Becoming a Complete Leader Part ll: Called by God

I remember when I was ten years old and I was chosen by a coach to play club soccer.  It was a special moment in my childhood and it felt amazing to think someone else wanted me.  I was recruited for a specific purpose (play halfback) on a specific team and due to my specific talents (left footed and could run forever).  I was pumped.

Leadership in God’s eyes is the same process.  He chooses specific people with specific leadership abilities in a certain time for certain people.  When we grasp this, it should bring a great sense of gratitude and encouragement to all of us in leadership. Without this type of calling, our leadership will wane.

Paul exemplifies this by starting out 1 & 2 Timothy with a reminder to his calling. In 1 Timothy 1:1 Paul writes of God's command for him to lead. Again in  2 Timothy 1:1  Paul shares that he is an apostle by God choosing him. Calling is so important that Paul repeatedly encourages Timothy (1 Timothy 6:20, 2 Timothy 1:6 & 2 Timothy 4:5) to remember his calling.

Why is calling important?  Because without it we will quit in difficulty, become timid with fear or be confused with lack of purpose.  Leading people is very difficult and draining.  Without a calling from God, we are leading in our own strength.  What helps us to lead people who have been hurtful?  When success is not apparent?  Or when the ministry feels overwhelming? By remembering God’s call on our lives.

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In 2 Timothy 1:11-12, Paul writes, "And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle and a teacher of this Good News.  That is why I am suffering here in prison.  But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to him..."

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Notice how Paul can endure hardships. What looks like defeat to the world is just part of the ministry in Paul’s eyes. Since God called him, he could entrust his ministry to HIM knowing that HE is in control and allows the trials that every leader faces.

I have led small groups for almost twenty years. Many years were great experiences.  But to be honest, there have been quite a few difficult groups to lead.  What strengthened me to persevere was calling.  What helped me to not cancel certain nights when attendance was low; calling.  What helped me to love those who barely contributed to the group; calling.  What helped me to listen when people were rambling about immature things; calling.  Calling is about honoring God in our leadership even when others don’t honor us, the ministry or God.

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2 Timothy 4:5, "Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you."

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So who does God call?  How do I know if I'm called?  Here are some biblical ways God calls people to leadership.  By the way, the more ways He communicates to us, the stronger and more clear the calling.

- Clear faithfulness to Jesus. God calls those to leadership who have already shown a love for Him and a love for people. Basic faithfulness (not perfection) in loving God and loving people gives opportunity for calling to leadership. That is why Paul writes in 1 Timothy 3:6-7 to give a person time before you put them in significant leadership.  Without faithfulness to Jesus, a person will not be faithful with his people. 

- Clear supernatural direction from God.  Billy Graham wrote in his autobiography that while at a camp in the mountains near L.A., he received a strong impression from God of what he was called to do in ministry. This type of supernatural calling happened to Moses in Exodus 3 and to Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13:1-3 as God called them in very unconventional ways . God can speak through a prophetic word, thoughts and impressions from the Holy Spirit or a deep conviction from hearing/reading of the scriptures. This doesn’t happen for everyone and leaders who experience this type of calling are not more spiritual than leaders who don’t.  It’s just the way God decided to communicate.

- Clear opportunities. Sometimes becoming a leader just falls into our laps by God's will.  In Acts 1:15-26, Matthias was chosen to replace Judas as an apostle by the rolling of dice.  Matthias was ready for that opportunity and so God chose him through circumstances and a good roll of the dice.  Sometimes we don't need a supernatural experience.  If we are prepared and the circumstances are in our favor, then jump in!!

- Clear giftedness. 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 says that the Holy Spirit gives gifts and that we should use them if we have them.  Paul was a leader before he was a Christian and he was a leader after he became a Christian.  The Holy Spirit can gift us by innately creating us to lead or empowering us after we become Christians.  Either way, if we have the gift of leading (meaning you can influence and mobilize people towards a goal), then God expects us to lead.

- Clear agreement amongst people. In Acts 6:1-6, the apostles told people to pick leaders who they respect and who are full of the Spirit and wisdom. Sometimes, leadership is just revealed to people and that's how someone knows they should lead. If a group of people says, “Lead us”, then it's probably God's way of calling us.

