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September 2008

Introduction

As I write this, I am sitting in Buffalo, NY, in the midst of a prayer weekend at local church. Actually it is the church i went to while I was in graduate school 25 years ago. Now a church of 600 plus, God is at work . . . and prayer is on the forefront of what they do.
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It Seems to Me . . .

. . . you don't need a sermon to preach about prayer!

Summer ends much too quickly but Carol and I were blessed to have some beach-time with both our kids' families. Jorie, Tim and Sophia (4 years old) on the west coast of southern California and, most recently, Jennie, JJ and Macie (3) on the east cost in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I hear a Beach Boys song playing somewhere!

I always look forward to attending church with our children. Knowing the faith of their father (and mother) has become their own, not a second-hand belief, is always a blessing. Watching them fellowship with the saints is a sign they live that faith out into their relationships. Hallelujah, for sure. Seeing our grand daughters join a circle of girls and boys their age to sing praises and learn about Jesus ... what a joy. Hearing a message from the Word of God, rather than delivering one, is like frosting on the cake; a time for feeding my heart and soul.

Centered, the title of one of the messages I heard rather than delivered, surprised me.

Delighting in a “Safe” Prayer

I cannot begin to count how many times a week my path crosses with another person—as God so leads my steps (Proverbs 16:9)—of whom I have absolutely no knowledge, much less a personal relationship with. Yet, I sense the urging of the Holy Spirit to pray a brief silent prayer for them. How about you? What about the server at the restaurant, the policeman directing traffic at a busy intersection, the plumber walking into your neighbor’s house, the cab driver taking you to the hotel from the airport, and even the motorist who cuts in front of you on the freeway? Have you ever felt that same Spirit prompting—as I do frequently—to pray a brief/momentary prayer . . . yet, not be sure what to pray? Here’s what I pray now, and I believe the Father hears and takes action!

Praying Pastors Project Launched

Did you know that many local church pastors feel ill-equipped to disciple others in prayer? Giving Ourselves to Prayer: An Acts 6:4 Primer for Ministry is the product of the Task Force on Theological Education, a project of the National Prayer Committee. The book is written by 80 authors from across the Church spectrum and covers the most vital aspects of prayer ministry. Its authors come from the academic community as well as practitioners in the prayer movement. Although designed for use in seminaries and Bible colleges, a new project has just been launched that seeks to put this important resource in the hands of every pastor.