Gather The Assembly For Prayer
Setting time for the most forgotten ministry of the Church
In the Old Testament, Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem to lead the people of God in repair of the city’s broken walls, which had fallen as a result of their disobedience to the Lord, with exile and being ruled by a pagan king as punishment.
Then in chapter 8 we read…So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month...v 6, And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground...v 13, And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law...v 18, Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner.
Then in chapter 9, v 1-3, Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackcloth’s, and earth upon them…And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers…And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshiped the LORD their God. (ESV)
Brothers and sisters in Christ, should we not in like manner in our day gather the children of God to read, worship, and cry out to Him?
There is perhaps no more neglected ministry or discipline among the Believers than that of private and public prayer. Instead of the Wednesday or Sunday evening Bible study, perhaps we spend that time reading the Word and then praying that word for a season. Time specifically devoted to prayers and intercessions needs be put on the calendars, set aside and dedicated to it!
Jesus tells us to watch and pray, Paul tells us to pray constantly. We should do that. The pastors and elders need to call the Church together. And if they do not, then members themselves should! With purposed intent, by twos and threes, even in homes and then as a congregation in the sanctuary to read, worship, pray, and repent.
Then would glory lights shine across the land and holy fires be lit! Hallelujah!
Joel 1:14 NKJV - Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; Gather the elders [And] all the inhabitants of the land [Into] the house of the LORD your God, And cry out to the LORD.
Pray For The People Of God From The Word Of God
Here are three passages we are praying from this week (one passage per day):
Monday - Luke 21:36
Tuesday - 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Wednesday - 2 Timothy 1:3
Will you join me in praying these verses, and ask one person to join you?
Until Thursday, grace and peace
Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash