Growing into Christ (7)

I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting…1 Timothy 2.8

The Elder and His Work
David Dickson (1821-1885)
“In every way let an elder seek to stir up his people to pray – private prayer especially, but social also. Prayer is the most practical and powerful thing in the world, for it moves the Hand that moves the universe.”

This would seem like a simple task, but I know that pastors and church leaders struggle mightily to encourage their people to pray. The little bit of prayer we hear in times of gathering for prayer is merely a symptom of the little prayer that exists in people’s lives generally. Paul’s focus here seems to be particularly on men (cf. v. 9, as he turns to speak to the women of the church). Men, it seems, need a little extra help and encouragement to take up the calling always to pray, and not to grow weary (Lk. 18.1). Here is an area where elders and pastors must devote themselves to greater and more earnest exertions. We cannot be content for our men not to be men of prayer. God calls the men of His Church to take no rest and give Him no rest in their prayers, until He makes His City a joy in the earth once again (Is. 62.6, 7). What is your plan for seeing that happen in your church?

What do you do to encourage the people, especially the men, in your care to greater exertions in prayer?

If Men Will Pray
Paul explicitly declared that men everywhere should lift holy hands in prayer, so that the Gospel could flourish (1 Tim. 2.1-8). So how is it with the men of your church? Are they men of prayer? Do they take no rest, and give God no rest, seeking Him in prayer? Men at Prayer provides resources for you to use in enlisting, equipping, and encouraging your men for prayer. Watch this brief video, then begin developing a strategy for leading the men of your church to take their place on the wall, seeking the Lord for revival, renewal, and awakening in our day. If you need helping thinking this through, or you’d like to talk about this effort, send me an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Fellowship of Ailbe is supported through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.All quotations are from David Dickson, The Elder and His Work (Dallas: Presbyterian Heritage Publications, 1990).