Drive in Prayer

Here’s another number question: Of the coronavirus words coming from genuine followers of Jesus Christ, what percentage of those words have been spoken to God? God alone knows the answer to this, but I have a strong hunch that we as believers tend to talk an awful lot to other people about this crisis and comparatively little to our Sovereign God.

Even as I write this, I am convicted that my own prayer life has tended to decline along with our economy in the last couple months, rather than surge to meet the need. I know I am much quicker to vent my frustrations to my family than I am to lift them to my heavenly Father. The reduction of activities and gatherings inclines me to just hunker down and wait out the storm. But as this storm is well into its second month, that approach becomes increasingly unfaithful.

This Thursday is the National Day of Prayer and it couldn’t be more obvious that concerted prayer is greatly needed. Prayer gatherings don’t normally draw heavy attendance, but we have become so thirsty for in-person fellowship I bet we could pack the church out if a prayer meeting were suddenly announced. But today I started wondering if there was a way to do some kind of prayer gathering while still respecting the directives of our governing authorities.

Turns out, there is. Phase I of Washington State’s reopening plan specifically mentions just one kind of permitted gathering: “Drive in spiritual service with one household per vehicle.” So, as part of our observance of National Day of Prayer, I would like to invite you take part in Evergreen’s Drive In Prayer effort.

• Date: This Thursday, May 7 (National Day of Prayer)
• Time: Anytime Thursday
• Bring: Bible, prayer list and faith in Yahweh, Lord of heaven and earth
• Plan: Find a spot to park, wave at any others nearby, and spend some time reading Scripture and praying. There is no organized service. This is just a place to come and pray.
• Please do not get out of your car to fellowship with others who may be there. Not only is this against the rules, but it will get me in trouble with the elders since I didn’t even ask permission for this idea! (thought of it too late)
• Prayer Guide: Use this link to find prayer points uniquely written for this turbulent time.

Why come and pray in your car at the church? Couldn’t we pray just as well at home? Sure, and I encourage you to do so. But will you? I just know it will easier for me to come pray in the church parking lot. And if that would help you too, you are welcome to do so.

Pastor Toby