Since it is the will of our Lord to go evangelizing to all nations and make them disciples of Christ, it is also paramount for every Christian to pray with a missionary spirit for the conversion of heathens ranging from nearby towns to a far off land. Yet how shall a Christian pray with a missionary spirit that is also biblical and God pleasing? Many Christians may not expect to find guidelines of mission oriented prayer from one of the Old Testament passages. Howbeit, quite to the contrary, Psalm 67 gives the New Testament churches some profound insights and guidelines regarding a mission emphasis prayer. Matthew Henry says, “[Psalm 67 is] A prayer for the conversion of the Gentiles and the bringing of them into the church.” When a church as a whole prays for the conversion of Gentiles and takes an active role in the mission work, this enables the church to become a channel of blessing as God's blessing would flow in and through the church that actively engages in the mission endeavour. Yet before a church can become a source of blessing, she must pray that she would be worthy of becoming a channel of blessing, and it all starts from prayer: a prayer to request God to bless the church.

 

 

Before an individual or a church can be blessed, a humble, soul search praying must be made to plead to God to have mercy upon them. The Psalmist utters with an opening request in his prayer in humble pleading for God's mercy, saying: "God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah." (Psalm 67:1). It is interesting to note that this phrase comes from the Aaronic blessing in Numbers 6:24-26, where the High Priest of Israel, Aaron, would pronounce this blessing upon the people. The Psalmist knew that mercy is a premise for receiving God's blessing. One may need more mercy than another, but every believer needs mercy. The church as a whole needs God's mercy before expecting God to bless them. The prince of preachers, Charles Spurgeon, comments, “The best saints and the worst sinners may unite in this petition.” A church of God needs to be ready to receive God's blessing in order to be a channel of blessing. Nevertheless, this does not make us endorse 'prosperity theology' or 'name it and claim it' type of arbitrary and selfish demands or request. On the contrary, we ask for spiritual and God-centred and God honouring blessing. What is a spiritual, God centred and God honouring blessing? The Psalmist says, "cause his face to shine upon us". What is the meaning and implications of having God's face to shine upon us (Psalm 67:1 b)? This means to have the glorious face of God shining upon His people. And what is the implication of this? The implication is that God is well pleased with a person, not because of who he is or what he has done, but because he in Jesus Christ, His beloved Son, is constantly abiding and walking in God's truth. When this happens, an individual or a church is blessed beyond all measure, for there is no greater source of peace and power in life to have God's face to shine upon His elect people! Spurgeon says, “Why should he fret when God smiles? What matters though all the world should censure, if Jehovah countenances his servant. A look of approval from God creates a deep, delightful calm within the soul.” And only when an individual or a church is blessed before God, they can engage in the service of God and be a channel of blessing. The word Selah (Psalm 67:1c) is just a pause or musical notation with no real meaning in the word itself. Most commentators think it speaks of a reflective pause, a pause to meditate on the words just spoken. However, this pause should stir one to think about the greatness of God's mercy, God's blessing, and the approval of God's shining face upon a believer.

 

…...to be continued next Lord’s Day.