I didn’t mention this at the beginning, but when I played club soccer I had quite a few bad games.  In one championship game I missed an easy goal that would have given us the win.  What helped me to believe I could sill play the game?  My coach came up to me and spoke words into my heart that reminded me that he recruited me and still believed I was the right kid for the team.  That encouragement helped me to stay focused, keep practicing and not give up.  In the same way, my hope is for us to know with deep conviction, that God has called us into leadership which will encourage and sustain us in every way.


Take care,


Brian

Becoming a Complete Leader Part 1: Biblical Transformation

Timothy was a young man mentored by Paul in both his faith and leadership.  Over the next several weeks we will be diving into 1 & 2 Timothy to learn how we can also grow in our faith and leadership.  This is the first in a series of articles on "Becoming a Complete Leader".


2 Timothy 3:16-17 is a very popular verse and worthy of it. Paul writes (ESV), “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

What does Paul mean that we will be "complete" or as the NLT translates, "perfect"?  The word complete literally means to finish (like a finished product) and figuratively means to be furnished completely. In one way, God's word will change you so that you will be like a finished product, ready and effective to fulfill the work He has planned for you.  In another way, God's word will fill your heart and mind like a perfectly furnished home where the Holy Spirit puts every passage perfectly in place.

More than a thousand years before Paul, King David used many metaphors to help illustrate the importance of scripture.  In Psalm 119:105 he writes that the bible is like a lamp that lights the path in front of us.  As leaders, we not only are walking on a path, but we have people following closely behind us.  When we are not picking up the bible, it’s like putting down a lamp and walking in darkness. Whenever we lead in darkness, we are timid, unsure and hesitant to truly lead people.  In contrast, when we engage in God's word we gain confidence, courage and clarity in our hearts which are then poured out through the way we lead.

Our leadership capacity and ability is made "complete" as we process the scriptures (sermons, worship songs, reading, discussing, etc...), apply it to our lives and then allow it to influence the way we lead others.  The more we do this, the more opportunity the Holy Spirit has to arrange it perfectly in our lives so that we can speak it into other's lives.

To me, this makes reading the scriptures exciting.  Opening up my bible expectantly because all scriptures are useful.  But what if I struggle to understand what I’m reading?  Let's go to the scriptures!!


1. Pray and ask God for wisdom when you don’t understand a passage.  James 1:5 (NLT) says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you." 

2. Seek wise and godly people.  Call or email a trusted friend, seek out a pastor or read a website/book by an authority figure.  Colossians 3:16 (NLT) encourages us to, “Counsel and teach each other with all the wisdom he (God) gives.”


3. Meditate (think a lot!!) on scripture and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal it in His time to you.  Write it on an index card and tape it in your car or on your mirror.  For some people, just repeating it several times each day for a week does the job.  Joshua 1:8 says, “Study this Book of Instruction continually.  Meditate on it day and night…” In 2 Timothy 2:7, Paul encourages Timothy to, “Think (Greek word is noeo: to ponder) about what I am saying.  The Lord will help you understand these things".  Sometimes you don't know why God impressed a scripture on you until an opportunity, which God knew in advance, comes up.

I have experienced this profoundly in my life. When I am consistently listening to sermons, worship music on my IPod, reading the bible or discussing scripture with someone, many of my daily decisions become clear.  I also can feel and see my leadership gain momentum as I lead with greater confidence, love and wisdom.  When I feel burnt out with leading, discouraged easily with people or just flat out unmotivated, it invariably is tied to the fact that God's truths are not penetrating my mind and heart.

A great example of how God’s word powerfully impacted someone’s life is told by Bill Hybels, Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church. I hope this encourages you to fully engage with God as he guides you in leading people that he dearly loves.

The "Eye" of a Leader

We live in a time where leaders have to have a critical eye.  Evaluate, fix it, evaluate, fix it, etc... Leaders do this on a corporate level (within a church or small group) and on an individual level (personally and with others).  Jesus modeled this at times by severely rebuking his disciples and giving them clear correction in the way they were thinking and behaving.  When we lead people, we may have to do this occasionally.

Jesus did not just have a critical eye though.  He also used a "prophetic eye" and an "encouraging eye".  And this way of seeing people is just as important as a critical eye. In John 1:35-51 we read how Jesus used both of these leadership methods as he shepherded his disciples.  

