Prayer is not only a very vital element in the life of each individual believer, but also an absolutely necessary part of an effective church-life. From several scriptures in the Book of Acts as well as in the church epistles, the importance and the profit of prayer within the church are shown. This simple form of presentation of the revealed truths from God's Word is designed to be an encouragement for each reader to become more actively involved in the life of the church by contributing of his prayer life. God's Word promises profit for all those involved – therefore let us draw abundantly from this wonderful source for the further utilization of God's power.
The importance of prayer in the Christian church can be seen already from the record in Acts 2, the record of the beginning of the Christian church, the church of the body of Christ. With the outpouring of the gift of holy spirit at Pentecost, the biblical age of the church of the body of Christ commenced to which we still belong today. by Jesus Christ's life and ministry, by his death, his burial, his resurrection from the dead and his ascension in to heaven, the conditions for the founding of the church had been fulfilled. Now man could be saved by grace and faith in Jesus Christ and become a member of this church. This time will end when all the members in this church are gathered together unto Christ at the time of the return of our lord Jesus Christ.1
At the end of Acts 2 some great truths about the beginning of the church of the body of Christ are revealed.
Acts 2:41:
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
This statement declares what happened on the day of Pentecost. About three thousand people were saved that day, were born again and added to the church of the body of Christ.
The life of the believers in the church is then set forth in a few short words in the verses which follow.
Acts 2:42:
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Here, the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers are mentioned as vital elements of how they lived as believers of the church. Each single element is emphasized by the figure of speech Polysyndeton, by which the word "and" is inserted which puts the same emphasis on each one of these points in the list. These were things in which the believers "continued steadfastly". Prayers were something which was present continuously in the church. They continued steadfastly in prayers; for them praying was obviously not something which was done irregularly or on the odd occasion, perhaps in times of tremendous concern of great need, or perhaps only on certain feast days. Prayer was a continuous part of their church life, and the believers accepted that responsibility and continued steadfastly in it.
The result of such a steadfast continuation in the doctrine of the apostles and in fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers is then mentioned in what follows in Acts 2.
Acts 2:43:
And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
Many wonders and signs by the hands of the apostles are mentioned, furthermore it says that "fear" or "reverence" came upon each one of them. All recognized and were consciously aware of God's working. This result was also possible because of the afore mentioned points, including prayers which were a continuos part of the church life.
Verse 47 sort of summarizes what happened, not exclusively because of their continuous prayers but certainly their prayers did contribute to this, in those early days of the church.
Acts 2:47:
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
God was praised, He was given honour and glory. The believers also found favour with all the people. The Word of God spread very dynamically, and even daily people were saved and added to the church by the Lord.
In Romans, the foundational revelation to the church, we can read a section in chapter 12 where the believers within the church are given some practical advice for their daily walk. Once again, included in those instructions we also find some important exhortation regarding our topic "prayer".
Romans 12:12:
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
What a great exhortation! Sometimes we may see other Christians, or perhaps we are those type of Christians, who read and receive these type of commandments in the Bible with very little excitement and only little enthusiasm. Immediately people think of "Law" and "rules", and such verses are not seen as agreeing well with the "freedom and liberty in Christ Jesus" which we all are to have. Now — we too in the church of God, the fellowship of those having been sanctified in Christ and having been set free from the bondage of sin, the Law and the rudiments of the world, we too have received commandments and exhortations from God which are simply to be obeyed. Such commandments are not burdens, but rather they show us the way and the great possibilities which we have been granted in Christ.
Our prayer is to be characterized by persistence, by being "instant" in prayer. We are to keep prayer in the front of our minds, we are to continue instant in prayer. We do not stop after once in a while just a few words have come across our lips. We do not just forget everything as quickly as possible, until such time that we by chance remember what is written here in Romans 12. No – we are to continue instant in prayer!
This certainly does not only speak of those prayers in which we make known our own needs before God. Some perhaps think of this first and foremost when they speak about "prayer" and "praying with persistence". We definitely pray for those things which have an integral part in our lives, but what we are also concerned with and what we pray for are the things pertaining to the church. Within the church, prayer is a very important and vital matter. As for the matters of the church as a whole, prayer is the first and most important step to a successful outcome. Also, prayer is of importance for the relationship between the leadership and the believers of the church. The elders and overseers are to pray for the believers of the church, and the believers on the church are to pray for their overseers. The matters concerning the church are approached by all with prayer.
