A scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), a story, an observation and a prayer on the power and need for prayer

SCRIPTURE: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

THE STORY: by D.C.E.
After the American Civil War, E. M. Bounds became pastor of a church in Franklin, Tennessee. A year earlier, he had ministered as a chaplain to confederate troops at the Battle of Franklin, one of the bloodiest of the war.

A young man in the church named E. M. Haynes, who later became President of Asbury College, wrote that when Bounds came to Franklin he found the church in a wretched spiritual condition. Realizing the deep need of the people, he gathered a half-dozen men and met with them every Tuesday night for a year to pray for revival. They got down on their knees and prayed for themselves, for the church, and for the town. “God finally answered by fire,” wrote Haynes. “The revival came down without any previous announcement or plan, and without the pastor sending for an evangelist to help.” It lasted about 6 weeks and brought tremendous spiritual healing.”

E. M. Bounds later wrote, “The Power of Prayer,” a much loved book that was born in part out of his experience at Franklin, Tennessee. Many of us are dismayed by the apathy and worldliness in our churches and in our own hearts. Perhaps it’s time to pray for revival.

OBSERVATION:
Is it my imagination or is it reality … people today (myself included) as well as today’s church doesn’t spend enough time in prayer. We are too busy, stretched too thin, running in a thousand directions all at the same time. It appears that we are overworked and overscheduled. Our day-timers are so filled with all sorts of activities that we barely have time to grab a bite to eat. We seldom get a good night sleep. We run through the varied activities of the day ending the day exhausted ... just like we started it.

Prayer? Maybe a bless-him or them, here and there ... maybe a thank-you-for-the-food … maybe a now-I-lay-me-down-to-sleep … but real, meaningful prayer … on our knees … heartfelt … soul stretching … emotion driven … prayer? Probably not. And we wonder about the state of our church and our world today!?!

PRAYER:
Eternal Father, we claim to be believers, but we ignore regular and meaningful conversations with you. We like to identify ourselves as followers of Christ and yet, are barely on a first name basis with you. We take some pride in being a believer, but hardly spend any real time with you, one-on-one. Slow us down, help us to prioritize our activities and bring us to the point so that our time with you is the most important activity in our day. In the name of the one who makes direct access to you possible, Jesus Christ himself. Amen.