Light-work

A Prayer for the Church

Today is National Day of Prayer and I enjoyed praying in a parking lot with my brothers and sisters in Christ. As I consider the state of the church, I am concerned that God's people have forgotten who they are, lost their courage, and compromised their credibility. So here's my prayer for the church.

Gracious Father,

• We were dead in our trespasses and sins;
• We formerly walked according to the course of this world, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath;
• We were separate from Christ, having no hope and without God;
• We were hostile toward God and incapable of subjecting ourselves to the law of God.

 

• But You, God, being rich in mercy made us alive together with Christ, raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus;
• By grace, we have been saved through faith - In Jesus, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of Your grace lavished on us;
• We are Your workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works;
• Through Jesus we have access to You in one Spirit, by whom we have been sealed;
• You blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ;
• You have made known to us the mystery of Your will;
• You have given us everything pertaining to life and godliness.

Open our eyes to see the great gulf between what we once were and what we now have. Give us the wisdom, the insight, the knowledge to appraise the breadth and depth of these exquisite gifts. Touch our eyes so that we are awed to silent wonder by the inestimable greatness of your grace. Deliver us from gloomy, bitter, pessimistic religion that chokes the life out of us. Replace our fixation on disappointments and things lost with an unfettered joy in all that we have gained in You. 

Deliver us from debilitating fear. When we long for the approval of men, we will only say what the world agrees with. Give us an unbounded exuberance in all we have in You that delivers us from bondage to the fear of men. Fill us with joyous enthusiasm to unflinchingly declare what the world most needs to hear, even when our message is what the world least wants to accept.

We seem to be slouching toward Gomorrah. Our culture is rife with immorality and heartily approves those who live on its terms. As we are entertained by the world’s vision of living for self, we have lost our way and yielded the moral high ground. Purify your people! Kindle our hearts with a burning love for your holiness and an unquenchable passion for purity. Deliver us from the bland kind of “spirituality” that makes us indistinguishable from those who do not know you. Deepen our love for your Son and transform us into people who are like salt on tasteless food and light in a dark place.

Our hearts ache for your return, Jesus. Come soon! We live in a world that is broken, dark, and cold. We long for the day when we will see you face-to-face, when we will eat at your table, bask in your glory, and see things finally put to rights. But until that day, supply what we need to partner well with You as You build your church. For your glory and in your name, Jesus. Amen.

When 24 Becomes 48

It was only noon, and Joshua was having a very long day! It began about 30 hours earlier when a breathless runner stumbled into Israel’s camp at Gilgal. His message: A coalition led by the five kings of the Amorites has laid siege to the city of Gibeon. They are going  to “teach Gibeon a lesson” for breaking ranks and aligning with Israel. Gibeon will be no match for this overwhelming force unless their new ally, Israel, answers their SOS.

To Joshua’s mind, the action of the five kings was a critical blunder (on their part) and a strategic opportunity (for him). The prospect of conquering the five walled cities of the Amorites in the hill country looked like a long and grizzly business. But now the armies of the five cities, including the army of Jerusalem, had left the safety of their walled defenses to take to the field. If Joshua could meet them on the field before they returned to their cities, he could do in a day what would otherwise take many weeks and lives.

Joshua sprang into action. He assembled the army of Israel for a stealth march under the cover of night. As they moved silently through the darkness, Joshua heard a voice outlining the necessary battle plan.  It was God who spoke and informed Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands; not one of them shall stand before you.” So, this would be a battle that involves pursuing an enemy in retreat. When the morning sun rose behind their backs, Israel saw complete shock illumined on the faces of five armies.

The day of battle began with open field combat at Gibeon. With God’s assistance, Israel promptly seized the upper hand and began paring away at their confused opponents. When it became obvious to the five kings that remaining on the field would lead to the total loss of their armies, they sounded the retreat.  God slowed the retreating armies by providing a killer hail-storm at the descent of Beth-horon as Israel took up the pursuit.

