31 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Focus on Fasting

 

 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 

Matthew 6:16-18 NLT

When you fast …

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that helps us surrender ourselves to God by voluntarily abstaining from a physical need or activity for a time, in order to better focus our thoughts and senses on God. 

Guidelines for Fasting: 

1. Fast SYSTEMATICALLY. When Jesus taught His disciples about fasting, He began with the words “when you fast” (Matthew 6:16). Jesus expected that we would fast on a regular basis, whether one day a week or a portion of a day each week. In our "31 Days of Prayer and Fasting" we encourage people to set aside Fridays as a day of fasting, but if there is a better day for you, for with it. 

2. Fast SECRETLY. Jesus cautioned His disciples not to make a spectacle out of fasting like the religious leaders did. Don’t draw attention to yourself; act normal

3. Fast SENSIBLY. Don’t feel that you must fast for many days to be effective. “Don’t bite off more than you can chew” (pun intended). You may fast for a meal, or a day or a longer period, but don’t feel like you have to do a 40 day fast like Jesus did. If you aren’t accustomed to fasting, start slow, and allow God to lead you. Discipline takes practice and time.

4. Fast SACRIFICIALLY. By nature, fasting requires giving up something meaningful. If we normally do not eat breakfast it is not really a sacrifice to fast breakfast. A true fast must be a sacrifice. Doesn’t have to be food. Some are not able because of medical reasons, to fast from food. Social media, TV, sports, shopping. It really isn’t up to you to figure this out. Pray and ask God what He wants you to fast from. 

5. Fast SUPERNATURALLY. The very nature of fasting requires dependence on God’s supernatural power to see us through. You’re not in this alone, trust the Holy Spirit. When the early church fasted before sending out workers, the Bible says, “The Holy Spirit came” (Acts 13:2,3). We need God’s Spirit as we fast.

6. Fast SPECIFICALLY. Have a fasting focus. God said to Israel, “Is not this the fast that I have chosen?” (Isaiah 58:6). (Isaiah 58, note that fasting isn’t just about “doing without” it is also about blessing others.) We must ask God to direct us in the focus of our fasting.

7. Fast SENSITIVELY. Listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit. When Israel fasted before a crucial battle, the Bible says they “inquired of the Lord.” (Judges 20:23; I Samuel 23) When we fast we should take special time to hear God speak. (Acts 13:1-2)

 The goal of this month of Prayer and Fasting is to draw nearer to God and listen for His guidance and direction in our lives. 

So when you pray

Do it to the Lord, not to be seen by others. Eliminate the distractions, and you don’t have to pray for hours on end - say what we need to and then listen to the Lord. 

And when you fast: 

We are going to have a plan, and we’re not going to draw attention to ourselves, but we are going to be sacrificial and give up something significant, and we are going to trust the Holy Spirit to guide us, and to give us a focus for our fast and we are going to listen for His voice. That is why we are doing this - we want to hear from God! God will speak in His own way at His own time, so we aren’t trying to manipulate God, but we are putting ourselves in a position so we can hear when He speaks. 

31 Days of Prayer and Fasting: Focus on Prayer

 

“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!" Matthew 6:5-8 NLT

Prayer is communicating with God. Prayer is talking to and listening to God. It really is that simple, but it is also incredibly essential for the Christian life. Martin Luther once said, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” The gospels record numerous instances of Jesus praying, and if Jesus felt the need to pray and He was the Son of God, how much more do you and I need to pray?

I know you know this, but the truth is that the average Christian isn’t very satisfied with their prayer life. In a 2019 survey, 14,000 Christians were asked to rate their satisfaction with their prayer life. Only 1% indicated they were very satisfied with their prayer life, while 11% indicated they were very dissatisfied with their prayer life. The majority of the participants gave their prayer life a 3 out of 10 on the scale. Most of us acknowledge that our prayer life needs a boost. So let’s look at some very practical instructions Jesus gives about prayer: 

When you pray …

1. Don’t pray to get attention - Jesus says, “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites” Who are the “hypocrites”? Religious people who want to draw attention to themselves.  They like to stand up in the synagogue and even on the street corners and pray loud prayers because they think other people will look at them and think they are super spiritual. But what is their reward? The applause and admiration of others, but not of God. Jesus said: Don’t do that. Don’t pray to get the attention of others. 

