bristol, Mueller cared for as many as two thousand orphans at a time—more than ten thousand in his lifetime. Yet he never made the needs of his ministries known to anyone except to God in prayer. And over and over again God answered his prayers and provided in miraculous fashion.

One day George Mueller began praying for five of his friends. After many months, one of them came to the Lord. Ten years later, two others were converted. It took 25 years before the fourth man was saved. Mueller persevered in prayer until his death for the fifth friend, and throughout those 52 years he never gave up hoping that he would accept Christ! His faith was rewarded, for soon after Mueller’s funeral the last one was saved.

We are in good company in praying for the lost.  Jesus was praying for the lost from the cross when He said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).  Stephen was praying for the lost when he was being stoned, saying, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60).  Saul was there and eventually trusted in Jesus.  He likewise prayed for the lost, saying, “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them (his Jewish brethren) is that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1; 9:1-3).

It has been my experience that behind every testimony of how someone has come to faith in Jesus is the reality that there was at least one person praying for them.  I know of three who were praying for me before I was saved.  To be sure, there’s a mystery to how God works through prayers in the salvation of souls, but we are on safe theological ground in praying this way.  We are urged to make “supplications, prayers, intercession, and thanksgivings” …for all people” (1 Timothy 2:1).  We do so knowing that “God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).  We know, of course, that not all men will be saved, but we are nonetheless praying well when we are praying according to God’s desires.

How should we pray for the lost?  They will not come to Him until they recognize their need, so we pray that the Spirit might work to convict them of their sins (John 16:8).  The “god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 4:4), so we pray that their eyes might be opened to the truth of the gospel.  Lydia was saved when “God opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul” (Acts 16:14).  We can pray likewise.  We can pray that they will come to realize how futile life is apart from God (1 Peter 1:18).  And that they might realize that their current path is one that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13).  Put yourself in the place of those men who carried the paralytic to where Jesus was, letting him down through the roof.  They had one concern–get their friend to Jesus!  And so, it is when we pray for the lost!  God’s part is to save, but He privileges us to pray and uses our prayers in a mysterious way.  Pray that God might burden you to pray for someone, then keep on praying as George Muller did for his friends.  Perhaps you’ve a list of unsaved family members and others you are praying for, don’t lose heart and grow weary in that vital and important work!  You are in good company in praying for the lost!

“We will only advance in our evangelistic work as fast and as far as we advance on our knees. Prayer opens the channel between a soul and God; prayerlessness closes it. Prayer releases the grip of Satan’s power; prayerlessness increases it. That is why prayer is so exhausting and so vital.” – Alan Redpath

LORD, LAY SOME SOUL UPON MY HEART

Lord, lay some soul upon my heart,
And love that soul through me;
And may I bravely do my part
To win that soul for Thee.

Chorus: Some soul for Thee, some soul for Thee,
This is my earnest plea;
Help me each day, on life’s highway,
To win some soul for Thee.

Lord, lead me to some soul in sin,
And grant that I may be
Endued with power and love to win
That soul, dear Lord, for Thee (Chorus)

To win that soul for Thee, my Lord,
Will be my constant prayer;
That when I’ve won Thy full reward
I’ll with that dear one share (Chorus)

Praying for All Men

Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 2:1-6

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Today, as I’m writing this, it is voting day in Oregon.  Laura and I read through the Voter’s Pamphlet, made our choices, and this morning I deposited our mail-in ballots in the country drop box.  It’s a great privilege to live in a free country, where we have the right to vote for candidates and various measures.  But let me suggest to you that when it comes to influencing our society for good, we believers have been blessed with something far more powerful and effective than our right to vote.

The Apostle Paul wrote 1st Timothy sometimes between AD 62 and 64 (during the reign of evil emperor Nero).  The book details Paul’s instructions to the young pastor, his child in the faith, to assist him in his pastoral ministry in Ephesus.  A key passage is 1 Timothy 3:14b-15, “But I am writing these things to you so that…you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”

Note the priority given to the matter of prayer–” First of all” Paul said.  The importance and priority of prayer is likewise emphasized in the call to varied kinds of prayer to fit varied needs and situations. –”supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings.”  Such prayers are to be offered both for all people and for the kings and those in high positions.  We are given the reason for which we are to pray–”that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:2), the sense being that God will work through the prayers of His people to bring real change, such that they might experience peace within and without, and that they might be rightly oriented towards God (godliness) and others (dignity).  We should note here that we should not expect these kinds of results, and in fact should anticipate the opposite, if we neglect to pray as we should.

