Today’s Devotional Theme Issues Hurting the Church
Daily ScriptureMatthew 28:19-20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Encouragement
Near the beginning of Sunday's sermon, Pastor Brandon Herald mentioned a recent poll taken in which churchgoers were asked, “What ten issues are causing the church the most damage?” Among the responses: abortion; a dearth of evangelism; a vacuum in the leadership; and failing marriages. But here’s what the poll-responders said is the number one thing holding back the church’s effectiveness: a lack of consistent prayer. I’d say Victory, a church passionately pursuing Jesus, is dealing with most of these roadblocks fairly well. For example, we certainly have effective and committed leaders. However, two of the things that emerged from the poll jumped out at me: marital problems and prayer. I know many couples at Victory are fighting with each other. Some unions hang on the edge of divorce. That will definitely compromise a church’s effectiveness. We have a Tuesday evening gathering of intercessors – pray-ers who are willing to stand in the gap and intercede on behalf of those in need, both at Victory and on the outside. As thrilling as it is to see 30, 40, sometimes 50 people at our prayer sessions, that still represents only a small fraction of the attendees on a typical Sunday morning.
Apply God’s Word
Another poll revealed that many more Christians read their Bible and study every day than make time for daily prayer. For us to become effective workers in God’s kingdom, we must make daily prayer a top priority. One – perhaps the – major reason the first century church saw miracles, signs, and wonders daily is everyone prayed daily. They gathered at the synagogues and one another’s houses and prayed. Interestingly, however, until the Roman army sacked Jerusalem in 70 CE, many failed to obey Jesus’ exhortation to leave home and go make disciples. They hung around town until circumstances forced them out. Only then did the church leaders obey consistently. Note: we don’t all have to go to foreign countries to evangelize. We can start right here, in our own highways and byways.
Come into His Presence
Lord God, I must confess I don’t pray consistently like I should. And I don’t tell others about Your saving grace like I should. Help us to do better. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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