The strange case of a bar fire raised the question of how much Christians believe in prayer,,,
The tale is told of a small American town that had historically been ‘dry’, or alcohol-free … until a local businessman decided to build a bar, right in the town centre.
A group of Christians from a local church were concerned and planned an all-night prayer meeting to ask God to intervene.
It just so happened that shortly after this a flash of lightning struck the bar and it burned to the ground. The owner of the bar sued the church, claiming that the prayers of the congregation caused the conflagration, but the church hired a lawyer to argue in court that they were not responsible.
The presiding judge, after his initial review of the case, made this very revealing statement: “No matter how this case comes out, one thing is clear – the owner of pub clearly believes in prayer, and the Christians clearly don’ t! If they did they wouldn’t be contesting the fact that they caused the fire!”
Sadly, there is too often a measure of truth in these sentiments. Why is it that it’s very often Bible-believing Christians who don’t believe that God actually answers their prayers?
Now here’s a question.. where do you go and what do you do when it feels like nothing is going your way? You know, when the world seems against you, when life is going wrong and throws a curve ball at you.
Or when it seems things are against you at work and it’s all getting too much. Or when there’s a problem at home or with your marriage. Or when you’re battling with your children and with parenting. Maybe the older kids are going through that rebellious, disrespectful stage and getting into stuff they shouldn’t.
Or maybe because you’ve been caring for an elderly member of your family and it’s totally exhausting you mentally, physically and spiritually. Of course, it’s your duty and you are very willing to do it – but it’s worn you down and it’s beginning to get to you.
Or when there’s an ongoing battle with your financial affairs and it seems to be getting worse by the day.
Whatever it is, the one thing you know is this: you can’t go on like this for much longer. You can’t run on empty forever.
In Psalm 109:1-5 King David felt things were getting on top of him. He felt the whole world was against him and that his enemies were rising up against him from every direction. But David knew exactly where to go, and he knew exactly what he should do. He went to prayer!
In verses one to three we read how he’s feeling and what’s occurring in David’s world at that particular time. Then, in verse four he reveals his strategy for dealing with it. The solution comes in just five all-important words, “BUT I AM IN PRAYER!”
Somewhere in his life journey David had learned a vital lesson. A lesson that we would all do well to relearn and revisit as we approach a new year. And that lesson is this: prayer works. And prayer still transforms and turns around difficult and dry situations.
Note again what David says: “But I am in prayer!” In the original language the translation of this is more akin to, “I am for prayer!” In other words, “I believe in prayer!”
David was actually saying, “I have a weapon far more powerful than anything my enemies can attack me with. I’ve got the powerful weapon of prayer!”
King David had learned the all-important lesson – when under pressure and feeling trapped between the devil and the deep blue sea, fervent prayer to the Almighty is the answer.
The Apostle Paul knew this too, and he declared in 2 Corinthians 10:4: “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
That’s the power of prayer, it has the VERY POWER OF GOD behind it.
Maybe it’s time to head to the prayer closet.
From Direction Magazine issue 232
