Big Ole Introvert
I am dealing with a health issue where I’m in a waiting period to see a specialist because of his availability. This wait is much longer than I would prefer. Jackie from church, asked me if it was okay to put my name on the prayer list and rather than answering no, I replied sure, thank you.
Then Pastor Patrick preached on this:
“I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.” - 1 Timothy 3:14-16 ESV
If you didn’t hear the sermon, I’d encourage you to check it out on Rumble. However, my 60k foot summary was that Patrick reminded us that all Christians are a part of the church body and even though people within the church and even specific churches may fail, the Christian Church will succeed and thrive until the Second Coming of Christ. Being a part of the Christian Church, we have responsibilities to each other and to share the good news to the rest of the world.
At the end of the service, Patrick called the elders up and offered to pray for anyone that wanted to come forward. My natural reaction would have been that my issues were not important or significant enough and to just sit quietly. This morning, I decided to step up.
When I came up, Patrick and brother Guy both prayed for me and, to my surprise, it felt good to me. The caring and warmth I felt was touching. I went back to my seat to sit down while other people were getting prayed for by Patrick and the elders. And that is when a friend of mine, who knows about my issue, walked over and asked if she could pray for me.
There is power in knowing that someone cares for you enough to pray with you and for you.
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” - James 5:13-16
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” - Mark 11:24-25
“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;” - Colossians 1:9-10
“Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.” - 1 Samuel 12:23-25 ESV
God taught me several things today. First, there is power in prayer. I may not understand it but I know that the world will be better if I pray more. Second, it is nice to be a part of a caring church family. You can bet any amount of money that I will pray for the leaders of the church and my friend (see the first thing). And finally, that there is an exponential benefit in hearing the sermon and contemplating it later.
