To Pray or Not to Pray , I Have a Problem

Paul tells us , "pray without ceasing,(1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV) . Jesus instructs the disciples in Matthew 6: 9-13 , commonly known as the Lord's prayer . Jesus also declared ,  If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it (John 14:14 ESV)  One could go to the Old Testament and read many prayers , so many through out the whole Bible it would take  a long time to list the commands to pray and the prayers of God's people . It has been said the the whole of the Psalms is a prayer book. So God's people are to be a people of prayer . It really is not an option . In real simple terms prayer is communication to God . We are to declare God's holiness, His glory and want to see His kingdom break into this world with the gospel of Jesus . We are also told to ask for forgiveness, to forgive others , for daily food , to not be lead into temptation . There are also prayers to made for the sick (James 5:14) 

But I have a confession to make . I have and do really struggle with personal prayer . I can pray for the gospel to to be preached , ask for forgiveness of sins , for God's kingdom to come but for situations like healing , those who are in need , and numerous other real personal situations I have truly struggled. Perhaps I doubt that God will answer these prayers or maybe I have yet to come to grips with a solid answer to satisfy my question that have come up over time. 

In the on going debate with atheist , for me the question that would get the most traction is how many prayers seem to go to deaf ears. I'm just being completely honest here . I have heard Christopher Hitchens challenge someone in a debate about the mother in Africa who is praying for her dying child to be healed or to just have enough food to eat or the parents of a dying child with cancer , crying out and what happens , nothing.  The answers given go like this . Well we don't know why , but God in His wisdom knows more than we . I have also heard this one , perhaps its not no but wait or this classic , we perhaps don't have enough faith or as James says , the prayer of the righteous man has great power and guess what , you just weren't righteous enough . We need to wrestle with these questions and I still hold answers that are biblical can be given. 

In many cases the answers given puts the emphasis on the person praying . The prayer is not effective because of sin in ones life , remember you have to be righteous ( who is that apart from the imputed righteousness of Christ) . Now it is true we can grieve and hinder our prayers with sin , but that still is a very poor answer. 

I'm going to be very blunt . I have prayed for healing for those who have been sick , including my Mom ( perhaps this is where my struggle began ) , and no physical healing happened . She is not the only case. I have prayed for opportunities in work , in education and no doors have opened . I could go on . Now some will say , it was not in God's will and how we can only see just to the horizon , but God can see the bigger picture . Yes He can and that's is why I struggle . If God is going to do what He will , and doesn't  change His decree's , then  He knows my desires before I even utter them . He knew I truly wanted my Mom healed , and the others I prayed for . He knows I need work that my body can do . He knows I want my son's to be saved and persevere in the faith . He knew I wanted my wife healed from cancer . 

Some will tell me well your wife was healed , and yes she has been healthy and cancer free for over 4 years (I'm very thankful)  but there was no supernatural healing ( perhaps there was and I cannot see it)' the doctors and science performed the healing. True I believe under God's providence but my point is , no instant healing. I'm not trying to be a doubter here and maybe I'm , or I'm so convinced of His sovereignty that I struggle and have a very fatalistic view of prayer. In other words , I can petition the Lord but He will do what He wills . 

It has been a  ongoing struggle for me for years . One that is truly difficult . I long and hunger for intimate communion with the Lord . I desire to see my prayer life awaken  and fear that my attitude is a clear barrier in seeing that take root. So as ironic as this is to say , pray for me . Pray that God would take away my cold doubting  heart , and awaken my heart to commune with my Lord .  

What I have decided to do is go to a group known for their passionate , Godly prayers , the Puritans , and read their prayers . Really I have no excuse , those old preachers and writers that I love ,  where men of prayer and ultimately Jesus prayed . That should settle it . Nuff said. 

Format and Its Go Time

So here we are over a week from my last post . That is not acceptable , I know that my thousands of readers are severely distraught. OK, that was a funny . I enjoy writing my thoughts out but have really been trying to come up with a more structured format for this blog over this year. Over the next couple of days I will commit to writing again on a regular basis

As to the format , I think it will feature a few set in stone features that will be posted on certain days . The rest I will just write about things that have really struck me , moved me or I feel need to be said. Should be fun as I really want too put the hammer down and kick up the blog . Now to dust off my mind and get thinking about the next entry .

Time For a Jump Start

OK its  January , 2012 and this is the first entry . Sad . I had planned to write numerous times but as I set down in front of the computer , I really felt like a cold engine. You know the one that when it gets too cold it makes the chug,chug , whine sound . Just could not get my mind and heart set to say or write anything . I had plenty of thoughts but really just didn't feel up to writing.

