Sinclair Ferguson, a well-known Scottish theologian, says that when visiting a church, he looks for two things:

Is there frequent teaching of God’s Word to the congregation?
Are they devoted to prayer?

Indeed, he has noticed that the least-attended meetings at many churches are those centered on prayer. But prayer is serious business. By the time this article appears in our church newsletter, a new movie will be out called The War Room, which is about the necessity and power of prayer.

There are many verses about prayer in the Bible:

• Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2)
• Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks… (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
• The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. (James 5:16)
• Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)

And we have a marvelous example of the importance of setting aside time for prayer in Jesus Himself.

But alas! We are so busy with many demands on our time and energy—so many things to do, tasks to accomplish, carpools to run, laundry to do, meals to cook, etc. Yet, as a book written by Bill Hybels more than 25 years ago—Too Busy Not to Pray—reminds us, we need to make prayer a priority in our lives. We need to take—and make—time to pray.

Corrie ten Boom said, “Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees.”

At Christ Church, we have an appointment with the Lord at the beginning of every school year, when we lift up the children and youth of our church and ask for God’s guidance, strength and blessing in their lives. I invite anyone and everyone in our congregation to join together in this meaningful time of serious intercession for the younger generation—from pre-born through college…and beyond. We will meet on Sunday, September 13 during the Sunday School hour from 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. in Room #139. There will be lists available of the children and youth of Christ Church to guide our prayer time—but bring your own list of children (grandchildren?!) within your sphere of influence who you would like to pray for!

And with the refreshing cooler temperatures of the fall upon us and with the beginning of a new school year, may we all renew our commitment to the reading and studying of God’s Word and to prayer!

For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst. (Matthew 18:20)

– Jan Robinson, Director of Children’s Ministries