The Priority of Prayer
by Conference Minister Ron Hamilton
As I have stated in previous articles, I have been reading some of the early issues of the Congregational Christian Beacon in preparation for the 65th anniversary celebration of the CCCC in St. Paul, Minnesota next month. This newsletter laid the foundation for the beginning of our Conference, which was officially formed in 1948.
In this reading I have found some humorous and interesting things about the life of the Conference in these early days. I read things such as,
| __ | ■__ | “Subscriptions must be paid promptly henceforth.” — human nature does not change! | |
| ■ | An article on the fall election and corrupt politics — history repeats itself! | ||
| ■ | An ad from a dentist in Hancock, Minnesota — why didn’t we think of that one? |
While such things give us insight into the spirit of this new and developing fellowship of believers, there is one thing that stands out that describes the devotion of the founders of the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference — they were deeply committed to a life of prayer and devotion. The monthly editions included a section entitled, “The Secret Place,” which comprised daily devotional readings. The front cover of the May 1943 edition featured a poem, “How Powerful Is Prayer?”
I believe that delegates at an annual meeting of the CCCC in its early days would have wholeheartedly endorsed the Seven Guiding Values of the Conference which flow from the priority of prayer. Our first value is “a culture of believing prayer and intercession.” This value has been found in the DNA of our Conference from its inception.
A life of prayer demonstrates a life that is dependent upon God. People of prayer seek God’s will before their own and desire to live a life that honors the Lord each day. A community that prays is filled with the presence of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Generations have passed since the CCCC was born in 1948, but the spirit of the Conference has remained the same. We are people who love the Lord. We are dependent on His work in our lives each day. Our membership consists of believing people who seek the Lord in prayer and support each other in prayer. I am proud to have grown up in the CCCC and been a member of this Conference since 1970. But, more than that, I have been encouraged by this spirit of dependence upon God. I trust that we will continue this great heritage as we move through our 65th anniversary.