So it was that Joshua found himself facing a dilemma at high noon. Despite his fatigue, he knew that Israel needed to finish the job TODAY! Once the five armies (or what was left of them) reached the safety of their walled cities, even a remnant could defy Israel with impunity. So Joshua made an audacious request of the God who promised him success in the day’s battle. He asked God to make this a 48 hour day. The rest of the story you know well! And there was no day like that before it or after it, when the Lord listened to the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel (Josh 8:14).

So what’s the point? God had a job for Joshua and all that was required was faithfulness and trust. God supplied what was missing to transform Joshua’s faithfulness into unbelievable effectiveness. Look at all that God supplied: A key window of opportunity, timely information, encouragement and critical battle field intelligence, cosmic reinforcements (hailstones to die for!), and a supernatural day in which a man could accomplish what would otherwise require two.

The story turned out this way because Joshua did two things: He was doggedly determined to follow through with what God asked and was audacious enough to ask God to supply what he lacked. Our God is the same God who heard and answered Joshua’s prayer. So do whatever He asks of you and pray for Him to supply what you lack to complete it. He can give you whatever is needed, including a single day in which you accomplish the work of two, if you will ask!

Twenty Plus Years of Prayer In the Making

This last Saturday, I officiated at a wedding. Not an unusual occurrence, by itself, but there were some special circumstances. The groom was my son. And his bride was someone for whom I have prayed for years but only met a few months ago.

Here is an excerpt of my words from the ceremony:

Lauren, when Alex was born, Mom and I began praying for his future wife. I did not know you then, but God did. I have prayed to God consistently for over twenty years for three things, protection, growth, and a ministry perspective:

(1) God, please protect her and put as much distance as possible from whatever threatens her spiritual welfare. (2) God help her to keep growing in You, to sink her roots deep in Your Word, and to draw close to You. (3) And give her a ministry perspective, a clear and tenacious commitment to spend her life serving Your purposes, to use the gifts and abilities you have given her to advance the work of your kingdom.

It is a genuine delight to meet the first-fruits of that prayer! God is good.

What a beautiful answer to prayer! I look forward to exploring the specifics of how God worked in the years before I met my new daughter.

Can Bad News Come From Grace?

God had something to say and wanted Jeremiah to get His message through. When God revealed the contents of this message, it gave the prophet reason to pause. God was asking him to deliver the kind of bad news that makes people want to kill the messenger: "Amend your ways or Jerusalem is going to be turned into rubble." His previous experience with national leadership told him not to expect a warm reception.

The beauty of being a pessimist is you're either right or your expectations are exceeded. In this case, after talking straight with Israel, Jeremiah was the former: Then the priests and the prophets spoke to the officials and to all the people, saying, “A death sentence for this man! For he has prophesied against this city as you have heard in your hearing” (Jer. 26:11).

Despite the accusations, Jeremiah did not flinch: Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and to all the people, saying, “The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that you have heard” (Jer. 26:12).

The skewed  reasoning of the religious bigwigs went like this: “We don’t agree with Jeremiah’s message, and that’s all we need to know. Jeremiah deserves death for the audacity of telling us we need to change.” It is remarkable that the priests and prophets did not debate the merits of Jeremiah’s case. They did not ask, “Could it be true that we must either change or be punished?” Had they done so, they might have seen that Jeremiah’s preaching was a benefit not a bane.

What if someone could have provided rock-solid intelligence about what was planned for 9/11 (and how to prevent it) before it happened? Who wouldn’t find receipt of such information an incredible benefit?  That is precisely what Jeremiah did. But, the power trip the priests and prophets were on blinded them to the value of what they were receiving. The general populace did get it right, saying, “No death sentence of this man! For he has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God” (Jer. 26:16).   

An unfavorable message, if it comes from God, is evidence of grace not grumpiness. God does not have to warn us. He could easily give us a taste of “shock and awe” without warning.  But that is not how our Father operates. Even when we are walking in disobedience, His love moves Him to tell us what we NEED to hear even when it is not what we WANT to hear. So if you want to receive the full benefits of God’s grace, ask Him to help you hear and take to heart whatever He wants to tell you, even when He has some bad news.

