One of the most fruitful ministries that I was involved with in Belize was Mom’s in Prayer. Prayer is the secret powerhouse of growing Christians and growing churches. Sadly, Christians so often gravitate towards that which looks impressive in a worldly sense—big campaigns, charismatic individuals, entertainment. But the gospel is actually a gospel of the cross—that Jesus suffered on the cross for our sins, and that he calls us to the same suffering he went through. We long to bypass the pain, suffering and rejection that Jesus went through, and move straight to glory. But God does the greatest work among the weak, the despised and the suffering. It is the Holy Spirit who works to advance God’s kingdom in the world, and He has promised to work through the weak things of the world, and through the means of grace. These means of grace are the Word of God, the sacraments, and prayer. In prayer we recognize our dependence on Him.