How do we love our enemies? One way is to pray. We love when we pray. Not only that, but God begins to do something in our heart. We pray so we can love. There’s little chance we can love those we’re inclined to hate without God’s power in prayer.

It would do us well to add “enemies” to our prayer list. Our prayers are an act of love and our prayers give us the power to love. This is hard stuff, but it’s the way of Jesus who loved his enemies. How? He prayed. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34

Do we consider prayerlessness a sin? Surely this only applies to Samuel, right?

How many times in Scripture are we commanded to pray? What is disobedience to the commands of God? I think it’s a three-letter word that begins with “s”, right? Am I wrong here?

It’s clear that we have a God-given responsibility to pray for one another, e.g. James 5:16. Let’s get busy like Samuel and stop sinning. What do you say?

Click here to read a quote from Andrew Murray.

Read the example of Paul below. He got this. May we too.

“For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers…” Romans 1:9, 10a

“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers…” Ephesians 1:16

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” Philippians 1:3, 4

“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you…” Colossians 1:9

I came across an incredible prayer a few years ago. It was written by A.W. Tozer immediately following his ordination into the ministry at age 23. I’ve printed out this prayer and have it in my Bible. I use it during my prayer time periodically. I used it again this morning. Wow! What a prayer! 

Click on the link below to access it. It might be helpful for you as well.

A.W. Tozer Prayer

Here is my favorite paragraph in the prayer:

Lord Jesus, I come to You for spiritual preparation. Lay Your hand upon me. Anoint me with the oil of the New Testament prophet. Forbid that I should become a religious scribe and thus lose my prophetic calling. Save me from the curse that lies dark across the modern clergy, the curse of compromise, of imitation, of professionalism. Save me from the error of judging a church by its size, its popularity or the amount of its yearly offering. Help me to remember that I am a prophet – not a promoter, not a religious manager, but a prophet. Let me never become a slave to crowds. Heal my soul of carnal ambitions and deliver me from the itch for publicity. Save me from bondage to things. Let me not waste my days puttering around the house. Lay Your terror upon me, O God, and drive me to the place of prayer where I may wrestle with principalities and powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world. Deliver me from overeating and late sleeping. Teach me self-discipline that I may be a good soldier of Jesus Christ.   

If you’re ever led to pray for me, just pray this paragraph for my life.  

Thanks again for your faithful prayers!

2. Beth’s Pregnancy – Things are going better for Beth. Continue to pray for her health and the development of our second child. We find out whether the baby is a boy or girl on April 16th. We’re excited!

3. Iowa House – It’s over! The house is SOLD! Praise God for this answer to prayer.

4. OCC Growth – We’ve had a lot of guests over the last few weeks and attendance is up. Praise God for that! Pray that we can get these new people connected and that 2008 will be a season of explosive growth for our church.

5. Message Series – Continue to pray for the Questions I’ve Wanted to Ask God series. People really seem interested and engaged. That’s cool! Pray that the truth of God’s word will transform people’s lives.

That’s all for this month! Thanks for your prayers. It’s making a HUGE difference!

1. Iowa House – We’ve accepted an offer on our house in Iowa! The papers are signed. Please pray that everthing will go well between now and closing. Thanks for your persistent prayers on this! We’re close. God is good!

2. National Preaching Summit – I’m attending the National Preaching Summit in Indianapolis on March 10th and 11th. Pray for safe travel and a productive time of learning and growing. I’m rooming with my dad. It’s really cool to have your dad in the ministry too.

3. “Questions I’ve Wanted to Ask God” Message Series – Most of you know I’m starting a new message on Easter Sunday. I’m pumped about it, but I’ve got plenty of work to do to prepare. Pray that I’ll be able to prepare messages that answer the questions fully and biblically. Pray that lives will be changed through this series.

4. Beth’s Pregnancy – That’s right. Beth’s pregnant! We’re so excited! We have our next doctor’s appointment on March 8th. Pray for Beth as she struggles with some pregnancy related sickness. Pray for the little one that’s growing in the womb. Pray for health. Beth is due August 31st.

Thanks for your faithful prayers on my behalf. Your ministry means so much to me! God bless you.    

2. Colombia Mission Trip – I leave next Friday (2/8) for Colombia along with 5 others. We’ll be there 10 days. Pray for safe travel and protection. Pray that we can be an encouragement to the Colombian Christians and complete various work projects. You can visit the CCM website and get video updates during our trip. Very cool!