The Art of Asking, Part 3 of 3

In a previous post, we acknowledged that Jesus repeatedly affirmed this simple formula. If we will ask, the Father will do. Don't confuse its simplicity with its "degree of difficulty," however. There is something inside us that will put forth a plethora of reasons NOT to ask. Here are three:

1. Asking Implies Accountability – When we ask God for something, our actions are an acknowledgment that He is in charge. By asking, the "asker" is admitting that he is not the master of his own destiny. Who doesn't feel the pull of saying, "I can do it myself?" To ask God is to pitch this self-delusion and declare, "God is the One upon whom I depend - I need what only He can give."
2. Asking Invites Refusal - When we pose a question to God - "Will You do this?" - it is a question that allows for at least two possibilities: "Yes" or "no!" Who likes being told "no?" So when we ask God for something that we really, REALLY want, we are allowing for the possibility that God could say, "not now," or "not ever." That risk can keep us from asking. But consider this: If God says "no," is that a bad thing? Not at all, if you understand God's love, wisdom, and power. God is committed to our best (love), knows what would serve our best interests (wisdom), and is perfectly capable of accomplishing it (all-powerful). So when God says "no," knowing His love, wisdom, and power allows me to respond by saying, "Thanks for your 'no.' You have refused this request, because love wouldn't grant such a thing. Thanks for watching out for me."
3. Asking Requires Waiting - When we ask, we have to wait for an answer. That's a challenge, especially in America where we want it NOW! So rather than ask and wait, we are tempted to rush after it on our own. Asking is a declaration of a profound preference: "I want what God chooses to give me, regardless of how long it takes, rather than what I can seize for myself right now."

The mere act of asking is by itself the first and foremost element of the art of asking. It is a form of worship wherein a man (or woman) declares his dependence on God, his trust in God for an answer that will be the product of love and wisdom, and his willingness to respect God's discernment of the right timing. Simply, to ask is to worship God.

But several of the qualifying phrases referenced by Jesus in our master chart add to our understanding of the art of asking. In Matthew 21:22, the asking is qualified by the phrase, "in prayer, believing." It will not do to make a request of God while entertaining doubt and uncertainty about God's ability to do what is asked. We may ask God for the impossible, but such prayers will be ineffective unless they arise from a confidence that nothing is impossible with God.

Several times, Jesus speaks of asking "in My name." This is often the basis for adding a formula at the end of a prayer, "In Jesus Name, Amen," sort of a magic charm that makes a prayer more powerful. (There is nothing intrinsically wrong with closing a prayer with these words, but this is not Jesus' point.) There are two principles captured by this phrase. In a passage like John 16:23-24, praying in Jesus' name means making requests on His authority. To pray in Jesus' name means to come before the Father and declare, "I am making this request of You because Jesus has given me the authority to do so." It's a bold and gutsy move, but one for which the death of Jesus has qualified us. Amazing!

The second idea behind "asking in Jesus' name" is given a more expansive treatment in John 15:7: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.” Note two things: (1) The one who understands the art of asking is an abiding disciple. He maintains his vital connection with Jesus. (2) When Jesus' words abide in a disciple, his thoughts and actions are informed by and reflect Jesus' teachings; he is "in tune" with Jesus' desires. His requests are the kind of which Jesus would say, "Now that's exactly what I would ask for. Good request!"

The obvious implication is that growing in our skill to ask well will be accompanied by growth in our ability to use "Word-driven prayers." Before making a prayer request of God, locate Bible verses that speak to the issues. Figure out what Jesus would ask for if He was to bring the situation before God. Pray for that and you are praying "in Jesus' name."

One more element to the art of asking is addressed in Matthew 18:19. The clause, "if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask," underscores the importance of agreement. When two disciples are praying for opposite outcomes, their prayers are probably a prelude to disappointment, at least for one party. But when they agree, the prayer power meter jumps. To increase your effectiveness in prayer, work with one or two others to discern what Jesus would pray for. Then start praying with one voice. Then step back and see God work!

