WHAT WILL IT TAKE?

Sort of casually sandwiched in between two other news items there was, a couple of days ago, an article announcing that most likely before 2013, the United States would experience a biological warfare attack. The article was on my internet screen for two days and then, poof! it was gone. It bothered me that it was such a matter-of-fact news item and that I heard absolutely not one other person express a troubled spirit at such news.

I went to prayer meeting that night and there were 8 or 9 people in attendance. How I love those faithful people who week after week join hearts to pray about so many things! I was quiet that night. I couldn't help but wonder what it will take before the church is filled on prayer meeting night.

Gloom and doom are not my normal spirit, but when the newspaper says that by 2013 America will most likely experience a horrendous act of terrorism, it seems to me that it's time for all night prayer meetings, standing room only! If such an act of terror happens, we will pray then. An all-night prayer meeting took place when it looked like Peter, like James, would be beheaded.

We can be fairly sure that prayer meetings will be crowded in the event of a catastrophic event, at least in the areas where people are still living. I've seen that in my lifetime...men, women and children on their knees on the hard tile floor, praying, scared, after reading the headlines. My prayer is that God will move upon our hearts, that His Spirit will melt us and touch us in such a way that now, while it is still 2008, five years before the possible projected attack, prayer meeting will be more important than soccer or American Idol or football or even some church things we do.

I'll be honest here. I believe Christ's coming is just around the corner. That's what I believe. What I hope is that we will be gone by the time the enemy carries out its attack on us. But, what if....? God could not have made it any more urgent. His book is filled with calls to prayer...wrestling in prayer, effectual, fervent prayer, praying without ceasing. We are asleep. Like the disciples who snoozed even though Jesus told them to pray.

What will it take? A pastor in prison because he preaches the whole counsel of God?