3. Russell Johnson - On Sunday, February 17th Russell Johnson will be preaching at OCC. (Read below for details.) Pray for Russell as he prepares. Pray for new families to come that day. Pray that OCC will be better equipped to give an answer for the hope we have (1 Peter 3:15).

4. Iowa House - Our realtor has shown the house 3 times in the last month or so. Still no offers, but we’re hopeful and optimistic. Keep praying!

Thanks for your continued prayers. God is good! Remember, when we work, we work; but when we pray, God works!

1. Marks of Jesus – I’m really excited about getting back to preaching verse-by-verse through the Gospel of Mark. Pray not only for my sermon preparation, pray for my personal spiritual growth. I don’t want to just come to the text for a sermon. I want to come to the text for life-change. Big difference!

2. Bible Reading – I shared Sunday that one of my goals for 2008 is to read through the Bible. Pray that I can stay disciplined and focused on this goal. Feel free to join me!

3. Iowa House – We haven’t heard a word about our house in the last month. Keep praying for our realtor, Jason Reynolds. Pray that God would give us wisdom and patience as we move forward. We’re not the only people struggling with this. Many others are trying to sell their homes too. It’s just a tough market right now.

4. Elders/Staff Retreat – Next weekend (January 11, 12) the OCC elders and staff are taking some time away. Pray that God would work and move through this retreat. Pray for wisdom and discernment. Pray for vision. Pray that we can continue to grow together as a team. We’ll be putting the finishing touches on our vision and key initiatives, i.e. strategic plan.

Thanks again for your faithful prayers! 

1. Preaching – Sometimes preaching is like giving birth. Ladies, I don’t want to overemphasize this, but the sermon preparation process can be painful. This week is no exception. I’m preaching on anger this Sunday and let’s just say it’s “hitting home” with me. Just pray that I can preach the Word faithfully and that my preaching would throw the spotlight on God.

2. Future vision – Our Strategic Planning Team is meeting again next week to review our new vision statement and to discuss next steps in the process. Pray for that meeting (12/11 at 6:30 p.m.). Pray that I can present the vision with clarity and that we will have productive discussion as we move ahead.

3. Iowa house – As you know, I traveled to Iowa the day after Thanksgiving. Beth and Noah stayed in Indy to visit with family. I arrived at our house Friday night and departed Monday afternoon. It was a full 2 1/2 days. I power-washed the house, tore down an old fence in our backyard, trimmed hedges, cleaned gutters, raked leaves, cleared out flower beds, dusted and vacuumed inside, etc. I get tired just reflecting on it. I worked muscles I haven’t worked in a long time! I also met with a Realtor. Trying to sell it by owner hasn’t worked so it’s time to try something different. Please continue to pray that God would raise up a buyer and it would sell very soon…like in the next six months! Pray specifically for our Realtor, Jason Reynolds.

Thanks again!

1. Day 41 – 40 Days of Community is coming to a close, but we want to keep the momentum going. God is doing some great things at OCC. Pray for our planning and preparation as we look to 2008.

2. Iowa House – We showed the house on Monday, but no word from the “lookers” yet. I’ll be traveling to Iowa right after Thanksgiving to winterize the house, clean, and just make sure everything is in order. It’s hard not being able to see the house. You’re always wondering how it looks. Pray for safety as I travel (Beth and Noah are not going) and that God would supply a buyer very soon.

3. Continuing Education – I’m feeling the need to pursue a master’s degree and possibly more beyond that. Pray that God would lead me in this. I’ve been somewhat negative toward academia, but I’m sensing the need to stretch myself and grow more in my knowledge and leadership. Right now I’m thinking about going to Cincinnati Bible Seminary for master’s work and then going to Trinity Evangelical Divinity School for doctoral work. What do you think? It will probably take me 10 to 15 years to complete since I’m doing full-time ministry. But how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time, or in this case, one class at a time.

Let me close with a Scripture. “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed” (Mark 1:35). May we follow our Lord’s example.

1. 40 Days of Community – Keep praying for this churchwide spiritual growth campaign. It has the potential to change the culture at OCC. Pray that God would open hearts and transform lives through the Sunday services, small groups, and daily devotionals.

2. Our small group – Beth and I host and lead a small group. We start meeting again this Thursday. Pray that God would give us wisdom and direction as we lead our small group and that our group will grow in our love for one another and our community.