The Art of Asking, Part 2 of 3

When Jesus says it ONCE, that is enough. When He repeats it TWELVE TIMES, it should be more than enough to make things perfectly clear - "Asking" moves the hand of God. "Ask," the single word in the blue column above, is found in each of the dozen passages in the left column. This word constitutes the simple sum of our part of an equation. We do the asking (blue column), then God does the doing (lavender column). (By the way, you can download an expanded and printable copy of this nifty table by clicking here.) So when we want to see what can only be explained by the hand of God, our part is simple: Ask! James explains the flip side, "You do not have because you do not ask" (James 4:2).

Note three categories of information from this table that expand our understanding of "askology." (1) The One to whom our requests are directed is identified as the Father (3 times) or the Son (1 time). (2) The domain of what we can ask for is wide open, "anything," "whatever" or "whatever you wish," and "all things." Seems pretty simple, so far. (3) But HOW we ask is qualified by several phrases including "in My name," and "in prayer, believing." The clause, "if you abide in Me, and My words abide in you," appears in John 15:7 as a prerequisite for effective requests.

We are left with an inescapable conclusion: Not all requests are created equal. Those which meet the conditions in the "qualifier" column are answered by the Father's pleasure to act. No such guaranty is extended to requests that fail the "qualifier" test. Asking God matters, we can ask Him for anything, but how we ask makes all the difference between "do" and "not do." So what does such an art of asking look like, anyway?

The Art of Asking, Part 1 of 3

Here is a remarkable incident from the earthly ministry of Jesus:

As Jesus was approaching Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. Now hearing a crowd going by, he began to inquire what this was. They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he called out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He questioned him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” (Luke 18:35-41).

Can you imagine having Jesus, the only One capable of accomplishing the impossible, asking you the same question? What if, today, Jesus personally stood before you and queried, "What do you want Me to do for you?" What answer would you give that is worthy of such a question?

This is not an isolated incident in the life and ministry of Jesus. The Gospels are rich with accounts in which Jesus seeks, listens to, and responds to requests. He also clearly and repeatedly taught the principle that is captured in John 14:14: "If you ask me anything in My name, I will do it."

There are twelve different places in the Gospels where Jesus teaches to this principle. In every instance, the term, "ask," is the pole around which His teaching orbits. In three cases, "ask" is a command. In three instances, "ask" is the first half of a conditional statement. In the remaining six, "ask" is at the center of a statement of fact. Here are all twelve with "ask" highlighted:

Commands

• “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).
• “And I say to you, ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you” (Luke 11:9).
• "Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full” (John 16:24).

Conditional Statements

• “If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:14).
• “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7).
• Truly, truly, I say to you, if you shall ask the Father for anything, He will give it to you in My name (John 16:23).

Statements of Fact

• “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11).
• “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 18:19).
• “And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive” (Matthew 21:22).
• “Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you” (Mark 11:24).
• “And whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13).
• “You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you” (John 15:16).

If Jesus revisited a topic a dozen times, and repeatedly affirmed what He taught by His example, you would justifiably conclude, "This matters!" There is no room here for doubt or confusion: Jesus desires to receive and respond to our requests. He wants us to ASK!

Prayer That Packs a Punch

This verse ought to take your breath away:  “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7). The speaker is Jesus and He is making a stunning offer. He, the Lord of the Universe, will put "whatever you wish" on His personal to-do list. You don't get a better prayer guarantee than this.

So what's the catch? It's captured in two conditional clauses that precede the promise: (1) "If you abide in me," and (2) "[if] My words abide in you." The promise is only relevant to those who meet these two prerequisites: They must be living "in Jesus" and His words must be living in them. Jesus is describing someone whose entire approach to life is defined by a devotion to Jesus and His Word.

The reward ("Jesus will do whatever you wish") is too great for us to ignore the prerequisite. So how, exactly, can we meet it? Here is one practical step: Learn how to pray "Word driven prayers." These are prayers that are informed by what the Bible says. They are NOT a mere dressing up of personal desires in Bible lingo. They ARE prayers which use the Bible to identify Jesus' desires and then declare, "That's what I want. too." In John 15:7, Jesus is describing the power of prayer when a man's (or woman's) heart beats in unison with His.

