Lighthouses of Prayer, 12/11/11

Over the last few weeks I've written about becoming a "Lighthouse of Prayer" in our neighborhoods, schools or places of work, and so far I've addressed nine questions: What is a Lighthouse? Who can be a Lighthouse? Why should I become a Lighthouse? Why do Lighthouses work effectively? Who should I reach out to? How should I pray? How should I get started? How do I care? How do I share?

To put it briefly, a Lighthouse of Prayer is a person or family who takes the responsibility to pray for his/her neighborhood, school or place of work, to seek opportunities to care for the people there, and to seek opportunities to share the love of Christ with the people there-prayer, care, share. Being a Lighthouse is that simple and anyone who knows Jesus Christ can do this! For today I want to answer three final questions.

1. How can I increase my effectiveness? Be devoted and persistent in prayer. Ask God to deepen and strengthen your prayer life. Always pray with a clean heart and a willing spirit. Be kind and compassionate toward the unsaved and hurting around you. Be like Jesus who, when He saw the harassed and helpless, was moved with compassion for them (Matt. 9:37). Take the time to be with them. Listen attentively. Involve other Christians to pray, care and share with you. Many prayers and multiple relationships will increase you effectiveness.

2. What if I don't see results? Don't expect to see immediate results. Some will respond quickly, others will take months or years. Take a long-term view. Memorize and hold on to the truth of James 5:16 which says, "the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." Be assured that prayer is powerful whether or not we see results. Something happens when we pray that wouldn't have happened if we hadn't prayed.

3. What will I experience over time? Over time you will discover that God is working in you and through you. It's His power released through your prayers, His love channeled through your caring and His gospel through your sharing. You are partnering with God. You'll find that being a Lighthouse is an exciting and fulfilling way of life. You'll thrill to evidence of answered prayer. You'll be blessed through new and growing relationships. And you will experience the incredible joy of seeing lost ones come to Christ. You will find yourself changing too-becoming more and more like Christ-the Light of the world. Being a Lighthouse will become a lifestyle-not something you do but someone you are.

Being a Lighthouse-prayer, care, share-is really very simple, so why not start today and see what the Lord will do?

       With hope and joy in Christ,
       Pastor Charlie