Prayer and faith

This Sunday, during our first service, we had (as I said yesterday) a wonderful time of worship and prayer.

During the course of our church family prayer time, I asked our congregation to pray for the transition and our move to 18rd street.

Afterward, a well intended older saint told me that he and his wife were praying for me (with a look of pity on his face), that "when the going gets tough the tough get going." As if everything is lost and it's come to the point where we have to pray.

Some in the Kingdom believe in prayer as a last resort, a time to come before God and ask God for his help when all else fails.

There is the story of two church deacons – not from here -- who were discussing the financial situation of their church.

One said to the other, "Well, I suppose we should pray about this."

The other replied with concern, "Oh no, has it come to that?!"

Jesus is saying it should begin with that! Our challenge is to put God first in every area of our lives. But this can be a challenge, even to people of faith. Even to a pastor.

I come from a different place when it comes to prayer. I believe that we pray with faith for God to help us. We are not praying for the faith for God to move on our behalf.

John Calvin once said, "The principal work of the Spirit is faith ... the principal exercise of faith is prayer."

There is never a wrong time to pray. Prayer does not necessarily have to be a signal that something is wrong, it is a biblical approach to anything we do in our walk with God. We need to converse with God about everything, with faith.

Our challenge is to put God first in every area of our lives. But this can be a challenge, even to people of faith.

I encourage you to continue to pray with us that the transition will go smoothly. And no, "all is not lost." We simply desire God's help.