Dear Reader

Many of the things we do in life can be automatic. Life chores like eating, laundry, reading, and going to work are done without much thought, and without a lot of dedicated prayer. Even going to church becomes a normal routine that we can do without stress.

But some things we do are always a struggle, or require such intention that we have to pray about them. Occasionally it’s a big decision, like selling or buying a house or changing jobs. Often certain relationships drive us to our knees.

Then there tasks that require us to reach beyond ourselves.

I write better when I pray.

It’s not surprising. Like most Christians, I generally live better when I pray. But the connection between prayer and writing has become more real to me in recent weeks.

When I pray I often receive a word that becomes a blog or newsletter topic. It’s not a bolt of lightning or a miraculous vision. It’s usually a gentle nudge or a clear single word. But I receive that type of leading better when I pray well.

I want to write the things that God wants to use to to edify the readers. I don’t always know what that is. It’s a task that is beyond my knowledge, wisdom, or understanding. So I write better when I pray.

What is your task or duty or commission that you have to pray about to fulfill?

Jesus did a lot of things really well. But His main task, saving sinners, required intense prayer. Look at His prayers before His crucifixion. Heartfelt. Sorrowful. Intense. Filled with faith, love and devotion for His Father.

Jesus knew paying the full sin debt for the world was beyond Himself and He could only accomplish it by praying to the Father. But because He humbled Himself to do it, “God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name”. (Philippians 2:9)

Paul begins his description of Jesus’ obedience with this direction: Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:9) We are called to rely on God’s greatness more than our own qualities. We are called to humble ourselves so He can lift us up. (James 4:10)

Nothing we can do will glorify God; only the things we can’t do bring Him glory, because He does them through us.

Jesus prayed and changed the world.

What will you pray? How are you going to change the world?

Whatever it is, it should threaten your life.

I wrote a series of blogs earlier this year on the topic of Life-Threatening Devotion. If you are going to change the world, and you should, you need to understand life-threatening devotion. Click on the title link to start reading it.

By His calling, in His strength,

Dean

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