Try this on Sunday

Weekend Update. 

I picked up a little book at a church library book sale. They have a tendency to sell those books that have been on the shelves a while without being checked out by anyone.  I have no idea what drew me to this book, other than the title, "Prayer, The Mightiest Force in the World."  It was written in the mid 1940's by Frank. C. Laubach, with numerous reprints over the years. 

While scanning through the book I noticed a section on "prayer experiments" that stimulated a little more interest. The fact they were selling this book for a quarter made the final decision, so it belongs to me now. 

 In spite of the little book's demise on the shelves of the church library, I do wish they would not stamp inside front and back covers the word, "DISCARD."  If the title of this book supports its claim that prayer is the mightiest force in the world, why would anyone decide to discard it?

I have chosen to share something with you which I found in that little book. Call it a prayer experiment if you wish, the idea seems to support the contemporary needs of today's church. The author states there is a letter that has been widely circulated in Bible classes, and should be read to everyone.

Dear Church Member:

We are going to form a conspiracy today, to pray while our pastor is preaching. Don't shut your eyes unless you wish to, but keep asking God to speak through the pastor's lips and in our hearts. 

It will be an exciting experiment. Remember, you are the church, and the pastor is your servant. Each of you is just as important in making a great service as he is. He can't do his best alone. Your prayer sets the spiritual atmosphere without which no sermon can be great.  Together we can lift the pastor and the service to new heights. Miracles happen when a congregation makes this unanimous. It will not be unanimous unless it includes you. 

You want to help our world out of its deep trouble but you can't do it alone. Christ must be able to work through you to make the world safe, and bring lasting peace. Praying together in church this Sunday is one grand way in which we help Christ to give us vision and power to lift the world. 

So pray inwardly every minute, and see what happens. 

What do you think?  Is that an experiment worth trying?  It might seem a little "off the wall" for most 1940's churches, but I still like the idea, even in our day. 

Perhaps we should do a considerable amount of experimental prayer, then move out of God's way as he strengthens and blesses our churches and our lives. 

  

Acts 1:14 says, "They all met continually for prayer."

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