Royal Priesthood, Holy Nation Acts
1:24
Then They Prayed
by
Robert T. Cooper
There was a
need in the church. They examined the options and came down to one of two
choices. In this case, there was a need for a single person. They came down to
one of two people to fill the need. Then they prayed.
How often in
church business do we never get around to praying more than a “God bless this
business” opening and closing prayer? It is shamefully too often. Churches
nowadays don’t have many real prayer meetings on their schedules anyway. But
the church business meeting should be one of the prayingest meetings of all!
So when they
got to the point of praying, how did they begin their prayer? “Lord, you know
everyone’s heart.” Did you catch that? They began with praise, but not just
with any old praise. They began with praise that was specific to the business
decision at hand. The Bible tells us that God inhabits the praises of His
people. Face it, if in your church business meetings you want to vote for God’s
will to be done (on earth as it is in heaven), then you would do well to pause
before the vote and praise God in terms specific to the business decision at
hand.
Finally, they
were ready to pray, “Show us which of these two you have chosen.” You do
understand that God is quite capable of answering, “Neither.” He did so on
several occasions in Scripture. He is also quite capable of answering, “Both.”
But if you have been seeking the Lord up to this point and have concluded that
it is one or the other of the options on the table at the present time, then
God will do just what you have prayed. He will show you which of the two He has
chosen.
There are
often things that need deciding in a church. Next time consider doing it this
biblical way.
Has your church ever prayed like
this right before a vote in a business meeting? Could your church do so in the
future? We welcome your comments.
