prayers

The church is such an amazing thing in this world. When it’s truly as it should be, it’s the opposite of what the world is. In fact, it’s so different as to seem almost other-worldly. Which, of course, it is.

In Acts 21 I read about Paul journeying to Jerusalem. When he gets there, he’s going to be arrested, sent on the Roman governor for trial, and eventually end up in prison in Rome. He has some inkling; in fact, on his way there he stops in Syria for a week to spend time with the disciples there, and they warn him.

And then I read this, in Acts 21:5-6 “When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.”

Think of it: Paul’s life is in mortal danger. Jerusalem is not safe for him, but he’s committed to going because that’s where service to God is leading him. So his church holds a prayer meeting, and off he goes.

In the face of political oppression and religious persecution, in the face of all the power necessary to kill him, the church kneels on a beach by the Mediterranean and prays. And that’s enough for them. No passionate condemnations of the Romans or the Jewish church. No campaign to get enough support to leverage his freedom. No attempts to dissuade Paul. Just gentleness and humility and a commitment to follow God.

And to trust him. In the end, prayer will always be more effective than any appeal to human power. The church knows that, and we’re often mocked for it. But if God is for us, who truly can be against us?

Paul’s sea-side prayer hour is a great reminder of what makes the church effective here in this world, and what doesn’t. It’s a reminder I think I need.