Persistence and continuing in prayer is also mentioned in Colossians 4.
Colossians 4:2:
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
Once again we see the exhortation to continue in prayer, and here a watchfulness with thanksgiving are added to this. Thanksgiving is something lacking quite often in our day and time and in our society where often only jealousy and envy characterize the relationship to fellowmen. We are to continue in prayers, and we are to add watchfulness with thanksgiving to this. We are thankful to God for He has already given us the greatest of all gifts in Christ, and He will not withhold other things from us when we in humbleness and with thankfulness pray to Him.2
1 Peter 4:7:
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
Another point is added to prayer – we are to be "sober". Prayer is a serious matter for which we need soberness, and earnestness and soundness of mind. Also, again we see mentioned that we are to be watching unto prayer. This is speaking of our attitude toward prayer, and these points make it clear that "prayer" is not just a "reciting" of pre-fabricated lines without our hearts being involved. It becomes clear that the aim of prayer is not just that some words come out of our mouth and out of our lips. We are to lift our voice in prayer to our heavenly Father with soberness and watchfulness. This expresses also that we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.
Ephesians 6:18:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Once again we see the commandment about prayer to pray with perseverance, and also the watching thereunto is mentioned. Two more aspects are seen in the expressions "with all prayer and supplication in the spirit" and then later on in "supplication for all the saints".
First of all the "praying in the spirit" is spoken of which is used in addition to praying with the understanding as Paul mentions and teaches in his epistle to the Corinthians.3 The "praying in the spirit" is referring to praying in tongues or speaking in tongues which is available to every born again believer because of the gift of holy spirit which God has given each believer. This "praying in the spirit" offers certain means for praying which are otherwise not possible by praying with the understanding. Furthermore, we can read in this verse that the believers in the church are to pray for "all saints", i.e. for other believers in the church and for the church as a whole. For them we lift our voice in prayer to God, for them we pray always with prayer and supplication in the spirit and watch there unto with perseverance in our prayer.
There are certainly a number of other scriptures and sections in God's Word which could be included in this study. I pray that the use of only a few scriptures will be an encouragement to get involved and to work this topic further on an individual basis.
In many of Paul's letters we can read how Paul prayed for the church. Paul, as an apostle, had founded most of these churches, some other believers and churches he knew from some other contacts. His relationship to these believers was characterized by prayer as the epistles document. For an example, we can look at a section in Romans.
Romans 1:9-10
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
We recognize one matter for which Paul prayed specifically in respect to the church, the saints, at Rome - "if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you." This was an important organizational matter, travel plans, a visit with a church. What did Paul do in preparation for this endeavor? He made request in his prayers regarding this matter – obviously he was very earnest and diligent in making mention of this heart matter before god! Also, he made mention of the believers in Rome "without ceasing" when he prayed for them.
Romans 1:11-12
For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
Here once again we see the great importance of prayer for the working out of the details involved in the cooperation of the churches. Paul was excited about this desire to visit this church, but first of all he approached this in prayer, that was the most important to him. He did not first search through the schedules of the ferry boats from Corinth to Rome in order to see whether it could work out – no, he turned to God in prayer and he prayed for the believers in Rome and asked of God if it would be possible to have a prosperous journey to visit them.
In Ephesians we can read several prayers of Paul for the believers in the church there. It is very enlightening and informative to see what Paul was praying for and what he requested on behalf of the church. These prayers are a great example and encouragement for all in the church who have responsibility and who are overseers in the church!
Ephesians 1:16
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
Here once again we can see the persistent prayer because Paul says "cease not" to give thanks. And especially he was concerned about them, and a "give thanks for you [the believers]". How important this point is for all ministers in the church, for all those who are having the responsibility of overseeing in the church! Our eyes are turned to our heavenly Father, and words of thanksgiving are to come out of our hearts and over our lips for those believers which have been entrusted to our care. How often is this perhaps not yet the case? Thanksgiving for the saints, remembering them in our prayers!
What did Paul pray for then he was making request for the believers?
Ephesians 1:17-19:
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
This shows us what his "remembering them in his prayers" looked like. He prayed that God would work in the lives of the believers, that He would open the eyes of their hearts, of their understanding so that they might know Him – that they would gain an understanding of the hope, learn more of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, that they might get to know more of the greatness of His exceeding power. The great desire of Paul in regards to the church was not that their material needs were met, and it was not just that someone was in a special situation of need. His concern in this prayer for the church was as whole characterized by his turning to God and how God would work in their lives. He directed his prayer to the important point that they would be able to see God work more in their lives. God was at the center of this prayer and what Paul desired.
