Draw the Circle - Day 4 - Don't Pray Away

"This happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him." - John 9:3

I am really enjoying his book - I am finding it more practical than The Circle Maker.

And this day resonated too.  Mark makes a great point that much of our prayer isn't to get us out of something, but through it.

Jesus in the garden really modeled this - "Father, if it is possible take this cup for me, but your will be done."

I think about my own struggles with my back pain.  Sometimes it really grounds me.  I've prayed and prayed to be delivered - sometimes with great faith.  I've had others pray for me, with even greater faith.  Still pain.

I do wonder how this chronic pain has affected me both emotionally and spiritually.  I do believe before this accident, I used to soar more often.

But with this "thorn in my back" I have been much more aware and empathetic to other's pain.  Mark reminds me that sometimes praying isn't about taking away but persevering through.  This is what I am learning although I still have miles to go.  

I have to ask - and we all do - are my prayers about my comfort or God's glory?  Praying selflessly, humbly - wanting others to see and respond to the glory of God.

I also like Mark's idea of going down swinging - that is keep praying recognizing that we don't bat 1.000 with our prayers.  And that often God's "no" is better than our "yes."  And that God can use our troubles and pains to form us.

(Surely all the pain that we've experienced as a community is preparing us and forming us for something big - something(s) that bring glory to God!)

Thanks Mark and thanks Viners for taking this journey with me.  I'm kinda of itching to begin the process of circling big dreams for God.  I met with the food ministry board for BAUMC last night.  At the end, I was asked to pray and as I did, words poured out that were bigger dreams than (probably) anyone in that room could imagine - a non-profit restaurant, and victory gardens and farms and job training and housing . . ."  It's awesome when you catch a glimpse of what could be.

I can't wait to start praying those same prayers for the Vine.

Draw the Circle - Day 3 - Amazing Things

"Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you." - Joshua 3:5

I'm torn here - falling back into old habits.  It's one thing to talk about prayer and another to do it and if I'm not careful , this will be an exercise in the former. 

So I am thinking of turning this blog into a plog.  

You might wonder why I chose 7:14 as the time to post here.  Well it's a reference to 2 Chronicles 7:14.

"Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."

It's time to pray.

Abba, Old habits are hard to break.  Help me shed the pastor's hat and just simply be Your child. And help me to humble myself in this space.  This is hard - being authentic and "semi" transparent.  You know I've had seasons on intentional prayer, but lately has not been one of them.  I want to be consistent.  I want to make this quiet just as much a part of my day as taking my morning shower.  I'm tired of marginal living and loop-hole prayers. I want so badly to enlarge my faith, increase my vision, overcome my fears to see you work in amazing ways.  I know in my soul, I need to circle my family, circle the Vine and viners, circle the community that you have called us to, and circle myself.  I don't know where to start!  So I'm praying God that you would help me discover/develop a prayer system that will keep me engaged.  I'm afraid that  this exercise will lose steam and I'll get bored like so many times before.  So Abba, please visit me in this time.  Bring times of refreshing and an intimacy that draws me back to you daily.  Make this time "sweet."  So I guess I've figured out my first circle - a circle around me - begging for revival.  Give me a heart after Your heart.  I want to bask in Your love and today share that love with others.  My family.   Thinking how blessed I am.  Daniel graduating tomorrow.  Wow. I want to leave a legacy of prayer over my family.  God be with me through this day.  Lead me to bear fruit in the conversations You lead me to. I surrender.  Consecrate my day.  Consecrate me.  Amen.

Draw the Circle - Day 2 - Established by God

In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps - Proverbs 16:9

In the closing days of my seminary education (a long, long time ago), one of my assignments was to write a short paper on how I would define success in my future ministry.  I remember reflecting and writing that I had no desire to be successful in my ministry but I did want to be found faithful.  The verse that I quoted was from Jesus' parable of the talents when a wealthy master praises two of his servants , "Well, done good and faithful servant - enter into the joy of your master!" These words came after the servants had doubled the money he had originally given them to invest on his behalf.

These are the words that I too long to hear from God on that great day when He brings me home - "Well done good and faithful servant."  I'm reflecting on this as I hear Mark Batterson share about divine appointments - encounters with people that God orchestrates to advance his Kingdom - divine appointments fueled by prayer.

I think we Viners have seen our fair share of these appointments, but I also wonder how many we miss?  Lately, I've been seeing more of these God moments - opportunities to help someone connect with God.  There is no greater joy than being used by God.

I want God to establish my steps - to place me in situations where I can point to Him.  Which means that my prayers must also include a request for "marching orders" - to go where God sends me.  I have a little more flexibility in my plans than many of you - my "office" changes depending on the day and my schedule.  Your steps may take you to work, but within your place of employment is a multitude of divine opportunities and encounters.

Don't ever doubt that God wants to use and WILL use you where you are IF you make yourself available.  Have your chalk handy?  If you haven't already, "circle" your place or work.  Claim it for God.  Name as many of your coworkers as you can asking God to open their souls for divine discussions.  Ask God to use you to produce fruit in the vineyard He's placed you in.

And I'll be praying the same for you.  If you'd like, name your work circle below and add a prayer.  I'll pray it with you.

Father, we think we're small in numbers and can't have a great impact, but You are reminding us that, through your Spirit's power, we can do even greater things than Jesus.  We can in the right soil, produce thirty, sixty and hundred times what has been planted. You are doing the hard work, orchestrating the entire universe with one hand and preparing the soil of human hearts with the other.  You are amazing!  And you are inviting us to join You in Your creation work.  Make us good and make us faithful.  And may we, each one of us, join You in turning the hearts of MANY to You.  May we enter into Your joy.  In Jesus name, Amen.