Prayer Column: June 2013

Yes, but how much, and how many?

Does it make any difference how many pray, or is just one enough? And is one prayer enough, or should we pester God till we get what we want?

Prayer can start with one, and if you’re on your own that’s all you can do (e.g., Acts 9:11), but groups can often pray better together. The Lord’s prayer begins ‘Our Father; He spoke of gatherings of at least two or three; and the early church prayed together (Mt 6:9; 18:20; Acts 1:14; 4:24; 12:12). Groups encourage, strengthen, help cover all the bases, find agreement. And there’s something helpful about meeting regularly too.

Prayer isn’t just about getting what we want: Not my will, but yours..., Jesus prayed – having asked three of his disciple to watch with him (Mt 26:39). And we’re promised answers to prayers ‘in Jesus’ name’, with faith that what we ask is actually God’s will (Mt 21:22; Jn 14:13). As for how long we should pray, Jesus encourages perseverance: ask, seek, knock. And he himself responded to the urgent persistence of a worried Mum (Lk 11:9; Mt 15:22). Prayer is not a rite, a formula, a handle to crank God into action. It’s an expression to him of longing and deep caring, like that Mum.

When God’s Spirit gives us a heart for something, then a lifetime of seeking prayer isn’t too long, and will not be disregarded. What do you long for in your church, or circuit? What has the Lord given you a heart for? Who else could you team up with to get what God wants?

Roy Lorrain-Smith

A prayer for each week

Father God, thank you for prayer – that we can speak with you at any time and from any place. Please help us to make more use of it, and always to be in when you call, just as you are with us. Amen.

Father God, thank you for others in our fellowship who’re prayer oriented, talking with you and listening. Please help us to explore together the privilege of prayer, and so praise you in practice. Amen.

Father God, thank you for revealing to us what you want, in this world and in us. Please help us to pray your will into being, trusting your promises, set out in your Word and shared by your Spirit. Amen.

Father God, thank you for the dimension of everlasting, into which you fit all our times. As, day by day, we come before your throne in prayer, please help us to see things through your eyes, and trust. Amen.

Father God, thank you for showing us, through Jesus, that you are real, loving, forgiving, holy, and yet approachable. Please help us to come to you boldly, in the name of Jesus, for the help we need. Amen.

Your own prayers

Comments

Christmas Day Worship 2021

Today is the day - Christmas! The central candle is lit. The waiting is over. The child is born. As we celebrate the Feast and Holy-Day of Christmas, with the Psalmist (Ps. 98:4-6) we proclaim: Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn – shout for joy before the LORD, the King. Prayer Let us pray: Generous God, even as we praise you for the good news of today, and seek to shout for joy at the coming of the Christ-child, we acknowledge Mary’s mix of pain and joy, both today and in the days to come. As we do so, we face our own emotions on this difficult and delightful day, and ask your help to live it well. Amen. Carol You might like to sing, or reflect on the words of Geoffrey Ainger’s hymn at StF 193/H&P 95, Born in the night, Mary’s child, a long way from your home; coming in need, Mary’s child, born in a borro...

Pastoral Letter - 9 December 2021

Dear friends We have been through a lot together over this last 18 months since the pandemic first started, as households, as communities and as the people of the church. At times we have struggled, but we have also recognised the support we can offer one another in times of adversity. When things have been far from normal, we have adapted in new ways to continue the life and mission of the church. In the face of great hurt and great need, we have found the value of faith and hope. Since the summer we have seen signs of hope in the re-opening of buildings and the re-starting of some of our church and community groups. However, recent news of a new variant of the virus has once again raised the level of concern. Clearly, the pandemic is not yet over. Consequently, as I am sure you are already aware, the government has decided that there is a need for greater restrictions to be in place once again - see detailed guidance dated 8th December. In the light of this, the Methodist Church...

Prayer Column - January 2022

The turn of the year As a new year approaches we tend to wonder what lies ahead, hoping always to shake off the past’s bad record and for something better to come, as if hoping could make it so. We wonder about next year because of course we don’t know what lies around the corner (however great the store of human knowledge, and however thorough our Googling). Search as we may, and it’s a royal honour to do so (Prov 25:2), some things are known only to God: times and seasons fixed by his authority are not for us to know (Acts 1:7), for the future is his. This is a time to remind ourselves of God’s omniscience: he does know (Rom 11:33). He knows the plans he has for us – plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us a hope and a future (Jer 29:11). And it’s time to remember also that God is not far-off and aloof, but a loving, heavenly Father who wants a close living relationship with each of us, day by day and breath by breath – he sent Jesus to bring us back to him. So ...

Bradford North Circuit

Search This Blog