Back in the day I used to read all the time, but for the last 4 or 5 years I don't think I've picked up a whole lot except the Bible. Now I've got 4 or 5 really good books on the go. Last night I was reading "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" by Jim Cybala, and I really wanted to post something on here, but it was long after midnight. Hopefully I haven't forgotten too much of what I was thinking at the time. The author is the pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, a church of over 6000 people. Anywhoos...he was talking about how the church has thrived, not because of the latest programs, worship songs, whatever...but because of prayer. He talks about how they could always tell how the church was doing by how the tuesday night prayer meetings went. Now maybe I shouldn't make too many general statements, 'cause I haven't been to a lot of other churhces, but based on what I've heard from other Christians, prayer is pretty low on the priority list. People come out for Bible studies, potlucks, worship nights, "fellowship" times, but good luck getting more than 10 people to show up for a prayer meeting or an evening communion service. I think we have lost sense of the urgency and the need for prayer. Cybala writes, "Prayer cannot truly be taught by principles and seminars and symposiums. It has to be born out of a whole environment of felt need. If I say, "I ought to pray," I will soon run out of motivation and quit; the flesh is too strong. I have to be driven to pray."
I've been reading the book of Acts for quite a while, and I really think we're missing a few things. Aside from the fact that our lives are so busy, and our culture is so materialistic, I think we as Christians lack the unity and effectiveness of the early Christian church because we do not pray together. Acts 2:42 says, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
Hmmm...not sure where I'm going with this...my brain doesn't want to function at this hour. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this...leave a comment or send me an email. Later.
