AFTER today, February 6th, it will not be available for free viewing.
I have watched several of his videos and have read his book - Crazy Love - and wow, God has given him the gift to impart the truth of scripture, and namely being that we all -- each and everyone of us, especially Christians --- should know God's Word for ourselves....know it.
Francis Chan really does have an incredible way to make me pause and think. I don't clearly know what it is, except the way he writes and speaks works with how I intake other people's thought, ideas, etc.
His writing and videos have been tools for me that cause me to pause and really think about scripture. Yes, I have repeated myself,because that is what happens time and time again. I pause and think....really think.
What is God saying? I need to know; I need to dig into scripture and think about the words and apply.
Matthew 6:9-13, The Lord's Prayer, has been set deeply into my memory bank, thanks to my early Catholic church days. I have dug somewhat into this passage, and yet, even with a bit more understanding, I still just rattle it off without thought. No longer, I am going to open my Bible and read this passage; really think about what Jesus is teaching and to really start to use this as my model for prayer. A toughie; the application of Matthew 6:9-13. A toughie, but yet, I feel convicted. Viewing of this video has come during a time in my lifewhere I have been already thinking much about prayer,and the fact that I just plain old stink at it. But how does one go about prayer? Is there a right or wrong way? Am I taking it too seriously in terms of how it should be structured? Am I not taking it serious enough, in terms of doing it? Those are all questions that have been rattling through my head, and frankly have kept me from the actual doing.
I heard a Moody Radio program back in December 31st. The message really has been turning over and over in my head. Today In The Word's topic - Community: The Master's Model, part 1 - featured Howard Hendrick. The following is what Howrad Hendrick said that got me to really start thinking about prayer, "one area of your spiritual life that is constantly shot down in flames is your prayer life." He went on to talk about that we struggle with prayer because Satan knows its vital to our spiritual health. We can know scripture, but if we are not praying then we are simply smart sinners, and not ones who are transforming and building a relationship with God (something like that). I need to listen to this program again, but cannot access it on my iPad; desktop computer listening I must go. If you can, take a listen as it would very much worth your time.
Anyway, with Howard Hendrick already stirring up my thoughts on prayer, listening today to Francis Chan's BASIC; Prayer, I am motivated to stop just thinking but do...AND...do it intentionally, not just rattling off my list of needs, but purposefully and intentionally KNOW how Jesus prayed, and do my best to follow His model; to be in communion with Him.
What are your thoughts in prayer? Do you pray? Does it comes naturally? Do you struggle?
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1 comment:
I am so glad that Chan's messages are making an impact in you. I can't remember if it was this video or something else, but one of the changes I made to my prayers intentionally was to pray to God as "Father," and not just "God" or "Lord" or something like that. It took some getting used to, but I've found it wonderful, and a helpful reminder that God is indeed my Father in heaven.
The hardest thing for me when praying by myself is the wandering of my mind. It's like a stray thought enters and before I know it I've spent ten minutes thinking about something else entirely. (Kind of like when Egwene is first learning from the dream-walkers in The Shadow Rising.) This is something that I've been combating as long as I can remember, and really praying aloud seems to be the best thing against it.
My prayer life is nowhere near as good as I'd like it to be, but it's something I'm working on and actively praying to God about.
Great post, ibeeeg.
(Oh, as a side, we've been teaching Avonlea to pray before meals. It's so cute to see a 20-month old stick out her hands to me and Keisha and say "pay". We're working on the "amen" part. Good stuff.)
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