February 11, 2007

Cawson St. Church of Christ

Hopewell, Virginia

Mural Worthey

 

Prayer as a Ministry

 

Purpose:  Prayer is often thought about as worship and communion with God, but it is also a ministry.  We could call it a prayer ministry.  We use prayer in this way all the time without knowing it.  God’s house should be a house of prayer.  (Luke 19:46.)

 

Text:  In the early church, a complaint arose among the Grecian widows that they were being neglected.  The apostles corrected the problem by appointing seven Greek men to this task of providing for them.  The apostles justified the appointing of these seven (deacons) by saying that it was not suitable for them to leave the word of God to serve tables.  (Acts 6:2.)  This does not mean that these men cooked and served the food, but that they made sure that the widows were cared for.  They added, “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”  (Acts 6:4.)  This action taken by the apostles pleased the whole multitude.

 

The apostles were eye-witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus.  They had a serious work which would last only during their lifetime.  This would have been a grave mistake if the apostles had left off their ministry (diakonia) to serve (same word in Greek) the widows.  The needs of the widows were important, but the apostles’ work would last for the whole Christian era.  Seven men were appointed.

 

Ministry of the Word.  Most often in the Bible we read about the ministry of the word.  (Acts 6:4.)  Timothy was told to preach the word (2 Tim. 4:2); make full proof of thy ministry (4:5).  The word, ministry, is from the same word for deacon (diakonia). 

 

The apostles’ work is called “the ministry of reconciliation.”  Paul wrote: “And all things are of God who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.  To know, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation.  Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us.  We pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”  (2 Cor. 5:18-21.)  The apostles had a very important ministry of reconciliation.  They were the first and only ambassadors for Christ.  The lost are reconciled to God by the preaching of the Word of God.  This is the ministry of the word referred to in our text (Acts 6:4).

 

Only a few Christians ever served as apostles, prophets, evangelists and teachers.  (1 Cor. 12:28-29.)  Paul said that part of their work was to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.  (Eph. 4:11-13.)  All saints do not accomplish the same things.  (1 Cor. 12, Acts 6.)  But we are all called to the work of ministry.  What the apostles did is called service or ministry; what the seven Grecian men did is called ministry.  Jesus said that the greatest in his Kingdom is the one who serves.  (Matt. 20:26-28.)  There is a sense in which all that we do is ministry, not in the formal sense in which the word is often used, but in the sense in which Jesus spoke.  Think about prayer as a ministry.

 

Involved in Spiritual Warfare

 

Paul wrote that we should put on the whole armor of God because we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world.  He described the Christian armor that we should wear—truth, righteousness, the Gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God.  This soldier fully dressed in God’s armor should always be found praying with all prayer and supplication.  (Eph. 6:10-18.)  Why did the apostles give themselves continually to prayer?  Why should we be so protected by divine armor and be constant in prayer?  Because our battle is not with just human beings, flesh and blood, but it is primarily with the powers of the darkness of this world.  No one will succeed who depends upon himself.  Satan will devour such a person who is not properly dressed and who does not give himself to God in prayer.  This is a significant part of our ministry.  The sword is the Word of God, but that is just one part of the armor.  Each soldier should be found praying to the One who has the power to defeat Satan.  There is much more to Christianity than singing songs, attending Bible classes, and repeating memory verses.  There is more to our service than serving tables and satisfying physical needs.

It is easier to see the physical threat of terrorism than to recognize the diabolical, deadly work of Satan against the Church.  How many knew that Satan was behind the evil work of Herod to destroy the Christ child when he was born?  Only those who were constant in prayer understood the threat.  After the Red Dragon failed in his attempt to kill the Christ child, he continued to war against the church, those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.  (Rev. 12:17.)  The ministry of prayer is essential in overcoming the power of the Evil One; without it we will fail.

