The Practice that Shapes Us
by Chris George, Senior Pastor
When someone joins our church, the person commits to follow in the Way of Jesus because this is what it means to be a Christian. Jesus said to his disciples, “Come and follow me,” and we extend this same invitation. Following Jesus may sound simple, but it is certainly not easy because the Way of Jesus is also the Way of the Cross, embracing selflessness and sacrifice, accepting and extending grace, love and mercy. Along with this commitment to follow Jesus, a person also affirms our congregational commitments because these define what it means to be a Smoke Rise Baptist. In March, we amended these commitments, or rather added another essential element in the walk for faith. So, now, the person commits to worship, to learn, to care, to serve, to give and to pray. I think prayer had always been assumed or implied, but it was important that we make prayer explicitly stated as an expectation and pledge.
Prayer may sound simple, but it is not always easy. While most of us are not opposed to prayer, we may not be intentional about prayer. We plan to pray right after we finish doing our work, completing this project, cleaning this closet, making this phone call, reading this book, or paying this bill. We plan to pray right after we finish watching the baseball game, posting on Instagram, checking our Facebook account, and responding to text messages. John Steinbeck was right, “The best-laid plans of mice and men (and women) often go awry.” Garfield, the cartoon cat, was right, “The best time to start something is always tomorrow.”
But, let’s start today I want Smoke Rise to commit as a congregation to be a people of prayer. Jesus modeled the practice of prayer for us. In the Gospels, we read that Jesus rose early, leaving in darkness, long before sunrise. Perhaps you are not a morning person. I know that my wife is. I know that I am not. Yes, Jesus rose early to pray; but this does not mean that it is the only or even the best time to pray. I suspect that for each person, the optimal time may be different; but what I believe is important is finding a way to prioritize that intentional time. Prayer won’t just happen. It requires intent and investment of your time and thoughts.
Whether it is a quiet morning, a quiet night, or a quiet noontime, we as Christians need to recognize that ultimately what matters most in our lives, what gives our lives meaning and purpose, is found not in the pursuit of things, or even in acts we can perform, but rather in the perspective offered through the process of prayer. Prayer provided for Jesus the power to perform those blessed miracles. Prayer provided for Jesus the perspective to look out into his world with love and compassion. Prayer was for Jesus the very presence of God living in and working through him to touch and transform the world. And, prayer can offer us the same presence.
In the temple, Jesus said, “My house is to be a house of prayer for all people.” Prayer is intimately connected to all our congregation commitments. Prayer is an offering to God, an act of worship. It reminds us to look beyond ourselves in service. Prayer helps us to learn from God as we listen to God. Prayer is an expression of care for another.
Many of you know the power of communal prayer. I suspect you have been the recipient by way of your friends from church, your family, or your Sunday school class. I recently visited a woman in the hospital. She said the strangest thing to me. She said, “I felt the prayers of my church. They have strengthened me.”
She said that she “felt them.” I have also felt them. I bet you have too. There is something empowering, healing and life-giving in knowing a group of people are praying for you.
In August, during Journeys on Wednesday nights, we will begin a study of the Lord’s Prayer. I hope you will consider being a part of that time. And until then, I hope you will recommit yourself to being a person of prayer as we commit as a church to being a “house of prayer for all people.”