Pulpit Today

How important is prayer for today’s church?  Is it really necessary for supplying spiritual power and effectiveness in Kingdom work or can churches successfully evangelize, reap a harvest of souls, and minister in power regardless of the commitment to prayer?  Unfortunately, there are churches where prayer is a relic but membership rosters can be unfurled with striking calculations.  There is no doubt that prayerless churches can assume a prominent place in the city, but an investigation of those churches easily exposes their spiritual weaknesses.

On April 11-14, 1912 South Africa hosted a conference where ministers discussed the state of the Church.  Professor de Vos, of the Dutch Reformed Church, and other ministers specifically addressed the lack of spiritual power within the Church.  One by one the ministers confessed the sins that made church-life so feeble.  Later de Vos authored the book, The State of the Church, and summarized the spirit of the conference.  He wrote: “Some began to mention failings that they had seen in . . . conduct, or in doctrine, or in service.  It was soon felt that this was not the right way; each must acknowledge that in which he himself was guilty.  The Lord graciously so ordered it that we were gradually led to the sin of prayerlessness as one of the deepest roots of the evil.  No one could plead himself free from this.”

The Bible shows that spiritual power, kingdom effectiveness, penetrating preaching, and pure living are only maintained through prayer.  That is the message of 2 Chronicles 7:14 and it is why Jesus said, “My house shall be called a house of prayer” (MAT 21:13).  When that happens souls will be come to Christ, lives will change, miracles will occur, and God’s power will be manifested!