Monday, September 24, 2007

Standing in the Gap

Prayer is one of the areas of my life that needs to deepen tremendously. If your anything like me, prayer always gets thrust to the side. I don't do this intentionally. My life seems to get so busy that prayer and dependence upon God, not myself, gets pushed to the side. Prayer is neglected to the morning, before meals, and at night. Yet, Paul tells us to have a prayer life that has no beginning or end because it continuously takes place. I think he realizes that prayer and dependence is central in the economy of God. Prayer has this mystical power that unleashes the power of God, when it is in accordance with God's will and nature. Without this power (without God's hand and intervention), we run around trying to accomplish everything on our own. To do this in church planting is sure failure. I have to be operating through and in prayer every moment of the day.

Not only do I need to examine and deepen my own prayer life, but Heather and I need others to pray for us. We have heard stories of marriages being ruined through the stress of planting churches and spiritual attacks. The last thing I want is to hurt and/or permanately damage my relationship with my wife and best friend, Heather. We have also heard stories of church plants doing more damage than good in a community. The point is Heather and I are going to the front of the battles lines. And above money, resources, and any other tangible thing, we need prayer. We need people who will be dedicated to lifting Heather and I up personally on a daily basis. We need prayer for the church plant. We need intercession. Intercession literally means going between or standing in the gap. It is praying to God on behalf of another. I am going to ask people to stand in the gap for us, our marriage, the church plant, and Austin. There is so much value in others praying for us. Also, I am committed to do the same for others.

Please let me know if you are willing to stand in the gap for us and the church plant in Austin. I want to build a prayer base, where Heather and I can frequently send prayer requests.

2 comments:

Shawn's Journey said...

you can add me to the list.

Anonymous said...

www.EncourageMenToPray.org

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