A PRAYING BAND OF MEN

It’s Saturday morning as I write and I’ve just returned from the Briarwood men’s prayer breakfast. Many attribute the blessing that Briarwood Presbyterian Church has enjoyed over the years to this meeting, and I can understand why. Let me describe what happened this morning.

My near neighbor Joe Morgan and I arrived at the home of Frank and Barbara Barker (where the meeting has been held each week for some 40 years) at 7:00 a.m. Already about 20 men, mostly aged between 50 and 75, had gathered and were talking over steaming cups of coffee. Ten minutes later Dr. Barker called us to attention and began to share needs of the congregation, the nation and the world. Others chimed in with particular requests, and then 5 or 6 men were appointed to lead small prayer groups in various rooms scattered throughout the house. This morning I was in a group led by Chuck Brooker, a man a few years older than myself that I had chummed up with on previous occasions. Chuck had been designated to lead a group in one of the bedrooms. Two older men, John and Al, joined us as well.

Chuck began by asking John what needs he had that we might pray for. He shared how a daughter suffering from a serious disease was enjoying a brief period of remission. Then it was Al’s turn to tell us about his prison ministry scheduled for the next day. I shared the struggles I had been experiencing in the past week in my writing and research, and then Chuck spoke of his son David, a helicopter pilot stationed on an aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean.

After that we sank to our knees around the bed and I was asked to begin by adoring God and thanking him for his goodness and grace. For the next 45 minutes we enjoyed that sweet union of heart in prayer that transcends any other fellowship we know here on earth. Here were simple men, humble men, pouring out their hearts to God in reverent, believing prayer. There was nothing self-centered or artificial about their prayers. They were plain, intimate, holy. I have no doubt that our Father was pleased to hear us as we brought our petitions to him in Jesus’ name.

Nor did the fellowship end there. We collected plates and made our way to the dining room where the table was spread with scrambled eggs, sausage, grits, breakfast muffins and fruit. Our plates laden we made our way back to the lounge where Chuck wanted to know more of the struggles I was experiencing in my writing. There, for the next half hour, we shared deep things of the heart as we ate. It was Christian fellowship of the best kind, of a kind that we all too seldom experience.

Our food finished, we stood and, with his arm around my shoulder, Chuck prayed again for my work, specifically and lovingly. I went away with my heart rejoicing, knowing I had been on holy ground.

Who can estimate how much good is done through a meeting like this? A story I heard this past week gives us a glimpse of its value. Last weekend Mrs. Barbara Barker, wife of the former pastor Frank Barker, had to speak at a women’s retreat out of town. Her week had been so busy that she hadn’t had time to prepare properly, and she went in weakness knowing that the Lord would have to give her something to say. Trembling though she was, she nevertheless was confident the Lord would help her, for, as she said to someone, “I know that the men will be praying for me on Saturday morning.” That says it all.

What might the Lord do in the churches of our land through praying bands of men like this?