Paul spoke of this devotion to prayer as a matter of first importance, and he did so in the context of that which precedes–” First of all, then” (1 Timothy 2:1).  To what was he referring?  He had just spoken of the need for Timothy to “wage the good warfare” (1 Timothy 1:18).  We are at war!  The long war against God and His children rages on.  It is a war for souls.  “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood…(but) against the spiritual forces in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).  To fight in this spiritual battle with human weapons is akin to what Peter did when he whacked off the ear of the high priest’s servant.  “The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:5).  In prayer we possess a divinely powerful weapon through which God can work to change hearts and save souls.

And that’s the chief concern here in this passage.  From its birth until the day it is raptured to heaven, the chief concern of the church is bearing witness to the Lord Jesus (Acts 1:8; 1 Timothy 3:14b-15).  In fact, God is even now withholding judgment “not wishing that any perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).  We see the same thing here.  We are exhorted to pray “for all people” because “God our Savior…desires all people to be saved” (1 Timothy 2:1,4).  So, we pray, according to that which God desires.  And that’s a challenge for me.  It’s easy to get upset or angry or anxious or vindictive over some of the things we see happening in our country and world today.  But such attitudes are contrary to who we are as believers and what we’ve been called to do.  Sadly, the situation is as Ralph Earle has said, “The failure of the church to pray in accordance with this exhortation is one of its great sins today.”  But it doesn’t have to stay that way because you’ve the freedom to pray.  Lost souls need salvation.  The saved need sanctification.  Our best response always is to pray.  Lord grant to us a heart of devotion to prayer!

“Never, never may we forget that if we would do good to the world, our first duty is to pray!” – J. C. Ryle

TO BE GOD’S PEOPLE

Almighty Father give us a vision
Of a dying world that needs Your love and care
We see the need the yearning for a Savior
In Jesus’ name grant this our prayer

Chorus
To be God’s people in this place
Live His goodness share His grace
Proclaim God’s mercy through His Son
Be His love to ev’ryone

And when we falter be Thou our comfort
Guide us as Your children that our lives may be
A beacon in this darkness that surrounds us
A light that others then may see

Text and music: Charles F. Brown; c 1974 Word Music

Praying for One Another

Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20

“Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war.”  There is a war going on, and I’m not speaking here of the war in Ukraine.  In this war there can be no spectators, as every person is involved, whether they realize it or not.  In his warfare against God and the souls of men, the devil never stops working.  His goal?  To doom the sinner with respect to his destiny and to defeat the saint with respect to his walk and witness.

We are familiar with this passage in Ephesians chapter six having to do with putting on the whole armor of God.  The passage reminds us that we are engaged in a battle–not against flesh and blood–” but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).  In adorning ourselves with God’s armor, we are exhorted “to be strong in the Lord and the strength of his might” (Ephesians 6:10) and to “stand firm” (3X-verse 11, 13, and 14).  We need to remind ourselves of this reality.  In this war, you’ll not read of casualty counts in the headlines.  You won’t hear any air raid sirens.  You’ll not see this enemy lurking about in your community.  But he’s there, prowling “around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).  Read the headlines through the lens of the reality of his ongoing destructive influence, for he is even now hard at work through his evil army wreaking havoc in lives, marriages, families, churches, communities, and even in an entire country. 

The important passage concludes with an admonition to pray for one another.  In his commentary on this text, Albert Barnes wrote of this, “It would be well for the soldier who goes forth to battle to pray–to pray for victory; or to pray that he may be prepared for death, should he fall. But soldiers do not often feel the necessity of this. To the Christian soldier, however, it is indispensable. Prayer crowns all lawful efforts with success and gives a victory when nothing else would. No matter how complete the armor; no matter how skilled we may be in the science of war; no matter how courageous we may be, we may be certain that without prayer we shall be defeated. God alone can give the victory; and when the Christian soldier goes forth armed completely for the spiritual conflict, if he looks to God by prayer, he may be sure of a triumph. This prayer is not to be intermitted. It is to be always. In every temptation and spiritual conflict, we are to pray.”

