It’s hard to ignore that this has been a brutal year. Global pandemics, divisive politics, civil unrest, tragedy. We are worn out and tired. As this year draws to a close, we must ask ourselves what comes next in 2021? How should we respond to challenging times? What do we and those around us need?
As I reflect on these questions, I am struck by the recurring theme that has been in my life for the last several months. In all of these things, we have become increasingly isolated. The risks of COVID have forced us to distance and close the places we meet and socialize as a community. Political stress has forced us to be silent and fear how others will respond. The unrest and injustice we see causes us to feel that no one hears or understands our anxieties. Loneliness and isolation are truly the most destructive results of 2020, and they are often just what Satan needs to drive us further into hopelessness.
In such times, it would be easy to feel powerless. As children of God, we know we are not. We are recipients of many blessings that come from the gracious sacrifice of Jesus Christ and one of those gifts is our access to Almighty God in prayer. Consider the cost of such a gift. When Jesus died, He opened the gates to Heaven for all of us and, in doing so, He opened the lines of communication to the Creator of all things for all who call on the name of Jesus.
This is a very important tool we have. Prayer is how we speak to God, yet it is also how our heart speaks when we have no words (Romans 8:26). It soothes the weak, gives confidence to the hurting, acknowledges the power and presence of God, and invites Him to be part of the battle we face. Communication is key for every relationship. Why should the most important relationship we have be any different?
In light of this, we at the Monroe Church of Christ have begun considering how we can deepen our prayer life. How can we not just be better at it, but better use it? That’s why, in 2021 we are launching our prayer campaign, “Inside, Outside, Worldwide”. We will be focusing on, and encouraging prayer for, our church (inside), our community (outside), and those in need across the globe (worldwide). We hope to establish opportunities for our members to request prayer and to pray for one another in a more intentional way.
Additionally, we want to reach into the community and open our arms to those who are not a regular part of our congregation. In the coming weeks, we plan to place prayer request boxes in physical locations throughout town, offering a chance for those who are burdened to have those burdens shared by a group of people who love you and want to lift your needs up to God. Finally, through our website (www.monroechurchofchrist.org), we have created a way for anyone, including those who have begun worshiping with us virtually throughout the country, to request prayer. Each and every request will be honored and, when possible, we want to continue to reach out for encouragement.
We want to, and all Christians should, be known as a people of prayer. A people whose first instinct it is to call on the name of the Lord. Most of all, we want you to know that you are not alone.
— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Derek Glover is pastor at Monroe Church of Christ.
