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Bro/Sis..................................................................
all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man”. James
THE BIBLE 4 LIFE
THE
BIBLE 4 LIFE
tells us that “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” so we
know that prayer works… we just have to believe in its power.
Dedication December 2010
Prayer
PRAYER IS A TOPIC WHICH BOTH
FASCINATES AND HAUNTS US.
Few true disciples are totally satisfied with
their prayer life. We all aspire to do better and
to be better, but the goal we seek remains
tantalisingly out of reach.
This leaflet has been produced as part of ‘The Bible4Life’ project,
marking the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James
Version of the Bible. Since 1611 we have all had the immense
privilege of being able to read the scriptures in our own language,
and we are taking this opportunity to mark the occasion with a
programme of dedication and preaching.
Contact details
Co tact deta s
Address: The Bible 4 Life
Christadelphian ALS,
P.O. Box 10817 THE
Birmingham B27 6ZR BIBLE 4 LIFE
Website: www.thebible4life.org
www.thebible4lifededication.org
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Prayer
While setting up a literature table in a town centre recently, I was approached by a If you struggle with what to say, why not start with the words of Scripture? Find a
lady who said “I need help”. “You must help me to pray”, she continued. “How do I Psalm, or a Biblical prayer; or the words of a brother or sister from centuries ago and
pray more effectively?” It’s a question I have asked myself on more than one start with that. Read it aloud, as if it were your own and eventually your own words
occasion. We conversed for a while and she took some literature with a promise that will come, your own thoughts will take over and you will find yourself back in
she’d be back for more. It was only after she’d gone that I realised the one thing I communication with the Almighty.
hadn’t done was offer to pray with her! Ironic, but the way to be more effective in
If you struggle to ‘fit-it-in’, choose a set-time and a suitable place and make that your
prayer is to pray about it!
“hour of prayer”. It may only be five minutes, but the routine will help and the more
What is it that we are dissatisfied about? Where do we perceive that improvements you do it, the more habitual it becomes. You find that it becomes second nature and
can be made? How do we wish to be more effective? you come to appreciate its value, and realize its worth. It is a moment of peace, of
quiet contemplation, of private time between you and your God. It may be at home,
COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS in the bathroom (perhaps the only room where you can get any privacy); it may be
in the car; it may be on your lunchtime walk or on the way home; it may be last
A recent survey amongst a few Christadelphians1 revealed that the overwhelming
thing at night at the side of the bed. It may be all of these and more, for there are
issues that bother us are our consistency and the content of our prayers. Of those
no limits. We worship a God Who never sleeps, Who is available 24/7, with Whom
who were surveyed, 86% wanted to pray more regularly (i.e. be more reliable so that
time is not an issue.
they remembered to pray each and every day with less variation) while 79% wanted
the scope of their prayers to be wider and to include more than just themselves. If you struggle to remember, write a note and put it on the fridge or by your bed,
set your alarm, create a calendar alert, ask someone else to text or e-mail you. Go
It was rather humbling to receive the responses I did. It had never been the
out of your way to make as many reminders as you can. Be your very own
intention, but inadvertently I had opened a window into people’s souls. I had asked “troublesome widow” (cf Luke 18:1-8) until you get so wearied that you have to
them to reveal intimate information about their spiritual lives. Prayer, rather like “the pray! Or you might like to use a Prayer Diary, such as that published by the
Daily Readings” is something we take for granted and assume that everyone must Christadelphian Office.
be doing. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” is a rather convenient motto when it comes to life in
the Truth, at times we all feel the danger of having a veneer of respectability behind If you want to widen the scope of your prayers, open the latest Christadelphian
which we might hide. Yet strangely, when we are under the spotlight and our flaws Magazine and turn to the “Brotherhood Near and Far” section. Make a note of all the
are revealed, when hidden truths come to light and it is evident that we are not as recent baptisms and pray for the new ‘babes’ in Christ. Make a note of all those who
spiritual as we would like (or have made ourselves out to be,) there is a vulnerability are no longer in fellowship and pray for the lost sheep. Make a note of forthcoming
that endears us to others. That which is embarrassing and shameful, which we did Campaigns, Bible Schools or other events and seek God’s blessing on those
our best to conceal from our brothers and sisters, is in fact the real us, and is what activities. Make a note of recent marriages and pray for the happy couple. Make a
can strengthen the bonds of fellowship more than the “How’s life, how’s the family, note of those who have fallen asleep and pray for those who mourn. Subscribe to
how are you feeling?” conversations that are often the norm of our ecclesial the Ecclesia Announce e-mail from Bro. Simon Hodgson which often has “news”that
communication. Knowing that there are many of us who struggle with prayer is can be included in your prayers. Listen diligently to your Recording Brother’s
such a relief, such a reassurance. To know that others “forget”, or “fall asleep”, or who announcements on Sunday and write down anyone or anything that you could
“struggle to find the right words at the right moment” is such a comfort. pray about.
CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER PRAY ALWAYS
The “one size fits all” answer of ‘Just pray’ may seem over simplistic and may not take It is not accidental that Paul in almost all his ‘Ecclesial’ epistles should mention
into account the different challenges and circumstances that we face. The truth is prayer and more importantly highlight the need for its frequency. Consider: “be
however that we can over-analyse, worry too much, question ourselves into instant in prayer” (Rom 12:12), “in everything by prayer” (Phil 4:6), “praying always”
oblivion when all we need to do is open our mouths and talk. Praying about prayer (Eph 6:18), “continue in prayer” (Col 4:2), “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17). What
may well be the first step to recovery. further exhortation do we need? The time is short, the Lord is near, the kingdoms of
this world are crumbling, let us pray that we “may be accounted worthy to escape
1
Although it was only a tiny proportion, I’d like to think that they were representative and
therefore reflective of the community as a whole.