However sometimes one has to just jump in and tap away at the letters on the keyboard and hope you can come up with something . So here goes.

The house has been de- Christmased ( OK that is my word ) . Its always a bit sad for me to take down the decorations and throw out the tree. I know many relish getting stuff back to normal ( as if there is any real normal in this crazy world) but that is not me . I truly love the Christmas season and even more so because of Jesus Christ.  So instead of feeling sad this year , I have been trying to think of creative ways leading up to Easter when we remember and proclaim , Jesus death and Resurrection, to decorate to point to what Jesus did for a sinner like me. Don't know what yet , but I'm sure something will be thought of .

So that's all for now and I truly hope to post at a steady rate again this year . I think it will be along  the same lines as the past but will cover a few more topics and will try to come up with regular features . So lets begin in earnest and say hello again . Hope something I write or link to will make you think , laugh or mad . Well mad in a good way .

2011 Where Have You Gone

As we near the end of another year , thought I would just put down some highlights that come from my personal reflection on the year. As cliched as it is to say , where did the time go ?

Two things that happened in 2011 that were major highlights for me , were 2 events that I really did not think I would see perhaps in my lifetime. The first was back in March , when I traveled to Moncton , New Brunswick to see my all time favorite  artist , Steven Curtis Chapman. Truly thinking he would never venture close to my neck of the woods , needless to say I was pumped. It was a great concert . Front row tickets thanks to my oldest son . Truly something I will never forget.

The second thing coming just a couple of months after in June was watching the Boston Bruins defeat the Vancouver Canucks in 7 games to hoist the Stanley cup . As any one can tell you , if one is a hockey fan , you live and die as your team goes . It was an amazing run that included 3 seven game series , a thrilling defeat of the Bruins arch nemesis , Montreal in overtime in the 7th game and defeating the Canucks on their home ice to hold the holy grail of hockey.  The house was a rocking that night .

So how could it get better than that you ask ? Simple , it has been 4 years now that my wife has been cancer free. In the grand scheme of things , that is the most important thing in my life , to have my wife whom I treasure , still in my life . For that I thank God for His grace and mercy . To go through life with someone who has been your constant friend and companion through these 27 years has been a true blessing . Best decision I ever made was going on that date my sister set up ( thanks Sis ) .

My sons are now young men . My oldest is in his third year of University . Hard to really fathom that within less than 2 years he will be hopefully making his mark within the business world . My youngest is still searching to figure out what road to travel on . I see in him amazing gifts to write and just pray that he will find the confidence and courage to pursue his dreams. I'm truly proud of them and the men they are becoming.

The year itself had many ups and downs but through it all , God was faithful even when I wasn't . His grace and mercy are truly amazing . So as this year closes and a new one begins here a few of my favorite things from 2011.

Music : Downhere - At The Alter of Love
             Jason Gray - A Way to See in The Dark
             Steven Curtis Chapman - Re : Creation
             Aaron Shust - This is What We Believe
             Josh Wilson - See You
             Matt Redman - 10000 Reasons
             Matt Mahar - The Love in Between
             Phil Wickham - Response

New Christmas Albums played the most for 2011 : David Crowder - Oh For Joy , The Getty's - Joy and Matthew West - The Heart of Christmas

Movies : Didn't see very many this year but Thor , Captain America and Rise of the Planet of the Apes were all good . Still looking forward to seeing MI4 , War Horse and Sherlock Holmes.

Books : Michael Horton - The Christian Faith : Systematic Theology  for Pilgrims on the Way

Fav Website/Blog : Tim Challies

On a final note I'm truly thankful for my family both blood and Church. May 2012 be one full of God's grace and I pray that He will be proclaimed to the ends of the earth . Nuff said.

So What is Your Christmas About

This video presentation concerning Christmas and how apart from Jesus , it is a empty and vapid holiday , is excellent. But for those in Christ and celebrating the incarnation , that changes everything . Enjoy.

Christmas Wars

Much has been said lately over the erosion of Christmas . With many adopting Happy Holidays or Season Greetings so as not to offend those of other traditions . Even Christmas specials seem to be the generic love is the meaning of the season , blah,blah ,blah . In schools , Christmas concerts have been changed to winter celebrations or  whatever politically correct term they can come up with . So is there a war against Christmas  ,  on the surface the war  on Christmas is not on the day . It is more personal .

