We Are Not Islands

"We are not islands of spiritual autonomy, but pilgrims who think, live, and serve with the truth and power of a thoughtful chorus."

- Jill Carattini

Please Pray With Me

Every autumn brings the same question. What am I doing next summer? And every autumn season the question comes too early. This fall is no exception. Only this fall I know what I want to do; I want to go to Argentina. You may ask, "Where did this come from?"The answer: I have no bloomin' idea, but come it did...and the opportunity along with it.

It began a few weeks ago, when my friend, Steve, assumed I was on board concerning a Brazil trip this upcoming summer. I had given some interest, but honestly, I was not very excited (for no apparent reason). Then, the destination changed to Argentina, and out of seemingly nowhere, I was surprised by joy. Since I had been praying for some time that God would allow me (if it was his will) to go aboard, I felt like Scooby Doo in a pizza shop with a ten dollar gift card, when I heard the change in destination.

But…

Much is still in limbo. First, I am in the middle of auditions for a travelling team for Maranatha (something I want to do too), and if I make it then the mission trip will more than likely have to wait. Second, the details of the trip are far from settled, and many particulars have to get ironed out before May.

(Sigh) Wisdom is essential. Thankfully, God gives wisdom if we ask for it (James 1:5). Well, I’m asking for it. Please, pray with me. Pray that God’s will would be done in my life this school year and summer, whether travelling for the school or going to Argentina (or something entirely different). He knows what is best. Pray that God would give me wisdom to discern what to do if I make the team. If God shows me Argentina, pray that God would supply all my needs.

Please pray with me.

Praying For You

Forgive me for posting so many articles lately. I keep coming across relevant material that I have to share. And since I could never say it better, I just post their writings hoping you will spend time reading them. Anyway, here is another article on prayer. It meets me where I am. Maybe you too often find yourself saying (or hearing) these words, "I am praying for you." Here are some thoughts along that line:

But what about the times when someone has told you that they are praying for you, and you know that they are doing just that: crying out to God on your behalf. Have you ever heard anyone say that they could feel the prayers of believers moving them through a difficult situation? For these people, the power of prayer moves well beyond encouragement.

In fact, when uttered on sincere lips, "I'm praying for you" can be as frightening a thought as it is encouraging. Someone is standing at the throne of God with your name on her heart. This introduces an entirely new set of concerns: Is she praying for me the way I'm praying for myself? Is he asking God for the answer I'm longing for? When my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer, I was livid when someone told me they were praying that God would take him home quickly--despite the fact that in between our cries for healing, we were praying God's will would be done. As someone once noted, prayer requires more of the heart than of the tongue. Knowing that someone is standing before God on your behalf is powerful not because she is standing with you but because she is standing with God.

Carattini, Jill. Slice of Infinity: Power of Prayer.