Note that the exhortation here to pray for one another is in the context of the spiritual battle in which we are engaged.  Note also the use of warfare terminology, “keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18).  That’s the way a soldier fights.  He’s alert to the enemy, and he refuses to leave his post.  Note also the repeated use of the word “all” –praying at all times… with all prayer…with all perseverance…for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18).  We believers do pray for one another–we have our prayer lists and prayer meetings and prayer chains–but I’m not sure we always pray with these spiritual warfare considerations in mind.  That brother or sister we are praying for is a fellow soldier engaged like us in a raging war against a real enemy who is seeking to do us all harm.  There’s a sense of urgency here in this text.  Anyone would be a fool to go into battle lacking the appropriate weapons, but are we using this weapon to the degree and extent that we should?

As we’ve previously noted, prayer is an expression of dependence on, and trust in, God.  We pray, realizing that we are fully dependent on God and that He is more than able to protect and defend us.  As that great hymn puts it, “Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing, Were not the right man on our side, The man of God’s own choosing.  Dost ask who that may be?  Christ Jesus, it is He–Lord Sabaoth His name, From age to age the same, and He must win the battle!”  Lord, make us to be prayer warriors who are alert and engaged, bringing before Your throne our challenges and the challenges of those around us, that we might be strong in You in this needy day, that Your glory might be revealed in and through us! Amen.

“Satan laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.” – Samuel Chadwick

THE BATTLE BELONGS

When all I see is the battle, You see my victory
When all I see is the mountain, You see a mountain moved
And as I walk through the shadow, Your love surrounds me
There’s nothing to fear now for I am safe with You

So when I fight, I’ll fight on my knees
With my hands lifted high
Oh God, the battle belongs to You
And every fear I lay at Your feet
I’ll sing through the night
Oh God, the battle belongs to You

And if You are for me, who can be against me? Yeah
For Jesus, there’s nothing impossible for You
When all I see are the ashes, You see the beauty
Thank You God
When all I see is a cross, God, You see the empty tomb

So when I fight, I’ll fight on my knees
With my hands lifted high
Oh God, the battle belongs to You
And every fear I lay at Your feet
I’ll sing through the night
Oh God, the battle belongs to You

Almighty fortress, You go before us
Nothing can stand against the power of our God
You shine in the shadow, You win every battle
Nothing can stand against the power of our God

So when I fight, I’ll fight on my knees
With my hands lifted high
Oh God, the battle belongs to You
And every fear I lay at Your feet
I’ll sing through the night
Oh God, the battle belongs to You

Songwriters: Brian Mark Johnson / Philip David Wickham © Be Essential Songs, Bethel Music Publishing

“Living By the Book”

DATE	THEME	BIBLE READING
JUNE 1	Inspired by God	2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21
JUNE 2	Profitable for You	2 Timothy 3:1-17
JUNE 3	God’s Perfect Word	Psalm 19
JUNE 4	Loving the Book	Psalm 119
JUNE 5	Longing for Truth	Acts 2:42; 1 Peter 2:1-2
JUNE 6	Pay Attention to the Word	2 Peter 1:16-21
JUNE 7	God’s Eternal Word	Isaiah 40:1-11; 1 Peter 1:22-25
JUNE 8	A Firm Foundation	Matthew 7:24-27
JUNE 9	The Living and Active Word	Hebrews 4:11-13
JUNE 10	How to Handle the Word	2 Timothy 2:15
JUNE 11	The Encouragement of the Word	Romans 15:1-7
JUNE 12	Christ in the Word	Luke 24:25-27, 44-45; John 5:39
JUNE 13	The Word and Temptation	Psalm 119:11; Matthew 4:1-11; 1 John 2:14
JUNE 14	Worship and the Word	John 4:23-24; Colossians 3:16-17; Ephesians 5:18-21
JUNE 15	Blessed By the Book	Psalm 1
JUNE 16	Transformed by the Truth	1 Thessalonians 1:4-5; 2:13
JUNE 17	Hearers and Doers	James 1:22-25
JUNE 18	Hungry to Hear	Nehemiah 8:1-8
JUNE 19	Lost and Found: The Truth	2 Chronicles 34:8-33
JUNE 20	Preaching the Word	2 Timothy 4:1-5
JUNE 21	Contending for Truth	Jude 1:3-4
JUNE 22	The Gospel of Truth	Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
JUNE 23	A Heart to Hear	Acts:16:11-15
JUNE 24	The Spirit Taught Christian	1 Corinthians 2:12-13; 1 John 2:26-27
JUNE 25	The Renewal of the Mind	Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:17-24
JUNE 26	But the Word of God is Not Bound	2 Timothy 2:1-13
JUNE 27	The Whole Armor of God	Ephesians 6:10-20
JUNE 28	A Teachable Spirit	Acts 18:24-28; Proverbs 9:9
JUNE 29	Exercising Discernment	Acts 17:10-15; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22; Ephesians 4:14
JUNE 30	The Pillar and Support of the Truth	1 Timothy 3:14-16

