Prayers do not evaporate.  (Another thought from my Brooklyn Tabernacle experience)

Hello.

The Church talks about prayer, but really, think about your church … heck, think about your life … how much is it devoted to prayer?  From its inception, the Brooklyn Tabernacle has been obedient to Jesus’ strong emotional edict when he drove the money-changers from the Temple, “my house shall be called a house of prayer.”^*   A house of prayer it is and has been for almost 39 years now.  Each worship service allows for a time of prayer and the moving of the Holy Spirit; as well, Pastor Jim Cymbala travels the world trumpeting the high calling, privilege, opportunity and impact of prayer. 

I had a thought while I was sitting in the beautiful, almost 100-year-old restored theatre, in all of its art deco beauty, why not pray and ask God to make me into a woman of prayer?  Yeah, let us begin today by asking God to draw you and me into heartfelt, meaningful times of daily prayer with him. 

“Dearest Lord Jesus, I know that I am lost without you, and yet how often do I try to take on life in a ‘solo’ fashion.  I pray that you would woo and beckon me to be alone with you, taking each and every aspect of life and living before you, seeking your direction, guidance and even intervention for my life.  As your loved one, Paul said, it is in you ‘we live and move and have our being’. 

“You tell us in your Word that our prayers are a fragrant offering, a kind of bowl of incense lifted before you.  You never forget the prayers we lift to you, even when our lives continue to move on, and we sometimes grow weary in seeking you, or distracted in day-to-day living.  How this encourages my heart as I think of my prayers, incense in bowls, still sitting before you … like my boy who has many years ago turned away from you… the one who I continue to bring to you—over and over—you have not grown deaf, and you have not grown weary.  Indeed, each prayer has been captured in a bowl and sits before you.  My prayers have not died.”   Friends, your prayers are still before your Father, and he will honor them … take heart! 

Prayer is the key to breakthrough in our lives.  Are you mired in worry?  Perhaps you have not really prayed.  Are you dragged down by the weight of your guilt and sin?  Perhaps you have not prayed and then accepted God’s forgiveness … yes, if you are caught up in guilt, perhaps you have not prayed enough and been released!  Are you fearful?  Angry?  How about negative?  Pray. 

Whatever your need . . . open your heart and mind, take your request before your loving Father.  Start your day with prayer.  Ask God, ‘what will you have me say and do this day?’  Let us, like Jesus, endeavor to say, purpose to do, only what the Father gives us to say and do.  Amen.

Christine