Can't do anything but pray

I hear this often. My wife and I sit in our office talking to someone new in the church. Some are multi-talented and it seems can do anything. Others have a low self estimation of themselves. Then the words come out. "I can't do anything but pray."

Its as if prayers are the lowest form of service in the church. They do not have an ability to teach, sing, nor lead. They are not qualified to play a guitar, keyboard, or sing on the praise team. They are not good at public speaking. All they can do is pray.

But prayer is not the lowest of the "things to do" in church. In fact, Jesus stated that his house would be called a house of prayer. Not a house of preaching, teaching, singing, or playing music. Not a house of children's ministry, youth ministry, outreach, and missions. Yes, all of these are a vital part of the makeup of the church. However, prayer is the priority. Good preaching, good music, and good programs will not make up for a lack of praying.

Leonard Ravenhill once said, "A church that is not praying is playing." I agree. It is vital that we pray. As a pastor, I want every service saturated with prayer. I want the intercessory prayer team to cover every aspect of the service and ministry.

Prayer should go beyond the walls of our church and into the world in which we live. Marriages are shattered, people are hurting throughout the world. Souls lie in darkness. Someone today needs your prayer. A marriage is saved, a life is rescued, a need is met- because you prayed!