I have prepared a little booklet called "Only by the Hand of God," which gives you some examples of these kinds of prayers. Click here to download a copy. It uses Scripture to identify the things that matter to Jesus and express those desires in simple prayers tailored to different situations. This is NOT a prayer book - but an illustration of a kind of praying that occurs when the Word abides in us and leaks out in our prayers, the kinds of prayers of which Jesus says, "Now that's a prayer I want to answer."

Thank God for Presidential Audacity

On October 3rd, 1863, President Lincoln issued a proclamation that included these words:

The year that is drawing towards its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.

A lot has changed in 145 years, including the choice by public leaders to use expressions like "dealing with us in anger for our sins," and "gracious gifts of the Most High God." The sentiments in this proclamation may be rarely expressed, but still ring true. Perhaps you would like to read Lincoln's proclamation before you enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner. Here's a link to the complete text.

By the way, there are some elements to President Lincoln's proclamation which have been overshadowed by "the big feast."

And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

President Lincoln proposed that we celebrate Thanksgiving by humbly confessing our failures, both personal and national, by requesting God's care for those facing the recent loss of loved ones, and by imploring God to show favor to our nation. What an audacious proposal by an American President - but a perfectly sensible one to those who know God.

Lest We Forget the Prodigal's Brother

The Prodigal Son is the celebrity sinner, the poster child for stories of failure and forgiveness. For parents of wayward teens, his tale gives them reason to hope. For those who have wandered far from God, the prodigal's return is a prototype for making a fresh start with God. I am not trying to take anything away from his "great comeback" story, but the prodigal is a secondary player in the parable that is named after him.

Parables are intended to make a point, and clues as to the nature of that point will often be found in context, in this case Luke 15. The entire chapter consists of three linked parables, "The Lost Sheep," "The Lost Coin" and "The Prodigal Son," that all answer to the need identified in verses 1-3:

Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So He told them this parable, saying . . . (Luke 15:1-3).

Jesus' three stories are intended to turn the tables on His critics. The religious big-wigs are grousing because Jesus is ministering to riffraff. Instead of celebrating that losers are flocking to the One person who can help them, they're grumbling that Jesus doesn't dust them away like so much shoulder lint.

So Jesus recounts a trio of parables that swell in a crescendo of celebration. First he talks about the recovery of a lost sheep. Yes, this sheep was only 1% of the flock, but surely it's recovery would be reason for joy. Then he talks about finding lost wealth. Even though it was only 10% of someone's life savings, who wouldn't host a party to celebrate its recovery? Finally he talks of a lost son. If you celebrate when one sheep (out of a hundred) is found, or one coin (out of ten) is found, then what kind of celebration would attend the return of a lost son?

Right as Jesus' audience is catching the party vibe, a new character shows up, the prodigal's whining brother. He is the one in the harsh spotlight crashing the party, the party-pooper with an attitude, and the embarrassing spokesman for Jesus' complaining critics. I draw your attention to the prodigal's brother because he is the punch line in Luke 15. THE PRODIGAL'S BROTHER is the one Jesus wants us to examine and understand.

I confess that I see in myself much that reminds me of the prodigal's brother. I have not lived a life of rebellion or moral abandon. I came to Jesus at an early age, began living for Him in earnest as a teen, and have sought to stay true to Him to this day. (Don't misunderstand me. I am just as much a sinner as the most profligate prodigal - no difference. And my steady pursuit of Christ has not kept me from presenting a pitiful picture of what it means to be His follower on occasions without number.) Despite my failures, flaws, and growing pains along the way, however, I am a fair example of the classic "good kid."

So when I observe the prodigal's descent into the depths of loose living, I can't identify. But when I hear his brother protesting, “Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours” (Luke 15:29), I hear in his words the voice of my own dissenting heart. I have expressed words like his, words of disappointment in God for His seeming lack of appreciation.

There are prodigals and there are prodigal's brothers. The prodigal's obstacle is his sense of unworthiness to lay claim to the heart of his father. The obstacle of the prodigal's brother is his sense of entitlement, an insistence upon God's approval for his faithfulness. In its advanced stages, "Prodigal's Brother Disease" (PBD) can rob a man of his joy. He can become a spiritual scrooge who mutters "Bah, humbug" on occasions when even angels are pulling out all the stops.

