Colossians 1:9
For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, ans so ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
In these verses, the apostle Paul reveals that he has a serious connection and obligation to pray for the church (people) at Colosse. There was an obligation, on his part, to keep them lifted in prayer before God, that they might come to a "fullness" of God in their hearts and in their personal lives, as well as in the corporate life of that church.
This verse set me to thinking last week, and I spent the better part of my time pondering it in heart and mind. Paul was obligated, through Christ, to pray for these people because of the connection between them and him. Is that what church is really all about? Connections made through God's Holy Spirit that gives purpose and motivation to the leadership of a church? I think maybe it is.
The one question that kept coming up all last week was "What is our obligation, as a church, to those who come through the door on Saturday night?" What is it that God wants to do to further the kingdom (His dynamic rule and reign in the hearts of men and women)? There it was in those seven little words in Colossians 1:9 -- Do not cease to pray for you. We have an obligation, a call if you will, to pray over and pray for those who come on Saturday night. I'm not talking about a flowery, cute, fluffy prayer...I'm talking about get down in the dirt, the trenches where it's real...Oh God, if you don't come and heal this person, they are going to die--kind of prayers. I'm talking intercessory prayer. But in order to pray these kind of prayers, we've got to learn (which is an ongoing process) to love everyone who comes to Vineyard Recovery. Love them as God loves them. This may take a huge work and effort on the Holy Spirit's part to change us and our attitudes, but last time I checked, He was up for it.
To pray for a change of heart in someone who is struggling with addiction, or even struggling with recovery, requires God to change the nature and character of that individual. It truly does become an ongoing work as the Holy Spirit works to produce the fruit of Galatians 5 in all of us. Change the heart.......change the mind.....change the mind........change the attitude.........change the attitude.....change the behavior. All within the capability of God authority and power.
So understanding that our call,as a church, is to be that prayer link between those who come and God is something that the leadership of VRC is willing to jump into. Last night was a really awesome time, as during ministry, all the core leaders of the church got up and began to move around the room praying over and ministering to those present. The room became very tender and several receiving ministry were weeping. There were several prophetic words spoken as well as some word's of knowledge received. As I walked out into the night, after the meeting was over and everyone had left. I knew what our purpose was........Prayer. Not just prayer that was relegated to Saturday nights between the hours of 7 and 8:15 p.m.. But prayer that continued all week...every day...
I think maybe that was what Paul was writing about in Colossians 1:9.
Here are some of the things we will be praying about.
1.) Two from our fellowship will be joining a team on a mission trip to Haiti in a couple of weeks. There will be a lot of interaction with children on this trip, and a lot of peanut butter sandwiches made and served. Pray that God would use this simple act of being a servant to win the hearts of the children. Pray for team safety as well as favor with the local government.
2.) Several present last night are moving on in their recovery, from being in a treatment program to going back out to family, jobs and responsibility. This is a precarious time in their lives, so our prayer is that God would bring to remembrance the things they have been taught. Remember and practice daily in their lives so that they aren't swallowed up by the darkness of addiction again.
3.) There were some present last night who are in a kind of twilight zone of life. That middle ground where they haven't truly committed to recovery, but they are truly sick and tired of being sick and tired in their addiction. I guess you would call it a place of hesitation----fear of the unknown of what may be next. Pray that they would fall into the arms of God's grace and begin a new way of living.
4.) Some have needs, such as jobs and school. Prayer for them that God would reveal himself and they would understand what the next step is that He desires them to take.
God on you...
mb
No comments:
Post a Comment