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Your most recent issue on “A Celebration of Prayer” was incredibly timely and most helpful! I read it all in one sitting, as it spoke directly to issues I have dealt with recently.
I have watched the elevation of a brewing controversy related to spiritual formation, contemplative prayer, lectio divina, etc. On the one side are those who incorporate these methods in Christ-centered ways. On the other side are those who truly believe these practices are either occult-related or false teachings. This controversy continues to grow to the point of division coming into the Church over our prayer methodologies. This grieves me greatly, as I believe we are in critical days when we need to be united in prayer regarding the true enemies of Christ.
I sensed the Lord calling me to an intense season of prayer during October. All of my free time was spent in intercession over the many divisions I see entering into the Body of Christ. I was also asking the Lord for clarity on this specific controversy. On the final day of October (and conclusion of my prayer season), your latest issue came in the mail. I took that as a direct answer to prayer! It doesn’t resolve the controversy at the moment, but it certainly settles many things in my heart. So thank you! Well done.
Comment by Carol Madison — November 10, 2008 @ 10:18 am
I am the Prayer Coordinator for our church and community. We have two groups: a phone chain
and a Web group. Most often the prayer requests include those with illnesses, surgeries, grieving families, financial issues,
and “unspokens”. God has laid it on my heart to encourage our prayer groups to include praying for other issues such as for the lost, the needy, the spiritually hurting, and for ourselves to become more aware of issues in other countries. It seems to me that a habit of praying for these things have become more “general” than “specific”. I am concerned that our folks do not pray in ernest for our “neighbors” all over the world. Here in America, we seem to be selfish in our prayers to God. I will continue stressing a great need for caring and sharing. How do you feel?
Comment by CLWood — January 26, 2009 @ 12:33 pm
Dear CLWood …
Thank you for taking the time to comment – It seems to me the Church in America is realizing how our praying tends to be limited to the holy huddle; the cares and concerns of our Christian friends. Without ignoring those needs, we must mature in our outward focus. And, I agree with you, that focus must be specific not general.
Several ideas can move us that way:
>Asking pray-ers to identify persons the Lord has laid on their heart, then to pray by name and need
>Teaching pray-ers to push their request farther (or is it further?) … As you pray for the person and their need, add a “so that” to the prayer. “Father, may ____ find a new job so that as a single mom she can provide for her family so that they can serve as salt and light in their neighborhood.”
>Encourage pray-ers to look and listen throughout the day for people, places (locations with problems or facilities/venues that wield influence in the community) and things (circumstances or issues that impact the community or region).
I’ll hope you and others will keep the conversation going,
Phil (Pray! Magazine’s Body Building column)
Comment by Phil Miglioratti — February 2, 2009 @ 8:56 am