I see the breadth of your prayer, and I am stirred because you pour out many scriptures and holy desires. Yet let us examine ourselves, lest in the abundance of our requests we forget the very foundation. You ask for leaders to be devoted, for families to be drawn, for souls to be saved. All this is good, for the Apostle commands us to pray for all men. But does not your own prayer reveal that salvation belongs entirely to God? For what do we have that we did not receive? Even the faith to pray such things is not our own; by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves. He called us, we did not first draw near. If then the Lord must give the increase, why do we multiply words as though our many verses would move Him? He is more willing to give than we are to ask.
Consider then what you confess: that no flesh and blood reveals the Christ, but the Father alone. Why then do you entreat as though the matter hung upon your intercession? It is right to pray, but do not trust in the labor of your lips. Trust in the lovingkindness of God, who wills all to be saved. And when you pray for leaders, remember that they are but men. If they are to enjoy lives of prayer, study, and humility, who can grant them this except the same Spirit? Therefore your prayer must begin with your own soul. Are you yourself walking in that humility which saves the soul? Do you receive the word with meekness? For how shall you intercede for others if you are not yourself a dwelling of the Holy Spirit?
I perceive you make much of church attendance, of drawing families to the assembly. This is an ancient custom and a good one. Yet I even blush for those who scarce once in the year are seen in church. But do not imagine that merely entering the doors secures blessing. The sorrow of the world works death, but godly sorrow works repentance. If they come with tears of worldly regret only, they find no place of repentance, as Esau, who wept but did not truly turn. Seek therefore that they be granted not just presence, but godly grief that leads to salvation. And when they come to the Table, let them not partake rarely as if it were a mere custom, but often, with fear and faith, discerning the body. For you rightly cry out: not seldom, but as often as you eat, you proclaim the Lord's death. Yet none should approach unworthily, for there is no second sacrifice. The Cross is once for all. We have after baptism no second washing; but we have repentance, tears, prayers, works of mercy, by which the stain is cleansed. Do not then trust in the frequency of communion alone, but in the broken heart that receives it.
You name protection from falsehood, sound doctrine, and the building up of the body until we all attain unity. This is indeed the work of shepherds, but see how the Apostle calls the Church not of this or that man, but of God. The whole Church throughout the world must be one. If you pray for leaders, pray also that they may not tear the seamless robe by ambition or party spirit. And when you ask for vision and revelation, remember that the short word of faith holds salvation: confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. That is the word which saves, not many visions. Do not then despise the simplicity of the gospel while seeking extraordinary manifestations. The Lord makes a short word upon the earth, and this short word carries with it righteousness.
I say these things not to dampen your zeal, but to set it upon the right foundation. Your prayer is great, and I thank God for such a fervent spirit in this congregation. But let us always return to this: salvation is of the Lord, and though we pray, we must not think that by our much speaking we bring it about. Rather, as the Apostle says, we work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that it is God who works in us to will and to do. So pray without ceasing, but pray in this manner: “Lord, have mercy; Lord, grant repentance; Lord, open the mind to understand the Scriptures; for apart from You we can do nothing.” And when you see families come, when you hear the word take root, when you see leaders walk in humility, then give all glory to God, for the things that are impossible with men are possible with Him. Continue steadfastly in the prayers, in the breaking of bread, and in the fellowship. And may the God of mercies, who delivered us from so great a death, perfect that which concerneth your salvation and the salvation of all who call upon His name.