Praying in the Spirit

Bible Reading: Jude 1:20-21; Ephesians 6:18

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 1:20).

“Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (Ephesians 6:18).

The admonition to pray in the Spirit is a reminder to us of what Jesus said in John 6:63, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all.”  Devotion to prayer is not for us a religious duty in which we begrudgingly endeavor to do our best, but a Spirit-borne privilege in which we are Spirit-led and empowered to worship God in all the various facets of prayer.  In his book, True Praying in the Holy Spirit, G. H. C. Macgregor explained, “The first work of the Spirit as the Spirit of supplication is to fill us with the desire for prayer…He brings us into and keeps us in a frame of mind in which prayer is not only possible but delightful.…He fills the heart so full of desire that we are driven to prayer for relief.”

Likewise, William Gurnall, spoke of this work of the Spirit in his Christian Classic, The Christian in Complete Armor, “The Spirit must groan, and then the soul will groan. He helps us to these sighs and groans which turn the sails of prayer. He dissolves the heart and then it [i.e., prayer] bursts out of the heart by groans of the lips by heavenly rhetoric, out of the eyes as from a floodgate with tears.”

Who can pray in the Spirit?  Only those who are born again!  And here it’s good to remind us of some foundational truths.  The Holy Spirit is a divine person.  Jesus called Him the Helper, for He was sent to come alongside us to help us (John 14:15-17).  Every born-again believer is indwelt by the Spirit of God–and is incredibly blessed this way!  The Holy Spirit is our worship leader (Philippians 3:3), and only by Him can we worship God in Spirit and truth (John 4:23).  Who can pray in the Spirit?   Only those who are being led by and yielded to the Spirit.  Scripture gives four commands regarding our relationship to the Holy Spirit.  Positively we are to be “filled with the Spirit” and “walk by the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18-20; Galatians 5:16; 22-23).  Spirit-led worship and Spirit-borne Christlike virtues are the fruit of such a walk.  Negatively, we are to “not quench” and “not grieve” the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19; Ephesians 4:30).  We grieve or quench the Spirit when we engage in practices that resist Him in the good work He is doing in us.  

The call to a life characterized by devotion to prayer is a call to be yielded to, and led and empowered by, the Spirit of God.  The lack of desire for prayer is indicative, to some extent, of something amiss in our relationship to the Spirit who indwells us.  The remedy to that problem lies not in trying harder in our own self effort to do better but getting to the root of the problem.  The good news is that God’s grace and mercy knows no bounds.  There is always room to confess one’s sins and look to God for cleansing, renewal and heart-change!

All that being said, it’s also good to remind us of the Spirit’s helpful role in our weakness with respect to our praying, for “we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26-27).  In our prayers we’ve the absolute best of prayer partners!  Have you ever been in a situation where you had no idea of how or what to pray?  What should you request?  What is the right thing to be done?  How will God best be glorified in the matter?  The Holy Spirit is not bound by our ignorance or weakness, for He intercedes for us “according to the will of God” (Romans 8:27)!  He is well able to translate the most poorly expressed of prayers into that which is acceptable before God. We need Him!  And we need Him to lead us in our prayers!

S. D. Gordon, “There is one who is the Master Intercessor.  He understands prayer perfectly.  He is the Spirit of prayer…Let Him teach you.”

SPIRIT OF GOD, DESCEND UPON MY HEART

Spirit of God, who dwells within my heart,
wean it from sin, through all its pulses move.
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as you are,
and make me love you as I ought to love.

I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,
no sudden rending of the veil of clay,
no angel visitant, no opening skies;
but take the dimness of my soul away.

