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November 6, 2012 in Discipleship, Prayer with Comments Off

The day has finally arrived. It’s Election Day.

Millions of us will go to our local polling stations to cast a vote for either President Barak Obama or Governor Mitt Romney today. I know it seems that this campaign season has been going on for the last 3 years but in a few hours (maybe more) the decision will be made. One man will lose. The other win win. This means…

Your guy will win… or he will lose.

My guy will win… or he will lose.

Here is the conclusion I’ve come to over the last few months: It does’t matter who the POTUS is because Jesus is my KING. I don’t serve the President, I serve the Christ. Regardless of who wins, God is in charge and his Son is on the Throne.

In 1 Timothy 2:13 (ESV), Paul tells the church, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

When Paul penned these words to Timothy, Nero was the reigning Emperor in Rome.

Nero- the guy who virtually started the wholesale slaughter of Christians.
Nero- the guy who set fire to the city so he could build a bigger house.
Nero- the guy who probably killed Peter.
Nero- the guy who probably had Paul executed.

Paul urged that the church stand before a holy God and humbly beg on behalf of this Emperor. Paul urged that the church stand before a holy God and pray for this Tyrant. Paul urged the church to stand before a holy God and intervene for this Monster. Paul urged the church to stand before a holy God and offer thanksgivings in spite of everything that this Despot did.

I’m convicted.

Neither Barak Obama nor Mitt Romney are Nero by any stretch of the imagination. Both of these men are loving husbands and fathers. Both of these men have dedicated their lives to public office. Both of these men are facing an uphill battle come tomorrow morning.

Paul urges me to offer “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings.. for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”

I have not always done this in the past. I have been pretty politically aware and involved since that late 80s. Some of the candidates that I have wanted to see win have won and some have lost. I’ve been able to vote in the past 4 Presidential elections and yet, despite knowing this passage, I’m not sure I can say that have lived out this command from scripture.

I know that many people have been praying and fasting for this election. Many leaders urged their people to fast for the 40 days leading up to the election. While I have been praying for the outcome of this election, I am feeling a pull to be diligent in praying for whatever happens in the 1461 days that follow.

Regardless of who wins tonight, I want to more intentionally and consistently be praying for our leaders by name. It is easy to pray for the men and women that we like, but we aren’t called to what is easy.

So here’s my plan:
Starting tonight a 12am Midnight, I will be fasting from soda for the next 40 days. I want to encourage you to find something to fast from and invite you to join me in standing before a holy God on behalf of whom ever is the President of the United States tomorrow morning.

I’ve always been told that every vote makes a difference. As I’ve grown older, learned about the electoral college, and thought about how many people live in Texas, I’m not so sure I buy in to that anymore. However…

I do believe that every PRAYER makes a difference. 

God heard the cries of the Israelites. God heard the prayer of Daniel in his closet. God heard the laments of David in the caves out in the wilderness. God heard the prayers of the early church. God heard John as he was imprisoned on a lonely island. Every PRAYER makes a difference.

Regardless of who wins tonight… let’s make a difference!

Mission Lazarus Day 8

July 28, 2012 in Mission, Prayer with Comments Off

This week I’m at Mission Lazarus in San Marcos de Colon, Honduras. During this time, I will be, for the most part, completely offline. Our team will be building a house, distributing food, teaching children, and serving as the hands and feet of Jesus. While I am away, I want to ask you to pray for our team. Below is a little info on what we will be doing today and a few prayer prompts that you can pray for us. Thank you in advance! Have a great week!

Saturday, July 28
The team leaves for home today and arrives back at DFW.

PRAY for God to speak to each team member today as they reflect on what has taken place.
PRAY for others at home to be blessed by the reports from this trip.

Scripture to Pray:
“Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man’s behalf! Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives, and kept our feet from slipping” (Psalm 66:5, 8-9).

Mission Lazarus Day 7

July 27, 2012 in Mission, Prayer with Comments Off

This week I’m at Mission Lazarus in San Marcos de Colon, Honduras. During this time, I will be, for the most part, completely offline. Our team will be building a house, distributing food, teaching children, and serving as the hands and feet of Jesus. While I am away, I want to ask you to pray for our team. Below is a little info on what we will be doing today and a few prayer prompts that you can pray for us. Thank you in advance! Have a great week!

FRIDAY, July 27
The team will pack up and leave Mission Lazarus. They will spend the night in the capital city of Tegucigalpa.

PRAY that the team would find words to share their experience.
PRAY that God would deepen the lessons that He has taught them.
PRAY that their hearts are being prepared to return home.

Scripture to Pray:
“Lord you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us” (Isaiah 26:12).

Mission Lazarus Day 6

July 26, 2012 in Mission, Prayer with Comments Off

This week I’m at Mission Lazarus in San Marcos de Colon, Honduras. During this time, I will be, for the most part, completely offline. Our team will be building a house, distributing food, teaching children, and serving as the hands and feet of Jesus. While I am away, I want to ask you to pray for our team. Below is a little info on what we will be doing today and a few prayer prompts that you can pray for us. Thank you in advance! Have a great week!

Thursday, July 26
The team follows a “typical” daily schedule, going wherever they have been scheduled. This will be the last day the team works in San Marcos de Colon.

PRAY for the team to be encouragers to one another as well as to the local people they are working with.
PRAY for “divine appointments” by God with people He has for them to meet.
PRAY for their safety as they move about.
PRAY for God’s Spirit to encourage their hearts in what He is doing in Honduras.
PRAY for lasting fruit, both seen and unseen, and that God would remind them of the seeds they are planting.

Scripture to Pray:
“For the kingdom of God is…righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (Romans 14:17-19).

