I had a thought today...
At Cornerstone's staff retreat in August several of us felt like God was calling us to have all church prayer on a regular basis at church, similar to Brooklyn Tabernacle. We felt like God was calling His people together to pray.
Unfortunately, we couldn't find a day that worked, so we shelved the idea. We did have one all church prayer evening, but not one every week like we wanted.
Over the last four months our church and staff has been attacked like never before. Heart attack, stroke, cancer, bed bugs, gossip, slander, depression, and on and on.
I wonder if God knew all of that was coming and was calling us to come together and pray; to prepare us and even invite Him to come and provide protection from an attack that we didn't foresee but He did.
But, we didn't invite Him.
And we were attacked.
Just a thought.
**Quick note to add...I am NOT saying that I think the attacks we are facing wouldn't have happened had we done the all church prayer, nor am I saying that God hasn't brought good...even great things out of these struggles (He's pretty sweet like that). I AM suggesting that I think maybe God was trying to prepare us for what we were going to face and was trying to bring us together as a body to fight against the attacks together rather than individually being blindsided by them. (Kinda goes along with the message today at church).
Anyway, again, it was just a thought...
3 comments:
Seems like a very logical thought to me. I just finished the Shack so my brain is working *that way* right now. I am seeing God through those type of eyes right now, if that makes sense (you've read it right?)
God knows when pain is coming, He wants us to make it and draw near to Him. The Holy Spirit spoke clearly to many of our hearts that weekend, and you're right...we put God on a shelf.
hmmmm
Though I see the logic in this thought, I also believe God allows many of the things you listed to stretch us in our own personal growth. I know without our situation I would never have done (not for awhile, anyway) some of the things I know God was asking me to do, but had to be forced to do now. Do I think an all church prayer is a great idea, YEAH! But I don't think we put Him on a shelf as the church offers many opportunities for groups to gather and pray. Some of our supporters have suggested that we are under attack as a result of our faithfulness to serving Him here. I guess there are many ways to look at the same situation! It is wonderful that God has created us so differently and that we can all choose to love one another through His strength. I admire your thoughts and enjoy being challenged by them! Thanks for all you do, Trish! You are a real encouragement to me.
Yeah, no matter what I am SO thankful that we serve an amazing God who works ALL things together for the good of those who love Him!! Whatever the reason for what we're experiencing, we still serve an AMAZING God!!
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