# 82 - Great Things Prayer

The Great Things Prayer is a courageous prayer. The idea comes from William Carey (1761-1834), a shoe cobbler in England before his conversion, and the first great missionary to India. His motto was “Believe great things about God; expect great things from God; and attempt great things for God.”
The Great Things Prayer is a prayer that eventually is a prayer shared by many. Great things begin with one person’s vision, one person’s prayer, one person taking a first step in faith. But, truly great things are well beyond the accomplishment of one person alone. Great things for God are accomplished in communion with others.
The Great Things Prayer is a prayer of surrender. For great things to happen God must be in charge and the one offering the prayer must yield the vision and submit to the humble role of being obedient servant to the King of Kings.
So here is the Great Things Prayer. 1. Believe – catch a vision of God’s purpose. 2. Expect – share it, let it grow and take shape in a community of faith. 3. Attempt – surrender you life’s plan and yield your life in service to the Great Thing God has placed on your heart

# 81 - Pray in Tongues

In chapters 2, 10 and 19 of Acts and chapters 12-14 of 1 Corinthians, the Bible discusses ‘speaking in tongues’. When my 73-year old cousin-in-law, and occasional missionary to India, learned how we are exploring 100 Ways to Pray she wrote me, “Have you listed any ways to pray that use the charismatic gifts? I know that it may be controversial to mention these, but really it is just another way to pray.” So, today, I’m mentioning praying in tongues. The charismatic gifts, tongues included, are gifts of passion, soul-passion. Praying in tongues is soul-prayer, prayer with the deepest concern about something or for someone whose need you feel but for which the words you find, if any, are woefully inadequate to the greatness of the concern. Praying in tongues is giving utterance to urgent, unspecific, yet prayerful yearnings within. Often this form of prayer is private, although there are places where in spiritual fellowship it is commonplace. If spoken or sung, praying in tongues may sound like a beautiful mantra, a scream, or just plain gibberish. No matter. God understands, and our prayers are only for God anyway. If written, a tongues prayer may look like scribble or even an alien language. No matter. God understands. God hears and answers. Just pray.

# 80 - Last Words Prayer

The Last Words prayer looks at Luke’s version of the “last words” Jesus spoke from the cross. It takes those three lines and turns them into a personal prayer. The three brief lines may be repeated over and over as many times and as often as you would like. Each time you offer the prayer, offer it quietly, taking deep breaths and speaking slowly. You might also try praying with your feet comfortably flat on the floor and your hands on your knees with your palms upraised to let the Spirit of the Lord flow through your body and into your soul. Visualize the crucifix and pray.
Father, forgive me.
Jesus, be with me.
Into your hands I commend my spirit.
Repeat many times.

# 79 - The Always Prayer

An important word to remember in prayer is the word “always.” “Always” means eternal. God has always existed and always will. God is glorified when we acknowledge God’s eternal qualities. So begin each prayer petition with an “always” statement. Here’s an example. Start with, “God you are always present, even when we feel abandoned…” Then mention your prayer concern, “My friend has isolated himself from everyone right now, but you are there. Break through his shell. Let him feel your touch.” We can apply the word “always” to every one of the characteristics of God. Here are a few of those characteristics. God is always powerful, always knowing, always fair, always holy, always truthful, always patient. Can you think of other parts of God’s “always” character that are not on this list? Make your own list. But most of all, call on the colorful characteristics of God to help you shape your prayers as you talk to God each day. “Always” prayers are powerful prayers.

The Abundant Life: Where Has It Gone?

In the last several weeks I’ve encountered several people, some here in the community, whose lives are miserable. Much of their misery is caused by well-intentioned people in their lives who seem to think they know better “what’s good for them.”

A long time ago I learned that there are only three roles to choose from when in a relationship. One can assume the role of a child. One can assume the role of a parent. Or, one can assume the role of an adult.

Healthy relationships are adult-adult relationships.

Sadly, I am discovering that a ton of people prefer the parent role. Apparently it is easier and simpler for the many “bullies” out there to “parent” the whole world, imposing their notions on everyone. They would rather not listen to, reason with, or accept as true and valid anyone else’s idea, understanding, or preference.

I guess the parent role works pretty well for the “ones who think they know best.” But their bullying is misery for everyone else around, especially their family.

I have never met a grown up who appreciates the indignity of being treated as a child. I have never met a bully who is, even in the least little bit, ever satisfied.

Jesus came to break that chain of violence and oppression. At the beginning of his ministry, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke, he says,

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me… He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives … to set at liberty those who are oppressed …

I truly believe that if God could hate, he would hate bullies the most. Why? Because the misery bullies inflict sucks the ever-lasting life out of the souls of God’s beloved ones. Whereas Jesus, speaking of himself as the good shepherd, says,

“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

God gives life. The Gospel of John tells us that. Ezekiel 34 explains that God stands over against oppressors and bullies. Be assured of that.

May the oppressed reach out to Jesus, and receive him.
May those who live in misery find freedom to stand in the power of Jesus, and live.

# 78 - Hitchin' Post Prayer

Dr. Floyd C. Enfinger shares this prayer lesson which his Papa taught him. Back when, before automobiles, you tied your horse to a hitchin’ post when you went to town.
Picking a sturdy one was important. “In our prayer and devotional life, Papa stressed the importance of tying our lives to something eternal.” (p. 25, My Papa Told Me …) Quite often during our evening devotion he would invite the whole family to go out onto the porch, gaze far into the Milky Way, watch the evening star, stare at the moon. After gazing at the Heavens, he would say, “Now that we have seen something bigger than ourselves, let us go inside and pray, and then go to bed.” The Hitchin’ Post prayer is a confident prayer rooted in the vast, eternal majesty of God. Look to the heavens at bedtime. Thanks to Dwight Joy for loaning me the book.

# 77 - Anniversary Prayer

Would it surprise you to learn that an Anniversary Prayer is a 2-part prayer? An Anniversary Prayer is more than a simple prayer of remembrance. Just as an anniversary is a ‘from-to’ moment marking a significant moment of change in a person’s life, so, likewise, the Anniversary Prayer acknowledges the reality of the ‘before’ and the ‘after.’

The Anniversary Prayer affirms that God is a God of history, journeying through time, leading and redeeming those who would follow. So, when praying an anniversary prayer, first mention the moment of change the anniversary commemorates, that significant God Moment. And second, end with mention of the promise that change yet affords.