Reading John 1:42, we see the first example of Jesus using his "prophetic eye".  He speaks to Peter and by giving him a new name, foretells what Peter would become.  This revelation was given to Jesus at some point by God the Father or perhaps through the Holy Spirit.  Either way, Jesus knew what Simon would become Peter or Petra, which means "the rock".  Peter was no longer just a fisherman; he was a foundational rock in what Jesus was building.  Though he would not fulfill this prophetic word for many years, Jesus already planted the seed in Peter's heart and mind.

At times, leaders should see people as what they will become, not just what they are.  As they pray for their people and read the scriptures, they speak biblically and or Holy Spirit inspired words into people's lives.  How do we see God using people who are under our care as leaders?  Can we see through their sin and foolishness, just like Jesus did with Peter?  This takes much prayer. To attempt to do this in the flesh would produce inaccurate prophetic words, which do not benefit anyone.

We see this principle repeated in scriptures.  In Acts 13:1-4, the Holy Spirit told men to send out Barnabas and Paul as missionaries (they were not missionaries at the time). In 1 Timothy 4:14, we read how Timothy became a pastor by men speaking it prophetically into his life.  Would Timothy have chosen to be a pastor?  I'm not sure if it wasn't for these prophetic words.  We know from 1 & 2 Timothy that Timothy was not the most confident man to run a ministry.  Even staying in Ephesus as a Pastor was more Paul's decision (1 Timothy 1:3) than his.  Prophetic words give great courage to those who wonder if and how God will use them.

Now in John 1:47-48, we see how Jesus does not use a prophetic eye, but an encouraging eye by telling Nathanael he is a genuine son of Israel. This did not foretell something about Nathanael, but revealed something that was already occurring in him. Nathanael was blown away that Jesus would even take notice of him.

As a leader, it is important at times to purposefully observe people's lives so that we can speak truth that encourages them.  We tell people, "I see a person of great compassion" or "I see someone who is incredibly humble".  Encouragement should always be truthful, as flattery will not be beneficial to them nor honoring to God. 

 When we follow Jesus in this example, people will be greatly encouraged that their leader noticed them and took time to speak about the virtuous qualities they possess.  I believe many of us go years without this type of encouragement yet when we receive these types of words it is like water to a parched soul.  This is just as powerful and useful as giving a foretelling / prophetic word to someone.

A critical eye is essential for building respect, a prophetic eye is important for building faith and an encouraging eye is vital for building loyalty. The wisdom of a leader is knowing when to use each spiritual discipline at the right time.

So this week, seek the Lord (prayer and scriptures) with how He may use you to speak with a prophetic eye or an encouraging eye. By seeking the Lord in how to build people up through your words, you will no doubt build up their faith in and faithfulness to Jesus.

Take care,

Brian

Don’t let Success Fool You: An Open Letter to Mark Driscoll & Rick Warren:

Success is a trap that many people know about but have a hard time dealing with in reality.  Billy Graham warned us when asked what is the greatest danger to evangelicalism.  His answer: Success. Sometimes it’s hard to see how success is influencing us in a negative way.  It is subtle, yet still dangerous. 

For example, I just listened to a sermon (2/7/11) by Mark Driscoll, a man I absolutely respect for what he has done for the Kingdom of God.  Before he started his sermon he gave an update on the success of Mars Hill Church.  In order to either pump up the crowd or his own sense of accomplishment, he stated, “Mars Hill has experienced {In this season} more of God’s grace than most churches experience in a lifetime.” 

Why would he say that?  Because success makes you feel like you have done more, experienced more and been blessed more than others.

Mark Driscoll may have one of the largest churches in America, but he has no idea if he is doing more and experiencing more of God’s grace than most churches.   To even make that statement (or I hope more of a slip of the tongue) shows something about his heart.

I saw another example of how dangerous success can be in an article (www.christianpost.com/news/rick-warren-to-lose-90-pounds-in-saddleback-fitness-plan-48452/) I read about Rick Warren and his desire for the church to be physically healthy.  The church started a “ministry” called the Daniel Plan and Warren has curriculum that Small Groups can use to help in their physical fitness.

So what’s wrong with this?  Well, there is nothing wrong with wanting to be healthy, but is this a primary focus of a church?  Does my physical fitness really matter to God?

Warren and Saddleback are victims of their own success.  Large churches feel this great need to do it bigger and better or at least with innovation.  The Daniel Plan is based off of Daniel’s Jewish dietary restrictions.  The problem with this, Daniel wasn’t trying to lose weight, look cool or be more attractive.  It was part of the O.T. Law!!  He was just following what God had laid out in scripture.

