Voices: Dr. William Fusco on prayer
June 30, 2008I’m not even sure if this dear saint of God is still among the living, but surely many were blessed by his ministry. Dr. William Fusco, pastor and one-time president of the now-defunct Denver Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary (Broomfield, CO), spoke at the Faith Baptist Bible College Bible Conference about 20 years ago. My dear wife and I were students at Faith at the time. I recently came across the notes I took down as I listened to his sermon these many years ago. I thought they were still timely; any errors in transmission from what he actually said are, of course, my error. I trust neither Dr. Fusco nor his family will mind the publication of the notes I took down.
On the 18th of February, 1988, Dr. Fusco spoke on Colossians chapter 4, verses 2-4. In the King James version, it reads thus:
2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
Notes:
Continuing in prayer means:
unfaltering in prayer
- being strong in prayer; devoted to it
- not uninterrupted prayer–but constantly recurring prayer; constant communion
unanimous prayer
- Acts 1:14 — in one accord in prayer
- Matthew 18:19 — “agree” ~ sound together
united in prayer
- Acts 1:13,14
- Acts 2:1 — in one place; We have a problem. “When we maximize program(s), we minimize prayer”; “We don’t need departmentalization on Wednesday night prayer.”
Watching in prayer means ~ Being vigilant in prayer
- I Peter 5 — watch out (be vigilant) for the Devil
- Colossians 4:2 — watch in prayer
- Matthew 26:40,41 — watch out also for temptation ~ could’ve avoided desertion
- I Thess. 5:17,18 — Pray without ceasing; In everything give thanks
- By continuing
- By watching
- By asking in prayer — v.3
Ask for specifics; pray by name for people, for purpose.
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One of the things that immediately leaped out at me as I went through these notes was his phrase about “departmentalizing” Wednesday night prayer. I think what he was getting at was the too-common practice of children’s programs, choir, etc., on the night when God’s people should all be gathered for prayer together in one place.
A second thought I had was his reference to the meaning of “constant” prayer. A recurring prayer such as this is something “mystics” such as Tozer and Brother Lawrence, et.al., speak of as a praiseworthy practice.
Finally, I recognize that I need to be more vigilant in prayer, especially against temptation.
Dear God, thank you for your Word given by the Holy Spirit. Thank you for servants such as Dr. Fusco. Thank you, O Father, for your Spirit working in them. May you also enable those of us serving you in 2008 and beyond to allow your Spirit to work in and through us, for your greater glory. Amen.
