The Privilege of Prayer
PRAY
every morning
every night
and
often in between
This message, stitched into a hand towel in our bathroom, is a daily reminder of the apostle Paul’s exhortation to “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). In his epistles, Paul frequently asks for prayer for himself and others. Jesus prayed and taught His disciples to pray.
We know we “ought always to pray and not faint” (see Luke 18:1). My wife, Lori, and I are PKs (preacher’s kids), so from earliest childhood, we were taught to “say grace” before meals. My bedtime ritual included reciting “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep…”[1] Family devotions throughout our teen years included prayer.
Prayer was part of every church service; often we recited The Lord’s Prayer. Wednesday nights were reserved for Prayer Meeting. Watch Night services were devoted to “praying in the new year” each New Year’s Eve. Prayer was woven into the fabric of life.
When we began to serve with Life in Messiah International,[2] we were instructed to send frequent prayer letters. “Your partners support you in prayer and finances. Your part of the partnership is to 1) do the work of the ministry; 2) thank them for their gifts and prayers; and 3) report on progress of the work, including answers to prayer, and share new prayer requests.”
In the ensuing five decades of ministry, we’ve asked for prayer many hundreds of times. And we’ve seen God work in wonderful ways to answer those prayers – though not always in the manner or time we would have desired in our human frailty. His ways are not our ways[3] – but His ways are always best.
It’s our joyful privilege at this stage of life to help orient and mentor those joining the Life in Messiah family. We emphasize the importance of communicating with their ministry partners. We testify to experiencing the difference prayer makes.
And we can relate when even our veteran staff struggle in communicating with their supporters when ministry is slow, finances are low, family relationships are strained, and the spiritual battle is exhausting. Who wants to send that prayer letter? And yet, those desperate times are when prayer is most needed.
How the world has changed in fifty years! In our Miami years (1976–80), we typed our newsletters and took them to a printer. We hand-wrote aerograms from Jerusalem to save on postage. Returning to the States in 1982, we entered the computer age, composing on a basic word processor. Email came along, speeding delivery.
Today most everyone uses social media and instant messaging. Life in Messiah’s internal WhatsApp group fills our smart phones with texted updates:
“We’re headed for outreach on campus … in the subways … at the mall.”
“We have Israeli guests coming for dinner.”
“Our visa application is being submitted today.”
“Two great gospel conversations; they each accepted Bibles.”
“Our kids are sick … my mom needs help … Dad just died.”
The ways in which we share requests have morphed, but the substance of our prayers remain markedly the same from generation to generation: physical and fiscal needs, the salvation of souls, the spiritual growth of new believers, concerns for family – all part of the human condition, whether we’re in vocational ministry, working from home, employed elsewhere, or retired.
Over the years, Lori’s and my prayers have changed as we’ve grown in our understanding of God’s sovereignty. “God designs what we go through; we decide how we go through it” has been a great reminder that everything we experience in life comes from God’s wise and loving providence.
We have learned to “pray about everything,” not just grace over meals or bedtime prayers. Here’s one I’ve added when heading out on the motorcycle: “Lord, I’m back on the bike. Please help me not to be an idiot and keep me safe from all the idiots around me.” (And yes, “Help, Lord Jesus!” on occasion when that’s all there’s time for.)
But the biggest change for Lori and me in recent years is the understanding that God intends prayer to be two-way communication. When praying, we are much more inclined to incline our ear to the Spirit’s voice these days. We actively ask for His wisdom both in knowing what to think and what to do. (Thank you, Jamie and Donna Winship!)[4]
We view prayer more as a precious privilege than a duty to “say our prayers.” Communing with the Creator who loves us so much He sent His Son to redeem us is such a blessing. That He bids us to “come boldly to the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16 NKJV) is amazing.
To all who are praying for us and the Life in Messiah family, thank you! Prayer changes things (and mostly us)! So don’t be surprised when you ask, “How can I pray for you?” we answer, “Fervently and without ceasing!”[5] We believe in the power of prayer.
Written by Wes, Life in Messiah Global Ambassador
Where have you seen God at work in your world in response to prayer? Sharing your story gives hope to others. And “God inhabits the praises of His people” (see Psalm 22:3); thanking Him even when He may seem distant draws our hearts close to Him.
Where are you struggling in your prayer life today? A good starting point is to be honest with the Lord about that very struggle (e.g., feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, unheard), then ask someone else to pray with you. Ben Everson’s “I’ll Pray Again” may speak to your heart: https://youtu.be/XZzM6lT2SmU.
How can we pray for you? We have a time of prayer daily in the home office. Send your request to crisner@lifeinmessiah.org.
Endnotes
[1] That prayer ends, “If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.” In retrospect, perhaps not the most reassuring last thought a child might have before sleeping.
[2] When I was accepted in 1975, the ministry was named American Messianic Fellowship. God has grown the work of Life in Messiah to eight countries on four continents.
[3] “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isaiah 55:8–9).
[4] The internet is filled with podcasts and videos by the Winships. We were first introduced through this one titled “Hearing from God”: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/page-168-jamie-winship-identity-and-hearing-from-god/id1460841077?i=1000624137320.
[5] James 5:16; Luke 22:44; Romans 12:12.