The Furnace

Many years ago, five young college students were spending a Sunday in London. So, they went to hear the famed C. H. Spurgeon preach. While waiting for the doors to open, the students were greeted by a man who asked, “Gentlemen, let me show you around. Would you like to see the heating plant of this church?” They were not particularly interested, for it was a hot day in July. But they didn’t want to offend the stranger, so they consented. The young men were taken down a stairway, a door was quietly opened, and their guide whispered, “This is our heating plant.”

Surprised, the students saw 700 people bowed in prayer, seeking a blessing on the service that was soon to begin in the auditorium above. Softly closing the door, the gentleman then introduced himself. It was none other than Charles Spurgeon.

Hallesby once said, “Neglect Prayer. Neglect God.” Also, Murray once stated, "Prayerlessness for the believer, is sin." We can't claim to be close to God if we never talk to Him.

In Stetzer's book, Comeback Churches, he states one of the three primary faith factors that led to the revitalization of the 324 stagnant and declining churches examined in the study was "Strategic Prayer."

Stetzer quotes Thom Rainer, who stressed, "Prayer is the power behind the principles. There simply is no more important principle in church growth than prayer. The prayers of the early church unleashed the power of God to add thousands to the church. It happened then. It is happening in some churches today and it can happen in your church."

A major topic of discussion today is the dependence of our country upon foreign oil. The potential for an energy crisis in this country is enormous. Many people contend our country has more than enough natural resources to meet the needs of our people. However, we are not making enough effort to utilize America’s resources.

Spiritually, our nation has become too dependent on ourselves. We need God. We have neglected the real source of America's strength.

National Day of Prayer

Today, at Noon we will gather at the Greene County Courthouse to pray for our community, state, and nation. (For a prayer guide from Psalm 122:6-9, click here.) Today, wherever you are, I encourage you to make prayer a priority. May our nation be a nation of praying people seeking the will of God.