2. Eliminate distractions - go to your room and shut the door, pray in secret. He is teaching an important principle here. This isn’t just about not praying to get attention, this is also about eliminating distractions. How do you eliminate distractions? 

    a. Have a time - We are more consistent when you have a set time. Put it on your calendar or "to do" list as an appointment with God. 

    b. Have a place - Go where the distractions are minimal. Jesus says go to your room or "prayer closet" but it doesn't necessarily have to be inside; it might be a porch or quiet place in the woods.  Find a place where you feel peaceful and spend time in prayer. Also, remove technology - leave your phone in another room or turn it off while you pray. People lived thousands of years without the use of cell phones, you and I can live without it for a little while to focus on God. 

    c. Have a plan - Begin your prayer time meditating on Scripture. Use the 31 Day Prayer Guide for Scripture prompts, or any passage God has brought to your mind. Also have a pen and paper, and keep a list to pray over and write what you hear God saying. 

3. Pray briefly

    Not all prayer times have to be lengthy. Sometimes God may keep you longer in prayer, but don't feel like you have some time quota to meet. Also, avoid:

a. Vain repetitions - don’t use  “religious words” as magic formulas

b. Many words - don’t try to stretch it out for the sake of length. Say what you have to say and then listen

Prayer improves with practice. You don’t learn how to pray better from a sermon, or from a book. You learn how to pray better by praying. 

31 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2025: Focus on Scripture

 Spiritual growth doesn’t happen naturally, it requires an intentional practice of spiritual disciplines. So we are going to take the first month of the New Year and focus some really important spiritual disciplines that can help generate spiritual growth. 

The 31 Days of Prayer and Fasting guide (Click Here) will be a tool that will ignite passion in our church and our individual lives as well. This will be a spiritual growth emphasis that focuses on three spiritual disciplines, Scripture, prayer and fasting. Today lets talk about Scripture. 

Study upon study has shown that the factor that contributes most to spiritual growth is engaging with Scripture. "Engaging with" is more than simply or casually reading the Bible in order to check a box for "Daily Bible Reading." Engaging with Scripture means much more. Below are several components of engaging with the Bible: 

Best ways to engage the Bible
1. Read It

This is the beginning point for engaging the Bible. Have a plan for reading the Bible. You can numerous plans on the YouVersion Bible App (Click Here). We also have a couple of plans posted on our church website. Find one that works for you and get started. You can download a 52 Week Bible Reading Plan at our church website (Click Here).

2.Hear it  

Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." God wired some people to be "audio learners" and hearing something is helpful to learning it. There are numerous audio versions on the internet (Just do a Google search). The cool thing about listening to the Bible is that you can do it while driving to work, or taking a walk, or even cleaning the house. 

3. Meditate on it

After the death of Moses, God gave Joshua, the new leader, these instructions: "Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do."  Joshua 1:8 NLT. The word for "meditate" in this verse primarily means  to ponder deeply. It conveys the idea of a thoughtful, reflective consideration. This is where you ask the Holy Spirit to speak and teach You what He wants you to learn from the verse or passage. This is where you may want to have a computer, notepad or journal to record the things you are receiving from God and His word. 

4. Study It

Once you've listened to the Holy Spirit through meditating on the word, feel free to look at what other people have gleaned from the verse or passage. Again, the internet is a great resources with a number of good commentaries and devotional articles. However, I would urge you to use caution when consulting internet resources, there is a lot incorrect and crazy things on the World Wide Web. Make sure to research your sources to ensure they are reputable. 

5. Memorize It

One of the best ways to engage in Scripture is to memorize it. Psalm 119:11 says, "I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." The word "hide" means to store up or treasure. Memorizing Scripture means to store it up in your heart/mind as a treasure for your life. Pick one or two verses a month and memorize them. 3x5 index cards are invaluable in this process. Or, if you are more of a digital person, you can use a Flashcard App or a Scripture memory app on your device. I use "Remember Me. Bible Memory" app.

 
6. Practice It

This is perhaps the most important part of engaging the Bible, put into practice what you are learning from the other steps. Jesus said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” Luke 11:28 ESV. And Paul writes, "For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified." Romans 2:13 ESV. God has not given us His word simply for knowledge, but for application that leads to transformation. That only happens when we obey the word and put it into practice.

