Posted: 04/17/2008 at 8:10am | IP Logged

A Paradigm Shift – Everyone Praying

In three of the gospels, we find Jesus saying that “His house is to be a house of prayer….” Preceding that verse, He is speaking about the temple. In these days, that would mean the church house, or sanctuary, the place where people gather together.

In the mid-1990s, I went to a meeting in San Jose, California, to hear Luis Palau speak. At the end of the meeting, he came down from the platform and began talking with people. So, I went to meet him. He asked where I attended church services. I told him it was a particular church name and a certain denomination. He told me to be sure that they keep praying.

I’m no longer a part of that denomination, but I have noticed in my many travels over the past 28 years that most churches seem to have this need, the need for prayer. The only exceptions I’ve seen to this are house churches, where everyone is allowed to pray.

Since the Lord’s house is to be a house of prayer, I am wondering why everyone is not allowed to pray in church. I’m sensing that this change is what needs to be done in the American church in particular. Everyone needs to be allowed to pray publicly, not just the leaders.

In my many studies on the subject of revival, they were always preceded by prayer. Then, when the praying stopped, so did the revival. I’ve also seen this first-hand; that is, I’ve prayed for revival and it began. When the corporate prayer meetings (where everyone prayed together) stopped, so did the revival.

There’s a saying that goes like this: The families who pray together, stay together. In our churches, we are family. We each need to be allowed to pray. If someone gets out of line in what they’re praying, they need to be corrected. However, until such time, why should they not be allowed to pray?

It is also said that when there is little prayer, there is little power and when there is much prayer, there is much power. If we want there to be power in our churches, we need more prayer. It takes the power of God to bring about salvations, healings, miracles and deliverance. Without enough prayer, these things will not happen there, at least not on a regular basis.

I see that God wants us not only praying as individuals, but also wants us liberated to pray in our local churches and other ministries. If the leaders have fear of disorder or some other fear, perhaps they then need deliverance from those fears so that God  is free to move.

The psalmist David sought the Lord. He heard him and delivered him (David) from all of his fears (Psalm 34:4). The same is true for us, as God is no respecter of persons. What He did for David, He will also do for us…if we do what David did, namely, seek the Lord for deliverance from all of his fears. When we’re delivered from all of our fears, we then have none. Right?

God’s Word works, if we work it. I see my Bible as my prayer book; that is, I pray it into my life as I read it, and have done this for many years, and it has transformed the way I think. The same is true for any of us who will do this. As we’re doers of His holy written Word, we then do not deceive ourselves, as is written in James 1:22.

Let’s pray as though our future depends on it because it does. Let’s pray for others, as though their future depends on it, because it does. Let’s allow the Lord to make the difference not only in our lives, but let there also be the liberty to pray in our local churches. Remember: His house is to be a house of prayer….

In His love,

Ann

Posted: 04/17/2008 at 8:54am | IP Logged

Thanks Anita for your encouragement. I'm not sure how some leaders are going to view this. I sent it out to many on my email address list, including quite a few pastors and other leaders.

I surely need prayer for protection from what might be said "against" what I sent out...the opposition sometimes can be fierce. However, just before coming back online, the power of God hit me so hard, I could hardly stand up.

I got this message this morning with tears. Throughout the week, the thoughts kept coming to mind, "Why can't I pray in church?" Seems like an oxymoron (if that's the right word for it).

I haven't seen what you mention here, that of church buildings being used for political forums. Maybe that's just in certain parts of our country.

Bless you, sister.

Love,

Ann

Posted: 04/17/2008 at 9:16am | IP Logged

Amen ann!!!

Isa 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

joyful...

to all people, to the nations..

Posted: 04/17/2008 at 3:09pm | IP Logged

Yes, Richard, the joy of the Lord...is our strength. Also, Hebrews 1 as well as somewhere in the OT, it tells us that when we love righteousness and hate wickedness, He will anoint us with the oil of joy.

Thank You, Jesus.

Ann