Via, my wife, and I often read Pastor Jack Miller’s thoughts for each day. June 18, Jack’s meditations seeded thoughts I needed for the prayer I’d lead that evening. Fifty Christians gathered to pray for Will Graham’s Big Sky Celebration and to pray for Helena.
Although many prayers are spontaneous, Paul writes about “making” prayers (1 Tim 2:1). The Bible is full of written prayers. Perhaps you’d like to read this prayer asking God to renew his church here as she seeks to engage our community with the good news of Jesus.
Calling upon God
God, we long to see you at work in Helena. For Christ’s sake, make our longing true.
Jesus, you enlightened us with this truth – those who “see” God – God, as the Person, and God, at Work – are the “pure in heart.”
Jesus, when we ask, “How do we become pure in heart?” – we know your work on the cross cleansed many so your Spirit could transform them. Spirit, for Christ’s sake, transform us.
With Devotion
Jesus, before your crucifixion, your disciples all ran away. Surprisingly, after your resurrection and ascension, they demonstrated substantial strength – being “devoted” to praying “together” (Acts 1:14). What happened?
Spirit, you partnered with the authors of the New Testament (NT) when they used the word, “devoted.” “Being devoted” is “to continue to do something with intense effort – despite difficulty.” Spirit, you gave them strength!
Jesus, as we long to see you at work in Helena, how do we become devoted to praying?
Come, Holy Spirit, so that, by your power, “we keep on, we persist in” what you call us to in advancing the kingdom of God. Spirit, help us – strengthen us!
Spirit, you moved Luke to record Jesus’ followers being “devoted” to: prayer, doctrine, fellowship, and the sacraments. Spirit, fill us with these passions.
Together
Jesus, as we long to see you at work in Helena, how do we become devoted to praying “together?”
Spirit, you prompted NT authors to use a word meaning: “with the same passion” – “in one accord” – “having the same desire.” These people shared a “like precious faith.” Jesus, you produced this gospel-motivated unity between your followers again and again and again. Spirit fill us with such passion!
As our priority
Spirit, where we have been deaf, renew our ears. Jesus, we want to hear you when you exclaim: “My house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” We have made it a house of preaching and programs. May we turn from depending on our preaching and our programs.
Instead of following our own compulsions – our own traditions – “making” what our agenda drives us to, Spirit, because of your work, help us internalize and externalize Paul’s priority when he urges us: “First, ‘make’ supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings.”
Spirit, to us – we extroverts who find pleasure in being active with others – even when no deep relationships form – and to others of us – we introverts who prefer productive solitude – even when we fail to make necessary connections for your kingdom – Spirit, grant repentance.
Friends, as our bodies grow old, they begin to fail. And, as the body of Christ in Helena ages, it can fail. When we forget to pray – when we pray a great deal but pray ineffectively – Spirit grant repentance – give us a vigorous faith.
Spirit, give us pure hearts – full of faith – teach us God’s priorities. Spirit, motivate us to turn from being busybodies who rarely pray and loners who rarely connect. Arouse us to pray in faith together. Like the downward all-directional thrust of thunderstorm-born winds, Jesus, send your Wind, your Spirit, among us – among our churches – among our community. Word made flesh, give us hearts to grasp your ardently purposeful first-chosen words during your earthly ministry: “Repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Jesus, astonish us that the holy God loves sinners. Refresh your Bride in her love for you and others – let others see the honeymoon and desire to be as close to you as your Bride is.
Now, friend, will you make a prayer?
Father, hear our prayers to renew and energize your church as we love you, our neighbors, and this place – for Christ’s sake.
Notes
Note 1: As a teen, Jack’s daughter, Barbara, ran away with a member of the Mafia. Her cherished return is chronicled in “Come Back, Barbara.” Check it out. God had mercy. Years later, to honor her Dad posthumously, Barbara compiled his thoughts into 365 daily devotions, “Saving Grace.”
Note 2: Friend, please come to our Fairgrounds on 9/6,7,8. For more info please check out: www.BigSkyCelebration.com.
Note 3: “Devoted” – ‘proskarteréō’ – from ‘prós,’ “move towards, be interactive with” and ‘karteréō,’ “show steadfast strength.” ‘Karteréō’ is derived from ‘krátos,’ “prevailing strength.”
Note 4: In Acts 2:42 are four foci –
- “prayer” (connecting devotion to prayer three other times in the New Testament makes prayer #1 as the way Christians showed devotion),
- “doctrine” (see also devotion to the ministry of the word – Acts 6:4),
- “fellowship” (“koinonia” + see also daily meeting together – Acts 2:46),
- “the sacraments” (“the” breaking of bread here causes us to think that this was not simply eating together but communion).
Note 5: “Together” – “homothymadón” – “homo,” “same” and “thymós,” “passion” – Acts 1:14; 2:1,46; 4:24; 5:12; 8:6; 15:25; Rom 15;6.
Note 6: – Here’s another prayer – “Lord, give faith to leaders in our community – but, if not, give them ‘devotion’ so they can give ‘their full attention,’ to governing (Rom 13:6) – thus becoming ‘God’s servants.’”
Note 7: “Homothymadón” can describe political solidarity (Acts 12:20). Evil can also manifest itself as people having “one passion” (Acts 7:57, 18:12, 19:29). Unity – getting people to cooperate – is not necessarily good. However, Homer used “homothymadón” to show the ultimate difficulty godless people have in cooperating: “Wolves and lambs do not have hearts ‘to agree’ with each other.”
