Project Description

2014/03

Distinctives

Features of Free Presbyterianism

THE PRAYER MEETING

The surroundings were less than luxurious: an old portable building, the usual combination of forms and the obligatory stacking chairs, well-worn carpet, and a make-shift pulpit. Known affectionately as ‘the hut’, the structure served as kitchen, venue for weekly children’s and youth meetings, and as the prayer room.

And so it was here, to the rear of the former Free Presbyterian Church premises in George Street, Lurgan, that I was introduced, over thirty years ago, to a phenomenon that has been at the heart of our denomination’s witness since its inception – the prayer meeting. I have fond memories of Tuesday evenings spent in that well-used building, and of fellowship spent in the company of warm-hearted believers who knew how to call upon God, and who expected answers to prayer. It was a learning experience for me, young in years as well as in faith, and I would be much the poorer without it.

But is the congregational prayer meeting viewed with such fondness today? Doubtless there are those in every local church who can recall seasons of particular blessing in their gatherings. Often, when circumstances were critical or situations especially challenging, God came amongst us, and we were able to associate His intervention with a time of urgent, united, heartfelt intercession.

We are thankful for everything the Lord has given us, but the progress made holds inherent danger. We may become so fixated on the resources and range of facilities we now enjoy as to forget the One who has given us everything, and so to slack off in our commitment to prayer. The antidote to such lethargy is to recognise that the warrant for prayer offered by the church as a body is not merely historical, but Biblical. Yes, the record of history is impressive, and we go far beyond the sixty years of our own denomination. Times of spiritual refreshing and of significant growth have been preceded by communal prayer, and have produced a renewed commitment to the exercise. No one can dispute that! But the argument of history is valuable only insofar as it demonstrates the principle of Scripture. God calls His people to prayer, and He honours their obedience to the command.

It was so in the Old Testament. Witness Samuel’s determination to call upon the Lord at a seminal moment in the history of Israel, and to do it in the presence of all the people (1 Samuel 7:5). And the prophet’s leadership found a positive response in the hearts of the assembled congregation (v6-8). Did not the Lord promise a hearing for His errant people if they returned to Him in a spirit of humble, contrite prayer? (2 Chronicles 7:14 cf 6:24-42) And was He not as good as His word on countless occasions? Perhaps the individual we most readily associate with a life of unwavering prayerfulness in the Old Testament age was the prophet Daniel. But Daniel believed in the worth of calling his companions to prayer – as evidenced when he was challenged to interpret the dream of Nebuchadnezzar – urging them to “desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret” (Daniel 2:18). This man of prayer had come to appreciate the power of collective intercession.

And, of course, the New Testament provides a clear mandate for communal prayer in the church of Christ. The Saviour placed a blessed seal of approval upon the practice: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). We may choose to apply this promise to any gathering of believers. Doubtless the Saviour is with us, but the context makes it clear that the immediate application of His assurance is to those meetings where prayer is the business of the hour (cf v18-19; consider also 26:40-41). What an encouragement to know that the Lord is with us at such times, indeed that He bids us to join him at the prayer meeting!

Certainly the early chapters of the book of Acts make it clear that New Testament believers set a high value on seasons of corporate prayer. Those converted on the day of Pentecost “continued steadfastly in prayers” (2:42), following the example of those who had waited expectantly for that miraculous work of grace (1:14, 2:1). And this commitment to collective prayer obviously determined how these believers responded to the challenges of living for the Lord in the first century (4:23f; 6:4,6; 12:5,12). It was no strange thing for them to join their hearts and their voices to seek the favour of God, and they received wonderful answers to prayer!

The greatest figure of the New Testament age, Christ excepted, was the apostle Paul. To study his writings is to discover what a premium he put on the prayers of the churches. Why otherwise would he urge these churches to pray for him and his ministry? (Consider Romans 15:30-32, Ephesians 6:18-20, Colossians 4:2-4, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2, Hebrews 13:18-19) Without doubt, the man who was at such pains to assure believers of his prayers for them knew the value of their prayers for him!

Christian, there can be no doubt that our church will be stronger for the existence of vibrant, well-supported prayer meetings. Perhaps the shortcomings of existing gatherings blind us to this reality. It is true that many things, on the human side, prevent the prayer meeting from being the blessed experience it ought to be. It may be a sense of routine, almost ritual, with the same people praying for the same things, and participating in the same order. It may be a preoccupation with personal concerns at the expense of congregational matters. It may be the preponderance of lengthy gaps between the prayers offered. It may be prayers that are unduly long, and unnecessarily repetitive. It may be a lack of attention, and thus a failure to identify with, and respond to, the prayers of others. These faults blight many a prayer meeting, discouraging attendance, and diminishing the enjoyment of those who do come. But they are not insurmountable problems – they can and should be addressed and avoided – and they must not be allowed to rob us of ‘the pure delight’ of joining together for an audience with our King!

Recently I read again the story of blessing which came to one of our congregations many years ago. The writer spoke of “prayer meetings…better attended than ever before. The tide of blessing was still rising, and the praying intimated a God-centred soul-thirst for even greater blessings. The old, dry, formal praying had died. A new, reverent yet bold supplication had taken its place. This was revival…an awakening of the people of God.” May God be pleased to do it again! And may He find us waiting and watching, together, in the place of prayer!

There can be no doubt that our church will be stronger for the existence of vibrant, well-supported prayer meetings. Perhaps the shortcomings of existing gatherings blind us to this reality.

Rev Timothy Nelson.