Revolutionary Prayng!

 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.  

1 Timothy 2:1-2 

 

No, this will not be any sort of expression of my personal political views.  Today, I want to merely point to God's truth.  If you read today's verses, you will notice that the Apostle tells us that it is our responsibility to Abba to pray for those who have been put in authority over us.  Notice the Apostle does not say "pray for those with whom you agree" nor does he say "pray for those whom you like."  Paul tells us, as is his fashion, directly that we are to pray for ALL those who have been put in authority over us!

 

In Romans 13:1, Paul spells it out for us: "Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God."  Remember, absolutely nothing happens outside of Abba's plan and attention.  Therefore, like it or not, agree with it or not, Abba is the one who put leaders in place.

 

When Paul wrote this, he was chained to two Roman Soldiers awaiting trial. Yet he tells us to pray for those who have been put in authority...even his guards!  When we turn our leaders over to Abba, let Him deal with them.  We have been called to pray, because it is through prayer that change comes...either the situation will change or our perspective will change.

 

Think about that. 

 

Descending Into Chaos?

2020 started off with COVID-19 and all of the fears, quarantines, social distancing, economic impact, and we thought it couldn't possibly get worse.  Then came the reprehensible act of law enforcement officers who took the life of one of God's children, not because they had to do it, they chose to do it.  This has been followed with violence, chaos, looting, and destruction by some.

Please don't get me wrong, peaceful protests are something I am all in favor of.  But when a few seek to use that opportunity to turn things violent...

What do we do when our society seems to be descending into chaos?  First, pray.  Unload all your fears, concerns, frustrations, anger on God's heart.  Tell Him everything that is on your mind and heard.  Hold NOTHING back.  Second, pray! Pray for the safety of those dealing with the chaos.  Pray for those whose livelihoods are in jeopardy because of the situations.  Third, Pray!  Pray for those who stand up to protect our society by facing those who would do harm.  Pray for their families. Pray for their strength, that they may have peace, that they will have encouragers who will come alongside them.  Finally, PRAY!!! Pray that God will cleanse us of hatred. Pray that God will fill US with encouragement we can infuse into others. Pray that God will fill us with His love to the point we can see others as His Children. Pray that God will fill us with so much of Himself that we become His peace keepers, peace sharers, and peaceful.

In times when we feel we are descending into chaos...PRAY!

Unworthy to Pray?

The tax collector, however, stood far off and would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, be merciful to me, sinner that I am!’

Luke 18:13 

 

I have a confession to make....there are times (most of them) when I feel completely unworthy to pray.  That might sound odd, because conversations with God should flow freely.  Yet when I think about all the things I have thought, said, the way I've acted when I was irritated, the things I have wished on others because they hurt me, I feel so ashamed!  After all, as horrible as I can be, and am, who am I to consider myself worthy to talk with God?

 

In today's verse, the word translated as "sinner" quite literally means "the worst of the worst."  This tax collector begged God for mercy because of all the evil in his life.  He felt unworthy!

 

Just when I was beginning to feel hopeless, God pointed me to a quote by Martin Luther: "Prayer must not be based on, or depend on, your personal worthiness or the quality of the prayer itself; rather, it MUST BE based on the unchanging truth of God's promise.  We pray BECAUSE we are unworthy to pray. Our prayers are heard precisely because we believe that we are unworthy.  We BECOME worthy to pray when we RISK EVERYTHING on God's faithfulness alone."

 

When I read this, prayer made so much more sense!  If I waited until I "felt" worthy, there would never be a prayer I could utter.  But because of God's love, mercy, grace, and truth, He not only hears, He listens and He answers! 

Childlike or Childish?

Jesus called a little child to him and stood the child before his followers. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you must become like little children. Otherwise, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." 

Matthew 18:2-3

Jesus tells us that we must become like little children.  Have you ever seen little children interact with each other?  Guess what?  Little children will play together because they are with other children.  No prejudice. No anger. No hate. No drama. Just playing together.  Children are also so curious about almost everything!  They are hungry to learn and know.

