____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ December 2, 2001 ____________________________________________________ When Leading a Public Prayer by Tom Edwards The Bible tells us that "the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much" (James 5:16); and this is good to take to heart whether we are praying privately or publicly. Today's short article, however, makes some suggestions for leading public prayers; and, thus, improve that part of our service to God. 1) First of all, since the prayer is to be public, let's be sure we vocalize it loud enough so all present can hear. If, however, we have trouble raising our voice, then we should use a microphone, if available. For no one will be able to give a hearty "Amen" to a prayer that's not heard. Sometimes, this can be remedied by temporarily turning off loud devices. I can recall one place, twenty years ago, in which we would virtually always have to turn off one of the noisy window air-conditioners before prayer could be made; and that often made the difference. 2) Going along with the first point, we need to not only be loud enough, but also strive to be clear in our wording that everyone may understand. 3) Let's remember that since it is a "public" prayer, the one leading should use the word "we" instead of "I." For it's not just the one leading the prayer who might want to see Mr. Smith healed, but every member! So let's pray it that way! For in public prayer, the one leading is not praying alone; but, rather, voicing for the entire group, praise to God and requests, which each member is agreeing upon and becoming as one mind and one heart in. 4) Let us be careful not to get the Father and the Son mixed up. It wasn't the Father who died for us on the cross -- it was His Son Jesus. A visitor who knows little of the Bible might be led to believe something contrary to God's word if he or she hears such mixed-up wording, or might believe that we have a "strange teaching" about Calvary. For just as our teaching should be doctrinally sound, so should our prayers be. 5) And we need to also realize that some detailed matters might be too personal for a public prayer, but fine when going to God in private -- or, if prayed in public, to then make highly personal matters more general rather than specific. 6) Try to be original and avoid cliches. Though repetition in itself is not wrong -- nor in using a cliche -- it is good to strive for "newness" in our prayer-life and not have to always pray by rote. Since specific needs can change, then so should our prayers. Learning to really talk to God from a sincere heart -- instead of just a memorized speech -- is what we want to strive for; and the private prayers we offer, in this way, should help us when leading the public ones. 7) Our prayers should be made from a humble, sincere, and thankful heart. By beginning a prayer that reflects on God's superiority over us and His lovingkindness to us, it will certainly help us to be even more humble in His sight -- and sincerely thankful for His goodness to us. For how small we seem in comparison to the greatness of God -- and how grateful we can be that He does love us! 8) And, of course, we need to be living a godly life, so that our prayers will be answered (1 Jn. 3:22). Yes, much can be accomplished through prayer! But before we lead public prayers for the congregation, let us keep the above suggestions in mind. ___________________________________________ Free Bible Courses Are Available Upon Request ___________________________________________ "What's Next?" by Tom Edwards Recently, I was going for an exercise-walk; and while passing a Presbyterian Church, I noticed the billboard that advertised next week's sermon as "What's Next?" Though I had no idea of what the sermon would consist of, the title intrigued me; so I began meditating upon it. I imagine, however, that a title like that would evoke different ideas from different people -- and especially due to whether an individual has more of a pessimistic or an optimistic outlook. As one friend said, "Usually I ask `what's next?' when things start going wrong." But on that beautiful morning, while walking down a country road, with the sky blue, the rolling hills green, and the trees showing their autumn colors, "What's Next?" evoked many positive thoughts to me. I thought about all the wonderful things that could happen next: people I could meet along life's journey, and trying to make those events even more meaningful by being at my "best." Then as I proceeded down the road, thinking more about "What's Next," I concentrated on how we can often make "what's next" even better by the choices we make in our lives. There are so many future events we can make possible by simply willing them and bringing them about. All the possibilities are really amazing! ...and we don't have to wait for them to just "happen by themselves"! I know this all might sound like such an easy thing to do -- the willing and the doing -- but how often do they never get accomplished, simply because we never get around to them! We keep putting things off that we know would be good to do -- and some of these things can actually become a sin on our part by failing to do them (James 4:17). As someone once said, "To fail to plan is to plan to fail." And though planning is good, we must also remember that we need to help those plans reach fruition by our efforts. For a plan without action would be no better than a well-organized dream -- with even all the details worked out -- but that which never becomes a reality. While now returning home on this same walk, what was really unusual was when I saw a car pull in a driveway ahead of me. Its license plate, instead of having numbers, simply had the word "Fate." To some people, everything that happens next is just an