The midweek service is a thermometer of the church's spirituality. Sabbath attendance, like tithe, is a sacred obligation, whereas the midweek meeting is voluntary, such as a freewill offering. Pastors are appreciative of the "two or three" forming the nucleus of the faithful few frequenting such services. But what about the "other sheep"? What reason do they have for staying away from our meetings? Do not these also sense their "standing in the need of prayer" and the importance of attending all the more as the coming of Christ draws near?
What is the answer to our prayer meeting dropouts? Are the cares of this life crowding out the prayer life of our people? Is the place of prayer being challenged by television competition? One anxious pastor, attempting to shock sleeping saints to attend the languishing midweek service, wrote the following notice in his church bulletin:
"Don't let Danny Kaye stand in your way. Come to prayer meeting Wednesday night."
Inspiration has indicated "the reason why so many are not desirous of attending prayer meeting . . . is that their minds are devoted to other things" (Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 629).
The Solution
What is the solution to prayer meeting absenteeism? Does the basic problem rest with pastor or parishioner? One thing is certain: If ever we needed the Lord before, we surely do need Him now.
Could the reason be that members are weary of canned or frozen food and would be interested in something fresh and invigorating? Seekers of the water of life find little satisfaction in the dry hills of Gilboa; neither do lukewarm Laodiceans find live coals in fireless altars. "The people hunger for the bread of life. If they find it at prayer meeting they will go there to receive it."—Ibid., p. 70. When people are completely convinced they are really missing something important, they will come and bring a friend.
Pulpit and pew find common ground when the pastor descends from the rostrum and comes close to his congregation. The midweek service is the occasion par excellence when clergy and congregation "break bread together on their knees."
This service is an unusual opportunity for the membership to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord." Without it there is a virulent void in the vitality of the church. Its neglect cannot be overlooked and its necessity cannot be underestimated. "The prayer meetings should be the most interesting gatherings that are held."—Ibid. The benefits of this service will strengthen all other functions of the church.
Preparation and Perspiration
Sheep are stimulated by sagacious shepherds and attendance is activated in proportion to his preparation and perspiration. Enthusiastic leadership invariably causes a corresponding contagious reaction by those being led. The more the pastor puts into it, the more the people get out of it. His renewal to a large degree determines their response.
A Plan That Has Worked
Attendance at prayer meeting in some churches had been greatly increased by special lessons prepared by the pastor and printed on colored notebook paper. A special notebook with the lessons is provided.