The religious leaders called out by Jesus have a pronounced case of PBD. It has achieved a level of spiritual toxicity that is acute, perhaps from which there is no recovery. But for anyone who seeks to be faithful (at risk) and who is willing to learn (teachable) from their sad story, there is hope in timely self-screening (self-examination) and treatment (repentance).

Are you a prodigal? Come home to a Father whose grace is greater than your sin. Are you a prodigal's brother? Then serve without strings before it robs you of joy. Stay faithful to God without getting sucked into thinking that God owes you recognition. Your faithfulness matters. Never forget what Jesus says to the prodigal's brother, “And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours’” (Luke 15:31). Staying true to God WILL BE WORTH IT. That is no less true for the fact that we party strong when a prodigal comes home.

All Over The Map

Light-work is a low budget operation. We take advantage of all the freebies we can find. One of those free services is accessed using the clustrmap widget in the far right column. This handy tool is like a "Where's Waldo" spotters guide for L-W visitors. Last week, Light-work was chosen as a "user of the month" and given a free upgrade for the next two years to clustrmap "plus" service (translation - the kind of service you have to pay for).

Here's what it means for you. When you open the full size map of the world to see where L-W is being accessed, you now have additional options and ad free viewing. Click on any continent to see a more detailed map - see sample above. From this detail of a continent, you can go to the navigation line (immediately above the map) and click on [map with smaller clusters] to get an even more detailed view.

This will probably not change your life in any dramatic way - but it is interesting. And it helps me appreciate God all the more - every one of those dots represents a person, sometimes more than one. Father knows and loves each one. He knows whether their arrival at L-W is part of a larger quest for truth, for answers, for Him. He also knows who came simply because they googled "worklight." Want to have some fun? Pick a dot and pray for that person. You might not know them, but Father does. And He understands exactly what they most need. Maybe God will answer your prayer for someone to come to Christ. Wouldn't it be great to meet each other in heaven? Mere dot indeed!

Pray In A Parking Lot

Yes, we have prayed in the Wal-Mart parking lot. I'm convinced that if Jesus came to town, He would head to the marketplace where the people are. So we have tried to follow that example. This is a shot from a few years ago that shows a trailer with signs on it (for a "prayer chapel" if it rains). Throughout the day, intercessors from area churches would check in (see table at right) for an hour and then pray in small groups. We would also have 2-4 "greeters" at each entrance to Wal-Mart in order to solicit prayer requests. You can see three prayer groups in this picture, one in the shade, two in the sun beyond the gazebo. In the course of a day (from 8AM to 8PM), we had several hundred people from over 20 area churches come to pray for our nation and community as well as over 1,000 personal requests from Wal-Mart shoppers.

Dumb Requests and Good Prayers

This sounds a lot like a genie and lamp incident: In Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, “Ask what you wish me to give you” (1 Kings 3:5). But this was no genie! The Lord himself came to Solomon, the One who spoke the world into existence, the One by whose power every living things draws breath. What if God appeared to you and inquired, "What should I give you?" What would you ask for?

On the National Day of Prayer, I stood at the entrance to Walmart (along with friends) and asked people a similar question. Here's what we said: "Today is the National day of Prayer and the churches of Collierville are sponsoring a prayer station in the parking lot - how can we pray for you, today?" We received and prayed for over 1,000 prayer requests.

Some folks wanted to win the lottery. Many shared concerns for the health of friends and family members. A few disclosed their need for spiritual guidance and strength. So what did God think of these requests? Not all requests are created equal. God makes a distinction between them - and discerns some that are more noble than others. When Solomon answered the Lord, his request was one of the good ones - here's how God responded: It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing (1 Kings. 3:10).

If God appeared to you and posed the same question, what would you say? Would yours be a dumb request or pleasing prayer? What would be the BEST request you could possibly make? What would you like God to grant you, something that would prompt Him to say, "Now that's a good prayer request!"

