It is my observation that all across the fruited plain - and perhaps elsewhere as well - the midweek prayer service is making a strong comeback. Not the midweek read service, you understand. Not the midweek preach service. Not the midweek just-like-we-did-it-in-1957 service. But the midweek prayer service.
Here's what I see happening: A growing number of God's family are discovering that unarmed we are no match for the enemy. We are learning that the gospel bus (aka the church) is not adequate to make the journey unless it is powered by supernatural energy. We recall that when the enemy was cast out of that first beautiful garden he looked back over his shoulder and snarled, "I'll be back, and I'm coming for your children." We are becoming increasingly aware that we do not make this trek alone; all of us are stronger than any of us.
So we pray. Together. Fervently. With specificity (I love that word!). We unabashedly ask for miracles, then praise Him when they appear. We discover that He is eager to give us gifts we didn't even know we needed. We claim promises, then hold Him to His Word. We pray, not that He will give us things, but that He will show us how to give ourselves to Him so He can trust us with His gifts. We intercede for others, for those we love; for those we don't even like. For those who love us; for those who don't even like us.
I interviewed a man at church just last week who told of a coven of witches who crept through the jungle intent on destroying the mission station he was helping build in the heart of the Congo. The witches were terrified to discover the compound surrounded by a ring of fire and ran for their lives. His story reminded us of why we pray for missionaries.
We spoke a few days ago with a member of the President's Cabinet as he described how he could see the great controversy swirling around him as the nations of the world spar for ascendency. That's why we pray intensely for our government leaders. At all levels.
Recently Ruthie and I rushed to the intensive care bedside of an18-year old who had just had a wreck on his motorcycle; the impact had thrown him into the adjacent lane of traffic where he was run over by a car. I won't describe his injuries but the ER physician told him to begin thinking of what he might do with the rest of his life as a paralytic. All over our valley, Christians assembled to intercede. He is in rehab with a brace supporting his broken neck, but he now has full use of his body from the waist up, and feeling is returning to his lower extremities as well. That's why we pray for those who need God's healing touch.
It's no surprise the midweek prayer service is making a comeback.
By Don Jacobsen