In Philippians, similar truths are set forth.
Philippians 1:3-6:
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Once again we see thanksgiving for the saints, and the connection of remembering and praying. And, the great point that the making requests for them were done with words of joy from his lips!
What was his desire here? Their "fellowship in the gospel" is the first central point which Paul addresses in this prayer. The church of Philippi had supported Paul repeatedly in a special way in the outreach of the gospel, especially so by their help and support in material and financial matters. Also, Paul doesn't thanks the Philippians as much as he thanks God! Paul prays with the assurance and trust in God's unchangeable faithfulness that He will perform to the end whatever He has begun.
Philippians 1:9-11:
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Once again we see how in this prayer material needs, social and material emergency situations, are not the main concern of Paul in his prayer, but rather their growth in all things pertaining to what God has made available to the church. Their love is one point, it can and should abound more and more. Another point is their ability to approve things which are excellent in order to be sincere and live without offence until the day of Christ's return. His concern is that they be filled with the fruit of righteousness. And finally, all culminates sort of in the point that to God should be all praise and glory.
The epistle to the Colossians adds to our insight and understanding of the importance of prayer, and especially so the prayer of elders and overseers in the church for the believers in the church.
Colossians 1:3:
We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
The prayer of Paul and his helpers for the believers is once again a prayer of thanksgiving, in which they thanked God for the believers in the church. In addition to thanksgiving, we can see prayer and requests for the believers as is set forth from verse 9 onward.
Colossians 1:9-11:
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Once again we see that the concern of the prayer was not material things, but rather and instead it was a concern for a greater fullness of the knowledge of God's will, a concern for more wisdom and spiritual understanding in order to lead a walk more worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing so that they would have fruit in their lives. Their prayer was directed toward a greater unfoldment of God's power in the lives of the believers so that they would be strengthened with all might unto patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.
These records in the church epistles are a tremendous encouragement, they show us what is available for us as well and how we too can pray. Perhaps we stay somewhat behind that example of Paul which we read about here, but we still need not condemn ourselves and give up because of it. We can take this matter up and pay attention that we incorporate such a type of prayer into our lives as well.
For prayer we need time and energy. Perhaps, what sometimes seems to keep us from praying is the lack of time. We must take time to pray, we must intentionally plan some time for prayer into our daily schedules, and remain flexible enough to let other items rest for a short while if it becomes necessary to pray for a situation in the church about which one has just heard. These different scriptures show us how important prayer for the believers must have been for Paul. To us, it should be just as important, because it is a very powerful means when trying to move something in the church.
Many people could confirm immediately that prayer can achieve much in their lives, because they have experienced it in many ways and are conscious of this fact. When it comes to matters of the church, it is no different, there too prayer is needed as a vital factor to achieving what God has provided and made available to the church.
So far, we have considered some examples where elders or overseers in the church pray for those in the church. In I Thessalonians we will see another example.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3:
We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;1 Thessalonians 3:10-13:
Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
Just as we saw before, so it is evident here as well, that the concern in these prayers is the growth in the lives of the believers in their walk as Christians. Paul prays and requests that God would work mightily in the lives, that they become enriched in their love, that their hearts are strengthened and that God would make it available for him to see them.
2 Thessalonians 1:3:
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
This verse shows even more emphatically than the examples before that prayer for the saints isn't just something which happens on the side or more or less haphazardly. No, it emanates from a desire, a strong and binding desire on the inside, because Paul speaks of being "bound to thank God always … as it is meet …" Prayer is not just an option, a possibility — no, it is meet and we are bound to pray and thank God! It is our duty!
After having looked at a few scriptures which speak of the prayer of Paul and his helpers for the church, we will now look at a few scriptures which show is that the church also is to pray for its elders and overseers.
Romans 15:30-33:
Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
This passage from Romans contains an exhortation by Paul to the brethren in the church at Rome that they should be praying for Paul so that certain things which he had made a special concern of his would come to pass in a better way. Prayer is declared to be a help in a fight, they were "to strive together with" Paul, they were to help him strive by their prayers. Paul regarded his endeavors to move God's Word as a fight in which he was striving, and prayer did have a very important part in. Prayer here is therefore not a "psychologically quieting and refreshing exercise of the mind", but instead something which requires concentration, efforts and a dedication. These prayers then were regarded as key issues by Paul for the success of his service. In addition, the believers themselves would also have a benefit if he was able to come unto them with joy.
