On Sunday, June 23, Nik Wallenda accomplished another risky endeavor. He walked on a high-wire suspended 1,500 feet above the Little Colorado River Gorge. Nik is one of the "Flying Wallendas." The walk was broadcast live on the Discovery Channel. It was risky, to say the least, with no net underneath him. However, in addition to getting updates on the wind situation, he was constantly in prayer. It was one of thankfulness for the beauty of what he saw as well as praying for calm wind.
His praying was done because he was in a risky situation. His life was on the line! This event made me think about how much we are willing to take RISKS for the sake of the kingdom of God. Maybe it is that we are willing to speak to someone about our faith and not knowing how we will be accepted. Maybe it is that we are willing to help someone in need - who is a stranger and not know how this individual will respond.
Here's the question I would like to leave with you in light of Nik's courageous event. Is what you are doing right now for God's kingdom enough of a risk that it calls for prayer?
Monday, June 24, 2013
Friday, June 7, 2013
The Power of the Church Praying
The church collectively has been offering up prayers for all kinds of situations - for individuals who are sick, for those going through troubling times, for peace in our world, for national leaders, etc.
Do you believe all this praying is worth it? Let me suggest that we can never discount the power of such praying. A vivid example comes from Scripture. In Acts 12 we read of the apostle Peter being taken prisoner by King Herod. There were four squads of soldiers guarding Peter and he was bound in chains. There was absolutely no way he was going to escape on his own!
Then, we read these words: "While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him." (Acts 12:5) Do you think this made a difference? It most certainly did! As Luke tells us: "Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell." (verse 7) An angel woke Peter up from sleeping and Peter's chains fell off and escorted him out of the prison.
Sometimes, we wonder about the effectiveness of such praying since it seems to go on week after week in many churches throughout our land and the world. Yet, we can never undervalue the power and effectiveness of the church praying. Maybe one day God will surprise us for what we have been praying. Church - keep on praying!
Do you believe all this praying is worth it? Let me suggest that we can never discount the power of such praying. A vivid example comes from Scripture. In Acts 12 we read of the apostle Peter being taken prisoner by King Herod. There were four squads of soldiers guarding Peter and he was bound in chains. There was absolutely no way he was going to escape on his own!
Then, we read these words: "While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him." (Acts 12:5) Do you think this made a difference? It most certainly did! As Luke tells us: "Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell." (verse 7) An angel woke Peter up from sleeping and Peter's chains fell off and escorted him out of the prison.
Sometimes, we wonder about the effectiveness of such praying since it seems to go on week after week in many churches throughout our land and the world. Yet, we can never undervalue the power and effectiveness of the church praying. Maybe one day God will surprise us for what we have been praying. Church - keep on praying!
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