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sewer and bread to the earth, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth.. It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. For you shall go out with joy, and be led in peace…” (Isaiah 56:10-12).

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive…as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom” (Colossians 3:12-16).

Mission Lazarus Day 5

July 25, 2012 in Mission, Prayer with Comments Off

This week I’m at Mission Lazarus in San Marcos de Colon, Honduras. During this time, I will be, for the most part, completely offline. Our team will be building a house, distributing food, teaching children, and serving as the hands and feet of Jesus. While I am away, I want to ask you to pray for our team. Below is a little info on what we will be doing today and a few prayer prompts that you can pray for us. Thank you in advance! Have a great week!

Wednesday, July 25
The team follows a “typical” daily schedule, going wherever they have been scheduled.

PRAY for unity on the team.
PRAY for discernment on where to explore open doors.
PRAY for endurance through the work and schedule.
PRAY for opportunities to pray with those who are open.

Scripture to Pray:
“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity. It is like precious oil poured on the head” (Psalm 133:1-2).

“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15).

Mission Lazarus Day 4

July 24, 2012 in Mission, Prayer with Comments Off

This week I’m at Mission Lazarus in San Marcos de Colon, Honduras. During this time, I will be, for the most part, completely offline. Our team will be building a house, distributing food, teaching children, and serving as the hands and feet of Jesus. While I am away, I want to ask you to pray for our team. Below is a little info on what we will be doing today and a few prayer prompts that you can pray for us. Thank you in advance! Have a great week!

TUESDAY, July 24
The team follows a “typical” daily schedule, going wherever they have been scheduled.

PRAY for them to have just the right things that they will need in each place.
PRAY for openness among the recipients, not only for physical needs, but for spiritual needs also to be met.
PRAY for translators to be accessible when needed.

Scripture to Pray: read through Ephesians 6:10-16, praying the armor of God on each team member.

Mission Lazarus Day 3

July 23, 2012 in Mission, Prayer with Comments Off

This week I’m at Mission Lazarus in San Marcos de Colon, Honduras. During this time, I will be, for the most part, completely offline. Our team will be building a house, distributing food, teaching children, and serving as the hands and feet of Jesus. While I am away, I want to ask you to pray for our team. Below is a little info on what we will be doing today and a few prayer prompts that you can pray for us. Thank you in advance! Have a great week!

Monday, July 23
The team starts the bulk of their work schedule today. For the next several days, they will be working at a mission site, visiting ongoing ministries, building a house, teaching children, and other work Mission Lazarus may need them to do.

PRAY that each person would get over travel quickly so they will not be tired.
PRAY for them to assimilate all the information they need today.
PRAY that they would feel peace and security in God’s plan for them to be there.

Scripture to Pray:
“Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18).

“But the Helper will teach you everything and will cause you to remember all that I told you…I leave you peace; my peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world does. So don’t let your hearts be troubled or afraid” (John 14: 26-27).

Mission Lazarus Day 2

July 22, 2012 in Mission, Prayer with Comments Off

This week I’m at Mission Lazarus in San Marcos de Colon, Honduras. During this time, I will be, for the most part, completely offline. Our team will be building a house, distributing food, teaching children, and serving as the hands and feet of Jesus. While I am away, I want to ask you to pray for our team. Below is a little info on what we will be doing today and a few prayer prompts that you can pray for us. Thank you in advance! Have a great week!

Sunday, July 22
After visiting and participating in a local church, the team will spend the day preparing for the rest of the week.

PRAY for God’s plans for each person to be accomplished on this trip.
PRAY for the team to have cultural discernment as they interact with those around them.
PRAY for the team to be flexible to whatever God has for them to do.

Scripture to Pray: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

“Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:24b).

Mission Lazarus Day 1

July 21, 2012 in Prayer with Comments Off

This week I’m at Mission Lazarus in San Marcos de Colon, Honduras. During this time, I will be, for the most part, completely offline. Our team will be building a house, distributing food, teaching children, and serving as the hands and feet of Jesus. While I am away, I want to ask you to pray for our team. Below is a little info on what we will be doing today and a few prayer prompts that you can pray for us. Thank you in advance! Have a great week!

Saturday, July 21
The team departs early this morning for Honduras. They will leave the building at 3:30am for DFW. After a brief layover in Houston, the team will travel to Tegucigalpa. The team will then drive 4 hrs into the mountains to Mission Lazarus in San Marcos de Colon for some brief rest, dinner, and orientation.

PRAY for all the final preparations to be made smoothly
PRAY for safe travel and health as they begin the trip.
PRAY for team unity and bonding while traveling.
PRAY for all to pass through customs smoothly and safely.
PRAY that there will not be any lost luggage.
PRAY for the Lord to prepare their hearts for service.

Scripture to Pray: “Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield” (Psalm 5:11-12).

Prayer Resources

March 12, 2012 in Books, Prayer, Resources with Comments Off

This past weekend, I wrapped up a four week series on Prayer that I called The Prayer Circle. God uses prayer to help grow our faith in him and prayer is transformative because it challenges us to realign our hearts and minds with the Father. I was initially inspired by the book, The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson for this series. I used a good deal of Mark’s excellent material in week one and two in order to lay a foundation for the series. I would highly recommend that book as an excellent resource for you and your family. Be forewarned- it will rock the way you approach your prayer life from this point forward.

Below I’ve listed a handful of the resources I’ve found over the years that have positively impacted my prayer life. I hope that you can connect with one of the books and that you will continue to pursue a deep and meaningful relationship with the Father through prayer.

The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson
Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
Prayer by Richard Foster
Too Busy Not to Pray by Bill Hybels
The Autobiography of George Muller by George Muller
Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
The Inner Life by Thomas a Kempis
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