The important role of prayer in the life of the Church cannot be overstated.
I recently read an overview of the Reformers’ teachings on the topic of prayer. The introduction offers the simple statement, the Reformers prayed! The text continues, saying that although we may be tempted to view the Reformation mostly as an arduous labour of research, thinking, preaching, discussion and organization, it was also an act of continuous prayer and at the same time a response from God!
In the pages of the New Testament we find the same determination and devotion. Prayer carries the Church forward. Every step of progress and measure of growth is directly tied to prayer. A life of prayer proceeds from a deeply Christ-centered faith and worldview. It is the absolute conviction that God must act in our lives and in our world. It is the unshakable certainty that the first thing, in all things, is to pray.
It is so vitally important that we remember these things as we seek to find our way forward as individuals and as a community of believers on mission with and for the Lord. A deep work of renewal and transformation is needed in our nation today. Prayer is the first necessity. Then comes the arduous labour.
I invite you to take some time to pray for people in our nation without the Gospel. Here are a few suggestions…
- Pray for the Finding the Hope campaign, asking the Lord to awaken a desire in leaders of the Canadian Church to reach every home in their communities with the message of hope and salvation in Christ.
- Pray that the message of God’s love will penetrate deeply into hearts and ultimately renew and transform lives.
- Pray that as the message of the Gospel spreads beyond the walls of the local church many will come to faith in Christ, knowing what they believe about Him.
- Pray that the Lord will open a way for the Gospel to renew every aspect of Canadian life and society.
May we never cease to trust Him to keep our land.
BY JACQUELINE DUGAS, DIRECTOR OF MINISTRIES