In 2 Corinthians we can read that Paul and with him some of his helpers had great difficulties in he province of Asia Minor and that God had rescued them even from grave danger of death. Paul mentioned in this context the prayers of the Corinthians for him and his helpers.
2 Corinthians 1:10-11:
Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
Paul knew God's delivering power and might, and he knew which great importance prayer had in such situations. "Ye also helping together by prayer for us …" – this follows upon him expressing his absolute trust and conviction in God's ability to deliver them even in future danger. Even here, he does not only have his personal deliverance from danger in view but rather the benefit which would result from this for the further outreach of the gospel so that "by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf."
In Ephesians 6, we already had read a scripture in which the persistence and faithfulness in prayer was mentioned and pointed out and where we learned that we in the church should pray for all the saints. However, in that very passage, Paul continues with this thought and extends it a bit further, and here as well does he speak of the prayer of the church for him.
Ephesians 6:18-20:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
This commandment to the believers includes the request that they would also pray for him, that they would with all perseverance pray in the spirit and make supplication for him and remember him in their prayers. The aim of the prayer is that utterance would be given him to boldly proclaim the good news as also was his duty, even though he was at the time in prison or under arrest.
This difficult situation in which Paul was at the time, is also mentioned briefly in Philippians. But Paul already speaks with confidence of the possibility that he might shortly be released from prison and that his captivity would come to an end. And, in reference to this matter, prayer was a vital factor as well.
Philippians 1:18-21:
What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
The believers in Philippi prayed for Paul who was in prison in Rome. Paul was very aware of the importance of their prayers, as can be seen from his words "For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ".
In Colossians 4, we had read a scripture in which perseverance in prayer was illustrated. Another exhortation to the church is found there that they should pray for Paul and his fellow ministers and helpers.
Colossians 4:3-4:
Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
This section of scripture reminds a bit of Ephesians 6. The prayer of the church was a help for the furtherance of the gospel which Paul requested of them: "Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ". Prayer quite obviously can achieve such great things. Prayer could contribute that he, despite being in bonds, could boldly make known the mystery of Christ as he "ought to speak".
The epistles to the Thessalonians also contain encouragement for the church to pray for Paul and his helpers.
1 Thessalonians 5:25:
Brethren, pray for us.
2 Thessalonians 3:1-2:
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
"Pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course …" — the furtherance of the gospel, the proclamation of the gospel, was first and foremost in Paul's mind when he requested prayers for himself. It was not his concern that he would be a little bit more comfortable or that his adversaries would leave him alone for a while. His concern which he brought before the believers in the church in his request for prayer support was basically always the further outreach of God's Word and that he would be able to reach out with the gospel of Christ entrusted to him.
In Acts 4, a prayer of the church is recorded, when they were in quite a difficult situation. Peter and John had been thrown into prison over night and they had been told and charged by no means whatever to continue to speak in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterwards they had released them.
In verse 23 is the beginning of the record of what the church did in order to respond to such a resistance on the part of the Jews.
Acts 4:23-24:
And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
The report of the apostles was reason and encouraged the church to pray! In the following verses we then can read what and how they prayed: "They lifted up their voice to God with one accord …" – an example how the church was gathered and prayed with one accord. Perhaps one or another prayed aloud, the others were of the same mind and prayed with them in their hearts and with their prayer in the spirit.
Acts 4:24-26:
And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
What a tremendous prayer we see here! They sort of "remind" God – better, they remind themselves – about things which God had done.4 They look back to some of the great things God had done and make known their difficult situation before Him.
Acts 4:27-30:
For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
They did not make anything sound better in their prayers but told it how it was and what really had been done unto them. On the other hand, they also did not take any step back on what they requested of God. We again can see how their prayer was not selfish, it was not oriented toward them, but rather what they requested was in relation to the furtherance of the gospel and the preaching of God's Word. That was what the prayed for.
Acts 4:31:
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost [holy spirit], and they spake the word of God with boldness.
The prayer was heard. They prayed and "the place was shaken". This cannot mean that the walls were shaking, but
rather it describes that they all were moved on the inside after their prayer. Something "shook" in their hearts, and
then we can read, "and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost [holy spirit] …" FINDME Diese Gläubigen waren
wiedergeboren und hatten offenbar heiligen Geist empfangen. Sie waren von daher auch mit heiligem Geist "erfüllt".
