In Jesus’ Name…Amen!

Are we ‘praying without ceasing’ in the faith partnership that we enjoy with our loving Heavenly Father? Do our prayer requests, while potent in the asking, rush all to soon to a sincere, though abbreviated, close – “In Jesus’ name…Amen”?

Those whom we serve in the spiritual battle that’s waging against the persecuted church have a strong sense of an all-powerful God; and by our prayerful and consistent petitions to heaven, they have tapped into His endless aquafer of front-line support. Their faithfulness is strikingly more persistent than ours, and I’m convinced that it has something to do with their sense of desperation and vulnerability, as compared to the comfort zone from which we may express our own compassion.

In the process of praying in faith, we need to ask ourselves that pertinent opening question, thereby avoiding the abdication of some of our God-given responsibilities with the belief that He alone is the Author and Finisher of our faith, as stated in Hebrews 12:2:

“…looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

This intrinsic relationship between God and humankind – as evidenced when the hearts of His people are united in and through prayer, and there’s the willingness to participate in the expression and practice of His Kingdom principals – makes it possible to draw upon His eternal strength according to our faith and by its power. When we do, there is the potential for our prayers to be answered…for things to change.

Yet, it occurs to me, perhaps in the lessons learned at the feet of the persecuted, that there may be a logical and apparent corollary to the convenient traditions of our faith and prayer practice. In Paul’s earnest concerns regarding the apparent lack of faith amongst the Thessalonians, he expressed persistency in his letters to them. Especially note his words in 1 Thessalonians 3:10:

“…night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?”

I would ask us to likewise consider whether our prayers are as effective as they might be if we, for example, were to pray “exceedingly” and compassionately during those times when there’s a potential lack of faith within each other. Is it possible that we are praying expediently by briefly uttering the prayer request and submission to heaven, and then assigning that prayer and its presumed outcome to Jesus in His holy name? This may, in fact, be the ultimate missed opportunity; a potential breach of a “Kingdom” protocol between you, me, and God our Father. “How so a breach?” you may ask.

Well, what if the Lord intends for us to participate more wholeheartedly and integrally in the prayer process? What if our initial request is more than just a drop at a celestial depository for the registration of our prayer requests, following which we systematically move on – assuming our prayer is in good hands?

What if God intends us to further commit to protecting and sustaining our prayers through faith, much like a mother hen warms and protects her eggs…each one developing daily into a new life? If such were true, would we not consistently pray in a way that nurtures the prayer and protects God’s purposes for its life among, or to the benefit of, the followers of Christ and His church? According to James 5:15-17, praying fervently results in great benefits – as well as the fulfillment of His divine purposes.

“And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.”

May I suggest that as you pray on behalf of those who are persecuted for Jesus’ sake, you initiate the prayers as God leads – declaring the covenant with Him that follows such fervent intercession by upholding each prayer recipient consistently until the Lord releases you of that commitment? While remaining mindful to intercede for the persecuted church, it is my prayer during this time of Christmas celebration that the blessings of Christ will also be upon you and your family, as we together acknowledge God’s faithfulness to follow through with His incarnation in the life of the Promised Messiah.

In Jesus’ name…Amen!

- Doug