Warren is also quoted as saying, "The Bible says that God wants you to be as healthy physically as you are spiritually. The plan will help you feel better, look better, have more energy, get in shape, and use your body the way God wants you to.” 

Really?  What verse in the bible tells us that God wants us to be just as healthy physically as spiritually?  I think 1 Timothy 4:8 is pretty clear, physical fitness is not high on God’s totem pole- nor should it be in the church. Success has caused Warren to lose focus and what’s worse is to use the bible (Daniel) in a way that it was never intended.

So what’s my point? Be careful of success and learn from these men who have followed Jesus for a long time.  Success can trip up anyone.  It is vital that when we experience seasons of success we draw even more into prayer, we speak with even greater humility and we focus more diligently on pleasing God, not impressing people we have or people we want.

Warren and Driscoll are just examples because they are in the social spotlight.  They are godly men who can be seduced by success just like anyone else. I hope they are reminded of some powerful words by a very successful man, Bill Gates.  He writes, “Success is a lousy teacher.  It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.”

So stay humble Driscoll, your words have the power to uplift or burden pastors who don’t match up to you.  There are many pastors and churches that are powerfully experiencing God’s grace.  Get to know them, it may change not just what you say, but how you speak. Stay focused Warren, just because you can do something as a church, doesn’t mean you should.  And please be careful with how you use the scriptures.  They are for eternal purposes, not to help us look good.

A godly homosexual?

For some, you are offended because of the title alone. Why?  Because people who are homosexually inclined (same-sex attraction, but not sexually involved) or homosexually active (engaged in sexual activity) are gross to you.  Whether it is a sin or not- which I will address, so hold on, it just doesn't make sense to you.  You can watch on TV two heterosexuals engage in premarital sex (yes, that is still a sin) and you will not bat an eye.  You may even feel happy for them if you enjoy the show and you like the characters.  


Yet, if two men kiss on TV, you have to turn the channel or at the least, make a comment out loud that shows your disproval. And for some, well they hit the computer to email protests of this great perversion on TV.  Interesting how people never protest the comedy that regularly shows heterosexuals engaging in casual sex.  I wonder what has damaged young minds more? Homosexual behaviors or watching their parents engage with a TV show that promotes carefree, non-marital sex amongst heterosexuals.

My belief is not only is there a place for those who have same-sex attractions, but there is a place to thrive in God's plans for their life.  Just like there is a place for those of us who struggle with lust, pride, gossip, lack of faith, love of money, etc...  In fact, I really dislike when we label people "Christian homosexual".  Do we label other people in our church with their struggles.  "Hey Jim, this is Ron.  He is a Christian liar." "Hey Samantha, this is Dawn, she is a Christian lack-of-faither."  We don't, so why do we label those who have same-sex attraction as Christian homosexuals?  They are Christians, that's it.

So, is homosexual activity a sin?  There is no way to avoid both old and New Testament scriptures that clearly state homosexual activity, not inclination, as a sin.  Some of us might not like that it says it, but that is a different argument.  The reality, I wish God didn't say that many behaviors were sin.  But people do not decide (thank God!!) what is right or wrong, God does.

Here are clear Scriptures that speak to this issue: Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13, Romans 1:25-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-20, 1 Timothy 1:3-11.  There are more passages (ones that refer to sexual immorality) that first century Christians would have interpreted as addressing homosexual activity as sin. To deduce that the passages above do not address homosexual engagement would be at the least, a poor exegesis and inevitably lead toward a revisionist stance toward scripture. We don't justify pride, cheating, abuse, greed and idolatry, heterosexual sex outside of marriage, etc... we don't do it for homosexual activity.

So how does the church respond? I would respond to a non-follower of Jesus who is heterosexual or homosexual the same way.  I want them to hear and see the gospel and to respond to God's grace.  They don't clean up their life then follow Jesus, they start following and allow God's Spirit to change them.  They need to know I love them just like any one else and that their sins are no greater than mine.  They need truth with love just like everyone else in the world.

To the Christian who is homosexually inclined we walk closely with them to help in their struggles and encourage them in their victories.  The hardest part for us is to allow a Christian struggling with homosexuality to share openly and honestly without feeling condemned or shamed.  We must be careful not to over-promise healing when complete healing is not a promise in this life.  God promises that He will be with us, not that He will take away every struggle or inclination for sin. Romans 7 & 8 gives clear insight into the struggle all of us face.

