PRAY-ERS

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and PRAY and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land – 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Prayer is Priority – both at individual and collective levels. Prayer is the heating apparatus of the church, family and nation. If the heating apparatus is mal-functioning, so many churches will be cold, lukewarm or dead. The Lord Jesus told the church in Sardis: “...I know your works, that you have a name that you live, and are dead” (Rev.3:1); and the church in Laodecia: “So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue you out of My mouth” (Rev.3:16). Prayer is to the Christian what breath is to the body. It is our vital, indispensable breath. Prayer is not merely asking for ‘things’ but it is a whole attitude of life, that finds expression through the lips, in praise and supplication, thanksgiving and confession of personal faith in God’s ability to fulfil His covenant promises. Here are few points to never forget about the Priority of Prayer:

In 2 Chromicles 7, Solomon prayed and heaven’s fire descended, culmitating in the covenant-promise of prevailing prayer! Notice that his prayers preceded the elaborate feasts. Ministers of God are expected to give themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:4). The Pastor who is not praying is playing, while the Church members who are not praying are straying. The prayerless Pastor cannot produce warriors of righteousness. When we pray, the family, the church and the nation will be shaken positively. Prayer transforms personalities; prayer changes situations, things, and cities. The prayer closet is not a place to merely hand to the Lord God a list of urgent requests; rather, it is the platform to receive Power from on High, to rekindle the Fire of Revival; and to command the destinies of souls and the direction of nations.

The ministry of prayer is open to all. Unfortunately, the focus of many minsters today is the size of love offerings, a big name to display and defend, and large crowds to keep, mainly for the material returns than for eternal rewards. A religion of mere emotions and sensation is a terrible blight upon the church. Today, many churches know more about promotions and jingles than prayers. They have forgotten consecration by fostering competition, and have substituted propaganda for propagation of the gospel, because the fire and power of prayer have waned. Some churches are so parched that seed cannot germinate, while others are so dry with no hot tears of penitents. There are many organizers but few Agonizers; many players, but few PRAY-ERS; many singers, few Clingers; much fashion, little Passion; many interferers, few Intercessors.

Many believers now have ashes where once they had fire! The church began with believers agonizing in the Upper Room, but today, many churches and Christians are in the “supper room” of sophistication. The church began in Revival, but now people are steeped in religious rituals. The church started vibrant and virile, but it is now becoming still and sterile. Where are the flame-hearted believers who ought to be Pillars of Fire in the Holy Temple? They have given place to undue sleep on pillows of business, occupation, and domestic chores. Where are the Pauls to stir up timid Timothys? Where are the men of Flame to outshine the men of fame? Where are the Knights of Prayers to lead nights of prayers? Failing in prayers is failing everywhere! Are you a Pray-er? Let’s awake to prayers and reclaim our Mountains of Dominion in Destiny!