Praying Friends, Luxury or Necessity?

Looking back on happy days in the pastorate, one thing stands out as tremendously helpful and a source of help and blessing: REGULAR PRAYER WITH OTHERS

These regular prayers took various forms across the years, but they consistently served as a means of grace and growth in grace.

One regular time of prayer across the last twenty-plus years was with everyone who was on staff at the church. Secretaries, custodians, ministers- those who possibly could were expected to meet first thing Tuesday mornings for scripture lessons and prayer. After prayer we could discuss programs and challenges if we needed to- debrief on Sundays past and plan for Sundays coming-- but THE FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT ORDER OF BUSINESS WAS TO PRAY FOR EACH OTHER, TO SHARE CONCERNS, AND PRAY.

Another regular time of prayer was with a few men in the church who had expressed a desire to draw closer to God. I did NOT lead this group, even though initially I guess it was me who got it together. EARLY on Wednesday mornings we would meet, sometimes at the parsonage, but in later years, usually at the home of one of the other men in the group. We would read the lectionary passages for the week. We would share concerns. AND WE WOULD PRAY FOR EACH OTHER, EVERY ONE OF US WOULD PRAY FOR EACH OTHER. That group is still going strong, and I've been retired nearly nine years-- I miss it a lot!

One other group was made up of ministers who had a heart for God. I would say "evangelical" but across the years there were Episcopal, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, American Baptist, Finnish Congregational, and others who were drawn by a desire to draw closer to God through His Word and prayer. We would meet in a home on Friday at noon and for an hour eat a brown bag lunch and laugh and talk. The for a second hour we would continue a Bible study where we left off the week before- the exact format varied- and then we would PRAY FOR EACH OTHER. The usual procedure was to go 'round the group and each one express any needs or requests, then WE WOULD PRAY AROUND, EACH ESPECIALLY REMEMBERING THE ONE ON HIS RIGHT. I cannot tell you how rich this fellowship became, nor how many wonderful, wonderful blessings spun out of this simple time of prayer across the years. One time or other each one of the group would come burdened beyond words, and find God's touch in the intercession ofn the others. We will be brothers forever-- literally!

I find myself praying these days for a group or two like these. Helen and I pray together every single day, and that is precious to both of us-- ma veritable life-line. But I miss that fellowship of men seeking to draw closer to God-- to become 'men of God!'