Prayer for the Harvest

Tonight I am at home alone as Isaiah is in Ramsey, IL this weekend with the rest of the IBSA All-State Youth Choir leaning their music and Amy is in Alton since she is his chauffeur, and I am amazed at the number of college students that have flocked to the Sigma Pi house and other surrounding houses for Loud Music, Fun, and, well from what I can observe, liquid courage. I remember my days as a teenager and into my 20’s and I have to admit, I was not much different. Other than the actual gathering on rooftops, I have lived a very similar life. I followed that lifestyle because I listed to the world tell me that this was the only way to have fun and enjoy life.

While I am not doubting that what my neighbors are doing is having fun, I wonder about the wallflowers. Are they really having fun? I wonder about the young people who claim Christ that are undoubtedly as I was in the crowd living like everyone else, are they really enjoying themselves, or is the guilt lingering in their lives.

My heart breaks knowing that more will gather this night around that bottle of liquid courage in search of fun and fellowship then what will gather tomorrow in search of the true hope and joy an the pure fellowship of family.

Christians, far too long has the world accused us of being boring and uptight, and partly for good reason. When was the last time we gathered in in the back yard with our music loud and the food free in an effort to do nothing more than have fun together?

My prayer tonight, this Saturday night before Palm Sunday is that God will make me bold enough to engage these partying seekers of joy and offer them the real joy of Christ. My prayer for the church is that we don’t judge them for who they at without Christ, but to love them as Christ, even if that means we make ourselves a little uncomfortable.

While the church does not offer bottles of liquid courage, we should have plenty of fun and fellowship. The question is, whose with me? Are you willing to let the neighbors know that you can still have fun and be a Christian? Are you willing to even let them know you are a Christian?

May God bless our efforts, and may He alone be glorified as we reach this community with the gospel. The Harvest IS Plentiful!

In Christ
Pastor Rich