Prayer Breakfast or Breakfast Social?

A question was raised on Twitter last week regarding Prayer Breakfasts and why we call them by that name. Over the years I have been to many which consists of many elements:

• Fellowship and socializing
• Food: either buffet or served
• Special speaker
• Offering
• Door prizes
• Prayer

If you're like me, I like to get together with folks and have a fellowship and eat good food. It is necessary for our society as a whole but I question why we call these events Prayer Breakfast when prayer is the last on the list of things to do, and only a few minutes overall is spent in this portion of the program.

Several of us went to a breakfast this past weekend. It was a lovely fellowship which turned into a fund raiser without notification. But for the most part, these social events are called "Prayer" breakfast and the fact that more time is spent in food and sermons than prayer, suggest that the names be changed to fellowship breakfasts.

This weekend, we had a wonderful word that the sisters gathered to think about the region, the cities we each represented. The tone was set, fellowship, great food and table talk, and then the speaker took a direction that left no time for prayer at all. We left feeling we had not completed the mission. We had not prayed even for each other. At most of these events, we end up praying for fifteen minutes out of three hours.

The question I raise today is this: Should the name be changed to Fellowship Breakfasts? Should prayer be the first on the agenda before breakfast is served or at least the first thing after breakfast? Should prayer be the most important thing before a speaker?

Please feel free to leave a comment below. Let's dialogue. God inhabits our praise, our prayers are a part of praise ... have you ever gone to a prayer breakfast and left feeling you didn't complete the reason for going?

When Weeping Is Okay

"This is what the Lord Almighty says, "Consider now! Call for the wailing women to come; send for the most skillful of them." Jeremiah 9:17 NIV

I wonder what changes would be made around the world if the people of Almighty God would actually want to just come together in prayer? A friend of mine was asked to attend an all-night prayer vigil, much like Jeremiah was requesting in the above scripture. She was about to attend but thought to ask more about it.

She asked what they planned to do and if there was a theme or major concern that they were coming together to pray over. The woman who was inviting my friend was very enthusiastic in giving the details of how to get to the church, who had agreed to attend, and ... who was cooking all the food. When asked why they were serving food at a prayer vigil, the reply was astounding. "Well, you know, being up all night and praying makes you hungry, so we want to have something available for the sisters to eat, keep them going."

The food being served was not just cheese and crackers, juice and water. The menu was fried chicken, greens, all kinds of deserts, ribs and so many other buffet items. The women then could get up off their "wailing" knees and make themselves a plate. This is not what Jeremiah is calling us to do.

Jeremiah is calling for skilled women, those who know that it isn't about eating and dressing for the occasion. He is calling for men and women to come as you are, with a burden to get before the Lord over particular issues and challenges. People skilled in the ability to pray the Bible, to get rid of distractions, leave the cell phones and pagers off, and submit before the throne of God for as long as it takes for the burden to be removed. I have been in those meetings that have lasted all night and far into the next day. The benefits have been phenomenal.

Jesus gave instruction for the disciples to stay together in one place for one purpose. Peter and the apostles, then Paul all understood the need and breakthrough that comes with corporate prayer, a solemn assembly of like hearted people who were willing to pour out their hearts before the Lord.

I submit to you my friends, that we are in an hour and time of challenges this world has not seen. We can and do activate heaven on our behalf through effective fervent prayer. I challenge you to call your congregations, friends, group together for "wailing prayer" over your city, your region, your nation. Then add your government leaders on every level, and all Christian leadership. Let us take the collapse of the world system and seek the face of God, turning from it and seeking the face of God for real. [2 Chronicles 7:14; Jeremiah 35:15; Ezekiel 3:19 NIV]

Looking forward to hearing your plans and your reports!

A Fiery Flame For His Service
Susan Storm Smith

Do You Pray Amiss

"You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts."

James 4:3

People are always asking why their prayers are not answered. There could be many reasons, but for this short message, James gives a great explanation. The word amiss in the Greek literally means to pray evil prayers. What could be so evil in what we ask of God to give to us? (Well, unless you're asking God to kill somebody or do harm).

Amiss is defined as diseased, grievous, and sick in the eyes of God.

In my Christian infancy, my guilt would be great in praying amiss--asking for the things of the world to be placed in my hands, thinking that those were the things that God really wanted to "lovingly" give to me. As I grew in maturity and study of the scriptures, I realized that God has a perfect plan for my life. It made sense then to ask God what it is I should be praying.

The closer the relationship in really seeking God's will in my life, the less I thought about the worldly attributes that had seemed so important. Another truth I found, my needs and desires are or could be very different from other people, even those close to me. That's okay. God's plan is individualized to accommodate the Kingdom which includes everybody.

Today if your prayers are not being answered (and you're sure they're not being answered), be encouraged to have a heart talk with God about your circumstances. Ask Him what His perfect plan is for your life, if there are things that need to be changed and how to do it. Take a step in the direction of success according to God's plan. It's worth the investment of your time and heart.

Need help or have questions, email me at info@mudministries.org all information is kept confidential.

Remember everything starts with one word and one step, point yours in the direction for success.

A Fiery Flame For His Service
Susan Storm Smith