____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ November 16, 2003 ____________________________________________________ When Praying Will Cease by Tom Edwards We sometimes don't realize the value of things -- until we don't have those things anymore. While we have them, we might simply take them for granted, instead of taking the time to consider the pleasant dimensions they add to our lives and how much we really do appreciate them. But suppose, for example, all refrigerators, all stoves, all means of transportation, or all lawn mowers were to be forever removed from the world in 30 days. If that be the case, I imagine we would then come to fully appreciate just how important that convenience is to us, during those last remaining days of its use. Have you ever thought of prayer in that way? Perhaps, for some people, prayer is something that you "have" to do -- and that which becomes a meaningless routine that is taken for granted. But have you ever stopped to realize the importance of prayer; how it can help you draw nearer to God, to build a better relationship with Him; how it can help others; and that this privilege of being able to intercede for your loved ones, for your friends, and the rest of the world will one day cease -- and could do so at any time? Therefore, when you presume that you will always have tomorrow to pray for them, you could be wrong. What are the things that will really matter to us after we leave this life? What are the things that we will regret? Will it be not being able to visit some of those faraway vacation spots that we had often been dreaming about? Not being able to ever see the Smithsonian, the Lincoln Memorial, the Statue of Liberty, or the Grand Canyon? Not having the time to finish that quilt? Or not having the time to complete that extra addition to the house? Will any of that really matter much to us when we leave this life? Will it not, rather, be matters of spiritual importance that will be our chief concern when that time comes? Perhaps questions will flood our minds, such as the following: "Did I really strive to draw as near to God as I possibly could have?" "Did I pray and study His word as fervently as I should have?" "Did I put God's word into practice in my life and teach it to others as much as I needed to?" "Was I living the life of a Christian to the best of my ability, striving to do all that I could?" Surely, these are the questions we need to truly be concerned about. But instead of waiting until it is too late to do anything about these things, let us strive to answer these questions in the affirmative by the way we live now. For that time is coming -- and probably sooner than we realize -- when all opportunities for spiritual improvement will no longer be available. Though I'm only 50 years old, in good health and feel great, I know that, even still, my life on this earth -- like anyone else's -- could suddenly terminate, whether by demise or the second coming of Christ. I personally feel that the Lord's return is getting very near; but that is a mere speculation, and I am no date-setter when it comes to that, since the Bible does not tell us the time when Jesus will come again. But it could happen any day. And this, as well as thoughts of the brevity and uncertainty of life, can add some seriousness to and some genuine appreciation for our prayer life. How thankful we should be that we can pray for our loved ones and friends, and for the rest of the world as well. And every day that the Lord blesses us with a new day, we can participate again in this needful and important spiritual activity of interceding for mankind. What if today, however, were the last day you had to pray for others? How fervently would those prayers be? And even if it were not the last day for us, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (as of July 2003), 152,078 people (in the world) die every day. That means that 6,337 people will die in one hour; 106 people will die in one minute. This also means that every second, 1.76 persons die. So in just 30 seconds, more than 50 people have died. Will they be ready for the judgment day? Many of these, of course, will be children and others who have never reached an age of accountability, so heaven will be theirs. But for those who will have to give an account of themselves, how will they stand before God in that great day of reckoning, when man's final and irrevocable sentence will be pronounced, which will then lead to one's eternal dwelling? How sad if the words they hear will be, "...'depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness"' (Matt. 7:23). Now is the time to be developing the right kind of relationship with the Lord; and, as in any relationship between persons there is a need for communication, even so we have need of this with God. The avenue for this communication with Him has been made possible by Jesus Christ: we can speak to God in prayer through Jesus' name. Prayer is a privilege that has been given to the Christian; for when it comes to living the Spiritual life, "apart from Me you can do nothing," Jesus states in John 15:5. We must, therefore, be in Christ, as the Lord's people, in order to have the right to pray to God as our Father. In addition, our very actions are another way we can speak to the Lord -- though non-verbally. For our obedience is a way of "telling" (or, better yet, showing) God that we love Him (Jn. 14:15). And in this "communication," we do not do all the "talking"; for we must listen to the Lord by allowing Him to speak to us through His word -- a message which needs to become a part of our everyday activities. Paul exhorted the Thessalonians to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17), and that should be true of us as well. Notice Samuel's attitude toward it, if he would ever refrain from his intercessions for God's people: "...far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you..." (1 