Being thankful is an early connection I made with prayer from a very young age. When I was a kid, my dad would tuck us in at night and lead us in bedtime prayers. I rarely added to his prayer because I didn’t know what to say. Dad would try to prompt me, asking if I had anything I was thankful for. I remember one time; I thanked God for my dog Freckles, who was my best friend at the time, and probably my first love. As my faith grew so did my prayer life; and I found that “Thank You” was typically the way I began most of my prayers, and still do today.
The practice of prayer was commonplace in our home. We prayed before meals, before bedtime, before and after exams, when we saw a sirening emergency vehicle, when someone was hurting or scared, at birthdays and celebrations; basically, whenever there was a human need, event, or milestone that required God’s mercy or grace – or both – we prayed about it.
The impact of prayer in my life has been that it reveals my very DEPENDENCE on God. Without Him – in my own efforts – I can do NOTHING. I need to be in communion with God. That prayer intimately connects me to the Creator of the universe and Savior of humanity just blows my mind when I stop and think about it! That He hears my prayers and cares about my little ordinary life is beyond my understanding! These truths recall ancient promises that have endured to generations of the children of God (promises meant for you and me TODAY):
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4: 6-7 NLT)
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect. (James 5:16 CSB)
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7 NASB)
These promises are our hope and our future. Something we can hang our hat on, in FAITH.
Prayer becomes palpable when you are driven to face-down surrender. In a state of utter desperation, prayer is the undeniable ONLY way to endure. If you’ve been there, you know what I mean. We are wired for dependence upon our loving and merciful God. He made us to love Him and seek Him and depend on Him. Paul encourages us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “Pray continually.” Why, because we are self-sufficient? No. Rather, because we are not! We are called to pray ALWAYS because we always need the help of the Lord who made us, who sees our circumstances, and is involved in every detail of our lives.
When I became the Deacon of Prayer, I felt the Lord inviting me to pray continually for our community. Since then, I have felt a deep desire to lift each of you up to the throne of grace and pray on your behalf, which I am doing constantly. I also heard a word from the Lord I believe is meant for the community of PWC, from the Prophet Isaiah: “For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” (Isaiah 56:7b ESV).
I sincerely believe that PWC has been called to be a HOUSE OF PRAYER for all people…for our PWC family, but also for people everywhere. It is my prayer that together we will grow as a praying church and make prayer part of our identity in Christ and in community.
I believe there is power in prayer, because “where two or three come together in my name, I am there with them.” (Matthew 18:20 GNT). May you be inspired to pray for each other continually and be encouraged every day that our Lord Jesus is with you always and He hears your prayers and He answers. If you need prayer or would like to become part of our Prayer Chain ministry, please email [email protected].