Top Seven Countdown #2: Staging an Uprising

Staging an Uprising

Theologian Karl Bart once wrote, "To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world."  Imagine that!  When we pray, we can begin an uprising, a revolt, against the disorder and the evil of this world.  Isn't that wonderful?  As I look at the twin problems of the persecuted church and the proliferation of terrorist activity in our world, it seems an uprising against the disorder is exactly what we need!

In fact, an uprising is exactly what I am proposing.  Let's start a revolt!  Don't you think that's a great idea? I'm tired of the evil in the world, and ready for a change, aren't you? Let's have nice for awhile!

In order to stage a revolt through prayer, we probably need to take a look at the Biblical instructions about prayer.  After all, what good is a poorly done prayer revolt?  There are many verses in the Bible about praying, but perhaps the best place to start is with the "red letter" verses, looking at what God's Son said on the subject.  

If we want to approach God about something, we need to clear the air with others first.  In Matthew 5:23-24, Jesus said that, if we have bitterness and unforgiveness towards someone, we have to deal with those issues FIRST before our sacrifice will be accepted.  If God doesn't even accept our gifts to Him when we have bitterness and unforgiveness towards someone, you can be pretty much assured your prayers are not going to accomplish a revolt either.  Are you angry with someone?  Are you holding a grudge?  Has someone hurt you "too much" to forgive?  Get over it!  That's the only way to be effective in the prayer revolt effort.  I'm not saying that it's easy.  We like to nurse our hurts, however Jesus said it is a must.  

If we want the evil in the world to decrease, we must pray for the evil doers.  Theoretically, that sounds like a good thing.  In reality, this means praying for the meanest person you know, the person who has hurt the ones you love the most, and the most wicked, evil person you've ever heard about.  Those terrorists who masterminded 9/11?  We should be praying for them.  Those terrorists who kidnapped the schoolgirls in Nigeria?  We have to pray for them.  The person who murdered someone you know, the drug dealers who sell to school children?  They should all be subjects of our prayer.  Don't mistake this praying for enemies and persecutors as optional.  It is not.  Jesus commanded it very clearly in Matthew 5:44. "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."  You can't get any clearer than that. I'm not saying that it's easy, however Jesus said it is essential.  

If we want to change the world through our prayers, we need to want it enough to fast for it.  Jesus expected that we would fast, and he said that very thing in Matthew 6: 17.  "When you fast..."  There is nothing optional about it.  There is also nothing public about it, either. Fasting, according to Jesus, is between us and God.  If you start telling people about your fast, you get all the blessing you will receive from the attention you gather.  If you want to add fuel to a prayer revolt by fasting, you will have to keep it between you and God.  I'm not saying that is easy.  We like to tell about our sacrifices.  Jesus says it has to be that way. 

We can bring change to our world.  We can, that is, if we will.  By loving our enemies, forgiving those who hurt us, praying for the scoundrels and thugs, and fasting secretly, we become ready to do battle through prayer, and when we do, we also prepare for victory.  Dear ones, will you join me?  Let's start an uprising and change the world!

The Top Seven Countdown: # 6 The Nevertheless Obedience

As one of the most-read posts of the past year, this, too, was a surprise to me.  NEVERTHELESS.  It's a word I need to remember when obedience is confusing and difficult.  
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Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. (Luke 5:4, 5 KJV)

We are using the King James Version today so that we can look at Simon's response and the wonderful word NEVERTHELESS. It means "in spite of" and connects Simon's statements in a wonderful way. 

In response to Jesus's command to put out into the deep water and cast his nets, Simon made his doubt about the utility of that effort crystal clear. "I've already fished all night, Jesus. We didn't catch a single fish! I don't see the point."  Maybe what Simon meant was, "I'm the best fisherman on this sea, and if I can't catch fish, they can't be caught. I know more than you about fishing!" What is so interesting is that, although Simon clearly saw it as a low-yield effort, he was willing to obey Jesus. This is where nevertheless comes onto the scene. In spite of his doubt, fatigue, and desire to get finished with the morning's work and back home for a few hours of sleep, Simon would do what Jesus said. He didn't have to understand or agree. He just obeyed. 

I'm left wondering why. Why did Simon agree to put out into the sea when he thought it was pointless. Probably Simon had heard of Jesus and the miracles He could do. Maybe he was curious and wondered. Maybe he didn't want to miss anything special, just in case. Maybe he was offering Jesus a challenge. "Let's see what You can do in these waters."  Nevertheless. In spite of. Simon agreed to do what Jesus said. 

You may be a little like Simon (and me). Maybe you, too, have a litany of reasons why the instructions of that Still Small Voice are a bad idea or would be a wasted effort. Grudging obedience is still obedience, and can be an important first step toward seeing the miraculous intervention of God. Peter's uncertainty was not a problem because of one word. Nevertheless. Nevertheless, Peter would obey. 

The next time you are inclined to doubt that Still Small Voice, tack your doubt to nevertheless. Doubt if you must, but obey anyway. What blessings await! 

The fish were in the deep water, but Simon would not have caught them if not for NEVERTHELESS. What can God do with your "nevertheless obedience"? 

Today, pray that we and our loved ones would have  a willingness to obey that transcends our doubts. Pray for a "nevertheless obedience".