Brethren, Let Us Pray!

“How are you doing?” I would imagine that everyone here today has been asked that question more than once. Depending on who asks the question, you might well anticipate additional questions. If a friend you have not seen for some time asks the question, you might expect that friend to go on to ask questions like: “How is your husband or wife,” or “how is your family?” If your doctor asks you that question, you might expect him or her to go on to ask: “Have you been sticking with the low-fat, low-cholesterol diet I recommended,” or “have you been exercising regularly?” If your pastor asks you that question, he might go on to ask: “Have you been reading your Bible regularly,” or “how is your prayer life going?”It is concerning that last subject that I wish to speak to you today—your prayer life. I would imagine that most if not all of us pray at meals and before going to bed. We no doubt pray during times of crisis and to express our thankfulness to God for blessings received. I would imagine that we pray about our personal needs, our family needs, and perhaps even our congregational and national needs. If, however, there is a weakness in our prayer lives, I would imagine that it would be this—that the scope of our prayers is often much too narrow. Paul addresses that issue in our text today, and based on these words I would encourage you—BRETHREN, LET US PRAY!