In a State of Prayer
the power of prayer
Prayer
Rev Joan Wright Howie of the Victorian Synod wrote this article for IASOP:
Michael Leunig describes prayer as a creative Lacuna...
It's the empty moment waiting to be filled with the breath of the Holy Spirit. Lacuna is a space in which we can listen attentively for the call of God.
We are a church in a period of uncertainty and transition. It is tempting to worry, even to panic about our future. But this is the precise time that we have to turn to God, believing that the God who has called us will not fail us.
The people of Victorian Synod have been invited to take up Lacuna in 2003. The Lacuna period could last from three to twelve months, or even become a permanent part of congregational life. A Resource Kit is available.
Contact: joan.wright.howie@kew.vic.uca.org.au
This kit is full of suggestions for making Lacuna a part of the life of congregations, church councils, agencies, small groups, households and individuals.
There are five steps to prayer:
You might like to try using this process below as you sit with each prayer point. It is one of the 10 ways of prayer listed in the Lacuna Kit.
This process is outlined for use in groups and can be easily adapted for your personal use.
Introduction:
A very powerful form of intercessory prayer, especially when we do not know how to pray, is one that does not need words.
If we picture the person or situation for whom we are praying with our mind's eye, it is just another step to see God or Christ in that picture, whether in a hospital, at home, in prison...
We affirm that God's love for that person, group or nation is stronger than anything else, and in silence, we simply hand them over to God. If it is appropriate, we can see Christ's hand being placed on them in love, and this in itself is prayer, as we commend them to the risen Christ who continues to intercede for them and for us.
Pray for a few people or situations in silence in this way.
If in a group, after a period of silence, the leader will say "Lord, in hope and love we pray", and the group responds with "Lord, you hear our prayer."
For whom then shall we pray? I invite someone to name aloud a person or situation and state their concern in a sentence. In silence for at least a minute, picture the situation and Christ's presence there. The Leader offers: "Lord in hope and love we pray" and we respond "Lord you hear our prayer."
For whom now should we pray? The pattern is repeated as above.
When no more concerns are offered, or it is nearly time to conclude, invite everyone present to picture for themselves a person for whom they wish to pray. Conclude the prayer time using the response as before.
Conclude with a brief time of sharing about the benefits of this way of praying, followed by a shared Benediction."
Conrad Parsons: Urban Evangelism
PRAYER
Jesus Christ, Lord and master
Thank you for dying in my place on the cross
And paying for all of the things that I do wrong
Please forgive me
I believe in my heart
That you rose from the dead
By the power of God
To give new life to your people
I want that new life
Come and live with me now
Fill me with your Holy Spirit
Love, peace and joy
Streams of living Water
Flowing from my feet to my head
Holy Spirit,
Release your healing power
Within me now
In Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.
Healing
Pain, I speak to you in the name of Jesus Christ and cut you off from my life, GO! Holy Spirit release your healing power within me now in Jesus Christ's Name.
ADDICTION: I cut you off from my life in Jesus Christ's Name.
GO! Holy Spirit release your healing power within me now in Jesus Christ's Name.
This prayer has helped many people. Say it out loud (if able)
Conrad says: Personal transformation interests most of us and we believe that prayer changes lives. Why then, do we put our faith in teaching truths, preaching stories and inviting commitment? People need to know the truth, hear the stories and respond whole heartedly. However, there comes a time when the primary need is not for more words or louder challenges. Salvation is received through prayer. Renewal occurs as we pray. Personal transformation is accelerated by praying. Often we focus on telling people that Jesus ‘opened the curtain’ but then too casually invite people to step through into the presence of God!
What am I getting at? Pray with people! Lead people in praying out loud to God. Invite them to welcome blessing through prayer. It is as people turn to God in prayer, trusting in the achievements of Christ Jesus that salvation is experienced. Don’t settle for agreement to the stories of Jesus. Don’t settle for a commitment or an act of contrition. Settle for nothing less than prayerful entry into God’s arms – made possible by Jesus.
The prayer I use has the Gospel built into it and those who pray it with faith, experience the blessing of salvation / sanctification. Many people know about Jesus, but have fallen short of stepping ‘through the curtain’. Jesus opened the way and yet, we are content with acceptance of the truth and a prayer of commitment or repentance. Not good enough! God did not give his life so we could just ‘know’ the faith. He gave his life so we could be with Him!
Christianity fails when it is reduced to information passing and clever teaching. If you know God personally then invite others to walk with you and your Lord. Let them experience what you have experienced. Trust not in your ability to communicate, convince, educate, motivate or whatever…. Trust in God and his desire to walk with his people. He created us to be with him and walk in the garden with us. Adjust your ministry by first praying out loud the gospel prayer I have published here. Then invite as many groups of people as you can to join you in saying the same prayer. Don’t count hands. Don’t count people at the altar. Count on God, his love, his sacrifice and his desire to be with people in a new and living way. Pray and concentrate on inviting others to pray out loud this prayer with you. Don’t just pray for people! It is as they pray, turning to God on the basis of the Great News, that they will find for themselves the blessings you have experienced, and much, much more!
Article from Ross Neville....
The drought...
What are the repercussions….
when a rural community loses its main employer?
Ross Neville, Rural Evangelism and Mission Consultant, October 2003 writes: (as in Nov \Dec IASOP)
The drought is a contributing factor to the closure of two abattoirs in the central west of NSW.
These abattoirs both employed over 240 employees each.
This in a community of only 8 or 9,000 people is significant.
The schools are already calculating how many less students there will be, how many less staff.
How many less patients is this in the hospital that needs the numbers to justify continued staffing levels.
How much less expenditure will this mean for all the businesses in the community. This percentage of job losses is really significant. How many less attendees and contributors will there be for the churches?
The shire councils, the development officers and the Government support services are already on the path to try and resurrect or turn the situation. It is critical for the survival and viability of the community.
What role can the church play in these situations?
I believe God wants to stand beside each family that will have to relocate, retrain and struggle to get back pay and awards owing. I believe God wants to encourage and support each community person as they try to readjust to the implications for their town?
There is a need for Christians to stand beside these people and the church to provide worship, prayers and services of lament for the situation, as well as be involved in working toward solutions with the appropriate bodies.
Prayer is needed….
because this situation is only one of many, most of them have not been as catastrophic and hopefully th3 situations to come, will not be either, as the drought implications continue to flow on.