As I write this we are making our way across the state of Arkansas along I-40.Now besides maybe following this blog or the Twitter updates (@crossingshsm) what are you doing to help and support our group?
If you are a parent of one of the students on our trip you might be thinking: "I just shelled out a bunch of cash so that my child can sleep on the floor. What more support do you need?" A fair question. The truth is, there is an even greater way that everyone (whether you have a child, spouse or significant other on the trip or not) can support and encourage us this week. You can pray for us. Daily.
The Bible encourages us to pray without ceasing. It also teaches us that the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective. I am of the opinion that other than the Word of God, prayer is the most powerful weapon a follower of Christ has to defeat Satan. But just how effectively do we wield this weapon?
In its most basic context, prayer is conversation with our Heavenly Father. It is an opportunity for us to spend time with the person who loves us the most, sharing our heart and learning more about His heart for us. But just like any relationship, if it is going to grow and deepen, then time together is crucial.
I remember when I was courting (read: pursuing relentlessly) my wife, Deanna. I wanted to spend EVERY available moment with her. I wanted to get to know everything about her - and in the process hope that what she learned about me didn't scare her off. :) But now that we've been married for 16 years, I realize my commitment to that quality time alone with Deanna is sorely lacking. I confess to frequently taking our relationship for granted.
But we do the same thing with God. We know He loves us, we know He is faithful to meet our needs, and we forget how much God desires to spend time with us. We're just "too busy." So our time in so-called conversation with God is limited to meal times, when there is an emergency or when our teenagers are driving on their own. As a result, our prayer life becomes a lot like an AARP member with an iPhone: we can use it for phone calls and text messages, but we don't have a clue about what else it can do. It's tragic.
I want to encourage you to set aside time allone with God. Start small. Carve out 15 minutes in your schedule, unplug, and have a conversation with God. Keep in mind that conversation involves two-way communication. That means you can't do all the talking, you have to spend time listening.
But when you are doing the talking, feel free to pray for us in the following ways:
-safe travel to, from and around Nashville
-humble and flexible spirits/attitudes of our team
-the people we will be ministering to this week
-strength when we are tired
-to be filled to overflowing with the unconditional love of Jesus just so we can give it away
-wisdom and insight for leaders, Andy and Melissa
-patience
-that our hearts will be broken by the things that break the heart of God
-for courage and boldness in unfamiliar settings
-a willingness to be used according to God's plan rather than our own
A man that I admire - Bill Green, former Church Music Director for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma - was fond of the saying: "No prayer is no power. Some prayer is some power. Much prayer is much power." We will need "much power" this week.
We will do our part.
Can we count on you to do your part?
Soli Deo gloria.
Michael
Sent from my iPhone
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