The first resort

In the late 1980’s I spent three years at Wesley College, Bristol, one of the then Methodist Ministerial training colleges.  At the end of that period, I and the fellow students in my year were sent out (‘stationed’, to use the correct terminology) to various places around the UK.  My family and I ended up in the village of Norton-le-Moors in the Potteries, and we spent a very enjoyable 5 years as I sought to learn the ropes of Methodist Ministry.

One of my fellow students was stationed in North Yorkshire, where he became minister of a number of rural chapels.  During his time there, one of his chapels developed a serious problem with the roof.  A special meeting was called to discuss the urgent issue and seek to find a resolution.  The cost of repair was potentially prohibitive.  After some time of discussion, without a great deal of progress, my friend suggested that they should stop talking for a while and have a time of prayer.  Immediately, one of the church stewards came back with the comment, “Nay lad, this is serious!”

I was reminded of that story when I was preparing for last Sunday’s service, which was based on one of the Bible passages for the day from the second chapter of St Paul’s first letter to his young protégé, Timothy.  In some ways, the world of the first century was not unlike our own society today. There was a widespread ignorance of God and God’s ways. Many were embracing behaviours and attitudes which grieved God.  Paul had ended the previous chapter of his letter by citing the cases of some who had deserted the Christian faith.  It wasn’t an easy time for followers of Jesus.  Paul begins the second chapter with these words, ‘The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Saviour God wants us to live’ (1 Timothy 2.1-3, The Message).

As I read the passage, I was immediately struck by Paul’s word, ‘The first thing I want you to do is pray.’  Too often we regard prayer as the place of last resort – if all else fails, we’d better pray.  But for Paul, it should be the FIRST resort.  I often think of the challenging words of 19^th century poet laureate, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.”  I firmly believe that one day we will be greatly surprised when we discover how wonderfully God has taken and used our prayers to accomplish his purposes.  Prayer really does make a difference, and if we neglect prayer then that has consequences.  John Wesley is quoted as saying, “God does nothing but in answer to prayer.”  If that is true then we dare not neglect this wonderful gift that is prayer (even if we don't fully understand it!)

Note that Paul urges prayer particularly for those in authority.  Let’s face it, our government and parliament, as well as our nation, are in a mess.  We need to urgently pray for our leaders, for wisdom, courage and compassion.  We (and they) need God’s help.  We need to regard prayer as our first resort.