1. Assessment of prayer in
general
It is difficult to determine
comprehensive criteria for prayer, but I think we pick up a few
threads in Scripture that help to begin with. Some of the elements
that really stand out are:
-
Boldness/faith/expectancy
(James 1:5-8) -
The righteousness of the
one who prays (James 5:16; 1 Peter 3:7; Prov. 15:8) -
Persistence (Luke 11:5-10,
18:1-8; Acts 1:14) -
‘In the name of Jesus’
(2 Cor 1:19-20)
With regard to (1), I am
encouraged by what I see as a shift of sorts this year. I personally
have observed more desperation in prayer in Uni Fellowship and a
greater eagerness to see prayers actually answered.
We still too often set the bar
too low, though, by not being specific or audacious enough (i.e: God
I pray people get closer to coming to know you at Citywide tonight
vs. God I pray people are cut to the heart and become Christians
tonight). Analysing my own temptation to pray this way, I think these
low-risk prayers stem from a fear that God will not actually come
through and we’ll be either disappointed or embarrassed – that
is, a lack of faith. But that’s just a thought.
I cannot and therefore will not
make a judgment on (2). I think it is worth encouraging each other to
search ourselves on this point though, because it is possible that
this is a huge impediment to answered prayer that we simply have not
considered.
Our persistence (3) in prayer
has been good. One of the things fellowship groups do really well is
ensuring that we follow through our prayer with action with more
prayer.
We are very good at using (4)
to ‘hang-up’ prayers, but because we are not particularly given
to naming and claiming things in prayer, we are generally reticent to
pray the promises of God in the name of Jesus.
2. Events and projects
This semester we have had one
supporters’ prayer meeting. We had a low attendance of financial
supporters (two, at a pinch), but a great turnout of students. It was
a great night of focused prayer. The low numbers of supporters could
be addressed by me publicising the event earlier next time (i.e.: not
two days before).
We also launched a cheeky
pre-Citywide prayer meeting in the loft at Wellspring. It was
relatively well attended and, again, was a great time of focused
prayer for something to actually happen. I hope to make this a
regular fixture.
I would like to get a similar
thing happening before Christianity 1A and any other evangelistic
events we hold.
- Jordan Scott, Prayer Secretary