Each day of our 31 Days of Prayer and Fasting there is a Scripture passage to read, listen to, meditate on, study, memorize and practice. As we engage God's word we will begin to see evidence of spiritual growth and transformation taking place. 

(P.S. Thanks for reading through this article!)

Sharing the Gospel at Christmas: A Call to Boldness

 

Christmas is a time of joy, celebration, and reflection. As Christians, we have the unique opportunity to share the true meaning of this season with those around us. Luke 2:17 tells us, "Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child." This verse inspires us to spread the Good News of Christ's birth and the hope it brings.

1. Be Prepared to Share Your Testimony

The shepherds in the Christmas story had a personal encounter with the newborn Jesus. Their experience transformed them, and they couldn't help but share what they had seen and heard. Similarly, our own experiences with Christ should shape our witness. Be ready to share your personal testimony of how Christ has impacted your life. God can use your story to be a powerful tool to draw others to Him, but you have to be prepared to share it. 

2. Seize Opportunities to Share the Gospel

Christmas provides many opportunities to share the gospel. Whether it's through casual conversations with friends and family, volunteering at a local charity, or participating in church events, be intentional about looking for ways to share the love of Christ. Remember, every interaction is a potential moment to plant a seed of faith.

3. Use Creative Ways to Share the Gospel

In today's digital age, there are countless creative ways to share the gospel. Consider using social media to share inspiring Christmas messages, create personalized Christmas cards with a gospel message, or organize a Christmas party with a gospel theme. Get creative and find ways to share the Good News that resonate with people's hearts.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this Christmas, let us be inspired by the shepherds' example and share the Good News with those around us. May our words and actions point others to the true meaning of Christmas – the love and salvation offered by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

All to Jesus I Surrender - The Story Behind the Song

 

If you grew up in a traditional church, you undoubtedly sung many of the verses of the hymn, "I Surrender All." It was/is a staple of the invitation portion of church and revival services. Songs of personal commitment to Christ often stem from a particular experience in the life of the author. This is a good example.

The author of the hymn, Judson Van de Venter (1855-1939) was raised on a farm near Dundee, Michigan. After graduating from Hillsdale College, he taught art in public schools in Sharon, Pennsylvania. Van Deventer was active in his Methodist Episcopal Church, including participation in revivals held at the church. He had a heart for God and a passion to share the Good News with others. Based on his fervent faith and service to the church, friends encouraged him to leave his field of teaching and become an evangelist, but it took him five years to finally "surrender all" and go into full-time ministry. He writes of the experience: 

The song was written while I was conducting a meeting at East Palestine, Ohio, and in the home of George Sebring. For some time, I had struggled between developing my talents in the field of art and going into full-time evangelistic work. At last the pivotal hour of my life came, and I surrendered all. A new day was ushered into my life. I became and evangelist and discovered down deep in my soul a talent hitherto unknown to me. God had hidden a song in my heart, and touching a tender chord, he caused me to sing. (Quoted by Kenneth Osbeck, 101 More Hymn Stories.)

After surrendering his all to the Lord, he joined the ministry of evangelist J. Wilbur Chapman. His ministry took him to various places in the United States, England, and Scotland. In his life he wrote around 75 hymns, but his most famous is also his most personal. Judson Van de Venter surrendered his all to the Lord, and the Lord is still using this man's works to impact the world for the kingdom of God. 

You never know what God will do through one moment of surrender!

Trusting in the Lord: A Path to Peace

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV 

Christmas can be one of the most stressful times of the year. Along with the pressures of buying presents, decoratiing, planning family gatherings, church activities and more, there is the internal pressures we put on ourselves to do everything right, trying to create the best possible experience for everyone else. It is easy to take matters into our own hands and feel responsible for everything. When we do, it usually leads to discouragement and frustrations during the holidays. 

There is a better way ... TRUST IN THE LORD. You may not think the Lord cares much about your family gatherings and holiday traditions, or about the personal pressures you put on yourself to get everything right, but I assure you that He does. And He doesn't want you to be stressed at at Christmas. He wants you to trust in Him, and let Him give you his peace. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 has a lot to say about trusting the Lord to being the Path of Peace. This passage tells us:  

1. The Power of Trust

The writer of the proverb encourages us to place our complete trust in the Lord. This means surrendering our worries, fears, and anxieties to Him. When we trust in the Lord, we acknowledge His sovereignty and His perfect plan for our lives. This trust allows us to let go of the need to control every situation and outcome. It enables us to let go of the myth of the "perfect Christmas."

