Why is prayer discussed as stewardship? Because prayer is the best gift you can give someone. Prayer is also one of the best uses of your time. Prayer takes your thoughts beyond yourself, which is a necessity for stewards.

Paul wrote to the Thessalonians (2 Thessalonians 1) that “we give thanks to God always for you.” He was including Timothy and Silvanus who labored with him among these people. Jesus taught that care must be taken to assure that prayer is sincere and that it is not a speech for those present.

The sincerity of your faith in prayer assures that God will fulfill your prayer and work of faith. When you pray that the needs of others may be fulfilled, God may be calling upon your stewardship as the answer. If you pray for those who are hungry, you are asking that God provide from the abundance of the earth, part of which is in your charge.

Everyone is a steward. The different between a good steward and a bad one lies in motivation. The possessions over which one may have control may be distributed the same by a good or bad steward. The results are quite different depending upon motivation. Sincere prayer gives Christians focus on what God’s will is and what is desired of us. Prayer is thus essential to good stewardship.

—Dr. Robert Craig

• What are the requests of Paul for the Thessalonians? Are these things that could be prayed for your own church?
• What did Jesus mean when he advised going into a closet away from others to pray? Does this mean that there is no place for group or public prayer?
• The results of our stewardship of time in prayer may be very different from what we expect. Have you had such experiences?
• Paul writes of faith growing abundantly and love for one another increasing. How can we determine if this is happening in our church and what can we do if we believe it is not enough?

How Do I Act?

1. Ask various church members to tell one thing for which they would like you to pray.
2. If your church does not have regularly scheduled prayer meetings, ask your group to organize weekly meetings during the period before Easter. If you have such meetings, encourage friends to attend.
3. Reflect on ways in which you can be better stewards around your homes, such as in the use of electricity or the disposal of garbage.
4. Paul boasted about this church among other churches he visited. Discuss the responsibilities of your church in its stewardship and how all Cumberland Presbyterians can work together as stewards. Contact the Discipleship Ministry Team about these ideas.

Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash