Be Ready To Pray
October 2026 - Bruce Fairbairn
It’s that time of year again when Crestview calls new elders and deacons to important and blessed responsibilities helping lead and nurture our congregation into the future. We know the Spirit is present and at work within the church and also active in each member’s hearts as we pray for continued strong lay leadership. These thoughts led me to remember when I was first called to be an elder at Crestview.
I called my mom in Florida soon after I accepted the elder position. Mom was the first woman elder at our church in Michigan City Indiana, and I eagerly looked forward to giving her the good news. After I did so, there followed a long and rather uncomfortable pause on her end of the telephone line. She finally said “Well, you’d better be ready to pray. The pastor may call on you at anytime, anywhere and in any situation to offer up a prayer so you’d better be ready!” I was momentarily taken aback, but Mom quickly added that she was happy for me and Crestview. We talked for some time about the blessings and importance of church leadership. I remember hanging up the phone and quickly grabbing paper and pencil scribbling down prayer ideas!
The Bible reminds us that we are to be a praying people and that everyone, not just pastors and lay leaders, should be ready and eager to pray. The Bible speaks about praying continually in all circumstances and on all occasions with thanksgiving. An active and regular prayer life is a critical and essential part of a Christian’s lifelong walk of faith. Through the Spirit, we seek to develop an openness, easy availability and an intimate relationship with God. Big words, impressive religious thoughts and churchy-sounding phrases aren’t required, but rather a relaxed connection simple and unadorned, being honest and straight-forward with prayers, petitions and gratitude. Jesus provides a model for us in the Lord’s Prayer.
At the Passover meal in the Upper Room, Jesus offered the new covenant in His body and blood. Jesus then went out to pray, first that the Father’s will be done and, secondly, He asked heart-felt prayers for the protection and strengthening of the disciples and all future believers. After celebrating the Lord’s Supper and the gift of the new covenant, we leave the sanctuary, go back out into the world and, as my mom instructed me many years ago, let’s be ready to pray!
Bruce Fairbairn
