April 3, 2013
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO PRAYER MEETING?
East Indian evangelist K. P. Yohannan says he will never forget one of his first prayer meetings in an American church. He had come to the United States eager to meet some of its spiritual giants and leaders. One man in particular held his interest, a preacher known even in India for his powerful sermons and uncompromising commitment to the truth.
More than 3,000 people attended services on the Sunday Yohannan visited his church. The choirs were outstanding and the preaching was everything he’d hoped it would be. But he was especially taken by an announcement the pastor made about the midweek prayer meeting. He said there were some things lying heavy on his heart–would the people come and pray about them? Then he announced the name of a certain chapel on the church campus. Excited, Yohannan determined he would attend.
When he arrived later that week he brought with him some definite assumptions. The most basic was that prayer meetings are essential, of primary importance. In India, and in many other parts of the world where Christians are persecuted, the prayer meeting is the centerpiece of the church’s life. Everyone comes, the meetings often last long into the night, and it is not unusual for believers to arise daily before sunup to pray together for the work of the church.
Fearing a huge crowd, he came early to get a seat. But when he arrived he was surprised to discover a chapel with a capacity for only 500–that was empty! A few people eventually came in, but there was no leader, no songs or worship, just chitchat about news, weather and sports.
Forty-five minutes later an elderly man, the leader, but not the pastor, walked into the chapel to offer a few devotional thoughts from the Bible and give a brief prayer. The meeting was over and as the seven attendees filed out of the chapel, Yohannan sat in stunned silence, his mind filled with questions: Was this it? Weren’t they going to stay and wait upon God? Where was the worship, the tears, the cries for guidance and direction? Where was the list of the sick, and the poor and those in need? What about that burden the pastor said was heavy on his heart? Weren’t we going to intercede for a miracle? And where was the pastor?
That meeting became a paradigm for his experience of prayer meetings in America. In all his travels here, Yohannon saw the same pattern repeated in hundreds of midweek meetings. Almost anything happens but prayer. There are announcements, singing, homilies, but few prayers–and that’s in the churches that actually have prayer meetings in their schedules. Many more make no pretense.
Church leaders who think nothing of spending days planning programs or of spending thousands of dollars to hire consultants to help them do it, blanch at the thought of spending even one whole night to wait on the Lord to show them what to do.
If it is true that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6:12), then we must pray, mustn’t we? Can there be any other way to reach a lost world?
– Ben Patterson
Elders’ Open House – This Sunday, April 7, there will be Elders’ Open Houses at the homes Dan & Denise Beeks and Lance & Betty Lake. Lunch will be served from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the Beeks’ and desserts from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Lake’s. Maps will be available on Sunday.
Another Elders’ Open House will be held on Sunday, April 21, from 1:30-4:00 p.m. at the homes of Charlie & Becky Anderson and Ron & Sally Zielke. Maps will be available.
West Main Prime Timers and guests are invited to take a comfortable Raindance Tour bus trip to Wildlife Safari on Thursday, May 9th. Cost is $75.00 per person and includes lunch. Bob and Joan Tisdel need to know by this Sunday, April 7, if you want to go. A sign up sheet is also available at the information center in the courtyard.
College Treat Boxes -- We will be sending our college students another “Treat Box” on April 15. If you can help supply treats or contribute money for the mailing of the boxes it would be greatly appreciated. The cost of mailing each box is $16.00. Please contact Denise Beeks if you need more information. All donations need to be brought to the building or given to Denise Beeks or Corinne Christopher by April 14.
Children’s Worship Schedule – We will not have Children’s Worship this Sunday, April 7, due to Spring Break. We will resume our regular schedule on April 14.
Vacation Bible School Sign Ups -- Our Son Surf Beach Bash is less than THREE MONTHS away! VBS will be June 18-21 from 9:00-11:45 a.m. each morning. After morning classes on Friday we will have a program, serve lunch, and have lots of carnival games to play. We will: Meet Up with Jesus, Look Up to Jesus, Join Up with Jesus, and Fire Up for Jesus. If you can help in any way, please sign up with Denise Beeks.
New Directories -- Our new directories are ready and are on the information center in the courtyard. Please take only one copy per family - the directories in the binders are for our new members.
Nursery Help Needed -- Diane Liles still has a need to fill our attended nursery on Sunday Mornings. Please contact her this week to see how you can help.
Coffee Servers are needed for the months of May and June. If you can help, please sign up on the list posted in the lobby by the stairs.
Freezer for Sale – Nina Sanderbrink has an Amana chest freezer for sale for $50.00. If you would like it, please contact her.
Prayer Requests . . . Please continue to pray for Bob and Dorothy Trimmer - both are having health concerns - Bob will have his big toe removed this Friday - please pray for a successful surgery and healing...For our members who are traveling during Spring Break...For a friend of Kathy York, Sue, that her cancer surgery will go well this week and also for Sue’s granddaughter, Paige, who was hit by a car - prayers for healing for her leg that was run over by the car...For Helen Courtwright - that God will give her strength and wisdom as she deals with her grandson who has drug and alcohol problems...Alix Spodnik would like her friend, Baylee, to become part of the church...For Wayne Barnes as he continues to heal from shoulder surgery...Praise and thanks that baby Kayden Cummings was born on March 26th and weighed in at 3 lbs. 4 oz. and 16 inches long - he is now breathing on his own and doing great and should be able to go home in about five weeks - proud parents are Travis and Melanie Cummings and proud grandma is Sandra Cummings...For our President and all of our military men, women and families.
Calendar of Events
April 7: Open House at the Homes of the Beeks’ and the Lake’s
April 19 & 20: Daddy/Daughter Dinner Dance
June 18-21: VBS
July 7-12: Camp at Box R Ranch