2. The Danger of Self-Reliance

This passage also teaches us that leaning on our own understanding can lead to frustration, disappointment, and a sense of isolation. When we rely on our own limited knowledge and abilities, we often make decisions that are not aligned with God's will. It's important to recognize that our understanding is limited and that God's wisdom surpasses ours.

3. The Path to Straightening Our Ways

To experience the fullness of God's blessings, we must acknowledge Him in all our ways. This means seeking His guidance and direction in every aspect of our lives. When we acknowledge Him, we invite Him to work in our lives and to straighten our paths. This doesn't mean that our lives will be free from challenges, but it does mean that God will be with us every step of the way.

Trusting God at Christmas means surrendering our will to His, trusting Him to provide for everything we need, and letting Him guide our hearts and lives on His path of peace. 

Advent: Getting Ready for Christmas

 

But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”  Galatians 4:4-6 NLT

What is Advent? 

Advent is the four weeks leading up to Christmas, and is a time dedicated to anticipating the arrival, or "advent," of Jesus. It is also a season that Christians can use to prepare spiritually for the celebration of Christmas. 

Christmas is a time for joy, peace, and reflection. While the commercial aspects of the season can sometimes overshadow its spiritual significance, it's essential to take time to connect with the true meaning of Christmas. Here are some ways to spiritually prepare for this special time of year:

1. Reflect on the True Meaning of Christmas

Spend some time each day reading Scriptures related to the birth of Jesus in the Bible. The YouVersion Bible App (or Bible.com) has Advent/Christmas reading plans for this season. But don't just read the Scriptures, meditate and reflect on the significance of God sending His Son Jesus. Pray for understanding of the love of God shown through Christmas. 

 2. Practice Gratitude

Practicing gratitude is good for you ... always. The Apostle Paul writes, Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT. Our Christmas season often gets consumed with consumerism; we're focused on buying gifts and keeping lists. Gratitude gets us refocused on the right things at Christmas. Even if you don't journal, take five minutes every day and write down 1-3 things that you are thankful for.  

3. Engage in Acts of Service

Christmas is about giving, but not just gifts. John 3:16 tells us that God so loved the world that He gave ... but He didn't just give a gift, He gave Himself to us at Christmas. Find ways to give yourself to others. Volunteer your time to serve in your church, or visit the less fortunate (i.e. nursing homes), offer to assist neighbors, family or others in any way you can. Practice "Random Acts of Kindness" for strangers, or someone you know, but do it anonymously. The main thing is to keep your focus outward instead of inward. 

4. Spend Time Daily in Prayer

Take time each day to pray, thanking God for this season to celebrate His Son, praying for your own personal focus in this season, and for others who may be hurting or less fortunate. Christmas is not always a happy season, especially for those who have lost loved ones recently. As you pray, ask God to show you ways you can encourage others. 

By incorporating these spiritual practices into your daily life, you can deepen your connection with the true meaning of Christmas and experience a more meaningful and fulfilling holiday season.

“At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God’s own love and concern.” 

Mother Teresa, Love: A Fruit Always in Season

Happy Thanksgiving

 

Happy Thanksgiving! 

I have so many fond memories of Thanksgiving Day - no school! Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and wowing over the giant balloons, the size of the crowds, the beautiful floats and so much more. The smell of delicious food cooking in the kitchen. The warmth of the house because of all the food and people. And then the quietness of the evening after everyone is gone. 

Though those memories come from my childhood, today will be much the same. Our family will gather and celebrate the goodness of God. We'll watch the parade and eat delicious food. The house will be warm from the cooking and the gathering of so many people. We'll laugh, reflect on our blessings, make plans for Christmas and enjoy the day. And then at some point, family will begin to leave, the house will cool off, the kitchen will be cleaned and the quietness of the evening will settle in and we will rest. 

Rituals like Thanksgiving Day are an important part of our family. We reconnect with one another and we are building memories and traditions for our grandkids. My prayer is that they will see the importance of family, of counting our blessings, enjoying the craziness of the holiday, and look forward to Thanksgivings in the future. 

From our family to yours - Happy Thanksgiving!

