Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you.
I Samuel 12:23
God grants us access to him through prayer. In the passage above, we see how highly Samuel viewed this gift. Do you?
The Survey Says: A survey revealed that Americans believe strongly in hard work, patriotism, commitment to religion, and the goal of having children. However, that survey was taken 21 years ago. When the same survey was conducted recently, it found that “belief in God” was valued by 67 percent of those fifty-five and older, but only by 30 percent of those eighteen to thirty-eight; patriotism was valued by 79 percent of older adults but only 42 percent for young; and having children was valued by 54 percent of older adults but only 32 percent for young adults.
Overwhelmed by the Gospel: My goal for my morning time with God is not simply to sit before Him. Nor is it to learn about Him. I want to be overwhelmed by the Gospel. My goal is to be reminded that: 1) even though I am broken and selfish, He loves me; and 2) that I can do nothing to make Him love me more. When I launch my day from a Gospel perspective, I do not need to earn, win or achieve. I am free to give not get.
How to Start Spiritual Conversations: Rick Richardson, a professor of Evangelism at Wheaton College, suggests that the way to share our faith is to learn, “to ask good questions of people about God, and good questions to God about people.” What are those questions?
- Questions to Ask People: 1) Do you have any religious background and does it mean anything to you today? 2) Have you ever had what you would consider a spiritual experience? What was that like? 3) Do you think there is a God, and what do you think God is like? and 4) Would you say you ever pray? And what do you think that does?
- Questions to Ask God: 1) Jesus, where are you already at work? Jesus, lead me to those who are receptive? 2) Is there someone you want me to talk to, or care for, or pray with? Is there someone here who is hurting? And what are you doing? And 3) Do I notice anything about this person that you might notice? What might you say to them in this moment?
Population Decline: The September / October issue of Foreign Affairs , warns that the demographic decline we are facing will end capitalism as we know it. Zachary Karabell writes that “most parts of the world are witnessing sharp and sudden contractions in either birthrates or absolute population.” He goes on to note that these trend lines are likely to profoundly shape global economics: “A world of zero population growth is likely to be a world of zero economic growth, because fewer and older people consume less.”
Signs of the Times: When a preschooler was asked if she knew where milk came from, she answered: Almonds.
Without Comment: According to a new Pew poll, Americans now have less faith in technology companies than they do in the church. Wow. For years I have thought the only groups we were polling ahead of was Congress. I never dreamed we’d poll ahead of Google.
Prayer Request: On Monday, September 9th, I am speaking at our Fall Forum Kick Off – a men’s event that we hold at a local sports bar. I am working to pull together an update of FutureView, the book I wrote a few years back. I am not a futurist, so this is not the kind of talk I can give quickly and easily. My request is that the talk works to the end that it helps a few men takes steps back towards God.
Closing Prayer: Almighty God, who knows our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: set free your servants from all anxious thoughts for the morrow. Give us contentment with your good gifts. Confirm our faith that, according as we seek your kingdom, you will not suffer us to lack any good thing. Provide, therefore, whatever you see to be necessary for our health and salvation. Of your fatherly love and compassion, give us whatever else would truly bless us. All our desire is known, O Lord, to you. Therefore perfect in us what your Spirit has awakened us to ask in prayer. Amen. Augustine (354-430)