Have you ever heard a child talk to their Parent?  They talk about everything and hold nothing back.   

When do we decide that we need to be childish?  We are prejudiced.  We are angry. We decide to hate. And SO much drama!  And we stop learning, stop being curious simply for the sake of learning.  Jesus reminds us that we need to stop being childish and become like a child.  A child is carefree, full of joy, playful, trusting, curious.  A child trusts more. A child talks with their parents freely.

When we pray, we should be trusting and open as a child.  You see, the REAL power of prayer depends on the One who hears our open and honest prayer!  No formulas, no repetition, just open and honest talking with your Father. 

As Soon As I Pray

As soon as I pray, You answer me;
    You encourage me by giving me strength.

Psalm 138:3 

 

When stress comes, and it will with a vengeance, and it feels like you're in the middle of a hand-to-hand battle...what do you do?  Honestly, I tend to fight a losing battle until I am exhausted, frustrated, and defeated.  THEN I remember that God is on my side and He commands us to be still and let Him fight for us.  That's when I feel the thump to the forehead and I remember to pray.  When I pray, I have to keep praying until I can honestly let it go and let God deal with it. Why? Because I'm stubborn like that.

 

When I let God deal with it, He fills me with His peace and refills me with the strength that stress had drained from me.  It's not easy letting go of stress, anxiety, worry and frustration. But when we pray, God answers!

Are You A Bearer or Just A Bear?

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2

 

I have a confession to make...Several years ago, someone asked me about a struggle they were having and I, being the "good" minister immediately, as if by reflex, said "I'll be happy to pray for you."  Then I almost immediately forgot about the situation until I heard this person's marriage had fallen apart and there was a struggle with addictions and depression.

I felt absolutely horrible about being so glib and not taking the time right then and there to pray with them and to keep praying for them (and with them as often as possible). Thankfully God brought others to help pray through each situation

 

Recently, God made it possible for me to teach on prayer to my Sunday School Class.  Part of the lesson was the reminder that we should always pray for each other and pray about EVERYTHING!  Not because we're trying to convince God of anything, but so we show God how dependent we are on Him.  After class, I was asked to pray with a friend...this time without hesitation, we stopped right then and there and prayed together.  And the prayers have not stopped yet.

 

Remember that we are not alone on this Earth?  Remember that our experiences are usually very similar?  That's for a reason!  So let's start right this moment and pray for whoever God brings to your mind! 

Finding Quiet In A World Of Noise

You are my place of quiet retreat. I wait for Your Word to renew me.

Psalm 119:114

 

Let me give you a thought: "The key to a stronger, healthier imagination is a daily quiet time."

 

It's not easy to find quiet in this world of noise and activity.  There's always something going on demanding our attention, demanding our time, demanding our energy, demanding our focus, with no chance to step away and recharge.  It seems as if we are always in a hurry.  We are always filling our time with activities.  It's as if we are deliberately trying to avoid being still and quiet.  It's as if we are fearful of recharging, resting, and listening to God's still, quiet voice.

 

In Matthew 6:6, Jesus said, "When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door. Pray to your Father in private. He knows what is done in private, and he will reward you."  In fact, Jesus often spent time alone to rest, recharge, and pray.  Who are we to claim we have no time for that?

 

I am an Introvert and, as such, I NEED time to be quiet so I can recharge. But PTSI makes me fearful of trying to be quiet because I don't want to hear and see what my mind and heart won't let go of.  Yet I know I need to do it.  And I have learned, from people wiser than I, to let the images and voices come.  As they come, give each and every one to God.  This has been a tremendous help.  But I also want to hear from God, so I always take a notebook with me to my Quiet Place to write my prayers as well as anything God brings to mind.  And, to be completely honest, I have sensed a marked improvement in my life. 