Can God change the desires of someone homosexually inclined?  Absolutely.  But if God desires Himself to be glorified through someone staying homosexually inclined, then He will do it.  God has not healed me from the inclination to be angry, lust or self-serving.  But He has given me great victory to not live a life where I am actively engaged in those inclinations.  When I sense the tug to go there, I am strengthened by God's Spirit, God's Word and God's people to turn and obey God.  Am I perfect, absolutely not.  By God's grace I repent when I do sin.  The battle is there, but I have weapons to fight it.  Thus it is the same response we should have for those who want to honor God and are homosexually inclined.  They won't be perfect, just like all of us.

Most Christians who are homosexually inclined want to ask God, why?  The reality, we won't know till we are in Heaven.  Many great Christians became powerful and influential through suffering.  The great theologian Henri Nouwen (celibate homosexual), Author Joni Eareckson-Tada (quadriplegic), the Apostle Paul (constant physical/emotional pain) who asked God repeatedly to heal him and God replies, "My grace is all you need, my power works best in your weakness."  Each of their sufferings brought many people to know Jesus and trust Him more.  And this is the epitome of what it means to be a Christian.

It's vital that we understand the goal is not to make homosexuals turn heterosexual, the goal is to encourage them to honor Jesus Christ with their life.  Thus the celibate life should be viewed as the highest calling (and toughest), not a "Plan B' calling if your not healed.  Even Paul says it is best to remain single!!  As we encourage those who struggle with same-sex attraction we cannot in our empathy make them feel like life is utterly bleak unless they are "healed".  Life is not bleak for the person God creates with a physical or mental disability… it is not bleak for those he created in a poverty stricken country… it is not bleak for the homosexual.  Our God uses those of us who are weak, discarded, tired, lonely and struggling to show his great mercy, love and power to those who have much.

So though I empathize with my brothers and sister who struggle with same-sex attraction, I will not feel hopeless for them.  For their courage, struggle, perseverance and faith encourage me.  They remind me that in my weakness I can and will turn to Jesus.  They teach me that God is with me, even if he allows me to be broken. Their journey is not defined by their sexual orientation.  Their journey is defined by their faith.

If you struggle with same-sex attraction will you please allow us to walk with you?  Would you allow God to love you in the deepest and scariest parts of your soul?  Don't hide in the body of Christ. Satan's great lie is that you can't tell anyone. Satan also uses shame to keep you from drawing into God and His people.  It is vital to find a place that will encourage you to honor God and also show grace and compassion when you struggle or sin.

Honestly, I have more respect for Christians who suffer faithfully for God than any eloquent pastor, popular worship leader or any other Christian who serves a lot but suffers little. I think we do a disservice to God and Christians who have same-sex attraction by not respecting the position God has put them in.  I will not view them as second class or heterosexuals in waiting.  I view them as fully loved, fully saved and fully equipped to serve God with all their heart, soul and mind.   And that's not only my view, but it's a biblical view of today’s godly Homosexual.

Prayer Perspective

So I'm in a meeting with a friend in a tranquil and quiet area of Temecula. We walk outside to sit down and pray under the beautiful blue sky and to share about life and pray.  As we're praying for each other and our church, I'm completely enjoying the environment and the time of prayer.

And then it happens.  A group of birds (Not just any birds, loud crows) decided to start fighting and squwaking. I could barely hear our prayers and now I was getting angry that these birds were ruining a peaceful time of prayer.  So what do you do?

The pragmatic person says, "Get up and pray somewhere else". True, but I really want to be outside!! I could just pray louder and not let those birds win (Yes, I am competitive) in ruining my day.  After all, inconveniencing my life is what birds do. They purposefully perch themselves in trees by my bedroom window while screaming their mating calls as the sun begins to rise.  They relieve themselves on my car window the day after I wash my car. Worst of all, I have actually had a bird (Seagulls specifically) steal food right out of my hand!!  So no... I will not move, this is war!

Well, by now I am completely distracted and not even paying attention to our prayer time. As I was trying not to sin in my anger, I  remembered a similar circumstance while on a mission trip in Ethiopia.

The first night we arrived we were being kept up by a pack of street dogs barking loudly for hours.  We were exhausted from a twenty hour flight and the last thing we needed was to be up all night!! All of a sudden, the barks were getting fainter until they disappeared completely.  It was like they all ran away togther barking the whole time, running out of the city.

