Park Cities Presbyterian Church (PCA)

All occasions, all kinds of prayers, all the saints

Second all-night prayer vigil held

By Erin Claxton

Published February 1, 2010 in Witness

“Hi, I’m Cub Culbertson.” He shook my hand as he took a seat next to mine. “I’m sorry I’m late. I was seeing a seminary couple. She’s really not feeling well. I wonder if we could pray for them first before we begin.” When he offered their names, both of us were pleasantly surprised that the young lady had been one of my former roommates. So as we began the 10 o’clock hour of the PCPC all-night prayer vigil on November 13–14, we were praying for two friends. Not only did we know their names but we knew their faces and some of their needs. We had spoken with them many times before, and when we spoke with them again in the future we would encourage them that they had been in our prayers.

We’re familiar with this kind of prayer—the kind that entrusts a friend to God that He might work on their behalf for His glory and their good. As believers in the Creator and Sustainer of the universe and as members of one body united in Christ, however, we have the privilege of prayer that far exceeds this limited scope. When Paul was concluding his letter to the Ephesians he reminded them: “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (6:18).

All occasions, all kinds of prayers, all the saints—those who took part in the prayer vigil shared a glimpse into this kind of praying. After we prayed for our two friends, we prayed for the PCPC congregation, that we as a body would long to worship God together, that we would want to know and live the Word of God, that we would pray boldly and dependently, that we would tell stories of God’s rescue, and that we would want to change the world. We prayed for the Advocates for Community Transformation ministry that seeks justice on behalf of Dallas citizens oppressed by crime. We prayed for missionaries and their families who are sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with people across the globe.

I don’t know all these people by name. I don’t know their faces. I don’t know all their needs. I may never speak with them or encourage them personally with my prayers. But I know the God who knows them intimately, who can meet all their needs, and who can encourage them directly through my prayers. I know the God who has purposes in their lives and in my prayers. And because I know this God I count it a joy and a privilege to share in these purposes by praying for all the saints with all kinds of prayers and requests on all occasions that all the world might witness the transforming presence of Jesus Christ.

We asked for feedback from participants of the vigil. Here are some replies:

Grady Crosland: “I had a feeling of gratitude on leaving—wonderful to have spent time with people who are so intimate with the Lord. We need to pray as a body often, intently, and expectantly.”

Mary Anna Sutherland: “Let the congregation know it is not a forced prayer time where you must pray aloud. They don’t have to have a vocal part but can come and worship as others pray aloud.”

Judy Scott: “It is such a special event and a unique way to help make our large church a lot more intimate. It is such a great way to worship with others who might remain strangers. I truly look forward to and get excited about participating in the prayer vigil and love that PCPC has added this as an ongoing event.

“The prayer vigil is an uplifting experience, joining with other prayer warriors for intercessory prayer for PCPC. It is a very intimate, worshipful time and quite meaningful. I particularly love the prayer time in the quiet, early morning hours free of the intrusions, pressures, and time constraints of daily life. It is encouraging to see that there are many who are willing to participate at such an unusual and sacrificial time of day.”

Carrie Jane Pogoloff: “Always a blessing that I am always surprised about.”

Libby Boggess: “Personally, I believe God draws me to spend time with Him in His Word and in prayer. It is such a sweet time. It is good for my soul as well as good for everyone around me! Every morning, God wakes me up, and I can’t wait to be with Him (and to know that He loves to be with me, too!)

”There is a hunger and thirst in me to stay in communion with my living God. Nothing else satisfies. I have seen many answers to prayer and am so thankful for who God is and what He has done about my sin in sending His beloved Son to die for me. It always baffles me when Christians don’t desire to pray and spend time with God. They’re missing out on so much!”