Dangerous Christians

This picture (taken this morning) may look innocent enough - but don't be fooled. According to opinions expressed in the Memphis Commercial Appeal, this could be evidence of a hijacking in progress.

So what's the story behind the picture? About eight years ago, several churches in Collierville came up with the idea of participating in the National Day of Prayer by sponsoring a "Prayer Station" in the Walmart parking lot. It was enough of a success to warrant doing it again, and every year since. This year, the Hobby Lobby parking lot became the place (from 10 AM till 8 PM) where intercessors pray for an hour with members of other area churches.

So, where's the controversy? It seems to be a kerfuffle over the same old issues. Some don't like it that the National Day of Prayer Task Force led by Shirley Dobson has "hijacked" the event by promoting prayer events led by Christians. Others don't like it when government officials issue proclamations calling for prayer. Sheesh! To me, it all seems pretty reasonable. Government leaders, including the Mayor of Collierville, have announced, "We could really use some prayer."  And Christians have obliged, "We would be happy to pray."

Prayer doesn't just happen - It takes effort. You would think even curmudgeons would be grateful that somebody is willing to do some serious praying. Not so! If you dare to think that prayer makes a difference when it's directed to someone who can MAKE A DIFFERENCE, then your prayer is considered "explicit religious discrimination." Put whatever label on it you want, I still plan to keep praying "in Jesus name." It is good when those who share this allegiance assemble in a parking lot to ask for God's blessing. That they would do so is cause for celebration even when some think hand-wringing is in order.

The Daewoo Prayer

Do not be fooled by what you see to the left. It probably looks like a Daewoo Nubira, a Korean import marketed in the US between 1999 and 2002. The company was dismantled by the Korean government in 1999 which effectively rendered the Nubira into an orphan. It wasn't a bad car, but because of the challenge of finding parts, if you owned one, it was hard to sell. By the way, Nubira is the Korean word for "to go anywhere." Because this model was going nowhere, it was anything BUT a Nubira.

So what does this have to do with prayer? We were ministering to a single mom, call her Mary, who owned a Nubira she needed to sell. If Daewoo was still in business, Mary could have quickly realized something from the sale to help her with living expenses. But, alas, no one was buying. We parked the car on the church parking lot where it was highly visible to thousands who drove by. It was in great shape. Even with a drastically reduced price, there were no takers. Zero! So our community group started appealing to Father. One night I prayed, "Lord, would you please bring someone to Mary who JUST HAS TO HAVE a Daewoo?" That prayer was about asking God to not just sell the Daewoo, but to do so in a way that left no doubt HE was the one selling it.

Within days, God brought that person. This was THE CAR they wanted. The contrast between the complete ABSENCE of interested parties BEFORE the Daewoo prayer, and the immediate provision of the one buyer who HAD TO HAVE A DAEWOO left NO DOUBT that God answers prayer, even prayer that asks for the seemingly impossible. So now, we sometimes talk about a "Daewoo Prayer." This kind of prayer is the TRUE NUBIRA - the prayer that boldly asks God to take us where only He can, the prayer that sustains us "to go anywhere" with Him.

God Can Answer Prayer With A Pink Slip

Joel and Della are friends and ministry partners and they get it! They will tell you that sometimes God is answering our prayers precisely when He is giving us what we wouldn't choose for ourselves. Last year I visited Joel at his former place of employment. What a dedicated worker and great team leader! But a few months ago, his boss informed him that he was going to be let go. For most people, this would prompt anxiety and hand-wringing.  But Joel and Della are definitely NOT "most people."

They (along with others of us) had been praying that God would lead him to a new position that was more family and ministry friendly. So when Joel's boss said "your path leads elsewhere" they heard God encouraging them, "It's time. I am about to answer your prayers." The video clip is Joel's story - and it's a great reminder that God answers prayer, even when His gifts come wrapped in some "bad news."

Sub Sandwich and Supplication

A few months ago, I went to my favorite Quiznos and asked for the manager.  "Lea" met me with a face that suggested she was expecting another complaint.  Here's what I said, "I'm sure you are used to people complaining, but I want you to know that I appreciate what you do.  I really like your salads and appreciate the great service I receive whenever I come in."  We had a nice chat and I prayed for her.

