Praying For Spiritual Growth

By W. Harold Goodwin
Associate Minister of Spiritual Formation
Lindenwood Christian Church
Memphis, Tenn.

To pray for spiritual growth in one's own life, the life of a congregation, a denomination or the church universal is both a challenge and a privilege. It is a challenge to be involved in the process of spiritual formation.

William O. Paulsell, Disciple minister, has observed that there are at least four prerequisites for spiritual growth. First, there must be a deep, persistent desire to grow spiritually. This desire must come from within. It is not something that can be imposed from without. Second, self discipline is absolutely essential. We must be willing to give up distractions that keep us from having time for prayer and time to focus on God's presence and guidance in our lives if we are to grow spiritually. Third, we must remain open to God whenever and wherever revelation takes place, be it in a sacred setting or a secular setting. In the most unexpected and ordinary ways God's presence is made known to us when we are truly open. We are to be ready at any given moment. Finally we recognize that all spiritual growth comes as a result of God's saving grace. It is ultimately a gift, a gift we have only to receive by remaining open and expectant day by day, moment by moment. So herein lies the challenge, to remain faithful to these four things: Desire, discipline, openness and humility.

The privilege is obvious, or at least it should be. What a blessing to know that our sincere and earnest prayers for whatever is good are heard and honored by a loving God. Our God is still in charge of the universe. It is by God's own design that our prayers are given the power to change the world, beginning with ourselves. Through intercessory prayer we become a part of the Divine power that ultimately brings about healing and wholeness for the Disciples of Christ, the church universal and the world at large. What a privilege!

Prayer:

Loving and merciful God, we humbly bow before you in a spirit of openness and expectancy. Sustain us in moments of doubt or frustration. Help us to remember that deep within the larger flow of history as we know it there is a silent, invisible stream of sacred or holy history through which you are working out your ultimate will for your entire creation and for each one of us. You invite us to become, through intercessory prayer, a part of that sacred stream of history. Touch us this day with your power and your wisdom so that we may become instruments of your peace and sources of your healing love in our hurting world.

Amen