Practice of the Month: July

"CAN I PRAY FOR YOU RIGHT NOW?"

As people who've experienced the transforming love and power of Jesus in our lives, how do we share that with others? Well, one of the best ways is by asking this simple question. 

Prayer is an overflow of compassion, love, and mercy towards other people. Especially, folks who have who are hurting or have shared some kind of need. And as the church, Jesus sent us out with his authority and the power of his Spirit to keep doing the stuff he did! 

What if praying for the people in pain around us right in the moment was a natural reflex? It can be if we practice! Yeah maybe nothing will happen or we feel a little foolish, but what if something amazing happens? Isn't it worth the risk? And if we do it in love it doesn't have to be weird.

John Wimber famously taught us that faith is spelled R-I-S-K. It’s not just about what we believe, but what we do with those beliefs. So this month we are going to practice taking risks, or as Jordan Seng puts it, trying. The results aren’t up to us. But healing requires God's ability and our availability, so give it shot!

As you go, pay attention to the people around you, friends, neighbors, co-workers, family... How God might want to use you to share his love and power. “Can I pray for you right now?” 

"Jesus called his 12 disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.’" MATT 10:1,8-9