 

Prayer in Jesus’ Life

 

We often speak of Jesus’ ministry on earth as if it was primarily his preaching.  But Jesus spent much time in prayer.  Judas knew the place in the Garden where the soldiers could find Jesus because he often went there with his apostles to pray.  Think about all the various times when he prayed: 1) he prayed before selecting the twelve apostles among the disciples; 2) he prayed that the Father would keep his disciples after he left; 3) he prayed for us that we would be one so that the world might believe that he was sent from the Father; 4) he prayed before going to the cross; 5) he taught his disciples how to pray.  Prayer to Jesus was a ministry.  He accomplished much in his teaching; he also accomplished much in praying.  If Jesus used prayer as a ministry; so should we.

 

Prayer in Evangelism

 

Preaching the word to the lost is essential, but so also is praying for the lost.  Both preaching and praying is dependent upon the will of the lost to obey God, but both can play a tremendous role in his conversion.

 

Jesus observed that the multitudes were like scattered sheep without a shepherd.  He said, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few.  Pray ye that the Lord of harvest will send forth laborers into his harvest.”  (Matt. 9:36-38.)  Here is just one aspect of the ministry of prayer in evangelism.  We should pray for more laborers.

 

We should also pray for those who are lost.  Paul wrote, “My heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved.”  (Rom. 10:1.)  He added previously: “I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.  For I could wish myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.”  (Rom. 9:2-3.)  Paul was greatly concerned about his fellow Jews who were lost.  They had all the opportunities in the world; yet they were in danger of being lost because they had rejected the Messiah.  While Paul went to the Gentiles preaching; he continued to pray for the Jews, his kinsmen whom he loved.  One thing that all Christians can do is to pray for the lost.  This is a great ministry.

 

How many more would be saved if Christians would spend their time praying for the lost, instead of wasting their time in foolish talking and jesting.  What if those who misuse their tongues used their tongues to pray for the church, for its strength and maturity, and for the lost?  Would it not be better if we prayed more and talked less about petty, self-centered things?  Instead of criticizing others and being divisive?  Instead of crude and lewd remarks, to pray for the salvation of lost souls?

 

Prayer for the Sick & Hurting

 

We probably exercise this ministry of prayer more than any other.  During Jesus’ life, he healed them immediately.  James asked, “Is any sick among you?”  (James 5:14.)  If so, they should call for the elders of the church to pray over them.  The prayer of faith shall save the sick.  This is a prayer ministry that James is discussing.  It is as ancient as man himself, dating back to the Fall.  (Gen. 3.)  Praying for the sick is powerful because one is speaking to the God who has all power.  All things are possible with Him.  As Paul said, Whether we live or whether we die, we belong to God.

 

There is great power in trusting in God.  It does not mean that we will always continue to live on earth; it means that God will take care of us in this life and the world to come.  But there is great reassurance to know that God loves you and that you put your life in his hands.

 

 

 

 

Prayer for Difficult Situations

 

Most of us will face difficult situations in life that will seem hopeless.  Marriage conflicts can tear families apart.  Husbands and wives need to be taught to pray to resolve problems.  As friends and counselors we need to use the ministry of prayer to save marriages.  There is power in putting the matter before God.  God does not work within our small boxes and limited understanding.  He can change the hearts of selfish people.

 

God majors in difficult cases.  Simple things man can do, but the really difficult things must be left to God.  Some of the most difficult problems exist within churches.  Instead of continuing internal conflicts, we must learn to pray and wait upon God to change the hearts of his people.

 

Prayer for Kings

 

Paul admonished us to pray for all men, for those who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness.  (1 Tim. 2:1f)  This is another part of our ministry as Christians.  We can affect the outcome of the governments and leaders.  We can affect what happens in Iraq and Afghanistan.  We can change our country for the better by praying.

 

Conclusions

 

Prayer will also change the person who prays.  No one can make progress in the Christian faith without prayer.  While it is true that we can have a ministry of prayer, we should be careful to remove the beam from our own eyes first so we can see clearly to pray for others.