Praying at all times...

I would rather have taken a long shower, and snuggled up with a good book and a hot cup of tea. I would rather have gone to bed early...but I didn't. Not because I wanted to feel "holier-than-thou" or because "I'm a Blackwood and that's what we do". I could even have made the excise that "I've already been to one prayer meeting this week". But... instead, I went. I went because God tells us to, and there is power when God's people come together to pray.

" Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints." Ephesians 6: 18

The last 2 prayer meetings we've listened to 2 of John McCarther's Sermons on Prayer. I would commend both of them to you if you want to hear powerful sermons about the power of prayer The Necessities for Effective Prayer  and Praying at All Times 

As I was at prayer meeting, standing during both the message, and the prayer time (so I wouldn't fall asleep) I was encouraged just by being with the saints, crying to our One True God and heavenly Father together, singing God's Word together, hearing His Word preached, and of course Praying with and for one another and for our church. I was especially challenged from Ephesians 6:10-20 to pray for Unity, for God's Will to be done, for the Spirit to move in us, for Fruitfulness, and for Holiness. Our prayer time was so encouraging, I was overcome with weeping for those hurting in our congregation, I was humbled by the simple prayers of people, I was filled with Joy to hear about God's wondrous work in us and the people we know, and I was encouraged with the prayers of so many, and challenged have a better prayer life, not just once a fortnight during a prayer meeting, but to pray at all times, with all kinds of prayers, with all perseverance, for all the saints. What a Great and Awesome God we have, and one who Delights to hear our prayers.

"The prayer of the upright is [the LORD's] delight" Proverbs 15:8