Standing, sitting, kneeling, walking, laying face down, or on your knees – A Call to Return to Prayer

A Call to Prayer

Prayerfully prepared Pastor Calvin Cook

October 31, 2025

Scripture:

“O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted…” — Isaiah 54:11 (ESV)

When I felt the call several days ago to spend time in the morning in Isaiah 54, I questioned that direction. But I share that half way through this time – I have felt a renewed commitment in my own life to several areas, but probably none more than prayer.

I am convinced of the power of prayer. But what I have found especially this week is the shaping of my prayer life that pours out into everything else. This morning I am reminded of the great lessons that Isaiah 54 is teaching, but especially in my prayer life.

Isaiah 54 is a chapter of rebuilding, restoring, and returning — but before any stone is set in place, before any tent is stretched wide, before peace is established in the generations — there is a call that must rise from the heart of God’s people: prayer. Not just a few seconds before a meal, or at bedtime, but genuine “here I am God, storm – tossed, afflicted, hurting, and in need of rebuilding, restoration, and returning in my relationship where nothing comes between me and God.

In Isaiah 54, God speaks to the weary, the wounded, and the waiting — to the one who has cried through the night… to the one who feels forgotten or overwhelmed… to the one who wonders if hope will ever return.

And what does God offer first?

Not plans, not strategy, not explanation.

But God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit full of glory, power, and authority.

His voice is merciful, the first thing we hear every morning  “Come back. Be near Me. Let My never ending eternal love restore you.”

Isaiah 54 shows us that before God enlarges us, He invites us to kneel. Before anything happens or takes place there must be a blanket of prayer over everything.

Before doing more or moving faster, we must come closer through prayer.

To cry before Him. To listen before we speak. To seek Him more than answers, solutions, or relief.

This is the call of Isaiah 54 — Return to the God who rebuilds you. Pray to the One who restores you. Lean into the Redeemer who calls you beloved.

Let prayer be your tent-stretching. (I love that verse Isaih 54:2)

Let worship be your foundation stone. Let surrender be your strength.Let quiet trust be your defense. “No weapon formed against you can prosper” Isaiah 54:17.

And so – gather with God and pray, lament, worship, listen, find hope –

Gather with others to build each other up and encourage one another, in prayer, in worship, in just being present without an agenda or purpose other than to be with Jesus.

Focus more, draw closer, end personal strife to be near the one who gives you life and gives it abundantly.

Prayer: Lord, draw me back to You. Teach me to rest in Your presence and trust Your restoring love. When storms rise, let my first instinct be prayer — not panic. When the world demands my attention, turn my heart toward Your voice. Rebuild me in the secret place so I may walk in strength, peace, and purpose. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

In just a little bit we will be gathering to pray over our community in a prayer walk. A visible offering of God’s people to walk together in unity, pray, cover the community with the light of Christ and live into the very being of all that God is desiring to do – God have your way – we pray.

Return to Him — He is ready to restore, rebuild, and renew you.