 

I try to take time every single day.  I put it on my calendar and keep it as I would a counseling appointment with a Deputy.  In doing this, God is rewarding the time by energizing me and helping me cope.  I urge you to have a daily time of quiet reflection.  Take the time to recharge, relax and listen to God.  In finding quiet in a world of noise, our lives will be improved. 

Fearful?

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Philippians4:6

"Don't worry" they said.  "It's going to be all right" they said.  But "they" were wrong!  I did worry and it didn't turn out all right.  I thought back through the process to see if I missed anything.  All my boxes were checked, so why did it not work out right and why am I not afraid! What should I have done different?  After looking through my list again, I realized that I had missed the very first item of any project: pray about it and leave it with God.

Fear triggers one of two responses: despair (this will never work, why even bother) or prayer (Abba, this will never work unless You decide it should work.)  Jesus reminds us to "Keep asking, Keep seeking, Keep knocking" (Matthew 7:7) because there is NO uncertainty in that promise.  Jesus promises that when we keep asking, seeking, and knocking, then God WILL answer us!  And if you don't ask, you cannot receive....so ASK!

Pray For Each Other?

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

James 5:16 

 

Why would James tell us to confess our sins to each other and pray for each other?  Permit me to offer an explanation from "The Gospel According To St. John (me being the St. John)":  I advise all of the new hires for the Sheriff's Department to get to know their coworkers (squads for the deputies).  Why? So you can help each other; so you can know when something is bothering your coworker; so your coworkers will know when something is amiss with you.  

 

I admit it...I'm not comfortable letting people get too close to me right away.  I tend to take this aspect of human relationships fairly slowly.  I do this on purpose: If someone gets to know me quickly then they may be stunned into insanity by what they learn.  The last thing I need is to have to explain why "Dave" is curled up in a corner babbling and drooling.  The other reason is one we can all understand...we've been burned by people whom we have trusted too soon.  

 

Now look at what James is telling us.  Does he REALLY expect me to confess my sins to someone else against whom I have no sin to truly confess?  NO!  What James is saying is that we need to be open and bare with each other.  Let's face it, when we have nothing to hide from each other, we have nothing to fear from each other.  When we have nothing to fear from each other, we are FREE to join together and make a positive difference in this world.

 

Let me ask you something...when was the last time you prayed for someone else?  Was it the generic "Father, be with 'Dave' and bless him in all he does"?  Or did you pray specifically, "Abba, thank you for bring 'Dave' into my life.  You know he is struggling financially with the birth of his daughter and his wife is not strong enough yet to return to work.  Please allow me to be Your servant to them and to show Your love and care to them.  Thank You for their daughter, 'Eileen', and for his bride, 'Barbara', for the joy and happiness they bring each other because of You..."  You see, when we are open with each other, praying specifically for each other is a privilege and an honor.  Not only that, we will ALWAYS have things to talk with God about because there are nothing hidden from each other.

 

Here's my challenge for each of us: Get to know each other so we can pray for each other, care for and about each other, and so we can be of service to each other.  One of my nuggets of advice is this: "If I don't know what's wrong, I can't help you". And guess what?  That means I also won't know how to pray for you!  The only way I can know what's going on with you is if you tell me OR if we are so close to each other with nothing to hide that we can tell when we need to pray for each other, and reach out to each other.

 

Think about that please.

Lent Challenge

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Hebrews 4:16 

 

Lent is, once again, upon us.  It began on Valentine's Day, which I believe is appropriate because God's great Valentine to us was His Son, Jesus Christ.  And with Lent begins a 40 journey to prepare our hearts, lives, and spirits for Easter!

 

People will tell me what they are "giving up" for Lent.  They say they will give up soda, alcohol, fried foods, swearing, sports, Facebook, Twitter, and the list is endless. While the giving up of things which take our focus from Christ is a good thing, I would ask for a different Lent activity.