3. Strategic planning - The strategic planning team that began to meet back in May is still together and working. We’ve been working on a vision statement the last couple months. That statement is in the final editing stages and should be complete in the next couple weeks. Pray that God would continue to guide and lead this team. We want this to be a “God thing!”

I’m leaving the Iowa house off the list this month. I figure this request is ingrained in your head by now. Nothing has really changed. Keep praying!

Thanks again everyone.

2. 40 Days of Community – It’s approaching fast! Pray that God would renew and revive faith at OCC. Pray for life-changing connections in small groups.

3. Courage & Discipline – On a more personal note, pray that God would give me the courage and discipline to lead OCC and my family effectively. I know there are things that need to change, but I oftentimes lack the courage and discipline to make those changes happen.

Thanks again for your faithfulness in prayer. It’s making a huge difference!

I love you all.     

1. 40 Days of Community – The director’s and coordinator’s for this campaign are pretty much assembled. That’s an answer to prayer! Continue to pray for the planning and preparation. Pray that God would work in ways we can’t imagine through this campaign.

2. Iowa House – I have bad news. The purchase agreement we had has fell through. That’s right. We’re pretty much back to “square one.” We keep getting calls and have shown the house a couple times recently, but no new offers. Please persevere in prayer about this. It’s a heavy burden for us. Pray that we can cast this burden on the Lord and trust Him. Pray that He raises up another buyer soon!

3. Beth’s Back – My wife had an MRI done yesterday in preparation for back surgery. She has a herniated disk in her lower back. She’s had it since we’ve been married. It flares up much too often. It’s time to do something. We haven’t scheduled the surgery yet. We’re hoping for mid-August. Pray for Beth!

4. Vision – I appreciate your prayers for the Strategic Planning Team. It’s time now to draft a vision statement. Pray that God would continue to lead and guide us. We want this to be a “God thing.” Pray that personal agendas would be put aside.

5. Study Break – Later this month I’m getting away for a few days to pray and plan messages for the upcoming year. Pray that God would give me wisdom as I do this. I’ve never taken time away to do this before. My goal is to get ahead so we can develop and plan Sunday services more effectively.

That’s it for this month. Thanks again for your prayers on my behalf.            

1. VBX – All the fun begins July 15th. Pray that many children and families will be reached to the glory of God. Also pray for Daryl Amis (Children’s Minister) and Brian Munsey (Director). These are great men who need an extra measure of grace and strength as VBX approaches.

2. Strategic Planning – We have 18 people involved in a strategic planning process. It’s going very well. I’m pumped! Pray that God would continue to guide us and give us His vision for OCC.

3. 40 Days of Community – I’m still recruiting people to make this happen. Pray that God would raise up people to lead and get involved. This all-church campaign has the potential to be a “defining moment” in the life of OCC. We’re better together!

4. Iowa Wedding – I’m flying to Des Moines on July 12th to officiate a wedding. This is for a couple that attended the church where I served before coming to Orrville. I had the privilege of baptizing the bride over a year ago. They’re a neat couple! Pray that the airplanes stay in the air and that the wedding will go off without a hitch. My flight arrives back in Cleveland on July 15th just in time for VBX.    

5. Iowa House - Nothing has changed here. We’ve shown the house a couple more times, but no new offers. We’re still waiting for the buyer to sell their house. Keep praying! Let me challenge some of you, if you’re able, to fast and pray about this (see Matthew 17:14-23).

Once again I thank you for your prayers on my behalf. I’m humbled and grateful.

Happy 4th! 

1. Marks of Jesus - We’re going through the Gospel of Mark this summer – at least through chapter 5:20. Pray for my weekly preparation and that people would be drawn to Jesus and “marked” by His life.

2. Strategic Planning – 18 people including the elders and staff have begun a strategic planning process. We’re off to a great start! Pray that God would direct our path and give us wisdom. This isn’t about us. It’s about Him.

3. Iowa House – We received an update from the buyer yesterday. They’ve had a lot of lookers but no offers. Pray that the buyer can sell their house so they can buy ours. Does that make sense? If not, God will understand.

4. 40 Days of Community – I’m beginning to recruit a team of people to make this fall program happen. Pray that God would raise up people to help. This has the potential (similar to 40 Days of Purpose) to impact many lives and exponentially increase the momentum at OCC. It officially begins Sunday, October 7th.

Thanks again for your prayers!