Welcome to the final day of the first week of “Why Pray?”! We are on a journey and I am so glad you are participating in this blog! Your comments are vital! I am looking forward to today’s conversation.
If you haven’t read Day 7 in “Why Pray?” - take a few minutes and do that now!
Contemplate the scripture reading for the day, Matthew 5 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
I remember as a kid getting a cheap little magnifying glass in a box of Cracker Jacks! I had heard you could start fires with these things so I gave it a whirl. It worked! That magnifying glass so concentrated the heat of the sunlight shining through it that it literally started dry leaves smoldering and it wasn’t long before flames erupted.
That is one of the mental pictures I had while reading, “Prayer is Work – Day 7”. The idea that my prayers can focus the love, grace and power of God on a particular individual, family or situation is very heartening – more than that it is exciting! We can make a difference in the lives of the people in our world as we come along side our God “working” with Him in what He wants to do. Prayer is work – working with God.
I have rarely heard it said that way – Prayer is Work! But it is true so true! It is hard, takes effort, intentionality, training and practice! Yea it is work! Good work! I really like the idea because it dispels the myth that prayer is just a passive, effortless, spiritual experience that really doesn’t accomplish much. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. Prayer is vital, important and a valuable partnering with God to bring His life giving presence into people’s lives and circumstances. We are part of His plan to bring “light” to the world!
I am so jazzed by that reality – we all can make an eternal difference – working with the God of the universe – doing our part – working hard in prayer! I heard a pastor in London say once, “We must do what only we can do and God will do what only God can do!” I am beginning to understand what he meant! I think prayer is a huge part of “what only I can do”!
What do you think? How did you feel reading “Prayer is Work!” today? Were you challenged, inspired, ignited? Share your favorite quotes from today’s reading!
Before you leave this “Why Pray?” experience today let’s do a little work! Ask God to bring to your mind several families (or households) – maybe five - who are distant from Him and need a greater sense of His presence in their lives! They can be friends, neighbors relatives etc. Write the names down in a page of your book! If you didn’t get five don’t worry you can add to the list in days to come! Begin praying for these families right now by name for a few minutes – simply asking God to focus His light, love and grace on them today! We will be prompted to pray for these families over the weeks to come. It will be exciting to see the way God moves as we “work” with Him lighting up the world!