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Growth through evangelism

Lord, I lift up our church growth to You. Add to our number daily through new converts. Birth spiritual children through us. Let our actions win people over without words. Use us as Your agents to rescue people from darkness and bring them into Your Son’s kingdom. We long to be worthy ambassadors in this ministry You have entrusted to us: that of proclaiming Your message of reconciliation to a lost world. (Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 4:15; 1 Pet. 3:1-2; Col. 1:13; 2 Cor. 5:20)
 
Home arrow The Praying Pastor arrow Talking with God . . . Not to Him
Talking with God . . . Not to Him PDF Print E-mail

By Phil Miglioratti 

Was I surprised when I read the email!

It was from the editor's desk of US News and World Report indicating a e-letter I had sent them was being published. A few weeks earlier, that magazine had run a cover story on "The Power of Prayer" and I e-mailed them a response:

The article, "How We Talk To God," identified our biggest problem with prayer. We talk to God rather than with God. If prayer is a relationship, then why is so much of our praying telling, asking, and complaining rather than seeking, listening, and responding?

 

When I first read the article, I was thinking of the Christians I meet in congregations small and large in cities and towns from east to west (including pastors!). It was easy to see the speck in someone else's eye.

When I read my letter, after getting over my pride in having it published in a national news magazine, I began thinking of myself; how I talk to God rather than with God. How I tell, ask, complain so often. How much I have to learn about seeking, listening and responding.

May we continue to preach and teach the Word on prayer but, if you are at all like me, may we be quick to listen and slow to speak next time we drop to our knees.

 
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