The Church Unchained

1 Timothy 2:1-8

Imagine a man burdened underneath the weight of an unmanageable chain. When he rises in the morning he is antagonized by the weight of this rusty old chain squelching each fragile breath. Every day the weight of this burden multiplies the stress on the man. The weight of his burden has diminished his effectiveness in every area of his life. His strength grows weaker with each passing day. Defeated, famished, and exhausted he can hardly muster the strength to face another day.

The nights are cold and restless. The days are long and tiresome. This is not the life he wanted nor could he see how he could carry on much longer. All the while, there was one man who could deliver him from this bondage. All that was required was to simply call out and ask. Why then would he refuse to call out for help? What motivated the man to walk alone and refuse the help of another?

If he could by one conversation, by one friendship forever break free from his chains why would he not do it? How could he try to live out his life and carry the weight of his circumstance alone?

Inasmuch, why would we (followers of Christ) try to do the same?

The church that fails to pray is the church bound in chains. The Christian who neglects to maintain an effective prayer life is shackled by inadequacy, fear, and far too burden down to lift their hands in praise.

Most of us do not wear physical chains. But emotionally, spiritually, and mentally you may feel that way. The church is called to be the mighty, living, breathing, body of the one true God. We are called to be a mighty church! There are too many churches who have been chained in the effectivness because of a lack of prayer.

I'm afraid that unless we make some changes and return to a house of prayer that there wil be more than just spiritual doors chained shut...

Where then is our might and form where do we get our strength if we neglect prayer?

Where is our passion for prayer and our zeal for the gospel?

Where there is no vision the people perish (Proverbs 29:18).  

A church without prayer is a church filled with the ringing of dragging chains…

Let the chains hit the floor… In Christ you chains are gone for you have been set free!

Walk in that freedom, daily draw nearer to your savior!