I am heading to Michiana Christian Service Camp today for an area ministers meeting.  Our purpose today is to pray for the camp, its staff, and the upcoming summer youth camp season.  We’ve been doing this for several years now.  When I moved to this area, it was originally a ministers work day where we did a variety of physical labor tasks to help get the camp ready for summer.

A few years ago, several area ministers made a decision to apply some of the Acts 6 text to our camp situation.  To take our work day and spend it devoted to prayer and the Word.  To help prepare the camp spiritually while enlisting and encouraging others to participate in the camp’s annual work days to accomplish the physical tasks.

I’m convinced that the camp understands and appreciates the value of both consistent and “on-site” prayer for their needs, staff, and camp participants.  In my role as “Prayer Minister”, I don’t believe that every Christian yet understands the value and the work aspect of prayer.  Understanding is growing, but a more likely response to hearing of a “work day” where the activity is praying is, “You call that work?” 

My answer is just as pointed, “YES!”  Perhaps one of the reasons that so many Christians feel ineffective when it comes to prayer is that they have undervalued it and don’t “work” at it.  Consistent, fervent, open communication with God is hard work.  It takes discipline to keep focused and not be overcome by life’s distractions.  Yet the reward is great.  James tells us that, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”  (James 4:16 TNIV)

Don’t get me wrong, I believe that prayer often leads us to act and do something in obedience to God.  Physical labor is needed and a good thing.  I plan on doing both at camp today.  But for me, the main priority for my day is prayer and seeking God’s face on behalf of the camp.  I love the camp and am excited about having the privilege to pray on-site for it.