Loving Shepherd Ministries

As missionaries in Ethiopia, Kevin and Erica are no strangers to the power of prayer, and they can offer a unique perspective on how we pray.

I was convicted by something I read recently about prayer: “People often say, ‘I prayed for you,’ but don’t ask them about what they prayed. They would not know how to answer you. What they really mean to say is that they thought about you and hoped everything would be all right!” How often do I do that very thing? I want to support people in prayer and lift up others’ requests and needs to God, but the best intentions don’t always result in diligent action. I think about people and their needs a lot, but is that the same as praying for them? I’m not sure.

I’ve received e-mails and notes before from people who have let me know exactly how they were praying for me. They even wrote out their prayers. Those notes have meant so very much, as they encourage and strengthen me. It definitely takes extra time and effort to pray specifically. It’s much easier to think to yourself (as you’re running out the door to work), “Dear God, I pray for Haiti, Ethiopia, orphans, my family and my friends. Amen.” I can’t say those prayers are bad. However, I know my own desire to grow in my prayer life, and I understand how for me, praying specifically for people and needs around the world is one way to grow. Many of the Epistles in the Bible clearly exemplify the idea of praying specifically. Take a look at Philippians and see how Paul expresses his prayers to his friends in Philippi. Then consider writing a letter of your own in this manner. Undoubtedly, you will be an encouragement.

Thanks Kevin and Erica. In church, we sing an old hymn called “Did you think to pray?” However, now I am challenged to ask myself, “Did you think when you prayed?”

This Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday, but what do we do after that?

After the Indianapolis Colts won a major championship on Sunday, Jan. 24, a local newspaper’s Web site practically exploded with coverage: quotes from the players, minute-by-minute coverage of the game, pictures of fans in blue and white face paint.

Underneath the display, a much smaller headline mentioned that 150,000 dead had been found in Haiti so far.

Someday, I fear, people will only care about something if it entertains them. Imagine living in a world where, instead of mourning the victims of a disaster, we treat it like a football game. It’s halftime, and the earthquake is ahead by about 200,000 people. Las Vegas is taking bets as we speak.

Now, I understand that the news cycle demands that the local newspaper exalt a major championship over a tragedy already about two weeks old, and I understand that many people can enjoy a good football game without forgetting about those in need.

But I also understand from personal experience how America’s constant barrage of entertainment subtly dulls the heart to the more important things of life: compassion for orphans, passion for God and disdain for sin.

And while I would never necessarily condemn anyone for watching one football game or one movie or one television show, I would caution them about how easily we can watch just one more … and then another … and then another … until we actually spend more time entertaining ourselves than being about our Father’s business.

Soon, and without realizing it, these people will find that helping the poor, reading the Bible and praying to God is … well … “boring.” They’ll find it much easier to put in the latest film than studying the Sermon on the Mount.

And the headlines about Haiti, about orphans, about the world in general, will get smaller and smaller and smaller.

Prayerfully discern how God wants us to use our time. Try to find a God-ordained balance between 1 Timothy 6:17 and 1 Corinthians 10:7.

According to the Nielsen Company, Americans now watch more than 151 hours of TV a month. That’s about five hours a day — an all-time high. Perhaps we can all spend some that time praying for God to show us if we can find other ways to spend our day.