In the subsequent months, we have developed a casual friendship.  Because of the demands of her job, including having to work on Sundays, she could rarely get to church.  I brought her some sermon CD's and kept updated on how to pray for her.  On one visit, she shared about her concern for a nephew.  Recent tests showed a suspicious mass in his back.  So we prayed.

Last week, Tom and I went to Quiznos for lunch.  Lea was working behind the counter.  I gave her a hello, but this was the lunch rush, so I didn't think a conversation would be in order.  I was surprised that Lea came to our table.  She told me an amazing story.  The doctors had scheduled an additional test for her nephew prior to scheduling surgery.  Their tests showed nothing.  They did it again with the same result.  Whatever got their attention was totally gone.  So Lea came to tell me that prayer works and that God is good.  I couldn't agree more!  We enjoyed a moment to thank God together for way more than just the food.

Improving Your Prayer Response Rate

What if I told you there is a way to dramatically boost the "response rate" to your prayers.  Someone might protest that "all prayers are created equal."  But, the undeniable fact is they're not.

One of the reasons some prayers are of lower quality is our natural obtuseness - we don't know what to pray for (Rom. 8:26).  The Holy Spirit is kind enough to compensate for this limitation but there is something WE can do, too.  Jesus taught, "If you ask Me anything in my name, I will do it" (John 14:14).  Does this mean we just pipe up and say "in Jesus name, amen" at the end of a prayer?  NOT!  The phrase "in Jesus name" is about asking for the things that Jesus would ask for.  To pray in Jesus name means to give Jesus the pleasure of hearing us ask for the things that He most wants to give us.

Way too much prayer is like a visit with Santa Claus where we rattle off our wish list.  Jesus would reply, "I want to give you what would be way better than the stuff on your list."  One of the best ways to know what Jesus has in mind is to use Scripture as a window into His heart for us.

Here's an example of how this could work.  Ephesians 6 describes the saint's armor, a piece-by-piece description of what every armed and dangerous saint needs in enemy territory.  Take what the Bible teaches about each component, frame requests accordingly, and you can declare your desire for things that make Him say, "Finally, someone is asking for the things I know he needs."  Go ahead, check this out!  It is a  prayer informed by Scripture, a prayer that reflects Jesus' knowledge of what we should do and how He can help, and one that asks for the kind of help Jesus would be pleased to provide for saints on the front lines.

Praying for Egg (On My Face)

Okay, so in yesterday's post I told you about putting it on the altar.  I had given counsel that was a warning, counsel that was rejected.  The depth of my pain at having my words dismissed betrayed my need to give something to God.  So I declared to Him:  "I relinquish all claim upon the good opinion of men."  The result was great peace and encouragement.  But there's a rub.

I don't remember who first said it (my apologies), but "the beauty of being a pessimist is you can't lose.  You're either proven right or your expectations are exceeded."  Unfortunately, giving pessimistic counsel doesn't work that way when people's view of Jesus is on the line.  The counsel I gave was fueled by a desire for things to turn out in a way that makes Jesus look good.  That desire hasn't changed, even though the situation is now very different.  A path has been taken which I thought there were good reasons to avoid.  If things work out badly, I might be vindicated, but Jesus' cause would lose.  So, it is time to work in defiance of my prediction.  For Jesus' sake, I want my warning to seem unjustified.  That's what I am praying - I want Jesus to look good, even if I don't.

Deliverance for Parents Who Pray Like Bozo

I am very impressed with my unimpressive prayer life!   But at least I know I'm a prayer bozo!  And I want to change.  So one of the ways I have worked to improve my prayer life is by using Scripture to inform my petitions.  Here's an example you can check out.  I have two grown sons with whom I believe Jesus would be pleased.  I used this verse-set to inform my prayers for them all through their teen years and I do not lack for evidence that God has answered these prayers!  I think prayers informed by a verse set like this are way better than the "please-bless-Johnnie" generalities the Lord usually hears.