Another year has nearly drawn to its close—and with it, a fresh opportunity is here to praise the Lord and thank Him for His abundant goodness and preservation of each of us in 1997.
It is also a good time to reexamine our own spiritual condition. We realize that in these final moments of earth’s history, when all seems to be in turmoil, the Lord will have a faithful remnant people on this planet to uphold His present truth. Thus, the theme for the 1997 Week of Prayer is The Remnant Church. While many talk about this subject today, few seem to really understand the depth of the Lord’s requirements for His remnant.
As we prayerfully consider the conditions which form the basis of His remnant church, let us examine our own individual hearts, and ask ourselves important questions pertaining to our spiritual standing before a holy God.
“What advancement have we made in the knowledge of Jesus Christ during the past year? Have we, as individual workers together with God, with deep earnestness reviewed the life of the past year? Have we thoughtfully, solemnly, and prayerfully taken in the situation as to our relation to God and to His work? As ambassadors for Christ shall we at this critical period of the history of the church, when the nations of the world are almost universally wavering between infidelity and idolatry, consider the signs of the times? Shall we hear the voice of God through His Word, giving warnings and appeals and commands, calling us to a new contest by a new and more thorough consecration of ourselves, of all our entrusted capabilities and powers?” 1
Are we a part of the remnant people of God? Who are qualified to be members of His remnant church? What is His remnant church? These are important matters for us to thoughtfully consider during this week of prayer.
“Every member of the church has an individual responsibility as a member of the visible church, and a worker in the vineyard of the Lord, and should do his utmost to preserve harmony, union, and love in the church.” 2
“Christ has a church in every age. Obedience to the commandments of God gives us a right to the privileges of this church.” 3
“All who believe are to be gathered into one church.” 4
Please bear in mind that Sabbath, December 13, has been designated as a day of prayer and fasting, and on Sunday, December 14, a special offering will be collected for the furtherance of God’s cause around the world.
It is our earnest prayer that during this week of prayer the Lord may grant each of His individual children—and His remnant church as a body—the spiritual blessing so eagerly sought!