Building a House of Prayer: Part 9

Allen Webster

Topic(s): Prayer

Links to this entire series:

• Building A House of Prayer: Part 1
• Building A House of Prayer: Part 2
• Building A House of Prayer: Part 3
• Building A House of Prayer: Part 4
• Building A House of Prayer: Part 5
• Building A House of Prayer: Part 6
• Building A House of Prayer: Part 7
• Building A House of Prayer: Part 8
• Building A House of Prayer: Part 9
• Building A House of Prayer: Part 10

Abraham was praying for Lot and Sodom when they were not praying for themselves (Genesis 18:23-33). Jesus was praying for Peter when did not know to pray for himself (Luke 22:32). Who do you know who could use some prayer? Does he recognize it enough to spend any time on his knees? Is she even in a praying relationship with God? Do you have time and inclination to do some interceding? Paul exhorted “…that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:1,2).

The Homes of the Congregation Need Your Prayers.

A parent-teacher discussion group wondered what students could do after dismissal each day. Playgrounds, youth huts, bicycle trails, canteens, and even a student center with a paid supervisor were all suggested. Finally, a practical grandmother quietly said, “Couldn’t they just go home?” Something is wrong when children don’t want to go “home.” Something is wrong when they don’t really have a “home” (most have houses—perhaps very fancy ones—but that is not the same as having a “home”).

The local church is only as strong as the families that compose it. It cannot have qualified leaders without strong families (1 Timothy 3:1-10; Titus 1). Its works of hospitality (1 Peter 4:9), education of children (2 Timothy 2:2), care of the aged (1 Timothy 5), evangelism (Acts 18:26), and benevolence (James 1:27) are all carried out easier when strong homes are present. If a family suffers, the Family suffers (1 Corinthians 12:26). If a marriage breaks apart, it strains the union of the Bride of Christ (Ephesians 4:2-6). If a non-Christian husband discourages his wife, the spiritual temperature of the entire congregation goes down a few degrees (Romans 14:7; Revelation 3:15-17). If children make mistakes and let evil win their hearts, it reflects badly upon their Father’s household (Luke 15:13; 1 Timothy 3:15). Conversely, if husbands and wives are happy, they will likely support more church activities and bring a happy disposition with them. If children feel secure because of constant parental love and discipline, they will cause few problems for their Bible teachers. If parents ask students about what they learned in class, and reinforce lessons with daily devotionals and good example, then teachers will enjoy seeing the fruits of their labors each Sunday morning.

If your congregation has none of the former situations, and all of the latter, then your time might be better spent in something besides inter-cession. But if there are divorcees among the members; if some parents stoop under the burden of rebellious or unfaithful children (Proverbs 10:1; 17:25); if a few mates seem to tolerate each other instead of “rejoice with each other” (Proverbs 5:18); if some children miss more classes than they attend (Ecclesiastes 12:1; Hebrews 10:25), and terrorize their teachers when they do, then you could do a service by going to God in prayer.

The Widows and Widowers of the Congregation Need Your Prayers.

The loss of a spouse of many years may be the most difficult event in the lives of about half of us. A part of “pure religion” and doing “…good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” includes care for those in such situations (James 1:27; Galatians 6:10). The God who claims for Himself the title of “…a father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows…” (Psalm 68:5) will certainly honor those who prayed for the fatherless and widows. Those who are to “plead for the widow” (Isaiah 1:17) in earth’s courts, should also do plead for them in heaven’s courts. It is appropriate to pray for good health—for ourselves and for others. Samson prayed for strength (Judges 16:28) and John prayed that Gaius would “mayest prosper and be in health” even as his soul prospered (3 John 2).

It would be worth the time to use the church directory to list all those who have lost mates. Call or go see each one when you have an opportunity and ask them what they would like for you to mention in prayer; or, just probe in conversation to ascertain what is on their minds and then write down ideas when you leave (before you forget). One might then use that list once a week as a memory tool to help in both family and “closet” prayers. When we finish praying, we should do our part to answer the prayer, too. John wrote, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18). A simple card, call, or cake can mean a great deal. A visit leaves a lingering memory that breaks a day’s monotony. Remember, it is always a good idea to pray with fellow Christians before parting company.

The Married Couples of the Congregation Need Your Prayers.

We should pray for new marriages.

One preacher lost his train of thought at a wedding and closed it with the wrong prayer. He said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” It is true that many couples enter marriage without under-standing what is required of them to make is work. Some put more planning into the wedding than the marriage. We should pray for these couples to have wisdom (James 1:5), patience (James 1:3,4), determination (Galatians 6:9), dependence upon God (Proverbs 3:6-10), and abiding love (1 Corinthians 13:1-8). We might do well to use the fruit of the Spirit list as a template—each of these would make a stronger home (Galatians 5:22,23). Actually, we should start praying for the young people of our congregation when they begin dating. There would be fewer broken homes if more prayers ascended for guidance in the selection of a companion.

We should pray for marriages that are in trouble.

The Bible presupposes that even Christian couples will sometimes have marital trouble (when one spouse is not a Christian, or is unfaithful, the likelihood increases). When trouble comes, a couple might consent to not share the marriage bed for a while, during which time they give themselves “to fasting and prayer.” Then they “come together again” (1 Corinthians 7:4), lest Satan tempt them to find satisfaction elsewhere. We do not always know when a couple is going through a time of discord, and should not try to find out , but if someone confides in us, asks for the prayers of the church family, or if it is common knowledge, or even if you just suspect it, it would be appropriate to pray for them.

We may pray for marriages that are not in trouble.

Prayer is supposed to be an integral part of marriage. Peter explained that husbands should take pains to act in such a way that prayers with their wives “…be not hindered” (1 Peter 3:7). We should pray for our own marriages, of course, and can go the second mile and pick out some happily married couple and pray for them to be even happier. Things are not always as they seem, and prayer just might make a difference.

We may pray for marriages that have broken apart.

The grass is not always greener, and some later regret being hasty in divorcing. Since divorce is not God’s plan (Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 19:6), and remarriage is unscriptural for at least half of those involved, wouldn’t it be better for a union that God recognized to be restored? God allows the innocent party to put away a mate, and even remarry, but He does not command it (Matthew 19:9). Provided both parties are willing to work at it, a marriage can build back a stronger structure on the ashes of the previous one. Just as a bone heals itself so strongly in a fracture that it will never break there again, some homes are stronger after a breakup, than they ever were before.