"Francis Chan is coming to Northwestern!"
This announcement in chapel brought extraordinary amounts of chatter and excitement. And today was the day!
I got all ready and was super excited to hear him actually speak. When I got to chapel, however, the stage was set for a worship chapel.
"Maybe they are just doing an intro for him," I told my friend.
As the time got closer, I expected someone to come and explain what was going on or something, but nothing happened. Worship chapel started as it does every Friday. There was no Francis Chan. There was no further announcements.
As I sat in disbelief, Jesus spoke to my heart.
"Is Francis Chan more exciting than me?"
After all, it is a chapel dedicated to worshiping Jesus.
"Would you be as excited if you heard I was coming to speak in chapel?"
The question hit me in a way it never has before. I get so excited to hear the Word preached and to fill my brain with more information about God and his amazing power and love and awesomeness! But when it comes down to it, do I truly love God more?
In worship chapels I have the opportunity to dine with and worship the King of Kings!!!! I should be more excited to worship the Lord than to hear Francis Chan speak. It is, I believe, part of loving God with my entire being. So, what is going to be the question on my mind throughout this week?
Would I be excited if I heard Jesus was coming to Northwestern?
or maybe more practically
Do I love God more?
Isaiah 6:3 (a passage I was led to during worship)
"Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory."
(says the angles worshipping the LORD, emphasis added)
Isaiah's response:
"'Woe to me!'...'I am ruined (unworthy)'...[but] 'Here am I. Send me!" (6:5, 8b)
That is my prayer.
Praise the LORD!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Prayer Matrix
It has been a long time since I have written a blog post and after reading my friend Mindy's posts, I realized how nice it is to stay updated, even if it is a brief snippet of what you've been learning. :D
This morning I woke up with a burden on my heart...a good burden, but none-the-less a burden. As I climbed out of bed, I nearly immediately went to the prayer closet in our hall, which is located conventiently outside our door. As I read the Word and prayed, I knew that the day would need to be one of depending on the LORD in someway.
I left later than I normally do, after the shuttle had already "charted its course," so I didn't even know if I would make it on time. When I walked in the doors, however, I realized that I had actually beat a majority of the student body, including the shuttle. :) As I sat down, I felt the burden in my spirit again and started to pray. I didn't really know what to pray for or if someone specific needed prayer, but none-the-less I prayed. Then I looked up at the screen that scrolls through various announcements.
"Pray"
This word accompanied by a picture was displayed for longer than the normal couple second display. I smiled, put my head down and continued to pray about only God knew what. I went to fill up my water bottle right before chapel started and saw a friend who is always a joy to see. In our short conversation we set a lunch date for a couple hours later.
I entered chapel again and continued to pray for the message that was about to be delivered. I shortly realized that the entire message was going to be on prayer. I prayed that the Spirit would do something cool and realized that might have been what my burden was for. Jim Johnson, the senior director of Campus Ministries, went on to speak about the importance of prayer. Towards the end of his message, he went into an area that I have not explored very much...listening.
He presented a chart-like diagram that focuses on praying for issues, decisions, and needs, rather than only consulting our feelings, people on TV programs, books, and peers.
Because I cannot exactly draw the diagram, I will seek to explain it. The four corners include four small boxes that contain important people in our lives: 1) spouse/parents; 2) Small Group/Accountability Partner; 3) Trusted Friends; and 4) Pastor/Mentor. A large rectangle is placed inside these four corners that holds our issues, need, decision. If the diagram is actually constructed, post-it notes that hold the request can be placed in the large-inner rectangle.
Here are the "standards" to using this "matrix."
The Power of Seven
If the request is minor (Where am I going to eat this weekend?), pray for the request for 7 minutes and then listen for God's response (this is very seldolmly an audible response, but more of a speaking to the spirit).
If the request is major (Should I change my major? Should I purchase this car?), pray for the request for 7 days and then listen to the LORD.
If the request is life-altering (Should I marry this person?), pray for the request for 7 weeks and then listen to the LORD.
Two out of Four Principle
Ask two out of the four "corner people" (spouse, trusted friend, etc.) to pray with you over these requests.
Stop Talking, Start Listening
Enough said :D
As I have had a focus on prayer for the past few years of my life, this is a new idea that I have not formally considered before. I am excited about this idea, especially with all the prayer warrior friends God has placed in my life (Yea God! :) )
"Praise the LORD, O my soul and all that is within me, praise his holy name!"
Praise the LORD!
This morning I woke up with a burden on my heart...a good burden, but none-the-less a burden. As I climbed out of bed, I nearly immediately went to the prayer closet in our hall, which is located conventiently outside our door. As I read the Word and prayed, I knew that the day would need to be one of depending on the LORD in someway.
I left later than I normally do, after the shuttle had already "charted its course," so I didn't even know if I would make it on time. When I walked in the doors, however, I realized that I had actually beat a majority of the student body, including the shuttle. :) As I sat down, I felt the burden in my spirit again and started to pray. I didn't really know what to pray for or if someone specific needed prayer, but none-the-less I prayed. Then I looked up at the screen that scrolls through various announcements.
"Pray"
This word accompanied by a picture was displayed for longer than the normal couple second display. I smiled, put my head down and continued to pray about only God knew what. I went to fill up my water bottle right before chapel started and saw a friend who is always a joy to see. In our short conversation we set a lunch date for a couple hours later.
I entered chapel again and continued to pray for the message that was about to be delivered. I shortly realized that the entire message was going to be on prayer. I prayed that the Spirit would do something cool and realized that might have been what my burden was for. Jim Johnson, the senior director of Campus Ministries, went on to speak about the importance of prayer. Towards the end of his message, he went into an area that I have not explored very much...listening.
He presented a chart-like diagram that focuses on praying for issues, decisions, and needs, rather than only consulting our feelings, people on TV programs, books, and peers.
Because I cannot exactly draw the diagram, I will seek to explain it. The four corners include four small boxes that contain important people in our lives: 1) spouse/parents; 2) Small Group/Accountability Partner; 3) Trusted Friends; and 4) Pastor/Mentor. A large rectangle is placed inside these four corners that holds our issues, need, decision. If the diagram is actually constructed, post-it notes that hold the request can be placed in the large-inner rectangle.
Here are the "standards" to using this "matrix."
The Power of Seven
If the request is minor (Where am I going to eat this weekend?), pray for the request for 7 minutes and then listen for God's response (this is very seldolmly an audible response, but more of a speaking to the spirit).
If the request is major (Should I change my major? Should I purchase this car?), pray for the request for 7 days and then listen to the LORD.
If the request is life-altering (Should I marry this person?), pray for the request for 7 weeks and then listen to the LORD.
Two out of Four Principle
Ask two out of the four "corner people" (spouse, trusted friend, etc.) to pray with you over these requests.
Stop Talking, Start Listening
Enough said :D
As I have had a focus on prayer for the past few years of my life, this is a new idea that I have not formally considered before. I am excited about this idea, especially with all the prayer warrior friends God has placed in my life (Yea God! :) )
"Praise the LORD, O my soul and all that is within me, praise his holy name!"
Praise the LORD!
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