Praying like the kids

(and a little child shall lead them)

A while back our church held a worship event on a Friday night for the middle school and high school kids. There was music, teaching, fun and hanging out. It was all good…and our daughter had a great time. When I arrived for pick up, the event was still going on and I got to see one of the coolest things ever. The teacher for the evening was leading all the kids through an organized prayer time…small groups had formed up and the kids were praying en masse for the lost people of the world.

“Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Luke 18:17

The kids were following the directions of the leader…yet their enthusiasm was genuine. As believers themselves they desperately wanted their friends, their neighbors and yes, people all across the globe to have the chance to hear the good news about Jesus. Jesus himself knew that children often set a marvelous example of faith for all of us. Their faith is real, pure and uncluttered…too often ours is ragged, mixed up and lost in a sea of busyness.

Let’s learn from kids...the same way they help us relive swing sets and cotton candy and old cartoons. The joy they feel is the same joy we once felt. The newness of faith was that new for us as well. Our salvation is just as transformative today as it was then.

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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Volume 6, Number 38

And the answer is?

(hello... is there anybody out there?)

The dynamics of responding to advertisements for employment are quite interesting. Some keep the company confidential; adding a sense of mystery to the equation. Some ads ask you to verify that you meet each and every qualification of the job before you can submit your application. Others lay it all out there…even giving a salary range to help you gauge your interest.

From there can come emails, phone calls, letters and perhaps even a face to face meeting. All the time you are wondering what the decisions are going to be. Often the answer is implied through profound silence…even when there has been significant back and forth conversation. In fact, sometimes you have to call the company and flat out ask what the decision is.

“I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.” Psalm 17:6-7

Prayer can be a lot like responding to one of those ads. Sometimes it’s easy…other times you have to clear hurdles of hard feelings or unforgiveness before you can really start. Sometimes you pray for others without knowing exactly what’s going on… or because you woke up in the middle of the night knowing you had to pray right then. And yes there can even be real and significant back and forth dialogue.

As the psalmist wrote, God always hears our prayers… and always answers. The answer may be in the silence or we may have to go back and ask again. Either way the answer will be given. Keep listening!

Thanks for all you do.

Brian
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Volume 6, Number 9

Things my BlackBerry taught me

(we can be too connected to the world of technology, but we can never be too connected to God)

Things my Blackberry taught me

There was a cartoon in the paper last week with this quote in the first panel: “My blackberry is lost! What if people are calling me and I don’t know they’re calling? What if people are texting me and I don’t know they’re texting? I’m cut off from my whole world!” I jokingly sent this to some friends under the heading “my worst nightmare” and I received a variety of funny comments back. Unfortunately I have become accustomed to having instant access to the world; and for the world to have instant access to me. Emails, text messages, phone calls, weather and traffic bulletins and news headlines are all magically sent to that little black box. It’s convenient, but at the same time very controlling!

For all the power of technology, it pales in comparison to the power of prayer. We have the opportunity for instant access to the creator of the universe! We can ask questions, express gratitude, seek guidance with life decisions, and find a way around roadblocks and stormy weather in our lives. It’s two-way wireless communication of the most important kind. Never subject to battery chargers, power outages or dropped calls! The only time it doesn’t work is when we don’t take the time.

“My prayer life is lost! What if the Lord is calling me and I don’t know he’s calling? I’m cut off from my whole world!”

That’s my real worst nightmare!


Brian

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