Yes it is true there is no clear mandate for Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus but as said before , taking in account all the events form the prophecies and expectation , to the joy and worship that came  with Jesus arrival , one can infer its a wonderful thing to celebrate the birth of the Savior. So once the Church began to invade the pagan celebrations , although there is evidence that as early as 200 AD - 300 AD , there was a movement to mark the birth of Christ , once Dec 25th was designated the day that Christians would declare Jesus was born to the world , it overtook all pagan traditions and transformed them . Light turned darkness to something amazing .

However with the onslaught of secular humanism within our culture , aggressive  atheist , multiculturalism and a general falling away of the Church being the center piece in the community it used to be , Christian holy days have been under attack . But the days are under assault not for the day and all the fun its brings . Our Pastor pointed out this morning people are fine with the day off , the parties , the food , the gifts , the warm and fuzzy its all about love , family but insert the person of Jesus Christ and well , that changes everything .

So if there is a war against Christmas its not with the day , it is with the person of Jesus . The very word Christmas indicates a Christ - mass . A celebration of the the Lord's table within Catholic tradition . So in a way saying Merry Christmas is to invoke worship of Jesus , even if I disagree with Catholics understanding of the mass , it still reveres Jesus . So when someone is trying to erase  saying Merry Christmas or take it out of a school concert , its a removal is a clear indication that the day is special because it points to a point in time when God came to earth , clothed himself in flesh as the Son , the second person of the trinity .

Its a personal war not against a day or event or gifts but against the very person of Jesus . One could say the very first attack against Christmas , if you will , happened when Herod had all the boys under 2 put to death in Bethlehem because he was a evil , jealous man who was threatened  by the King of Kings . In his desire to remain in power , he wanted to kill this newborn King . God of course had other plans and it was not Jesus time yet to die . Those who wish to put to death Christmas in a sense wish the same as Herod . To be confronted with Jesus will not let a man or woman sit on any fence . But by trying to remove Him , we exult our idols which make us happy and safe . Family , kids , love all those things that try to kill Jesus at this time of year but Jesus cannot be ignored . Just as Herod could not , the world will rail and scream against Jesus but He is the Lord God , He is control not you or me.

If the world hates Christmas or wants to change it , it has to do with our hatred of God's Son . The world hates Christ , the devil and all his demons hate Jesus and we , in our sinful , fallen state are enemies against God. We rage , we will not bow down and worship , we want to live our own way and give the One who we owe our very existence to , no time .

But the beauty and wonderful , amazing , spectacular good news that was  announced by the Angels on the hillside outside of Bethlehem  is a Savior has come for all mankind . That Jesus  , the sinless God-man , came  to undo the fall of Adam by living a perfectly obedient life , gave His life on the Cross , took the wrath of God due us and through His blood , His death and resurrection all who repent and believe this good news are reconciled to a God that is holy.

That's what people rail against . Its not the day , but the person of Christ and His gospel . So no question in my mind there is a war , but its not against the generic fuzzy hallmark special Christmas. Its against the sin forgiving , all powerful , incarnate cross baring person of Jesus Christ.

Jesus warned His followers that we should not be surprised at hatred and hostility  , " If the world hates you , you know that it has hated Me before it hated you " , John 15:18.

So what should we as Christians do ? Should we get upset at the world , the unbelieving  world that they are not joining in , sulk and stamp our feet. Here is my take . Let them rail against the "day"  and remove the name and get a hate on , its their natural state . A state we were once in apart from God's grace . So understanding God's grace to towards us , I think the Shepherds in the field some 2000 years ago give us the answer . Use the day as a conversation piece and proclaim the good news of Jesus and the gospel. The Shepherds made haste Luke tells us , went to see Jesus and after that astonishing event , told all who encountered the blessing they had of the Angels announcement and witnessing the Savior .
So sing the carols , give and love , share the good news and know that our joy is  Jesus and His love for us . The war was won , when Christ broke forth from the grave on that 3rd day . The battles are still being waged but our King is on the throne reigning till He comes at the second advent. So wish people Merry Christmas , proclaim and give no quarter , light always overcomes darkness . 

One of My Favorite Stories Concerning Luther

An exchange between Martin Luther and his wife Katharina:

“Once, when Martin was so depressed that none of Kate’s counsel would help, she put on a black dress.

Luther noticed it and asked, ‘Are you going to a funeral?’

‘No,’ Kate replied, ‘but since you act like God is dead, I wanted to join you in your mourning.’

Luther got the message and recovered.”

—Rudolf K. Markwald and Marilynn Morris Markwald, Katharina Von Bora: A Reformation Life (Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2002), 139-140.


A godly wife is such a blessing when it comes to a man who can be "moody" (right dear). This little story has always been one of my favorites concerning Luther and his wife .