The next morning we gathered for breakfast and everyone shared the same experience.  Finally one of our leaders said, "I knew those dogs were being inspired to keep us up and tire us out.  So I prayed that God would send them away."  We all looked at each other in amazement- that is exactly what God did.  He sent the dogs away until we couldn't hear them.  He allowed us to sleep!!

So while my friend prayed I quietly prayed, "God, please shut those birds up so we can continue to pray with the right mind."  Within a few seconds they stopped.  I thanked God and thought, "That was easy".  And then the birds went right back at it!! Well, if they can't be quiet, at least send them away.  So I prayed that God would cause the birds to fly away.  Instantly, they all flew away with a few stragglers left behind, but even they stayed quiet.

For the next ten minutes we prayed in quietness and with greater focus.  God didn't have to answer my prayer, He chose to do it.  Honestly, I could have easily gotten up and moved somewhere else when the birds were making noise.  But why not ask God first to see if He'll take care of it?  If He doesn't, then I'll move.  But what keeps us from living like this daily?  Does this type of story have to be an anomaly in my life?

The Apostle Paul would challenge us with praying first and praying often in life. Pray because we are in a relationship with the most powerful being in the universe and maybe, just maybe, the supernatural will intersect with the natural. Is that not why Paul encourages us to pray often and in "all circumstances"?

The bible never promises you will bat 100%, that's not the goal of prayer.  The goal is to build a trusting and interactive relationship with God.  From that, you are able to witness His power and grace.  Notice how the early church prayed for Peter while in prison in Acts 12 and then he miraculously escaped.  Yet in Acts 4, he stayed in jail and was flogged before being released like any other person.  Was the church not praying for him then?  Of course they were.  Their prayers were not answered in Acts 4, but they stayed persistent and faithful and witnessed God's power in Acts 12. 

Without prayer, God is a historical figure and distant.  He becomes more mythological than real.  So we read the bible and wish that our lives would resemble just a little of what we are reading. Throwing up a prayer in case he is real, but not faithfully trusting him everyday in every aspect of our lives.  We know God like we know facts of the civil war, which does nothing to generate a passionate relationship. I just don't think I can live that way.

God did not impress me when He caused those birds to leave nor was I impressed with myself.  What Jesus did on the cross impresses me.  What Jesus did on the cross not only impresses me, it compels me.  Because the same power that resurrected Jesus is in me.  So no, I'm not surprised my miracles or answered prayers, God's been doing it for thousands of years.  Why would He stop now?  Why should we stop now?

For a biblical view on prayer, check out these passages:

Genesis 24:1-50... Notice how the servant asked for a practical way to know who the bride would be

Genesis 25:21-22... Prayers coming from basic life struggles, God does care.

1 Samuel 12:23... Notice how serious Samuel took prayer

2 Kings 4:8-36... Notice how Elisha had to pray multiple times for the boy.  First prayer did some good, more prayer fully revitalized the boy.

2 Kings 20:1-6... Amazing how Hezekiah's prayers effected God.

Nehemiah 1-2:9... Notice not just what he prayed about but how he prayed and how often, even while talking to a King.

Proverbs 28:9 / James 1:5-8 / James 4:2-3 / 1 Peter 3:7... Not all prayers are heard by God

Daniel 10:1-14... A little "behind the scenes" of what happens with prayer and spiritual warfare

Mark 9:14-29... Some things change only through prayer, not human effort

Mark 1:35 / Luke 5:16 / Luke 6:12... No explanation needed; will we follow his example?

Luke 9:29... The Lord promises we will look better if we pray :)  Obviously kidding, just making sure you're awake

Acts 10:1-4... Notice how both his prayers and his acts of love combined brought favor from the Lord.

Acts 13:1-3... Notice it was the leaders of the church who gathered to fast and pray and the result was a new ministry.  Good challenge for leaders today.  Maybe we should pray to God instead of relying on business books and people's opinions?

Acts 16:22-25... Did you get that??  They were beaten and within hours in jail, praying and singing!!

Philippians 4:6... Imagine how different our lives would be if we took this passage literally.

James 5:16... Key words, powerful and effective.  That's what your prayers are- do you believe God's word?

3 John 1:2... It's OK to pray for basic things, not just the biggies.  It's cool to see John pray like this.