Brethern, Let Us Pray
Dr. John K. Mathew
One of the purposes of the church is to evangelize the world with the Gospel.
In the great commission, our Lord Jesus Christ said, "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matt. 28: 19, 20). The modern world we live in is the product of this very statement of Jesus Christ. All the universities including Yale and Harvard we see around the globe, hospitals, orphanages, and all other humanitarian, philanthropic institutions came into existence as a result of this commandment.
Gospel not only changes the individual but the society at large. It all began with the Jerusalem church. It is recorded in the Scriptures, "Those who had been scattered preached the Word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there" (Acts 8:4). The church in Antioch is the best example of spreading the Gospel. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. With no grain of ambiguity, they laid their hands on them and sent them out. It so happened after the church's prayer and fasting. It is of utmost importance to send people, but the church needs to pray before that.
Our Lord Jesus Christ says again, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" ( Luke 10:2).
Yes, prayer is important in all our endeavors.
Leonard Ravenhill's words make sense: The church has many organizers, but few agonizers; many who pay, but few who pray; many resters, but few wrestlers; many who are enterprising, but few who are interceding. People who are not praying are playing. The secret of praying is praying in secret. A worldly Christian will stop praying and a praying Christian will stop worldliness. Tithes may build a church, but tears will give it life. That is the difference between the modern church and the early church. In the matter of effective praying, never have so many left so much to so few.
Brethren, let us pray.