When I retired, and we moved to Harrisburg three years ago, the Lord led us to purchase a home right next door to an elementary school. Desiring to be a witness to my neighbors, I joined the PTO. And later that first year, we started an after-school Good News Club in that school. A little over a month ago, we had our first club meeting of the year. It was a disaster! We had several new faces, and I was trying to get their birthdays and snap a photo of them on my phone. Then we started going over the rules of the club. One rule is to use the restrooms before the first song. When I said that, over half the children left to use the restrooms. By the time they all got back, with 32 children crammed into the school library, we were seriously behind schedule, and the rest of the afternoon did not go well.
The next morning my wife Sue and I went for our morning walk, and my heart was discouraged and I felt like a failure because of how things went. But as I talked it over with the Lord, I realized that even if the club had run perfectly, there was no guarantee that it would accomplish the main goal of why we meet – to see the Lord work in the hearts of the children, and draw them to the Savior. It was then that I realized that the most important thing I can do to reach our goal is to pray regularly for our Good News children. Many of them have troubled family backgrounds. One little girl announced that she has two mommies. The enemy of our soul has many things to draw and distract them away from God’s Word. And we only get one hour a week to try to share God’s Word. Sometimes the battle seems so lost.
Last year, my heart was touched by Matthew 18:14. “It is NOT the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” Each day after I wake, I spend time in the Word and in prayer. But I have arranged my intercessory prayer list so that I pray, by name, for 8-10 of my Good News kids, claiming that verse, and asking for His help in reaching them for the Gospel.
I think most every true Christian believes that prayer is IMPORTANT. But do you believe that prayer is ESSENTIAL? Based on the number of people who show up for church prayer meetings, it seems not many do see it as essential.
I serve on the BFC Prayer Committee who have been tasked by the BFC Executive Board to represent a declaration of the BFC’s dependence on God, a desire to seek His face, and to cultivate a culture of prayer within the BFC. We strive to do this in a few ways including the annual Day of Prayer gatherings in March and weekly Zoom prayer meetings for BFC pastors and elders. This can also be done through your BFC region taking initiative for prayer gatherings or prioritizing prayer in your local church. The Prayer Committee is also available for to assist you in any way to organize any kind of prayer gatherings. You can reach out to any member of the committee for assistance.
Think through the ministries you are involved in. Are you prioritizing prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to move in the hearts of those you are ministering to? Are you asking others to pray as well?
by Dennis Spinney, retired BFC pastor