Did you not bid us love you, God and King,
love you with all our heart and strength and mind?
I see the cross there teach my heart to cling.
O let me seek you and O let me find!

Teach me to feel that you are always nigh;
teach me the struggles of the soul to bear,
to check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh;
teach me the patience of unceasing prayer.

Teach me to love you as your angels love,
one holy passion filling all my frame:
the fullness of the heaven-descended Dove;
my heart an altar, and your love the flame.

Worship vs. Worry

Bible Reading: Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:6

Our Submarine was tied up next to a destroyer in Hong Kong harbor when the typhoon struck. Submarines are especially prone to roll on the surface in rough water, so in rolling back and forth amidst the big waves we put a dent in the hull of the destroyer. It was decided that we needed to get out of the harbor, fast! We did an emergency startup of the sub’s reactor. Tethered crew men fell overboard on several occasions as they ventured forth to remove the sub’s ballast tank covers. Once the preparations were made, we got out of there, leaving behind one-third of the crew who were ashore in Hong Kong for liberty. We headed out to sea, for we knew that once we found deep enough water we could submerge to a place where we could escape those angry waves.

It is possible for our hearts to find a safe refuge amidst the storms that trouble us, even as the hymn says, “there is a place of quiet rest near to the heart of God.”  The pursuit of that place in prayer is at the heart of this passage in Philippians 4:6-7.

To worry or be anxious is a common sin, but it is a sin, nonetheless.  The Greek term translated “anxious” in Philippians 4:6 means “to draw in different directions, to distract.”  Webster’s Dictionary defines worry this way: “A painful or apprehensive uneasiness of mind usually over an impending or anticipated ill.”  We know from experience what it is.  It is a preoccupation of our minds, a mental “nagging,” having to do with things that are of concern to us.  Worry is kind of like riding an exercise bike–in worry we expend a lot of mental energy going nowhere.  But it’s actually worse than that for worry can cause us harm–emotionally, physically, and spiritually!

The first time I preached on this passage–many years ago–I entitled my sermon “The Antidote for Worry,” but that thought doesn’t dive deep enough in dealing with the problem.  The real problem with worry is that it is the antithesis of worship.  Worry happens when we think too little about God or think that God is too little to deal with our problems.  Worship is acknowledging God for who He is and what He does in what we say and what we do.  Acceptable worship is worship that is in Spirit and in truth.  It flows from one’s heart and is in accord with the truth of who God is and what He desires from us.  When we worry, we diminish in our thinking the sovereignty of God as it relates to our problems.  Worry likewise equates to a thought denial of His wisdom, power and love as they relate to His ability to care for us.

Prayer is an integral part of worship.  As the helpful acrostic “A.C.T.S.” reminds us, prayer involves: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.  Spirit-led prayer is born of faith.  In humility, we see and acknowledge our complete dependence on God.  By faith, we apprehend and acknowledge God to be who He has revealed Himself to be—one who is Sovereign over all, who knows and cares and who is more than able to deal with our problems no matter how big or small. Look again at Philippians 4:6-7.  Instead of being anxious for anything we are to be praying and thanking God in everything.  That’s worship! 

Recall that occasion when the disciples were in a boat with Jesus amidst an intense storm.  The winds and the seas were threatening to sink them all.  And Jesus was asleep.  The disciples cried out to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”  He then proceeded to halt the wind and quiet the sea, so that it was made perfectly calm. “Do You not care” the disciples asked?  Does He care? So much so that He died for your sins and is even now interceding from heaven on your behalf!  As 1 Peter 5:6 admonishes, “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you.”  Prayerfully then, your heart and mind will be guarded in a place of quiet rest–with a peace that “surpasses all understanding” –near to the heart of God! You’ve no need for worry or for fear if you’ve got Jesus in your boat!

Worry Happens When We Think Little about God or of God

NEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD

There is a place of quiet rest,
near to the heart of God,
a place where sin cannot molest,
near to the heart of God.

Refrain:
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
sent from the heart of God,
hold us, who wait before thee,
near to the heart of God.

