Various prayer movements are springing up in America. Most recently there was Repentance Sunday (Sept. 27) called by some 50 churches and ecumenical ministries, including Matt Chandler of Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas; Gabe Lyons of Q Ideas in Nashville; and Francis Chan of Crazy Love Ministries. Organizers announced it as “an opportunity as the Christian church to practice what Revelation 2 and 3 require, a return to our first love, seeking forgiveness of our personal and corporate sins.” But how about obedience to sound doctrine and non-conformity to the world and separation from heresies and renunciation of the apostasy of 2 Timothy 4:3-4 and earnest contention for the faith? Then there was The Return: National and Global Day of Prayer and Repentance in Washington, D.C. (Sept. 26). We don’t need a prayer movement, and we certainly don’t need to join hands with the “rock & roll, renounce separation, bear with all things, judge not” crowd. But God’s people do need to pray. If these times do not drive churches to take prayer more seriously, I don’t know what would. Let’s wake up and get on “praying ground” and pray! God has promised to answer. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:1-3).
(Friday Church News Notes, October 2, 2020, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143)