3.3%

I read an interesting statistic today.  Only 3.3% of Christians pray for strangers.   This saddened me because one of my greatest joys as a believer has been praying for strangers.  Some days I sit on the porch and for the people driving by as I drink my morning coffee.  At times I'll see a person at the store and pray for them quietly.  If I notice someone hurt or ill, I pray for their healing. 

Praying for strangers reminds me to not live a self-centered life.  It's easy to pray for our loved ones and of course we should.  But it takes discipline to pray for people you don't know.  It requires our focus to be on Jesus.  I like to imagine the possibility that God directs certain people into my life so I will pray for them.  I believe that God uses our simple heartfelt prayers to bring hope and change to the world. 

So, I dare you to join the 3.3%.  The world is full of hurting people who need prayer, even complete strangers.

Dressers are Not for Climbing

"Mommy,"  exclaimed my sweet 4 year old, " God answered my prayer."

My heart began to melt.  What a sweet, sacred moment.  Beautiful.  Simply Beautiful.  That is, until I heard the rest of the story.

"I was climbing on top of my dresser and I prayed 'Please God, don't let the dresser fall and don't let me fall.' and it didn't fall!"  Her face was bright and animated.  So much for my moment.

I proceeded with a  brief explanation on the merits of using wisdom and obeying house rules.

Then I explained rock walls are for climbing.  Playgrounds are for climbing.  Dressers are not for climbing.  If you need something on top of your dresser, ask a tall person for help.  Just because you can climb something, does not mean you should. 

Wisdom.  How many prayers could be avoided by simply applying a healthy dose of God's wisdom to life.  Had Eliana asked for help, she wouldn't have found herself in a dangerous spot on her dresser crying out to God for help.  

Too many times I find myself on a metaphorical dresser that I shouldn't have climbed.   Desperate and scared I cry out to God.  Amazingly, He always comes through for me.  He never lets me fall. 

Lord, please give us wisdom to stay off dressers.  

In Jesus Name, Amen

Pray together, Celebrate together

There's something powerful about people gathering together to pray.  Strength.  Support.  Unity.
Our church had been praying for a permanent location for nearly five years.  Over the last three years, I've had the pleasure to join in with them on a few occasions.  Finally, a property was secured last month.  Prayers were answered by the one true God.  His timing was perfect.  It was truly exciting to see those who had prayed together for so long celebrate together.

For wherever two or more are gathered together in my name, there I am in their midst.
Matthew 18:20

Answers

A soul that not only seeks an answer, but seeks first the God who gives the answer, receives the power to know that it has what is has asked of Him. 

-Andrew Murray

What's the best thing about prayer?  

"Answers," a reasonable person might conclude.  

I would argue that the answers are good and desirable, but there's this great thing that happens as we seek answers from God.  We ask and begin to seek God. As we seek Him, we find Him. As we find Him we realize we already have what we need. 

He is The Answer. 

In this world...

There's one glaring dilemma with prayer.  Prayer has a transforming power.  As I get closer to God, I find myself becoming more like Him.  The problem with that is the world is full of things that break God's heart.  From indifference, to violence, to corruption, abuse, injustice, hatred, the list goes on and on.

Unfortunatly, this illumination  is downright heartbreaking and often tear wrenching.

In Matthew 5, Jesus taught that those who mourn are blessed because they will be comforted.
I have found comfort in mourning with these intimate words Jesus spoke to his disciples:

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.  John 16:33

  

Remembering all the people of  Moore, Oklahoma in prayer.

Photo credit: thedailybeast.com

Build Something Great

Desperate to escape the demands of their social lives in the north, Archer and Anna Huntington built an escape along the South Carolina called Atalaya.   With large studios for Anna to work on her sculptures and a library for Archer to manage his affairs and write poetry, it was their ideal winter retreat.

As I explored the corridors, hallways and rooms, I was mesmerized.  The Huntingtons built something that only they could truly appreciate.  Archer designed the building with a Mediterranean flair and Anna had a massive indoor and outdoor studio that included a stable for her horses and a cage for bears.  After all, who could sculpt without live models?

In the process of building, they became the largest employer in the city as they hired and trained locals to erect this incredible estate.  They provided valuable jobs during the great depression and later during WWII, the estate was used by the military.

The thing I love about Atalaya is the fact that it was built with no blueprints, just the instructions Archer gave.   It was said that he had designed the estate with detailed imagination "in his head."

It reminded me that I don't have to be a wealthy philanthropist to build something with  my words.  Prayers are eternal building blocks, more real than bricks and mortar and I too can build something great. 

 Lord Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, ‘I will build a house for you.’ So your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you.  II Samuel 7:27 (NIV)

Thinking Bigger

It's easy for me to get all wrapped up in myself.  My plans, my desires, my needs seem to be reoccurring themes in my prayer life.  And  it's good to pray for ourselves.  But it's also good to think bigger.  

Recently our church was challenged to think big.  Every year we are challenged to a  Faith Promise.  The leadership asks us to prayerfully consider believing God to bring extra money, beyond what we would normally give to missions.  Essentially a promise to have faith for God to provide for missions.  After all, it's His work, right?

 Here's the kicker:  we were instructed to believe that God would provide the money to give.  It wasn't  to be discretionary income. It wasn't  to be budgeted into your finances.  It was simply a promise to be a promise to believe that God would provide extra money to flow through you to the mission field.

As we were considering what to give, my husband felt the desire to write a specific number.  He showed me the number.  I raised my eyebrows, then nodded in agreement.  God would certainly have to provide that amount!

A few days ago, I was thumbing through the mail and noticed and odd envelope.  I opened the envelope and smiled when I realized it was a check from and unexpected sources for the EXACT amount my husband wrote down.

My first thought was, "Wow!  This is God answering our prayer for the Faith Promise money for missions."
My second thought was, "Boy, I could use this for a lot of other things."
That was quickly followed with,  "Nope, this is money for missions."  

Needless to say, this whole Faith Promise experience was about so much more than the money.  It was truly a great opportunity to build my faith!