Under valued gifts (7)

7. The gift of prayer

“All I could do was pray.” How often have we heard that as an expression of helplessness. All I could do? All?

During my life I have met several old people who had a profound ministry of prayer. They all seemed to be women, but I haven’t yet worked out the significance of that. These people had reached a stage in life where they were no longer physically able to do much to serve the church. So they did what they could - they prayed. Some of them were apologetic, as if their contribution to the work of the Lord was rather pathetic.

Far from it. The Lord had used their frailty to teach them a lesson that we all need to learn - that without him we can achieve nothing. Only the branch that remains in the vine will bear fruit.

Our human nature has a strong bias towards self-reliance. Even good things like studying the bible, evangelism, serving the poor can quickly become about us - what we are doing to bring about Christ’s kingdom. However, the gospel of grace is supposed to cut through all of that.

While it is true that even prayer can become yet another thing that we do to show off to God, it is probably the hardest arena in which to trust in ourselves. Just as men hate asking for directions (because it means admitting that: 1. They are lost. 2. They need help) so the very act of prayer is admitting that we cannot solve our own problems but only God can.

Christians who really understand the gospel are people who pray. They pray all the time. About everything. No event and no decision is faced without asking for God’s help. Their utter dependence on him has a direct correlation with their prayer life. It has been said that if you want to know how popular the preacher is count how many people turn up on a Sunday; but if you want to know how popular Jesus is then count how many are at the prayer meeting.

Prayer is, I think, the most undervalued ministry in churches today.

• read the bible - learn from the heroes of our faith and how they prayed.
• pray - on your own, in pairs, in threes, as a church. Anywhere.

“Pray continually.” (1 Thessalonians 5: 17)

Under Valued gifts (6)

6. The gift of hospitality

This strikes at the heart of why we have lunch together once a month - hospitality is really important in the bible.

Have you ever noticed how much of Jesus’ ministry revolved around food? From the miraculous (Feeding of the 5,000 or the Wedding at Cana) to the mundane (having dinner at the home of a Pharisee named Simon), and even to his ministry (how many parables climax with a big banquet?).

Take a gospel. Luke is a good place to start. Read it through in one go pausing to note how often hospitality breaks into the story.

In every culture that I have ever encountered there is something special about eating and drinking together. It breaks down barriers - it both symbolises and encourages a deepening of relationships.

Now I realise that some find this easier than others. Finances or other circumstances of life may make it much harder for you to open up your home for others. Some of us are paraylsed by high expectations of entertaining. But hospitality is not entertaining. Just put the kettle on. All that’s okay - Jesus does not expect us all to be the same - but he does expect us all to get the principle.

That’s why we have lunch together after PBCam once a month. Anyone can join in that and invite others to stay. If you aren’t a good cook then why not invite some people from church out to a cafe? Of if money is an issue then why not go out for a coffee? Or stay in for a coffee?

There is something magic that happens when we eat and drink together. Suddenly we relax and become more ourselves. Then it is so much easier to laugh and cry together. Table Talk. That’s such a valuable gift in encouraging people to follow Jesus.

• read - through Luke’s gospel looking for meals.
• invite - people over for a meal or coffee. It doesn’t have to be much.
• explore - grab some friends and check out the Bourke Street Bakery or Coffee Alchemy (both in Marrickville). If anyone asks, then tell them your Pastor said you had to go!

“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” (1 Peter 4: 9)