 

I issue this Lent Challenge for those of stout of heart and fearless in their prayers:  Join me in spending each day of Lent praying for our Nation, that we may focus more on our commonalities than our differences.  Pray that we would learn to work together.  Pray that we would be humbled until we have no alternative except to work together.  Pray that we would get rid of all the pettiness that causes us to believe we are better than anyone else.  Ask God to replace our negativity with His love, encouragement, and desire to be part of each other.

 

Are you up for it?

Why Wait?

"Never Stop Praying" - 1 Thessalonians 5:17

 

Why do we wait for some tragic event to occur before we start advertising that we are or ought to be praying?  The fact of the matter is that we should be in constant prayer.  As I've said before, prayer isn't saying nice things to God in Ye Olde English that we think He wants to hear.  Prayer is a conversation.  There are no special words to use in a special way, just talk to God in the same way you talk to your closest friend.

 

Sometimes it's easier to write prayers than to voice them.  I keep a notebook with me and sometimes I'll write a letter to God (especially if I want to remember what we discussed).  

 

Prayer isn't difficult.  

It doesn't take a special posture.

It doesn't require a special place.

You can pray while you're walking, working, driving, talking with someone else...you can pray while doing anything.

 

So why do we wait to pray?  Go ahead and start the conversation.   

But I Don't Know What To Say

When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.

Matthew 6:7 

 

Praying is one of the most intimidating things we can do most times.  Why? Because we aren't sure what to say or how to say it or whether we are using the right words in the right order or we're just not sure how to pray.  I've received quite a number of emails asking about praying and prayer and how to do it "right".  

 

Let me be plain, if you don't pray because you don't know what words to use, pray anyway, God knows your heart, so you're not trying to impress anyone with your words.  Be honest with Him.  Answer this question: How do you talk with your best friend? And I'll bet even they don't know as much about you as God does who loves you in spite of yourself.

 

Prayer, and this has been discussed before, is a conversation.  The best description of pray I have yet found is by a monk named Francois Fenelon:

  

"Tell God all that is in your heart, as one unloads one’s heart, its pleasures and its pains, to a dear friend. 

 

Tell Him your troubles, that He may comfort you; 

tell Him your joys, that He may sober them; 

tell Him your longings, the He may purify them; 

tell Him your dislikes, that He may help you conquer them, 

talk to Him of your temptations, that He may shield you from them; 

lay bare your indifference to good, your depraved tastes for evil, you instability. 

Tell Him how self-love makes you unjust to others, how vanity tempts you to be insincere, how pride disguises you to yourself and others. 

 

If you pour out all you weaknesses, needs, and troubles there will be no lack of what to say. You will never exhaust the subject. It is continually being renewed. People who have no secrets from each other never want for subjects of conversation. They do not weigh their words, for there is nothing to be held back; neither do they seek for something to say. They talk out of the abundance of the heart, without consideration they say what they think. Blessed are they who attain to such familiar, unreserved, conversation with God."

 

 

 

Behind the Scenes

And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Matthew 25:40 

 

 There was a quite distinguished Professor who had quite a number of advanced degrees and was a much sought after speaker.  One this particular day, he sat through and almost 30 introduction detailing his many degrees, accomplishments, his numerous awards in academia, and on and on.  Finally, the time came for him to speak.  He walked to the podium, very dignified, took some papers from his coat pocket, put on his spectacles, looked at all the esteemed and eager audience members and then simply asked, "Who cleaned this room?"

The audience all began whispering and the President of the University was embarrassed and apologized profusely and said he would find the janitor and fire him at once.  The Professor, looked sternly at the President and asked him, "Are you embarrassed because you believe I disapprove of this room or because you haven't taken the time to learn his name?  I wanted to know who cleaned this room because that person did an immaculate job and I wanted to congratulate him and take him to lunch.  You would have discouraged him and, in firing him, destroyed one of the best at his job."

