RevWrites - Dec 7

Two very able ministers have resigned recently. Both resigned because their marriages have collapsed. One is alleged to have developed a relationship with another woman. The other’s wife simply left him. I know both of them and admired the way they ministered.

But it makes you think. It made me think about how important prayer is. There are people who pray for me regularly. Some even pray every day for me. I thank God for them because they ask our Heavenly Father to protect me and watch over me. So when I’m tired or stressed or whatever, I don’t make really unhelpful choices that result in disaster.

Our Father is only too keen to answer the prayers of his people. He always desires what is best for us and is always for us and our good. So I am always thankful for those who pray for me. Some of them, I don’t even know about! But that doesn’t matter. It’s not knowing that someone is praying for you or “thinking about you” that makes a difference. (Except it makes you feel good.) It’s asking God to do something that makes a difference.

I’ve told you a couple of times that I’ve been praying for our neighbours. I’ve tried to pray for them several times a day. I’ve prayed specifically for those I know and generally for those I don’t. I’ve asked our Father to soften their hearts to his gospel. I’ve asked him to prepare them for our visits.

On Sunday afternoon, when the 5.00pm congregation went to visit our neighbours for “G’day Sunday,” a couple of members (in their 90s) stayed at the church and prayed for us all.

Even so, when Robyn and I knocked on their doors on Sunday, it was still a little surprising that every one of them received us well, even some who have a long history of antagonism towards our church. I should not have been surprised at all. Our Heavenly Father actually answers our prayers – sometimes by making visiting easier, like on Sunday, and sometimes by using us as his agents who bring the message of judgment.

But it raises the question: Do we expect God to answer our prayers? And what if he does? Are we ready to have many more members of NAC next year? What if just 1% of the community came to church. That’s more than another 100 people. We could fit them in at 9.00, 9.30 and 5.00. But that would leave no more room for growth.

If we pray and expect God to save people, then surely we must plan for the growth! The Parish Leadership is doing this. Please pray that our father will give us wisdom.

Neil

P.S. There are some Sundays when I go home really impressed with what God is doing at NAC. Last Sunday was one. As I mentioned above, we went visiting to say “G’day” with the 5.00pm congregation. The 9.00 congregation had already said “G’day” to their neighbours. A bunch of Young Adults came at 11.00 to say “G’day” to more streets. Then 5.00pm went out to say “G’day.”

Finally, on Sunday night the 6.45 congregation were asked to pledge support for Tania for next year. This congregation understands the value of specialised youth ministry. They pledged $34,000 towards Tania’s costs. I went home really impressed – with both God and his church.