Anniversaries or celebrations of special times are occasions for serious contemplation of where we are and where we want to be going. CBS has every reason to be grateful to God for His blessings over the past 30 years. Multiple evidences of that blessing can be seen in changed lives, salvaged marriages, growth and development among those who participate, and priceless fellowship, to say nothing of growth in the knowledge of Scripture and its application in our lives.
Having said that, and having been recipients of all of the above, there should be a persistent restlessness and a desire for much more. There must be a longing that God would so move in our midst that our communities, our families, and our workplaces will feel the impact of each of us as instruments of His love.
Bible study is important, both at the personal and class level, but beyond that is the absolute imperative of prayer, both individual and corporate. Having read about many awakenings, without exception, there has been urgent preceding prayer. The Billy Graham crusades have probably been responsible for the greatest number of conversions and recommitments in the history of evangelism. The reason for this remarkable moving of God's Spirit is not the preaching prowess of Dr. Graham. As powerful as that is, there are others as skilled and Spirit-filled, as he would quickly acknowledge. The results stem from the inviolable rule that any campaign must be preceded by months and months of corporate preparatory prayer.
If we at CBS are in earnest in our desire to see our culture and our world changed, the process must start with prayer-first with each of us as individuals and secondly in group prayer. Let me share a few paraphrased thoughts on prayer by great servants of God. Charles Spurgeon said, "The preacher [or in CBS, the teacher, Core Leader, class member] must be distinguished as a person of prayer." Martin Luther is quoted as saying, "He who prayed well has studied well." John Wesley reminds us, "God does nothing but in answer to prayer." In the book of Acts we see that as believers were united in prayer, the Holy Spirit came upon them and great things occurred again and again. If we would see a remarkable moving of God's Spirit in our world, our nation, in CBS, in ourselves, we are called to daily, serious disciplined prayer. This will come about only through deliberate planning. Will you join me?
Dr. John Woods
Teaching Director
Rochester Eve, MN CBS