 

What's the purpose of this story?  To remind us all that there are people we don't even notice most of the time who may be having the worst day of their lives and just need a word of encouragement.  There are people who perform tasks that make our lives easier and more tolerable, that go unrecognized and unnoticed and unthanked.  Are we truly so high and mighty that we have forgotten that when we breathe out last breath, we will be in the same dirt as the person we never bothered to speak to or thank or appreciate!

 

Again, I have a prayer challenge for us:  Find someone who doesn't normally get recognized for the job they do and thank them.  Pray for them!  They too are God's children!

Pray for Peace Makers?

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.

Matthew 5:9 

 

 How many times have we gone through the motions of our day without every praying?  Are we thankful for waking up?  Are we thankful to have a roof over our heads, food, water, clothing, people who love us?  What about the people who protect us?

 

We have SO much to be thankful for, and today I as that you join with me in praying for our First Responders (naming the ones you know by name).  Pray for their safety.  Pray for the strength and courage to do their jobs.  Pray for their families.  Thank God for their dedication to face the ills and evils of society we don't want to face.

 

I'll be honest, there are days when I am so wrapped up in what I'm doing or thinking that I don't notice the police cars, ambulances, and the EMTs who work them to save lives.  Please forgive my oversight.  I have become more aware and if I see a face I recognize, I will pray specifically for them right then and there.  If not I will sill pray for them right then and there and hope to make a new friend.

 

So I ask you, will you join me?

Armor Up!

Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

Ephesians 6:11 

Way back when I was in the Army, we would salute our First Sergeant as an indication that we were geared up and ready for action. And WOE to the one who was not ready for action...just sayin'. 

Yesterday, we talked about being prayed up before beginning our day.  Consider today's verse: "Gear Up and Be Ready."   This is where we support each other!  If you know someone who is not Geared up and Ready, pray for them.....pray with them.....pray over them.....help them get ready for action, even if that means taking them off the line for a while.

Let's face it, we are all part of the same Army, so let's be about the work of functioning in such a way that God's Mission for us is completed!

What Gift Can We Give?

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.

1 Timothy 2:1-3

We hear a lot in Scripture about praying.  But what exactly is prayer?  It is an ongoing conversation with God.  It's when we tell Him about our hurts, joys, concerns, unload our irritations and anger....it's when we tell God EVERYTHING that's on our hearts, because, let's face it, He already knows but wants to make sure we know as well.

Look carefully at today's passage, the FIRST thing the Apostle Paul tells Timothy to do is begin with prayer.  Start the conversation: "Father, before I head off to work today, thank You for loving me and my family; Thank You for the opportunities You will set before me today; Thank You for the parts of my job I don't like; Thank You for the fact that You have already gone through today and are always with me during the day.  Keep me alert.  Keep me strong. Keep me safe." 

Then, as you go through the day, pray for others who come to mind.  God brings people to our minds for a reason, just as He brings people into our lives for a reason.

My pledge to ALL who read this is my prayers for our First Responders are daily!  When one hurts, ALL bear the pain! 

How Dangerous Do You Dare?

Investigate my life, O God,
    find out everything about me;
Cross-examine and test me,
    get a clear picture of what I’m about;
See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong—
    then guide me on the road to eternal life.

Psalm 139:23-24 

If your life were open for everyone to see, every single part of it; every word, every thought, every deed...EVERY part....how would you feel?  Everyone has parts of their lives they want to keep private and secret (although with social media, I wonder sometimes).  Would you dare to ask even your closest friend to delve into the very corners and locked rooms of your life?

I've heard people proudly proclaim that they fear nothing.  Okay, I'm not one of those people, but I wonder how many of those "fearless" people would lay themselves bare and ask God to search them thoroughly, testing every thought and deed against His Measure of Truth and Purity?

One of the things I have to remind the Department Members I get to serve is, "I can't help if I don't know what's going on."  Yet God knows everything that is going on with us but sometimes He waits for us to decide to let Him deal with us about it.  