The Watering Hole

 

[22] But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. [23] For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. [24] You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. [25] But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:22-25 NLT

After church and a delicious Pastor Appreciation brunch yesterday Cecelia and I drove to Harriman to be part of a unique ministry. A friend of mine, Kasey Stout has a ministry called The Watering Hole. On Sunday afternoons he sets up on the side of Roan State Hwy and the Clinch River and has church. He started it almost a year ago when he said the Lord told him to go to the river and baptize people who came to him. He obeyed. He put it on Facebook that he would be there between 1-3 Sunday afternoons. First couple of weeks not many came, but soon God began to draw people there for salvation, prayer, encouragement and obedience. 

Yesterday was the 43rd Sunday of the Watering Hole and Kasey had invited me to preach. By the time I got there, there were about 30 people who came for the service. Some brought food to feed the people who came. Several people were under a canopy kneeling at a prayer altar that had been set up. Two people were scheduled to be baptized at the end of the service, but Kasey gave the invitation after I preached and two other people came for salvation and another woman came for baptism (she had been saved at home, but drove two hours to be baptized at the Watering Hole). In all two people professed faith in Christ and a total of five were baptized in the river.  It was evident the Spirit of the Lord was there. 

Kasey is a Corrections Officer at the prison where I teach for Carson Newman. We met about a year ago and a friendship started. Kasey is a genuine person and a passionate follower of the Lord. I have seen him witness to and pray with inmates, other CO's, and staff at the prison. I've followed him on Facebook and he is always involved in sharing the gospel and serving others in any way he can. During the recent storms and flooding in our area, on his own time, Kasey gathered people, donations and supplies and delivered them to some of the most hard hit areas. 

When I read the passage in James 1 about not just hearing the word but doing the word, I think of Kasey and The Watering Hole. By faith, he obeyed what God was telling him to do, and God has done some amazing things. Lives have been changed because he and others are there. He has been an inspiration to me of what it looks like when someone hears what God is telling him to do, and does it without knowing what the outcome will be. In reality, Kasey is living the normal Christian life. What would our world look like if the rest of us followers of Jesus listened for what God is telling us to do, and then just did it? I have a feeling it would be a lot better world, and God would be glorified!

Hit the Ground Running

Most Mondays I try to send a men's text group a word of encouragement to start their day and week. here is the encouragament from this past Monday: 

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,  I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:13-14 NLT

There is an African proverb that says:

"Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up, it knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn't matter whether you're the lion or a gazelle-when the sun comes up, you'd better be running."

The apostle Paul understood the importance of "running" but his goal wasn't to survive, his goal was to attain "the prize", to fulfill the calling God placed on his life, and to draw closer to Jesus.

We are all "running" this race called life, but what (or who)  are you running for? Are you running just to survive, or are you running for the glory of the Lord? Let go of the past and "press" toward Christ.

Praying you have a blessed week as you run the race of your life. 

"But God"

 

2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil... 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. 4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) Ephesians 2:2-5 NLT

The semicolon is a period on top of a comma. In writing, the semicolon is used to connect two independent but relatable thoughts. The semicolon represents a decision by the writer to continue the sentence where it could have been ended. 

I have often seen people with semicolon tattoos or wearing shirts or jewelry with a semicolon. When you see a person with a semicolon it often symbolizes that the person has overcome difficult challenges or hardships and is moving forward in their lives. The wearer could have given up and perhaps even ended their lives, but decided to overcome and move forward. The semicolon represents a continuation where an end was likely.

In Ephesians 2 Paul is reminding his readers that their lives were once on a dead end path. They, and all of us, were dead in our trespasses and sins. There was nothing we could do about it; dead people can't change their situation. But God stepped in and changed all of that. The One who is overflowing with mercy, because He loved us so much, stepped into our hopeless, dead end lives and raised us from the dead, giving us life, hope, peace, joy and so much more. The "But God" is God's semicolon; it represents a continuation where and end was likely. 

God has always been a "But God" kind of God. Consider these "But God" Scriptures: 

(Joseph said to his brothers) You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. Genesis 50:20

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26

When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead . . .  Acts 13:29-30

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able . . . 1 Corinthians 10:13

"But God" are two of the best words to hear in a story. If you’re in a season where you are waiting on God, encourage your faith by reading through and meditating on these "But God" Scriptures, and let God continue to write your story. 

