“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14
As I write this article, I am participating in our Jurisdictional 105th Annual Holy Convocation. Many of you know I am a part of the First Jurisdiction of Virginia COGIC. Our prelate, Bishop Ted Thomas, Sr., has a reputation of being a holy, sanctified and praying leader. As such, we begin our convocation with a 40-hour prayer, fasting and shut-in consecration.
It is approaching midnight and we will pray through the night (I have the 2:30 – 3:00 a.m. time slot). As I look around the room and observe the prayer warriors, I can only imagine how we might appear to the unbeliever. Who in their right mind would go 40 hours without food and closed up in the church? They would conclude that we’ve lost our minds – and they would be right!
I have learned that effective prayer, a dedicated prayer life, an intercessory prayer vigil requires a mind different than what we are accustomed to. Real prayer is hard work; it requires that we suppress our normal tendencies. Have you noticed the many hindrances that present themselves when it is time to pray? We get sleepy, the telephone rings, the children get restless, your favorite television program comes on, your throat gets scratchy, etc. That’s no accident.
Praying does not come naturally. We have to develop a prayer life and a desire to pray. Have you noticed how few people are in attendance when there is a call to pray? People come for singing, they come for food and the social hour, but not for prayer. I even notice on a larger scale, when we have conferences, many of the leaders are in meetings, while the lay members are praying.
Jesus told us and showed us differently. When the young man was afflicted with a disease, the disciples were ineffective and could not deliver the young man. After Jesus healed him, the disciples asked why they could not. Jesus informed them that “…these kind” only come out by prayer and fasting.
On the eve of His crucifixion, Jesus took His inner circle with Him to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. As He prayed, it was obvious that His flesh was getting the better of Him because He asked that the cup pass from Him. When Jesus returned (He prayed a distance from the disciples), He found His friends asleep. This frustrated Him. Jesus left to pray again, the same request, and when He returned an hour later, they were again asleep. However, when Jesus broke away to pray the third time, His flesh submitted to the will of the Father and Jesus finally said, “…not my will but thy will be done”.
My friends, I invite you to join me and the Lord in prayer. Consider the condition of our marriages, families, government, schools, and churches – we need to pray. We have a saying at Holiness Tabernacle, “prayer still works,” you ought to try it.
I bless you in the name of the Lord!