1 John 1:9 reminds us that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  Confession means we reveal to Him that we have messed up.  Are you brave enough to Dare to pray such a Dangerous Prayer and ask God to search your heart, mind and soul, and then help you correct what He finds?

It's frightening to think about, and it takes guts to do it, but the results will astound and comfort you. 

Oh...I'll PRAY for you alright!!!

But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. ²⁸ Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.

Luke 6:27-28 

Ever been hurt by someone?  Ever had someone treat you like something they stepped in whilst wandering through a cow pasture?  Ever had someone stab you in the back?  Me too!

Ever stub your toe in the dark?  Did you get angry and try to destroy the thing upon which you stubbed your toe? When we are hurt, our natural response is to lash out and hurt whatever hurt us.  When someone hurts us, the only prayers we want to offer are prayers that God will rain down vengeance upon them.

But wouldn't that simply escalate the situation?  And what good comes out of escalating a bad situation?  NONE!  Jesus had a different way of thinking which goes against the grain of our natural responses most times.  Jesus teaches us to DE-Escalate situations by doing the unexpected.

I'm not about to say that it's easy to do, and I won't lie and say that I no longer struggle with this, but I'm learning.  Life here slurps swamp water at times!  But that doesn't mean we have to wallow in it either.  In John 10:10 we read "The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."  Did you catch that?  The thief represents everything that happens to us that takes our focus off of Christ!  If we allow it, the thief will destroy our lives, our relationships, everything!  BUT Christ came so that we can have a much better life because we remember whose we are! 

Are you Thankful?

I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart;
    I will sing your praises before the gods.

Psalm 138:1 

 

 

This last few week has been hectic and draining.  And I took time over the weekend to think, and my mind tends to have ideas and memories popping up like prairie dogs, and when I try to hang on to one, it's gone again.  But I remembered one of the better memories.  

I remember talking with a family about the funeral service for their family member.  We opened with prayer and I asked God to shower us with His peace and Strength as we dealt with this painful situation.  Right before I said "Amen" the 9 year-old-granddaughter jumped right in and started praying.  I expected her to pray that God would take care of her Grandfather, and she did, but then the most amazing prayer I had heard came out of that child's heart.  

She told God that her heart hurt because her grandpa was not with her anymore, BUT she was grateful for every moment God allow them to spend together.  She thanked God for all the smiles they had shared.  She thanked God for the Pepsi with peanuts treat he has share with her.  She thanked God for the times he would teach her.  She thanked God for the times they went fishing and he made her put the squishy worm on the hook.  She thanked God for the times her grandpa snored so loud the whole house shook.  She went on like this for half an hour, and then closed with "But I know ya'll will get to have more good times together too now.  Thank you."

I would be lying if I denied being ashamed because my prayers had been piously asking for things, and this dear sweet child was telling God how much she appreciated Him and all He had shared with her through her grandfather.

My challenge for you this week is not to ask God for more than you are thankful for.  If you ask for 10 things, tell God how thankful you are for 10 things.
 

I Need A Favor

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; 

intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.

1 Timothy 2:1

I need to ask you for a favor: Will you pray with me for others?  Even if you don't like them or find them worthy of your avoidance, will you pray with me for them?  

Look at what the Apostle is saying:
     * Pray for ALL people (even if you don't like them; don't agree with them; even if they annoy you to no end)
     * Ask God to help them (they may not know that God can help them; they may declare that God will not help them.  Our call is to PRAY for them anyway.)
     * Intercede on their behalf (If you know of some situation they are having to endure...pray for them.  If you know of some need they have...pray for them)
     * Give thanks for them (even if they tick you off!)

You see, prayer is so much more than having a chat with God, prayer actually brings bout change.  Our hearts will change.  Our relationships will change.  Our situations can change.  Out perspective will change.  So pray!