Hi, everyone! I greet you with the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I want to talk about prayer and the power of prayer. My church has a tuesday night prayer meeting for the residences of the Nursing home in which our church meets. That Prayer meeting is one of the highlights of my week. For those that come are faithful in attendence. All of them are in wheel chairs because of age or trauma from car accidents. To see them wheeling themselves into the room to pray. Brings tears to my eyes. Last night when I asked who we should pray for. One of the residences who is also a member of our church. Shouted out "Let's pray for God!" I was stunned and asked her what did she want to pray for God? She said "She wanted us to pray for God because we trespass against him! She said the loves us and wants to care for us and we won't let him. When I ask if they have any prayer requests for themselves, they always say no, they want to pray for others. I find that through prayer meetings I am one with my congregation. I am a sinner sitting in a circle asking God's forgiveness. No titles, no distinction, just one of God's children asking for his help. Our church is adding a second service at another location for the congregation wants more time for prayer. For they said it was prayer that raised our church and they want to make sure everyone in the congregation has been prayed for. Plus a prayer circle will be starting in two weeks in a town that is 16 miles aways during the week so that those who cannot come into town during the winter will have prayer near them. The transformation that is happening in our church is happening because of prayer. I guess one other thing that I want to say is that the growth of a church is dependent on God, laity and the Pastor. We must never forget the power of laity for it is through you that God works to keep the church going. How have you seen the power of prayer transform your church and or your life? I love all of you, for God is so good!

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2001

Answers

Thank you Rev. Rogers for such timely observations about prayer. Although, I must admit that I don't know why we should pray for God. However, nevertheless, I find that I pray all the day long and I am very much addicted to it. Sometimes when I am in a theater, I look at all the people in the audience and I am amazed that God knows all about these individuals and has been with them all their lives. Yet even though he knows all about them, I feel that I have an intimate relationship with him. It is a privilege to tell God everything in prayer knowing that he understands and is not judgemental. Quite frankly, when I feel fear or anxiety I pray immediately. I don't try to bear anything alone anymore. In the happy times, I pray and during the sad times I pray. I just came down off a fast yesterday and I am waiting for a word from the Lord.

I am also thankful for prayer because of this scripture "And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; "And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:26-27

JazzMan

-- Anonymous, November 12, 2001

Prayer is one of the Christians most powerful weapons. Because of prayer, God moves in our lives and makes the necessary changes that needs to take place when we ask believing.

On yesterday, our pastor announced the institution of evening worship service to begin the first Sunday in January 2002. Thank God! Prayer meeting has begun as well. A teaching ministry is beginning to take place, all coming about through much prayer, patience and a new pastor.

I'm thanking and praising God for all that He is doing. All because of prayer and patiently waiting for God to move in His on time. If we hope for that we see not, then we with patience wait for it. Rom. 8:25

Pray without ceasing!

-- Anonymous, December 17, 2001