American Reformation Church Prayer Journal 35
ARC Prayer Meeting
Lately, the American Reformation Church at our weekly prayer meeting has been studying redemptive history. Specifically, we have been exploring the prayer emphasis of those who have gone before us. It is edifying to discover the prayers of the Church Militant who graduated to become the Church Triumphant.
For this week’s prayer teaching, we are going to cover a prayer recorded during the historic Reformation. The source is Saxon Agenda, 1539, Historic Collect for the Reformation. It’s fascinating to learn about the prayer emphasis of previous generations of Christians. What did they consider important prayer targets as they sought the Lord in their era?
This is part of the Historic Collection of prayers during the Reformation. It was a prayer to keep the church steadfast in God’s grace and truth.
“O Lord God, heavenly Father, pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your grace and truth, protect and comfort them in all temptation, defend them against all enemies of your Word, and bestow on Christ’s Church militant your saving peace; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.”
The first request is for Heavenly Father to pour out the Holy Spirit upon God’s people. Perhaps, the person praying desired God’s people experience times of refreshing that comes from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:19). We know part of the reason was to ensure God’s church remain steadfast, rooted and grounded in God’s grace and truth.
This prayer also pleaded for comfort and protection as the church struggled with temptation and persecution by the enemies of the Lord who kicked against the goads of God’s Word. The prayer ends with empowering the Church Militant with the Lord’s saving peace.
During this time in redemptive history, the church was coming out from a corrupt religious system and making its way back to God and the authority of His Word. It was not an easy transition, but a necessary one. This conversion reveals the purpose of this prayer.
Let me ask you all a question. If or when you pray, are you mindful of praying for the universal church of God? Do you care for the whole Body of Christ and her welfare or is it us four and no more? Back in the day, it is clear the prayers of the saints extended beyond their own interests and concerns to include God’s Church making her way in this poor fallen world. Let’s follow their example brethren.
