"Prayer"

  How much time would you say you spend in prayer? It seems that we speak about prayer, preach on prayer and have classes on prayer yet it still seems to be one of the most ignored part of our lives. People complain that the church isn't this or that. Complaints against the elders, preachers or just one another. Attitudes start to develop and if anyone will listen, we will complain about someone or something not being done!

  What about prayer instead of complaint? Do we really see that God is the real answer in all this? Has it ever occurred to you that what you complain about might be the will of God? Some would protest and say, "No way! God wants us to do this or that! He wouldn't allow or want..." and we go on. But how do you know? Many times in the OT the Lord God allowed people to follow a certain path or attitudes as part of His will to get things where they need to be.

  Paul instructed the church at Thessalonica to "pray without ceasing." Why? Because all answers and directions lay with the Lord! Prayer is faith! Prayer is trusting our lives to Him! Prayer is our attitude toward the Lord! Prayer is what keeps our attitudes pure and proper! Prayer is work that calls us from time to ourselves to time with our Savior and sustainer of our lives.

  Next time you find yourself upset at another or direction of the church as whole, tell God! Express your concerns to God but be willing to leave those concerns on Him to allow Him to do with it as He pleases. You will find your life settle and see things more clearly. If the elders or preachers aren't doing what you think they should, don't complain. PRAY! The prayers of the righteous can accomplish much. I remember one time asking a lady when she was complaining about a situation that had arisen if she believed the Lord is the head of the church? She replied yes. I asked if she prayed in faith about this. She never answered that question and today, she is bitter and resentful toward that situation. This seems to be the result of too many prayerless people!

  Pray! Those first century saints prayed fervently. If we want to see things change, pray depending on God for that change and it begins with me!