Integrity in Prayer

A few days ago, I posted the following on my Facebook/Twitter update:

“ ‘Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' condition has been upgraded from critical to serious, the University of Arizona Medical Center said Sunday.’ Does not matter your politics, people who actually pray, should be praying for Rep Giffords.”

Someone asked what I meant by the statement regarding “people who actually pray”? The answer for me was very simple. I do not think nearly as many people who say they will pray or who say that they are responding to prayer needs, actually pray.

Frankly, I feel that there is far too much on the social networks that begin with “Dear God” that is not intended to be a prayer or even honoring to God. Instead, it is closer to just slapping God in the face and in many cases might be much closer to blasphemy than prayer. When the post begins with “Dear God,” consider if the next words could be, “Hallowed be Thy Name.”

I think that for many people it has become one of those “in vogue” things to post updates that indicate that they are praying when in fact they are not.

It is my belief that this is having the effect of creating cultural Christians who talk about prayer but do not actually stop and pray. As a result are teaching our children and younger Christians that we can just talk about prayer but not really engage in the process.

I am wondering how many children hear their parents tell someone that they will pray but never see or hear their parents pray? My guess is far too many!!

One of the most powerful acts of faith that we have is prayer.

It can be very powerful for our children and grandchildren to be a part of the prayer we promised. It teaches them to pray and it also shows integrity in our word.

Here is my bottom line for parents: when you tell someone in the presence of your children that you will pray, include your children when you pray.

When Warriors are Called

He sent messengers throughout Manasseh, and they also were called together to follow him; and he sent messengers to Asher, Zebulon, and Naphtali, and they came up to meet them. Judges 6:35 (NAS)

This past Sunday morning my good friend Ray Morgan went to the Emergency Room of his local hospital. He had been pretty sick for several days and could not seem to get rid of a fever. After several hours in the ER, he was admitted and as of this morning was still hospitalized.

This is not a commentary on his medical condition or the medical treatment he has (or has not) received. It is really about the importance of friends and warriors who are willing to battle for and with us in this life.

After I talked to Ray on Sunday, I began to notify friends and warriors using the various means I have available. These means included Facebook, Twitter and then just sending out text messages, as well as utilizing our ministry prayer network.

In a very short time, the battle was being fought by warriors across the country and around the world. Literally within minutes, responses came back to me from men and women everywhere to let Ray know that they were praying.

Then I began to see a picture. I am a big fan of Gideon. There are a lot of reasons. When Gideon caught the vision of what God had called him to do, he sent out a call for warriors. We know that the Bible records that 32,000 responded to the call. The bible states that, “He sent messengers throughout Manasseh, and they also were called together to follow him; and he sent messengers to Asher, Zebulon, and Naphtali, and they came up to meet them.”

He Sent messengers. He clearly did not have the tools available that we have today to stay connected. Yet, 32,000 responded to his messengers.

By Monday, I had this picture in my heart of the 32,000 warriors gathered spiritually to fight for and with Ray. Some came because I asked them to be there. Many more came because they know Ray and he has impacted their lives. Others came because friends asked them to come. All in all, warriors around the world have responded.

We all need warriors around us. We must do the things necessary in our lives to develop relationships that can be counted on to respond when the messengers are sent out.

I just spoke with Ray and he seems to be getting much better. He is still hospitalized and not sure when he will be released. He also knows that he has warriors fighting as his side for him and with him.

As for me, I am so blessed to know that there are far more warriors out there than the enemy wants to acknowledge. Frankly, this is so cool!

Praying Believing but Believing for What?

I am still evaluating my prayer life based on this morning Devotion from Streams in the Desert. The story related is about a captain of a steamship who was approached by George Mueller while the ship was in a dense fog off the coast of Newfoundland. Mr. Mueller told the captain that he needed to be in Quebec on Saturday. The captain was certain that would not happen. He went so far as to point out to Mr. Mueller just how dense the fog was as that point.

I love Mr. Mueller's statement. "My eye is not on the dense fog but on the living God who controls every circumstance of life."

Then what happens next is one big lesson for me. Mr. Mueller invites the captain to pray about this matter. In the words of the captain, Mr. Mueller prayed, "one of the most simple prayers I've ever heard."

But next point grabbed me. When the captain started to pray, Mr. Mueller told him not to pray. Mr. Mueller told the captain as he restrained him from praying, "First, you do not believe God will answer, and second, I BELIEVE HE HAS. Consequently, there is no need whatsoever for you to pray about it."

When they were done, Mr. Mueller told the captain to open the door and see that the fog was gone and they in fact made Quebec by Saturday.

Here are a couple of "takeaways" for me:

1. When I pray and ask God,do I believe that God may answer, could answer or already has answered?

2. Why ask people to pray who do not believe that God will answer?

3. God hears the most simple prayers. I do not need to try to impress God with my ability to pray.


This causes me to reread James 1:6 .... "But when he asks he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."