Larry’s Lines. . . .
By Larry Murphy, Executive Director
I just spent time with another pastor who said the same thing I’ve heard, in my opinion, way too many times. He like others had attempted to lead his church to be a praying church. So on Wednesday nights he actually started leading his church to pray for the lost, families, revival, etc. After a couple of weeks, he received a call from a member who asked, “Are we not going to have Bible study on Wednesday night anymore?”
Now I know I will probably fall into a deep hole here with many of you. I am not lowering the value of God’s Word. God’s Word is at the top of the list of importance to the Christian life. Unfortunately, too many are talking about everything but the Word of God and that is so dangerous.
I have heard David Jeremiah, Charles Stanley, and other pastors make the comment that if you want to ruin a good service start praying or if you want to kill attendance announce you will be praying and folks will not come. Jesus said in Matthew 21:13, “It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer.”
Many, I am afraid, would rather hear preaching than pray because praying causes us to look at our own lives. It requires us to praise God, come in thanksgiving, confession, intercession, and petition. The second most fearful part of prayer after personal confession and repentance is listening. Listen to God as He says in Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know I am God.”
Listening to the Word preached is easy. We listen then go our merry way to change nothing about our lifestyle. When we pray and seriously draw close and intimate with God we have to change and that makes us uncomfortable.
So the next time prayer is mentioned ask yourself this question, “Am I, through prayer, ready to align myself to God’s purpose or had I rather seek Him so He can align with my purpose.
In his book How to Develop a Powerful Prayer Life, Dr. Gregory R. Frizzell lists eight important things God wants us to receive through prayer.
1) Our relationship with Him would be more personal.
2) Holiness and discipleship would have a deeper presence in our lives.
3) We would clearly hear God’s will more dramatically.
4) We would increase in spiritual power.
5) We would see an increase in answered prayer.
6) Power to withstand trials, temptations, and spiritual attacks would increase.
7) As we pray for the lost we will begin to see people saved.
8) Revival and spiritual awakening for the church, city, and nation will become important.
So again, not lowering the importance of the preached Bible study, why are we afraid to pray?
Crockett Baptist Association
Senior Adult Ministry Meeting
Tuesday, March 12 • 10:30 a.m.
Walnut Hill Baptist Church
1222 Walnut Hill Church Road, Bells, TN
Speaker: Dr. Mike Jones
Pastor, FBC, Gadsden
Annual Men’s Ham Supper
Tuesday, March 26 • 6:30 p.m.
Liberty Grove Baptist Church
1071 Harts Bridge Road, Jackson, TN
Ticket Cost: $7.00
Guest Speaker: Joe Sorah
Tennessee Baptist Missions Board
Tickets can be purchased at the Baptist Association office located at 603 Wallace Road, Jackson, TN. Deadline to purchase tickets is March 18.
Madison-Chester Association
Administrative Team Meeting
Monday, April 1 • 10:30 a.m.
Association Office
Crockett Association
Executive Committee Meeting
Tuesday, April 2 • 7:00 p.m.
First Baptist Church, Alamo
Association Bible Drills
Saturday, April 13
Registration: 8:30 a.m.
Drills: 9:00 a.m.
Place to be announced.
Association Vacation Bible School Clinic
Monday, April 15 • 6:30-9:00 p.m.
West Jackson Baptist Church