Simple Church Minute 52--prayer

52—prayer

My name is Tom; this is Simple Church Minute

            Both religious traditionalism, not just Christian, but also some other beliefs, and our civil pseudo-religion, tell us that prayer is something connected to bowing one’s head, closing one’s eyes, and having a serious demeanor.  First Thessalonians chapter 5 verse 17 says, “pray without ceasing.”  This clearly cannot be done with eyes closed, hands folded.   Neither you nor I can drive a car, do one’s job, and a whole bunch of other things with one’s eyes closed.  Might I suggest that following God’s direction, pray without ceasing, requires my attitude being one of my desiring my spirit being in communion with the Holy Spirit at all times.  In Matthew chapter 6 verse 7, Jesus connected saying the same words over and over with being an unbeliever.  From there through verse 13 appear the most often repeated group of words that are repeated over and over as a prayer in traditional churches.  Verse 7 should be a huge hint that that was exactly the opposite from what Jesus was communicating.*

            Now, what I just said is the basis of innumerable teaching in which traditional churches are often followed by doing the same ol’ societally traditional prayers.  Honestly, it isn’t appropriate to stand up and say “The Emperor has no clothes” as in the children’s story when it comes to this point.  First, the Holy Spirit has to speak to your spirit about this.  Second, this is why in the Word, it teaches that every believer is empowered to lead every other one to fullness of faith.  Third, if someone proverbially sticks their foot in their mouth, the brother or sister can be gently corrected by believers they know and trust are looking out for their best and everyone be stronger in following Jesus.  This can only happen if every believer is not just allowed, but encouraged, even expected to minister to everyone else for God’s glory.

            You can email me at simplechurchminute@gmail.com.  For more info on organic church*, visit http://www.simplechurch.com/ or locally at (local website).

On the recording, at this time, it says, “house churches.”  While that phrasing is OK, to say “organic church” is better.  I comment on that in blip 94.

*What is written here is slightly different, and, I am convinced, more correct, than what I recorded in the audio version.