unchangeable "fate"; but I know, rather, that each individual has the power to set his own course and change his own destiny -- and what better destiny can one choose than the one God will provide for His faithful follower! So what will be next for you in your life? Though there are those areas in which we do not have power over, there are still plenty of areas in which we can make the difference by the choices we now make...and which can additionally help us in those areas that are out of our control. One most important decision for you to make -- if you haven't already -- is to determine to put Christ first in your life, and to keep Him there! As Joshua said to the people of his time, "...choose for yourselves today whom you will serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Josh. 24:15). Serving the Lord certainly involves many choices, for there are numerous ways in which we can serve Him -- such as in helping the needy, in visiting the widow and orphan, in edifying Christians through teaching, in winning lost souls to Christ, in being faithful in church attendance, in praying for everyone, etc. Making the right choices will help us to be better people, for we actually are what we are right now! Not that time can forgive of past sins, but the good works of the past are now in the past; and we must now, in the present, continue to be faithful. For the term "faithful" is that which should be describing each one of us as a daily follower of Christ -- not just something we were years ago. In Deuteronomy 30:19,20, Moses states, "...I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him...." The principle of obedience that Moses sets forth for choosing life also holds true today: if we want eternal life, we must choose it by our faith and compliance with the will of God (cf. Matt. 7:21). Much of "what's next" depends on you. Let us turn to God's word to see of what choices the Lord would have us to make that we might choose wisely...and will, therefore, always have optimism in "what's next" -- for we'll know that regardless, we will be on the Lord's side; and that in itself is what makes life a true blessing...and will lead to that wonderful, eternal abode in heaven itself...which will eventually be "what's next" for every redeemed soul! ___________________________________________ Tragedy Silences Atheists by Al Diestelkamp This paper is being edited and typeset shortly after the tragic events of September 11, 2001. At the time of this writing we have had four days of non-stop heart-wrenching stories--many tragic, some heroic. As our nation tries to deal with this crisis I am moved by the overwhelming show of belief in God. Noticeably absent are the shrill voices of atheists. In the past, when war was waged primarily by hand-to-hand conflict, a saying was coined: "There are no atheists in foxholes." Indeed, in times of great danger and possible imminent death, faith in God is more noticeable. Political leaders have not hesitated to call upon all people to pray to God. They have attended and participated in prayer services in which God was petitioned invoking Jesus' name. Our President has quoted passages from the inspired word of God. Congressional leaders have stood on the steps of the capitol singing--with obvious feeling--"God Bless America." As tempted as I may be to criticize a nation who has ignored God during "good" times, and has even made it illegal to exercise such faith in certain circumstances, instead I rejoice that in this time of national grief the focus is toward God. I am thankful that Americans have enough faith in God to ignore the complaints of those who want no mention of Him. Unfortunately, past experience has taught us that this renewal of faith in God will soon fade away. We will likely again be subjected to the whims of secularists who don't want to be reminded of their immortal souls and responsibility to our Creator. But in the meantime we have a respite from their empty words as even they realize they have nothing to offer those who suffer. ___________________________________________ News & Notes Walter Myer (of Tallahassee) has terminal cancer of the lungs. The doctors have given him no more than 4 months, but it could even be as soon as two weeks. Mr. Myer obeyed the gospel many years ago, but has not been attending church for many years because he feels he can worship God without having to go to church. His daughter Pam Lenza (of Staten Island) is very concerned that her father will make things right with the Lord before it is too late -- that her father will not only seek God's forgiveness, but also make it publicly known to the brethren where he hasn't attended for years. Let us pray that this 82-year-old man will make things right, so that he will be fully ready to meet His Maker in that great Judgment Day! Stacy Eggers (Mae Cornette's brother) passed away recently. He was from the Mountain City, Tennessee, area; but moved to Seattle when 15 or 16, and lived there the rest of his life -- until about 78 years old. His wife and three children are still in the Seattle area. Congratulations to George and Cecilia Oseyemi whose new daughter was born last Sunday at 9:00 PM! Her first name is "Oluwadara," which means "God has done wonders." Her middle name, "Oluwabunmi," means "God's gift to me"; and the short form that she will go by is "Dara." ________________________________________ Avondale CHURCH OF CHRIST 1606 Glen Willow Rd., Avondale, PA 19311 (For postal service: P.O. Box 421) (610) 268-2088 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 11:00 A.M. Worship 6:00 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:00 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (610) 925-3567 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/avondale ________________________________________