Instead of living the abundant, fruitful life that Jesus promised, some Christians are living in a quagmire of slumber and defeat.
New York City pastor Carter Conlon says in his new book, It’s Time to Pray, that never have believers had so many resources, tools and places to fellowship as they do in today’s society, yet in the abundance of these things, Christians have never been more ineffective and lukewarm in their faith.
“We are rich and have need of nothing,” Conlon says. “In many ways, Revelation Chapter 3 describes the church in America. ‘I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.’ There is an abundance of Bibles to choose from—different translations, different study notes and even designer covers. Some homes have multiple Bibles lying around—but how often are they opened? We can go online or to a bookstore and get all kinds of resources that help guide us in our daily walk. And yet, we are largely still living with one foot in the Spirit and one foot in the flesh. There are megachurches on almost every corner in our communities, but we are more disconnected from one another than we have ever been.”
Conlon is the well-known senior pastor of Times Square Church in New York City, an interdenominational church with more than 10,000 people in attendance, representing more than 100 different nationalities. In his new book, It’s Time to Pray, releasing Nov. 6 with Charisma House, Conlon will help readers understand how prayer is vital in their lives, their community and the world.
“The Holy Spirit is willing and able to direct us in the narrow way that leads to the more abundant life if in humble self-denial we submit to His unerring supervision,” Conlon says.
Conlon joined the pastoral staff of Times Square Church in 1994 at the invitation of founding pastor David Wilkerson, who launched Teen Challenge and wrote the best-selling book, The Cross and the Switchblade. Conlon was appointed senior pastor of Times Square Church in 2001.
It’s Time to Pray challenges Americans to make prayer more than a moment and, instead, a lifestyle. Conlon explores many areas of prayer in 10 different chapters that focus on praying for salvation, life, strength, serving, the impossible, forgiveness, faith, peace, freedom and awakening.
With a foreword by national radio personality Eric Metaxas, It’s Time to Pray also acknowledges that there are far too many Christians who are dejected, depressed, hopeless, powerless and struggling with sin. Yet this is not what the Christian life is or should be.
Conlon continues to be a voice for God far beyond the pulpit of Times Square Church by speaking at numerous conferences across the country and around the world. His weekly radio spots air on 1010 WINS, the nation’s longest-running all-news station, and his one-minute devotional and 30-minute program, called “A Call to the Nation,” are currently syndicated on over 350 Christian radio stations worldwide. He is the author of several books, including The 180-Degree Christian, Fear Not and Unshakable.
For more information on It’s Time to Pray, visit ItsTimeToPrayBook.com.
It’s Time to Pray is published by GPC Books, an imprint of Times Square Church’s partnership with Charisma House. Charisma House has published books, including 14 best-sellers, that challenge, encourage, teach and equip Christians.
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