There is a place of comfort sweet,
near to the heart of God,
a place where we our Savior meet,
near to the heart of God. [Refrain]

There is a place of full release,
near to the heart of God,
a place where all is joy and peace,
near to the heart of God. [Refrain]

Sent Out in Prayer

Bible Reading: Acts 13:1-3

I came across this Daily Wire headline this morning: “Why are so many Christians leaving the faith?”  The article went on to explain: “It cannot be denied that, in unprecedented numbers, Christians are leaving the faith.  From well-known pastors and worship leaders, to Bible college professors and Christian rockers, we are experiencing a wave of apostasy.”  What are we to make of this distressing reality?  And how are we, as believers in Christ, to respond?  The distressing news we hear every day regarding things happening in our country, needs to be viewed through the reality of this apostasy and the corresponding decline of the influence of the church (and the truth it proclaims) on society.

As I’ve previously noted, there was a pattern behind what happened in the growth and expansion of the early church: 1) The Holy Spirit was working; 2) the people were praying; and 3) the church was flourishing.  These things were happening simultaneously, as they have in repeated times and places through the history of the church in times of revival.  Of course, the opposite holds true as well.  Sadly, it is in the absence of devotion to prayer (and to the Word) that the church’s health and influence on the world around us declines.

We read in Acts 13:1-3 of another example of how the early church was devoted to prayer.  God had worked to establish and prosper the church in Antioch, so it was prepared and equipped to send out missionaries.  “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said: ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work I have called them’” (Acts 13:2).  “After fasting and praying, they laid hands on them and sent them off” (Acts 13:3).  After half a year or so, on that first missionary journey, they returned to Antioch and “declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles” (Acts 14:27).  Prayer was at the heart of their successful mission.

I’ve been incredibly blessed to be a part of the missionary outreach of Hope and Mercy Mission to our dear friends in Uganda.  God has done an incredible work there!  Of course, prayer has played a vital role.  It has been as A. T. Pierson once said, ““Every step in the progress of missions is directly traceable to prayer. It has been the preparation for every new triumph and the secret for all success.”  That work in Uganda began many years ago with a prayer, when the now African Director of the mission, Paul Mwesigwa, visited his home village.  He was deeply concerned about all the orphaned children, who were left alone as a result of the Aids epidemic. He and his wife prayed, “Lord, what’s to be done for all these children?”  God led him to start a school, which then quickly overflowed with students.  Later a group from Boothbay, Maine had the opportunity to assist with the work and helped to build a school and other structures.  Then my uncle, Pastor Bob Emrich, was invited to visit the region and met with some pastors.  He was also burdened for these dear folks.  They lacked Bible training and Bibles and were struggling to lead their churches.  He’s since made seventeen trips.  I’ve accompanied him on nine of those.  On one of those trips, Pastor Bob led me to a spot, not far from the guest house, which overlooked the distant hills and valleys.  He shared how he’d gone there in the mornings to pray that God would work to extend the ministry to pastors beyond those hills.  God answered his prayers (and the many prayers of others), as the mission has since helped to establish seven Pastor Alliances serving nearly three hundred churches.  Five years ago, God worked to establish a Bible training school for pastors. Faith Bible School has since graduated about fifty pastors, who have all been trained and equipped by well-qualified teachers to lead their congregations.  God has worked in miraculous fashion through Hope and Mercy Mission to bring hope and lift up the entire region of Uganda!  I’ve not the space here to share all the wonderful things I’ve seen God do!

But make note of this, prayer has ungirded and supported every aspect of the work from that first prayer of Paul Mwesigwa, until this day.  Every mission trip was preceded and accompanied by the prayers of hundreds of folks in churches across America.  There are likewise lots of people who pray every day for the various aspects of that ministry and the people there.  Those folks on the other side of the world are praying too, as they do, with great faith and fervor.  I once met a pastor at one of the conferences we led, who was thanking us for the work of the mission.  He was explaining to Pastor Bob and me how he and his fellow pastor friends had been praying for years for God to help them somehow, for they knew they needed Bible training and assistance.  With much enthusiasm he went on to explain how God had answered their prayers when He sent us from far away and over the mountains to come to them!

If you are a believer in Christ, then you are a missionary.  You’ve friends and family, or neighbors or coworkers, or classmates who need Jesus.  They need to see the truth of the gospel lived out in your life and to hear the words of that same glorious gospel from your lips.  But, as we have seen, none of that can happen apart from devotion to prayer.  Devotion to prayer may not be in vogue in many churches today, but it has always been and will always be in vogue with God, and those churches that are growing and expanding in their outreach.  

