"A Burden For Prayer
What do you do when you don't know what to do? And what do you do when you feel buried by circumstances? What do you do when you're facing the impossible? The answer is 'pray.' For some, prayer is simply a religious exercise, a superstitious attempt at changing God's mind, or sentimental 'good feeling.'
But let's face it: prayer is essential, serious, and life-changing. One thing we know for sure... prayer always taxes faith, especially when we're dealing with the impossible. In prayer we are brought face to face with the ultimate questions: 'Are we seriously interested in getting down to the practice of prayer, and not just talking about it? Do we believe in a God of miracles? I know God hears and answers prayer, but what about His concern?' People say prayer changes things. That's not true. It's God who changes things, and He does it through prayer.
I'm asking you to join me in contending for answered prayer. I want to give us as a congregation a list of things to consider. Pray for loved ones and the lost to be won to Jesus. Ask for a release of God's presence and love to flow among us and settle upon our world. Let's pray for an unleashing of the Holy Spirit's virtue and power. Let's contend for a spirit of repentance and conviction to lay hold of those who are stranged from God, and pray that a hunger for purity and holiness may grip the church of Jesus Christ.
Prayer isn't work or drudgery... its a privilege. There is nothing more rewarding than having God respond to our faith by moving in mighty power to answer prayer.
Burdens really are lifted at Calvary. They are lifted by God through prayer. Even in His hour of greatest passion, Jesus called out to His Father. For our Savior, prayer was a way of life. He left us a model for victory... it's daily prayer. I'm so thankful that prayer which is grounded in faith, filled with passion, answered by God, and rewarded with joy is burden-removing prayer.
Believing in you,
Ron Mehl"