A Heart of Prayer

I realized a few years ago that as a teacher, I will forever be a student.  And not just in the form of classes, conferences, and workshops.  As a teacher, learning opportunities sneak up on you as you're preparing your lessons, as you're teaching the kids, or shortly there after as you look back on a unit in review.  As a leader and teacher in Children's Ministry, I look forward to these moments when God speaks Truth to me--whether it's meant to form me into a better teacher, or whether it's meant to form me into a better follower of my Lord.

For all you teachers or leaders in Children's Ministry who are reading along, this brief curriculum review is for you (all, however, are welcome to read along).  For the past few weeks, our Jr. Worship Service (1st-5th grade) has been learning about Prayer using Discipleship Junction: Talking with God.  I rearranged the lesson order a bit and came up with my own Prayer Center activities, but overall, it was a great resource to instruct our students on Prayer.  I highly recommend it.  We even had a Prayer Wall up throughout the course of the unit for the students to add their prayer requests and prayer praises.  It was the perfect way for the kids to share with God all that was on their hearts, while putting into practice all that they were learning about their conversations with God.

So, what did I learn from all this?  Other than the obvious reminder that my prayer life needs more attention that I've been giving it?  

In the middle of one of the lessons, as I spoke to the students about Joshua praying to God with great faith, I realized something.  For some of us, prayer is an obvious response to life.  We confidently turn to God, knowing that not only will He respond, but He will respond in the very best way.  

But what if you lack that faith?  Even if just for the moment?  Is your prayer suddenly meaningless?

It was in this moment of teaching that I was reminded that not only can we pray to God with great faith, but we can pray to God to gain great faith.  There is power in prayer that can change the heart and mind of the weak, the lost, the skeptical, and the unsure.  

Maybe this nugget of Truth is obvious to most.  Maybe most of the time, it's obvious to me too.  But on that day in Jr. Worship, I was reminded what it means to 'pray continually' (1 Thessalonians 5:17).  When I'm strong or when I'm weak.  When I'm nervous or when I'm confident.  When I'm prepared to listen or when I'm not prepared to listen.  When I understand or when I'm confused.  When I'm broken or when I'm whole.  

Pray continually.  When I have great faith or when I need great faith.  Pray continually.

Blue Like Jazz

Blue Like Jazz.  This movie has been on my mind since I watched it last week.  Maybe it's not the film you recommend to friends as a way to share the Gospel, but there is just something about it...something that makes you think--makes you think beyond yourself--or deep within yourself.

Now, movie reviews are not my strong point, so I won't even begin to pick Blue Like Jazz apart in order to list its strengths and weaknesses.  However, I will highlight something that has been pulling at me since the movie closed and the credits began to roll.

Spoiler--Beware.

At the end of the film, Donald Miller asks his unbelieving friend, 'Do you forgive me for misrepresenting God?'  

Hmmmm......

Now at this point, some viewers may quickly begin thinking back to all that Miller had said, done, and thought throughout the movie that got him to the point of realizing that he had, in fact, done a poor job of representing God.   But all I could think was 'How often do I misrepresent God?'  Quite honestly, that's what I keep coming back to, several days after watching it.  As someone who claims to follow God and His Word, and live a life for Him, how often do I misrepresent the very God I love, serve, and call Father, Savior, and King?

Miller continues after asking his question with a simple, 'He's not like me.'  

I agree.  He's not like me either.

God doesn't love the way I love.  His love is deeper and richer than my love, and certainly more so unconditional.  God doesn't forgive the way I forgive.  Sometimes I wait for a reason, and even then, it takes a long time for me to let go of things.  God doesn't make sacrifices the way I make sacrifices, because even my greatest sacrifices are laced with selfish gains.  God doesn't care for people the way I care for people.  I'm a compulsive planner and sometimes find myself tied to my To-Do list, unwilling to make adjustments or allow for unexpected opportunities to serve.

So.  Do you forgive me for misrepresenting God?  He's not like me.