Legalistic?
Can I share from my heart?
We have a youth prayer meeting on Saturday. It was initially started by my brother, who is currently studying in Australia, in the old Teng residence. To accommodate more people to participate in this good thing, the time and location was changed. For a while we had many, but now we have a faithful handful, with the rare occasion of others.
People just don't come to pray. Leaders don't come to pray. Musicians don't come to pray. Worshippers don't come to pray - what an oxymoron! I've been thinking about this matter since the new year now. Things aren't changing. A major reconstruction of the church is necessary, and it looks like we're dealing with the foundation, isn't it? I try to ask people to come. But because I'm the pastor's kid, I don't understand and it's much easier for me to be actively involve in building the everlasting Kingdom.
Should there be a rule for this - All leaders should come for prayer? Will that make a change? Would that be any good? Haha, maybe. Most probably not. It would more likely drive people away from the ministry... It's sad, but it's true. I do sometimes consider personally attack, haha, challenge their priorities. I'm pretty sure I'm going to win such an argument, because I'm good at describing things (not always a good thing), but I fear the consequences of losing a friend.
Before the past prayer meeting on Wednesday, as I continue to ponder on this matter, God reminded me the joy of being able to entering into His presence and be at His throne of grace. I need not frown. If my focus is on numbers, then I should focus on Number One. What a great joy be able to enter into His presence, lifting prayers, petitions, thanksgiving and praise. Having others joining along is an added incentive. God reminded me also of how I was before He did that change in my heart. No one scolded me or challenged my priorities, no one gave me a set of rules. Rules and laws bind the soul, but only TRUTH (that can only come from God and be understood by man because of His grace) sets free.
And finally, God reminded me of something really important - I have people around me who share the same convictions. I have prayer partners!! Wow!! So here's my conviction - People don't come to pray. For whatever reason, valid or invalid, most people just don't come to pray. I'll just continue to pray. Sure, I'll pray for people to come. But my focus would be that God will continue to work in my life, that the Dream-Giver would continue to mould me into a runner He can be proud of.
God is indeed doing something in the youth prayer meeting. It's hard to explain, all I know God is moving like I've never known before. That's really worth thanking God for.
5 comments:
That's right, we if are to focus on numbers, let's focus on THE Number ONE - I AM THAT GREAT I AM.
BTW, The good shepherd also left the 99 and search for the ONE lost sheep.
BTW, Just imagine every of the 99 goes out to look for the ONE.Instead of counting the 99 inside, the 99 goes and look for the ONE.
Wonderful post. I often wish I had a few close friends to pray with on a regular basis. Thank you for being faithful to prayer. May the Number ONE bless you deeply with His presence. You have chosen the best part.+
"i'll just continue to pray."
words of wisdom, and a commitment you'll never regret my friend. keep it up, no matter what happens around you.. keep it up.
~~ jeff
There are many types of prayer. This meeting is only one way peope meet with Him.
It is a wonderful part of the church, but if folks aren't coming to that it doesn't mean that there isn't a lot of prayer going on.
For me, the most significant times of prayer are in solitude. It is different for different people.
I once set a week aside to pray about our own corporate prayer at our church.
I was led to the conclusion that it was all ok, not ot worry about it. I was also led to belive that I was not to share that view with those in our church who were trying to get some sort of mandate from our pastors that people need to attend.
People have to find their path toward talking with Him. At least, that is what seemed to be going on for our situation. Yours may be different.
God bless.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15: 1-5.
Stay close to the Father through His Son and you shall bear much fruit.
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