Everything has life cycles. We humans, as do empires, nations, ideologies, political parties, businesses, economies, even churches, all ebb and flow, or rise and fall. Humans compared to the other examples I offered, are not organizations and differ in the fact they are created in the image of God, possess a soul, and are capable of experiencing eternity, thereby exempt from the typical life cycle demise.
Most unique and so disturbing to the evolution crowd not wanting to recognize the innate qualities and capabilities God has physically endowed into humans over their animal cousins, and what’s even worse for that crowd, is the fact when humans are in relationship vertically with the Trinity known as Christ Followers, they are empowered by the Spirit and are known to exhibit recognizable supernatural dimensions.
For some reason, while driving the scenic back country roads during my route days, I’d stop when time permitted, in the parking lots of either these evidently failing or already closed churches, and read the signs: you know, the grass not mowed, no gravel, either no sign of identity or welcome; or if so, gravely faded; weeds well rooted and in full bloom, etc. And that is just what I could see. Then my imagination kicks in, and I imagine this churches cycle of life; who were the persons and the events that drove its formation, who were all the individuals and families that came thru its doors for the churches dynamic good years, for weddings, baptisms, funerals, revivals, prayer meetings as they sent young men and women off to war, or during the Cuban missile crisis, or for celebrations such as the ending of wars…
And then I would imagine the leaner years, after the attendance dropped, members were no longer drawn to worshiping, or praising God; evident first in their homes likely because the TV became the family altar replacing Bible reading and prayer, and then as years passed and when the culture lost its morals, followed by the subsequent proliferation of additional addicting forms of entertainment, perhaps even professional sports, accentuated by loss of leadership, whether in the pulpit, or among the elders and deacons, but especially in the pews and the surrounding community.
And once the congregation lost standing, influence or respect throughout the community, whether slowly thru assimilation, or quick and decisive, by such as devastating moral failures, or perhaps discouraging times such as we are witnessing since covid, hospice appeared to be their only option. Their last valiant ditch effort from the three remaining members, all in their upper 80’s, was to donate their edifice to an upstart fellowship in need of their building, but alas, no such qualified individuals could be found anywhere capable and interested in continuing the building’s decaying legacy.
But my vivid imagination observed one of the three had found several of Dr. Terry Teykl’s five books in his home library that he had long forgotten, giving outstanding insight and guidelines into establishing successful prayer in the local church. Sharing these books with the other two remaining members, they decided it was best they tackle the book on establishing a prayer room first. Below are the words of Dr Teykl:
Making Prayer visible in our churches makes it more likely to happen and encourage more people to participate. We must do everything we can to make prayer appealing, from investing in first-class prayer materials to raising up comfortable, inviting places for people to seek God. Prayer does not need to be mercenary to be spiritual.
One of the simplest and yet most profound things a prayer room offers is a place to be alone and still before God. It promotes humility and a visible dependence on God. Prayer rooms also generate and facilitate other prayer ideas given by the Holy Spirit to affect the whole ministry of the church in the community.
Ten Reasons Your Church Needs A Prayer Room
1. It allows us to schedule prayer in a systematic manner, making it likely to happen. Scheduled prayer is Biblical. If you read in the book of Acts, you will see that the disciples had scheduled times of prayer – 9:00 am in Acts 2:15; 3:00 pm in Acts 3; 12 noon in Acts 10: 9; and 3:00 pm in Acts 10:30. Also, scheduled prayer tends to be inspirational prayer because it is based on a conscious decision to seek God at a given time each week, not merely during a crisis or a feeling.
2. A prayer room provides an excellent place to keep a record of all the deeds of God in the life of the church – a reminder to thank and praise Him for all He does.
3. Prayer rooms provide places where information can be gathered and prayed over, promoting agreement in prayer.
4. Prayer rooms provide ownership of the church vision and serves as tangible, visible reminders of our commitment to pray.
5. The compassion of Jesus is displayed to the community while we make a statement to them about the importance of prayer.
6. A prayer room provides a place where prayer can be practiced and matured – a training center for both corporate and individual prayer.
7. An inclusive impact is made on the church because a prayer room brings everyone to one place to pray.
8. Prayer rooms minister the presence of God to those who come, providing a place where people can be quiet and hear the voice of God. Church staff and prayer counselors can use it when a quiet, private place is needed.
9. Prayer rooms encourage soaking prayer – prolonged periods of prayer – persevering prayer. Sometimes it takes persistent prayer to reach a spiritual breakthrough. It is sobering to realize how many prayers fell just short of the mark because we gave up too soon.
10. A prayer room provides a control center for strategic prayer evangelism, for warfare and other prayer ministries.
A prayer room needs to provide privacy and be closed off from outside distractions. It should be comfortable, with a pleasant atmosphere, – an inviting place to enjoy the Lord’s presence. It’s important that it be safely accessible 24 hours a day, with a telephone and preferably a separate outside entrance that is well-lighted and has a combination lock. It should be inspirational and should have helpful information to guide people as they pray.
Blueprint for the House of Prayer, pp. 48-49
PS
From where I sit at my writing table, I can see Marcus A Yoder’s book, Cathedrals, Castles, and Caves on the shelf. I’ve not read it yet but I always want to inject barn haymows into the three C’s. Part of my anabaptist genealogy I guess, resists the ten point footwork and says that the shop, the summer kitchen, the backyard swing, the spring house, the garden bench, the apple tree crotch in the far corner of the orchard, and the multiple barns, all offer the needed seclusion for engaging times of prayer. But I must remember the most folks do not have access to such organic prayer sites as many of us rural folk do, and neither do many worship facilities, and neither do too often our homes. Perhaps if we offer such in our corporate worship centers, our homes will follow the example of restoring the Family Altar for praise, prayer, Bible reading and especially, the art of conversation. No devices allowed!