Strive Together in Prayer!
One of my favorite games to play at summer camp was Tug of War. Being a big guy, everyone wanted me on their team. However, I soon learned that having the big guy on your team didn't guarantee a win. Most of the time, the teams that succeeded were the ones that worked together in sync.
This principle applies to the business world as well. Companies that thrive are typically those with a workforce that strives together effectively to achieve success. Similarly, growing churches usually have a unified congregation working together to grow God's Kingdom.
I encourage you to reflect on this question: Are you striving alongside the church to help the Lord's body grow? The Apostle Paul powerfully urged the church in Rome to come together in prayer for him.
Romans 15:30 (NASB95)
“Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,”
Notice that Paul strongly urged the Christians in Rome to strive together in prayer for him. Paul was on a special mission to Jerusalem to give a benevolence gift to the Christians there, and he was asking these Christians to pray for that success (15:31-32). What do you think it looked like for these Christians to strive together in their prayers? Did they go over to each others' homes and pray out loud with one another? Did they take home parchments/papyrus that had certain things they needed to focus on praying together? I am unsure what it looked like, but I can assure you that they prayed.
I encourage us this week to strive together in our prayer life. I would like you to add a few things to your daily prayers.
Pray for the growth of the church at Hilldale (spiritually and numerically).
Pray for the impact we are having on the city of Clarksville.
Pray for the widows and widowers of our congregation. The holiday season can be challenging for them.
Pray for the shut-ins that we have in our "Contact."
Pray for the preparations we are making for next year.
Pray for the work we are doing now.
Pray for the leadership in this congregation. (Elders, Deacons, Ministers)
Thank you so much in advance for your prayers to our Heavenly Father. To God be the glory!
— Matt Jones