D. L. Moody, “Behind every work of God you will always find some kneeling form.”

SEND THE LIGHT

There’s a call comes ringing o’er the restless wave, “Send the light! Send the light”
There are souls to rescue, there are souls to save,
Send the light!
Send the light!

Chorus:
Send the light, the blessed gospel light;
Let it shine from shore to shore!
Send the light the blessed gospel light;
Let it shine forevermore!

We have heard the Macedonian call today,”Send the light! Send the light!”
And a golden off’ring at the cross we lay,
Send the light!
Send the light! [Chorus]

Let us pray that grace may ev’rywhere abound, “Send the light! Send the light!”
And a Christ-like spirit ev’rywhere be found,
Send the light!
Send the light! [Chorus]

Let us not grow weary in the work of love, “Send the light! Send the light!”
Let us gather jewels for a crown above,
Send the light!
Send the light! [Chorus]

Prayer Meeting Interrupted

Bible Reading: Acts 12:1-19

In his commentary on the book of Acts, Jack Andrews writes, “How important is prayer to you? How often do you practice praying? Do you talk more about praying than you actually pray? FACTS: The early church was used by God to reach their world for Jesus. They saw the power of God change hearts, save souls, rescue His children, and release those bound up by Satan.  Entire cities turned to Christ and the whole world turned upside down! The early church understood the importance and significance of prayer. They spent much time together in prayer, many hours laboring in prayer and fervent dedication to prayer! The early church talked to God, pleaded with God, wrestled in prayer to God, warred against the powers of darkness in prayer to God. The church must get back to fervent and faithful praying! If we are going to be used by God, we must daily seek Him in prayer! Prayer was important to the early church! Is it important to you?”

In his persecution of the church, King Herod “killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also” (Acts 12:2-3).  King Herod put Peter in prison with four squads of soldiers guarding him, “but earnest prayer for him was being made to God by the church” (Acts 12:5).

How distressing for the church!  The Apostle Peter had been at the very heart and center of the great work the Lord had done in birthing and building His church.  But now he was being held in a prison.  And guarded by four squads of soldiers!  What were they to do?  It was a contest of good vs. evil.  King Herod meant evil for the church.  He had both political power, his mighty prison and strong soldiers.  But the church was free to pray, and they did!  It was as one commentator pointed out, “When every other gate is shut and locked, the gate to heaven is wide open.”  That’s a good thing to keep in mind next time you feel trapped in some way.

So, there were many praying.  They were not praying mechanically, or simply “going through the motions,” but earnestly, with fervor and a sense of urgency.  Their prayers were specific.  Specific prayer is powerful prayer.  They wanted Peter released and they likely prayed for God’s peace and strength for him as well. We infer from the context they were praying for a long time.  They kept on praying until the answer to their prayers showed up at the gate (Acts 12:14)!  They’ve set a good example for us in how to pray when troubles come our way.

In his commentary on the book of Acts, Charles Swindoll gives two applications of this story focused on prayer: First, ask God for what you want—and be bold! Too often we temper our requests—even good, godly requests like the healing of a friend, or the restoration of a failing marriage—perhaps to protect ourselves from disappointment, or to pray responsibly, or to avoid presuming upon God, or to pray within the bounds of what we imagine the Lord’s will might be…Pray boldly for what is good. Don’t hold back. Don’t qualify your requests. God’s sovereignty isn’t threatened, and His goodness isn’t compromised if you plead earnestly—supplicate shamelessly—for good to prevail…Second, trust the sovereignty and goodness of God to prevail. The people in the home of Mary gathered to pray for Peter. We don’t know the content of their prayers, but some must have asked God for a miraculous release, just like the earlier release. Clearly, however, no one really expected to see Peter alive again, or they wouldn’t have been so dubious when he knocked. Still, they trusted God…No matter how your circumstances turn out after earnest prayer, assure yourself with these words—repeat them as often as necessary: ‘The Lord is right in all His ways’ (Deuteronomy 32:4).

“O believing brethren! What an instrument is this which God hath put into your hands! Prayer moves Him that moves the universe” – Robert Murray M’Cheyne

A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD

A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God’s own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same;
and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.

That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God’s truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever!

