More Than a Quiet Time
November 23, 2013
A lot of people think that A Praying Life Ministries is an organization that teaches people “how to have a quiet time.” That really is unfortunate.
This thinking says that prayer has nothing to do with reality, but instead just makes one feel better about life in an evil world.
The truth is—in prayer you really can engage your culture, your government, and world affairs. The opposite of engaging through prayer is often just sitting in cynicism.
If you're like me, it's easy to feel frustrated over current government affairs and the decisions being made. Does your stomach tighten up when you hear "quantitative easing," "tapering," and talk about the new government healthcare website? I wonder if anyone has a handle on what is going on.
Now is a perfect time to pull out a prayer card for your country. As God's people, we were never intended to sit by in our cynicism and just watch things happen.
Political parties and opinions aside, I find great encouragement to engage our culture through prayer from 1 Timothy 2:1-4: 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 knowledge of the truth.
Try this: Write out a prayer card. At the top, name it My Country. (Feel free to be more specific! This email goes out internationally, and we can all do this.) Think about what is bugging you and jot down a phrase or two. Or, think about what you would like to see happen if you were in a position to do something about it. Begin to ask specifically and then watch what happens. It can actually help return sanity to our crazy world. Plus, it makes reading and watching news more interesting. You will be engaging your world through prayer.
Thank you for making this such a successful year for our little work! We are on track to take the seminar to at least seven nations, training 3,000 people in person! It is so exciting that I am revising my goals for the new year to train, equip and launch three new A Praying Life Seminar Leaders, bringing our total to ten.
In grace,
Bob
Bob Allums
Director
A Praying Life Ministries
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