Wenn also hier gesagt ist, "sie wurden vom [mit] heiligen [heiligem] Geist erfüllt", so kommt damit zum Ausdruck,
daß Gott ihnen in Erhörung ihres Gebets durch heiligen Geist in ihnen Freimut schenkte.
Sie haben nicht
nur gebetet und dann nichts getan. Nein, sie waren entschlossen und nahmen in Anspruch, was Gott ihnen gab. "Wir wollen
mit Freimut das Wort vekünden. Gib uns Freimut" – das war ihr Gebet. Dann haben sie entsprechend gehandelt.
Sie beteten für mehr Freimut, für Kraft zum Durchhalten, damit auch weiterhin Zeichen und Wunder geschehen
könnten im Namen des Herrn Jesus. So war es dann auch. Das Gebet ist das, was die Sache in Bewegung setzte.
Es wird deutlich, daß das Gebet in der Gemeinde eine ganz wichtige Angelegenheit ist. In dieser Hinsicht
kann die Gemeinde eine ganze Menge verbessern. Manchmal hört man etwa Aussagen wie: "Ich langweile mich, weil ich
zu Hause nichts zu tun habe. Ich brauche einfach eine sinnvolle Aufgabe." Ein anderes Mal erfährt man: "Ich komme
aber auch zu nichts vor lauter Arbeit, habe viel zuviel zu tun." Resultat in beiden Fällen ist, daß sie
offenbar beide nicht zum Beten kommen. Gerade deshalb sieht es womöglich in beiden Fällen so trübe aus.
So muß es nicht sein.
Christen sollten schauen, daß sie dem Gebet eine höhere Priorität in
ihrem Tagesablauf zuordnen, denn es wird Lohn bringen und wird Früchte tragen. Die zumeist nur "schlechten"
Nachrichten mittels der modernen Medien helfen uns nicht unbedingt – die gleiche Zeitspanne im Gebet wird uns
oftmals wesentlich mehr nützen. Wie ist es mit den Zeiten, wenn man allein zu Hause oder sonstwo ist und vor
Langeweile ganz mißmutig wird? Eine Stunde Gebet für die Gemeinde, für die anderen Gläubigen in
der Gemeinschaft, für die Männer und Frauen im Dienst der Gemeinde läßt Mißmut und
Langeweile schnell verschwinden.
Gebet ist einer der großen Schlüssel zum Erfolg in jeglicher
Unternehmung. Es ist so leicht, immer wieder auf den anderen zu verweisen, der ja viel besser und viel öfter beten
kann, als man selbst. Das ist aber nicht wahr, sondern lediglich eine fade Entschuldigung. Befreiung bringt nur die
eigene Umkehr und das Umsetzen dessen, was einem das Wort Gottes aufzeigt.
Auch die Gemeinde kommt nicht schneller
voran, als auf ihren Knien. Das Gebet in der Gemeinde ist einer der entscheidenden Faktoren zu einem lebendigen und
fruchtbringenden Gemeindeleben. Eine "tote" und eine "lebendige" Gemeinde unterscheiden sich oft darin, daß in
der ersteren nicht bzw. kaum, in der letzteren dagegen viel und mit Freuden gebetet wird. Beide Gemeinden setzen sich
aus einer Zahl von einzelnen christlichen Gläubigen zusammen, die sich individuell entscheiden, wie sie es mit
ihrem Gebet für und in der Gemeinde halten möchten.
Ich bete, daß alle Leser dieser Studie mit
größerer Begeisterung und mit einem brennenden Herzen von nun an geradezu nach Möglichkeiten suchen, um
mit eifrigem und beharrlichem Gebet für alle Gläubigen und Helfer in ihrer Gemeinde entscheidend mitzuwirken,
daß das Wort Gottes an vielen Orten freien Lauf haben wird und daß auch wir alle mit Freimut das Wort
Gottes reden werden!
(1) Cp. 1. Thessalonians 4:13–18 and 2. Thessalonians 2:1.
(2) Cp. Romans 8:31,32.
(3) Cp. 1. Corinthians 14:15: "What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also."
(4) There would not be any question about the truth that God is able to remember what He has done. One should not deduct from these verses that God is forgetful or that He did not remember those things and therefore the believers needed to remind Him of these matters.