God's Prayer Force

Recently, while reading A Little Book About Prayer by Dr. W. E. McCumber, I was jolted by these words: "A church may distinguish itself for a number of good things and yet fail.  It may be a church noted for its music or for its preaching or for its philanthropies or for its friendliness or for its influence over politics and culture.  But if that church is not also and chiefly distinguished for its praying, it is arranging its own funeral."

Dr. McCumber went on to say, "The will of God cannot be known or done by a church that does not pray.  The mission of Christ is unsafe in the hands of a prayerless church.  The devil fears nothing less than he fears a people who play at religion, but do not pray."

We are desperately in need of people who will join God's Prayer Force.  This is a person who has a ministry of prayer for the Lord's work around the world.  He or she prays regularly for family members, but their circle of concern is much larger.

I have known some great prayers in my lifetime.  I well remember a group who made it their specific job to pray until they got definite answers from God.  My own life was changed by their prayers.  They lifted me to the Throne of God in a mighty concert of prayer regarding some very big needs in my life.  I am convinced that God met those needs because of their faithfulness in prayer.

Often these are people who are not seen up front in public.  Many are "behind-the-scenes" people.  Because of age or sickness, they may not be able to attend church services.  It is very likely they will not receive recognition or earthly reward.

But, let me tell you, it is impossible to overstate the importance of prayer ministry.

     *  Prayer puts a wall of protection around those for whom we intercede.  Prayer supplies

         strength for those who labor for God.

     *  Prayer pushes back the forces of darkness and opens the door for the entrance of the gospel

         light.

     *  Prayer invites the operations of God's Spirit upon situations of need and calls down divine

         power upon the preaching of the gospel.

Pray!  For Christ's sake, for the world's sake and for your own sake, PRAY!