OK…be completely honest. What do you really think about prayer? Do you view it as one of those necessary yet boring practices of your faith? Do you see it as less than exciting? Do you consider it rather monotonous, solemn, ritualistic, complicated, confusing, or even feminine? Honestly, I think many people would use these or similar words to describe their experience with prayer. I feel the way prayer has been portrayed in the Christian community over the past 50 years has led us to this conclusion. The problem with this conclusion is that it is entirely WRONG! I honestly believe one of the reasons more men don’t get excited about prayer is that we have made it into something that is more feminine. This is why more women come to “prayer meetings” then men. I don’t believe women are more spiritual than men. I just feel that most men have a hard time getting excited about the way prayer is portrayed and offered to them in most churches. They’re simply bored out of their minds! I have a saying around here…”Whatever you do, don’t bore people with the word of God!” I think this applies to prayer as well. ” Whatever you do, don’t bore people with prayer.”
Prayer should be exciting, challenging, edgy, dangerous, exhausting, with purpose and with passion. How’s that for a description of a prayer meeting! We have lost sight of the fact that we are involved in a cosmic battle between the forces of darkness and the Kingdom of Light. Our prayers matter. Our prayers effect the outcomes on planet earth. The Bible says that the effective prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much! It is high time for the followers of Christ to stop being casual observers in the spiritual conflict and embrace their role as warriors in the fight.
For the next three weeks, we are going on a prayer journey here at Foothills. For the next three weeks we are going to Experience Power Through Prayer. It is my goal to change how many of you think about prayer. In fact, I may even make some of you uncomfortable. At least I hope so. It is time for Foothills to become a praying church. Where God is taking us will require this from us. We are going further into enemy territory for His Kingdom’s sake. We need to be prepared and ready for what lies ahead. The enemy has a strong hold on our community. He’s not going to let go of it without a fight.
Just like this picture on my blog…”The Prayer Experiment”. Will you be willing to experiment with prayer more than you ever have in your entire life? Will you grow? Will you learn how to pray strategically for those around you? Will you learn to fight? If you will, this prayer experiment will lead you down the road of transformation. You will see the power of God in your own life and we will see the power of God transform a community before our eyes.
Looking forward to seeing you all this weekend.
Experimenting in prayer with you,
Pastor Dale