Sam. 12:23). Samuel was a man of prayer. He realized the importance of it, as a spiritual duty he rendered unto the Lord. And for the Christian today, not only are we to pray for God's people (Eph. 6:18), but also for all men everywhere; and the purpose for this is "that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity." For this "is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:1-4). One of Paul's prayers, as should also be ours, was for the salvation of the lost (Rom. 10:1-3). Of course, he also prayed for the saints that they be "filled with the knowledge" of God's will "in all spiritual wisdom and understanding"; and in order that they could "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints..." (Col. 1:9-12). By simply being observant, we can easily see many new things that we can pray about. While flying from New Orleans to Baltimore a couple weeks ago, for instance, I sat beside a young woman who was studying her chemistry notes. I silently prayed that the Lord will help her to not only do well in learning this field, but that also she would be the one who would make some amazing and helpful breakthroughs that will lead to the cures for many of today's debilitating or fatal illnesses. It left me with a very positive and joyful expectation of the wonderful discoveries in science she would one day accomplish, as she disembarked in Birmingham. It is James who states, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (Jms. 5:16). Many has been the time in which I have felt that the prayers of others have helped me to be "better than myself." Times, in which I was truly thankful for, that I could see some improvement in my abilities, talents, and behavior; and which gave me the good feeling of being able to do things that I formerly could not. So I truly appreciate the prayers of others; and I realize my need for them, since I still have a long way to go to be like Jesus in all His perfection. So before we go into eternity, let those of us who are Christians use whatever time the Lord will bless us with to pray for all mankind and to carry out our other spiritual duties as well, for these are the things that will truly have lasting value beyond this life. And when we go to God in prayer, let us also remember this passage: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you" (1 Pet. 5:6,7). Quiet moments of prayer can become special and precious times for the saint. Let us who are Christians enter into those times with hearts fully yielded to God, in humble submission, with an unwavering faith in our eternal Creator, with sincerity, with a love for mankind, with a merciful and forgiving disposition, and with thankfulness unto our Lord who allows us to "draw near with confidence to the throne of His grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16). Prayer is not merely a duty, it is also a wonderful and joyful privilege for it brings us nearer to our Father in heaven who so tenderly cares for each one of us. "Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving..." (Psa. 95:2). As Paul writes in Philippians 4:6,7: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Yes, there is a time coming when we will no longer be able to pray for our loved ones and others. Let those of us who are Christians, therefore, never take prayer for granted; but, instead, use God's blessing of time to intercede for all of these people now, realizing the importance of prayer and being thankful for each one that we can offer up in Jesus' name. May prayer always be an important part of our lives, and a privilege and duty that we continue in. Amen [So be it]. ____________________________________________________ News & Notes Let us be praying for Scott Young, a nephew of Susie Lykins, who recently went into a coma for several days by taking an overdose of Valium and another drug. He is slowly coming out of the coma, but can certainly use our prayers. Let those of us who are Christians pray -- and do whatever else we can -- that God will help put him on the right track. There will be a religious debate December 4-6 in Baton Rouge at 7 PM on Thursday and Friday and 9:30 AM on Saturday. Patrick Donahue (a preacher in the church of Christ) will be debating Fred Jeff Smith (a Baptist preacher) at the Greater Mount Carmel Baptist Church. The three propositions that will be dealt with (and in the following order) will be: 1) "The Bible authorizes women to preach in the church assembly" (Smith will affirm; Donahue will deny), 2) "The Bible teaches that a person must be baptized in water to be saved, that is, to become a Christian" (Donahue will affirm; Smith will deny), and 3) "The Bible teaches that it is impossible for a truly born again person to lose his salvation" (Smith will affirm; Donahue will deny). The location will be at 1414 Sora Street. Directions: From the intersection of 61 and HWY 19 (on the northside of Baton Rouge), take 19 (Scotland Ave.) north 1.5 blocks; then turn right (East) on Sora Street and go 1 block, looking for the Greater Mount Carmel Baptist Church building on the right. Let us also continue remembering Agnes Shuff and Anne Mae Jackson in prayer that the Lord will heal them, along with Gerald Farmer who recently had his tonsils removed. Please remember, too, Joe and Blanche Thompson of Chester County, Pennsylvania; and their family and friends. Joe has been on hospice care for the last couple weeks, and his wife was admitted to an assisted living home several weeks ago. If you are visiting with us today, we are glad for your presence. Please come again! ____________________________________________________ MYRTLE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST 1022 Myrtle Street Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 664-8208 Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 PM evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go ____________________________________________________