Lessons in Prayer

 15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

Ephesians 1:15-16

We are studying Ephesians verse-by-verse on Wednesday evenings at church. We are in week three of chapter one 😄. Chapter one is basically one long prayer that Paul is praying for the believers at Ephesus (in fact, verses 3-14 is one long sentence!) The prayer is in the form of a benediction or words of blessing. Last night we talked about verses 15-18, which is a continuation of the benediction, and three things really struck me: 

1. Paul's prayer is very positive and affirming. Of course he is writing his prayer knowing it is going to be read to the church (or churches), so it would make sense that he would start out on a positive note. But I think that's the way Paul probably prayed all the time - positive and affirming. It made me think about my praying, and honestly much of my praying is grumbling and complaining about things that are bothering me, or things I want the Lord to fix. That needs to change. I don't like it when people complain to me all the time, I can't imagine it is much of a blessing to the Lord when I do it to Him. 

2. Paul's prayer is other-people centered. Again, he's writing a prayer that will be read to a church, so this makes sense. But, as I reflect on my praying, I usually start with me, my needs and wants, and my problems. Later down the line I'll mention others that I am praying for, but it is usually as I am wrapping things up. How different would my prayer life be if I started by praying for others first?

3. Paul's prayer is focused on the spiritual rather than the physical. The first part of his prayer (vs. 3-14) is focused on reminding them who they are and what they have in Christ. He reminds them of the gospel that they had received and how Jesus saved and sealed them in Christ. And then in the second part of his prayer (15-23) he is praying that they would know God at a deeper level, and know all the spiritual blessings they have in Him. He's praying for their spiritual growth. 

Again, when I think about my own praying, it is too often focused on material things, both for myself and the few other people I pray for - physical healing, financial needs met, jobs, relationships. Nothing wrong with praying for those things, but should those physical needs take precedence over the spiritual lives of those I pray for? 

When it comes to prayer (and many other things) I am a work in progress, but thankfully the Lord never gives up on me, and He is always challenging me to grow in my praying ... and He is you too. 

God and Gold Medals

 

But now the Lord declares: "Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained." 1 Samuel 2:30 NIV

Before this year, the Summer Olympics were last held in France 100 years ago in 1924. One of the stars of the 1924 Olympic Games was a runner named Eric Liddell. Known as the "Flying Scotsman," Liddell went to Paris as the favorite to win gold in the 100 meter, However when the races were scheduled, the 100 meter was to be on Sunday. A devout Christian, raised by missionary parents in China, Liddell refused to participate. He claimed Sunday was the Lord's Day, a day of rest not competition. Teammates, friends and even politicians pressured and begged him to change his mind, but he refused. It was determined that he would run the 400 meter that would be on a different day. 

No one expected Liddell to do very well in the 400 since he had not really trained for it. Some people even criticized him for his religious faith. One reporter wrote that Liddell "...should look down the track rather than look up to the sky.” Just before he headed to the stadium to compete in the 400m finals a trainer gave him a note that read, “ In the Old Book it says, “He that honors Me, him I will honor”1Samuel 2:30. To everyone's surprise, he not only won the gold medal, Liddell also broke the Olympic and world records for the 400 meter at the time. He would also win bronze in the 200 meter. 

Soon after the Paris Olympics, Liddell married his fiancée and began to serve as a missionary with the London Missionary Society's mission in China, where his parents had been worked and where he had been born. When the Japanese invaded China at the start of WW2 Liddell decided to stay and minister to others. Eventually, Liddell was captured and imprisoned in a Japanese internment camp. When he had an opportunity to be freed, he declined a prisoner swap so an expectant mother could go home. He ministered daily to those around him. Even in prison, not a day passed that Eric did not spend time reading Scripture and praying. He surrendered himself to be used of God in a prison camp.

In 1945 Liddell developed an an inoperable brain tumor. As he lay dying, he reminded those attending him to surrender everything to the will of God. While slipping into a coma, he was heard trying to say the word that typified his life – “surrender.” He died in a Japanese prison camp, but fellow prisoners said, “Jesus Christ was among us because we saw Him in Eric Liddell."

Eric Liddell received a gold medal in the 1924 Olympics for his efforts in a competition, but he received something greater than a gold medal from the Lord for his surrender to Christ. Friends, don't waste your life living for the wrong things, live the the eternal. 

(The film "Chariots of Fire" (1981) told the story of Eric Liddell and the Olympic Games.)