Why you need to get out of your seat
Dalton Blankenship
If you’ve attended church before, you’ve heard various invitations at the end of each service. Maybe the speaker invited you to ask Jesus into your life, take your next step in faith, or pray with someone about a concern or desire.
But you don’t stand up. You don’t raise your hand. You don’t walk out with the care volunteers. You just — sit.
What keeps our bodies glued to our seats when our hearts tell us we need to move? What voice are we listening to that convinces us, This isn’t that important. You can always deal with it later. Next week, perhaps.
Prayer is available. Prayer is for everyone. Prayer works! So why don’t we stand confidently and ask for it?
Five Sins That Keep Us in Our Seats
1. Pride
Too often, we care more about what others might think than allowing Jesus to care for us through prayer. Deuteronomy 8:14 warns that when our hearts are proud, we will forget the Lord.
2. Self-reliance
“‘I’ve got this” keeps us exactly where we’ve always been — chained to sin and despair. We get nowhere without prayer. But when we humbly ask for it, James 4:10 promises that help will come in ways we could never have imagined.
3. Shame
Jesus died for every sin, past, present, and future, but we’re still convinced that our sin is too awful to forgive. Shame is not from the Lord (Romans 8:1-2). Satan is the only one who wants us to remain burdened by the past. Why condemn ourselves when God is offering us the gift of grace?
4. Lack of trust
Sometimes, we don’t trust that Jesus cares about us. The God of the universe, who took time to create tiny birds and feed them, cares deeply about you, too. Isaiah 30:18 reminds us that God is patiently waiting to hear from His children.
5. Unforgiveness
Refusing to forgive keeps us in bondage to the past and prevents us from experiencing the abundant life Jesus died for us to have. That’s why Ephesians 4:31-32 tells us to get rid of bitterness and anger by forgiving one another. Holding onto past hurt only hurts our relationship with Jesus. If we profess to follow Him, we must do as He asks.
Four Things Care Volunteers Want You to Know About Prayer
1. It’s biblical.
Jesus set the example by praying with His disciples, not just for them. Believers in the early church did the same, praying with and for each other (John 17:15-17, Acts 1:14).
2. It’s powerful to pray together.
Psalm 145:18-19 promises, “The Lord is near to all who call on Him…” Jesus can handle your sin, anger, hurt, frustration, and confusion. We harness His power when we pray together about anything and everything. All you have to do is ask. We are available every Sunday just for you.
3. It’s a great way to connect with Jesus and each other.
We can approach God alone and find His mercy and grace (Hebrews 4:16). But Jesus Himself said there is power in praying together:
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:19-20).
By giving volunteers a chance to pray with you, you receive God’s mercy and grace as well as a fellow believer who can walk with you through whatever season you find yourself in. You are not alone!
4. It’s the first step toward healing and freedom.
James 5:16 says we should confess our sins to one another so we can be healed. Asking prayer of a stranger is probably the last thing you’d think to do. And we value the courage it takes! We’ve all been there. Every care volunteer has their own journey through sin, repentance, forgiveness, and healing. We want that same freedom for you!
1 John 1:9 promises that when we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive us. We don’t have to fear walking to the Care Room when we know the outcome that awaits us.
An old hymn says: “It’s me, it’s me oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer!” Whether you’re standing to claim Jesus as Lord, to get help taking your next step, or simply ask for prayer — are you willing to stand?