AP

A Prayer from the Ages

One of the few things every Christian can do for Christ’s church is to pray. But what should we pray for?  Our prayers are often driven by our expectations, what we expect from the Church.  But at the end of the day our expectations matter little, what matters most is Christ’s expectations. Should our prayers be governed by what we want from the Church or what Christ wants? Surely, if Christ’s expectations are to govern our praying, then we must turn to the Scriptures for God’s Word always reveals God’s will. In Revelation chapters 2 & 3 the risen and glorified Lord Jesus declares His will for His church. These two chapters raise an extraordinary vision of what Christ expects from his people and in doing so He shows us how we are to pray for His precious bride.

Revelation 2:1-7 is Christ’s word to the church at Ephesus. His complaint against the church is that they have lost their first love. I take this to mean their love for the Lord and for one another, as lovelessness toward others usually follows lovelessness toward God. Christ expects His church to be marked by love. Chapter 2:8-11 is Christ’s word to the church at Smyrna. He calls them to be willing to sacrifice, even their lives.  Christ expects His church to be marked by sacrifice, a willingness to give up for Christ just as He gave Himself up for us. Chapter 2:12-17 is Christ’s word to the church at Pergamum. His complaint against this church is its toleration of error. Christ expects his church to uphold truth.

The Lord Jesus wants His church to be marked by love, sacrifice, truth and, according to His message to the church at Thyatira, holiness. In verses 18-28 Christ’s complaint is that the church is tolerating evil. He calls them to repentance. Chapter 3:1-6 is Christ’s word to the church in Sardis.  His complaint against this church is that they have forgotten what they had heard (the gospel) and received (the Holy Spirit).  They had pushed Christ to the periphery of their church and put something else in His place. The Lord Jesus declares that they are dead! Christ expects His church to be centred in Him.

Chapter 3:7-13 is Christ’s word to the church at Philadelphia. He commends this church for their faithfulness even in their weakness, and encourages them to be bold. He has opened the door of service or witness and they are to walk through it. They are reminded that they have the keys to the kingdom of the Messiah (Isa.22:22; Matt.16:19), and that what He has opened, no one can shut. They are secure. Chapter 3:14-22 is Christ message to the church at Laodicea.  His complaint is that they have fallen into the sin of our first parents: pride. He calls the church to humility, to ‘buy’ from Him everything they need for their daily lives and eternal salvation.

In Revelation chapters 2 & 3 the Lord reveals his will for His church. He expects His people to be marked by love, sacrifice, truth, holiness, faith, boldness and humility.  If this is what Christ wants for His church, then this is what we ought to be praying for.  Over many years I have used these two chapters in Revelation to guide my praying for my own church and for many others. I would like to share with you how I pray but please remember that my prayers are imperfect and feeble (thankfully Christ makes something of them).  I give this only as an example, not as the gold standard.

Gracious Lord I come into Your presence to bring before you my church family.  Please visit us in mercy and not in judgment. Pour out the Holy Spirit in fresh ways so that we will be a people who abound in love for You and one another.  Make us a people who are willing to give up everything for You, just as Christ willingly gave up everything for us.  Keep us from tolerating error and evil. May we always uphold truth and holiness. May we never forget You and may You be at the centre of everything we do. Give to us a godly boldness based on our confidence in Your promises to Your kingdom people. Lord, forgive our pride, as is evidenced by our prayerlessness. Deepen our humility, our prayerfulness so that in our emptiness we will rest in Christ’s fullness.  This I pray in the merciful and mighty name of the Lord Jesus, Amen.

– Jason Summers