I’m not a fan of books or teachings that try to take something that God has made very plain and very simple and turn it into something complex or cheesy. Prayer is one of those things that can easily be turned into a form of “magic” whereby we try to get God to do what we want for our own purposes. If you take a quick glance at Mark Batterson’s forthcoming book, The Circle Maker, you could easily think that this is one of those books. HOWEVER, if you actually read the book you’ll soon discover that it is NOT that type of book at ALL. Batterson does not try to manipulate prayer or sell a repackaged version of “name it and claim it”. Instead, The Circle Maker is full of faith building testimonies of how praying around the promises of God has produced fruit in his life and in the lives of others. The Circle Maker is a great read for anyone who is waiting on a miracle. I have had the privilege of reading a prerelease of everyone of Mark Batterson’s books. While I do not think that The Circle Maker is his best book (Wild Goose Chase is my favorite), it is definitely worth the read. One of my core convictions is that “Prayer is not what we do when all else fails…Prayer should fuel all that we do”. I’ll be picking up a copy for our prayer team at Xtreme. Pick up a copy here.
Tag Archives: prayer
Keep Praying
“Pray continually” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17)
In our house we pray about everything. Everything. Part of that is because Jaemi and I have experienced too many miracles to not believe that God hears us and helps us. We’ve also seen God bring peace and clarity to otherwise confusing situations, all becoasue of prayer.
The other reason we pray about everything is because we want our kids to see us live out our faith. Nothing makes me prouder than to see my boys pray for us and each other. And they don’t just pray, they follow up to find out if God answered the prayer!
Prayer isn’t what we do when we’ve run out of options. It’s the main thing. What are you dealing with? Pray. Talk to God first. The results will blow you away. Don’t stop praying.
Brace Yourself!
Today many of you have begun a 21 day period of fasting, prayer and devotion. Some have given up most foods, TV, social media, or a combination of things. God is going to meet with those who are pressing in during this season in a powerful way. I believe great things are gong to happen. However, the enemy of our souls does not want us to grow. He does not want us to hear God clearly. He does not want you to pray. When you make bold step of faith toward a deeper walk all hell will come against you. The enemy wants you to stay stuck in status quo Christianity. You’ll be tempted more than ever to eat what you are fasting from, watch what you’ve said you wouldn’t, and turn back on the commitment you’ve made for the next 3 weeks.I encourage you, brace yourself! Dig in and hold on to the Word of God. You can make it!
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” – 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)
Oh, what peace we often forfeit…
There is one prayer that I pray more than any other prayer. It has brought me peace, comfort, deliverance, and forgiveness. I’ve prayed it at night when the enemy is at work. I’ve prayed it before preaching and teaching. This prayer has brought me through a war-torn desert, the loss of 2 children, the birth of children, and attacks against my family and friends. I’ve prayed this prayer before a counseling session, and I’ve prayed this prayer when that sand paper person needs to “ask” me a question. It’s not an elaborate prayer, yet, to call it simple would not do it justice. If I had to call it anything I would call it real. That prayer is this: Lord Jesus Help Me! It’s not long or complicated, but it sure is effective.
“Oh, what peace we often forfeit. Oh, what needless pain we bear…all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”
My friend Aaron wrote about this classic book called “The Kneeling Christian”. I’m reading it now and it is kicking my butt! I pray. All of the time. Yet, when I read a book like this I’m convicted that I don’t pray enough.
We’ve Got to Pray…
“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray…” Luke 11:1 (NIV)
I find it interesting that the disciples asked Jesus this question and not any other. In chapter 10 we read Luke’s account of the 72 that were sent out and came back boasting that even the demons submitted to them. Chapter 9 tells us of a 5000 who were fed with 5 loaves and 2 fish, an evil spirit being cast out of a boy, and Moses and Elijah appearing with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. In Chapter 8 a storm is calmed by one rebuke, Legion was cast into a herd of pigs and a dead girl was raised. They’d heard Jesus paint beautiful word pictures in his parables about lamps on stands, trees and their fruit, wise and foolish builders, and the sower.
Yet, their request was not “Lord teach us to raise the dead”, “Lord teach us to teach”, “Lord teach us to preach”, “Lord teach us to do the miraculous”, instead it was “Lord teach us to pray”. There was something they saw in the intimacy that Jesus had with his heavenly father that they wanted in on. They began realized that great things happened when their master came out of that solitary place full of power and purpose. I pray that we would understand that it’s not about form or formulas. It’s about the power that comes from fellowship with our Father. MC Hammer was right. We’ve got to pray just to make it today!
Powerful Prayer
Saturday was a painful day. My back went out on me (first time in 5 years) and I spent the day in excruciating pain. I know several people were praying for me and I thank God for them. Around 2:30am I was finally able to get some sleep. I awoke 4 hours later feeling much better! I’m not out of the woods yet, but I’m not where I used to be! I couldn’t walk last night and now I can go up and down the stairs! (Thank God I preach sitting down.) I am expecting BIG things from God today. Thank you for your prayers. They are powerful!
The Nubers Game
As I was praying through my facebook friends list yesterday (something
you should try) something jumped out at me: My ministry is not defined
by how many attend my meetings.
We say we don't get caught up in numbers…yet we are quick to ask
"how many are you running?" There are people who were connected to our
YA ministry that are now disconnected from our church…but not from
me. I still have influence. Just because they don't show on a Sat
nightbor Sunday morning doesn't mean I can't pastor them.
I'd rather pour my life into 15 people that will change the world than
500 church attendees who will maintain the status quo. The only number
that counts is one. Just a thought.
Sent from my iPhone
Some prayer requests
-Pray for our MC Fireworks tent: protection, provision, and people!
-Pray for Bro. Mac: Great prayer warrior who needs a miracle in his body
-Pray for our nation: nuff’ said