A Barrier Busting Prayer

Bible Reading: Acts 10

We were living in Columbia City, Oregon in the spring of 1990.  I was finishing up my Bible training at Western Conservative Baptist Seminary.  Having sensed a call to pastoral ministry, Laura and I were praying and waiting on the Lord to show where He would send us.  In that same time frame, unbeknownst to us, two men in Astoria, Jim Thompson and Vic Albertson, were praying for a pastor for their church.  Their church had met with troubles, they’d thought of closing the doors, but decided instead to pray God would somehow provide a pastor.  God worked through their prayers and ours to bring us together.  Astonishingly God called me to serve as pastor of the same church where the very first member of my extended family was saved!  Until he departed to be with Jesus, Jim Thompson (an elder in our church and dear friend and a man who was devoted to prayer), would frequently thank God in his prayers for having answered his prayer in sending us.  And, of course, we ended up serving there for twenty-seven and ½ years.  Isn’t it amazing how God is well pleased to work through the prayers of men to accomplish His plan!  We have a fitting example of that in this Acts, chapter eight.

Approximately seven years had passed since Jesus’ commission to the Apostles to be His witnesses “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).  It took a “great persecution” to scatter believers to the “regions of Judea and Samaria” (Acts 8:1).  Even then there was no real attempt to take the message to the Gentiles.  The gospel outreach to the remotest part of the earth was apparently of remote concern (except for Philip’s outreach efforts; Acts 8:40).

The problem was, there were longstanding religious traditions and prejudices which stood in the way. It was unlawful for a Jew “to associate with or visit anyone of another nation” (Acts 10:28) or to eat with them (Acts 11:3). In NT times the Jews had little regard for the Gentiles. So strong was their animosity that a common Jewish prayer went something like this, “God thank you that I was not born a woman or a Gentile.” There were Jewish laws which prohibited contact with Gentiles. If a Gentile was invited into a Jewish home, he was not to be left unattended, lest every article of food and drink be henceforth regarded as unclean. The animosity by the Jews towards the Gentiles (and vice versa) was pervasive. It impacted every aspect of life. It was possible for a Gentile to be proselytized to Judaism, but it rarely happened. Gentile converts were rarely treated fairly and were commonly looked on with suspicion.

God would have to intervene if the gospel were to be taken to the Gentiles. And that’s exactly what He did in bringing Cornelius and Peter together. Cornelius was “a devout man who feared God, with all his household, gave alms generously to the people and prayed continuously to God” (Acts 10:2). God, having heard his prayers, gave him instructions to send for Peter (Acts 10:4). Peter was about thirty-five miles away in Joppa. The next day, as Cornelius’ men were on their way, Peter went up on the housetop to pray. Through repeated visions God revealed His will to Peter regarding what would soon happen. While Peter was perplexed by the meaning of it all, the men sent by Cornelius arrived and spoke to Peter. He went away with them to Caesarea. Peter and Cornelius then met and explained to each other how God had worked to bring them together.

Peter shared the gospel with Cornelius and his household (Acts 10:34-43).  “While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word” (Acts 10:44).  The seed of the gospel message fell on the fruitful soil of well-prepared hearts!  What a wonderful day!  The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were “amazed” (Acts 10:45).  In an instant God tore down centuries-old and firmly established barriers.  God worked in an amazing way through the prayers of those two men, to break down an insurmountable barrier that had been centuries in the making.  Friends, we’ve no idea how God will work through our prayers to accomplish a certain thing, but we know that He can.  And so, we remain devoted to prayer.  Just like Cornelius.

“Thou Art Coming to a King, Large Petitions with Thee Bring” – John Newton

COME, MY SOUL, THY SUIT PREPARE (John Newton)

Come, my soul, thy suit prepare,
Jesus loves to answer pray’r.
He Himself has bid thee pray,
rise and ask without delay.

Thou art coming to a King,
large petitions with thee bring,
for his grace and pow’r are such,
none can ever ask too much.

With my burden I begin,
Lord, remove this load of sin!
Let Thy blood, for sinners spilt,
set my conscience free from guilt.

Lord! I come to Thee for rest,
take possession of my breast;
there Thy blood-bought right maintain,
and without a rival reign.

While I am a pilgrim here,
let Thy love my spirit cheer;
as my Guide, my Guard, my Friend,
lead me to my journey’s end.

Show me what I have to do;
ev’ry hour my strength renew;
let me live a life of faith;
let me die Thy people’s death.