By Mike Boyd
A few months ago, we at FAS began to feel God was guiding us toward a specific theme for the year 2016. It seemed clear that he wanted us to focus everything we did on this theme, which he had not yet given us. As we moved forward, trusting God for direction and wisdom to recognize the theme he would give us, we prayed. And we prayed. And we prayed.
Suddenly, we saw that God had given us the theme and it was what we had been doing: prayer. Yet little did we realize that by committing to this focus, we were going to be tested and strengthened in ways we had never dreamed. By now, most of you are aware of the situation surrounding the Key family. Their days and nights are spent currently in a hospital room, waiting. They are surrounded by their larger family, and we all are learning afresh what it means to be in prayer for someone.
I have been reminded of something that Dr. Kinlaw said to me last year. He believes there is enough undiscovered truth in God’s Word for every generation to experience a revival. All we have to do is open ourselves up to God and allow him to reveal the truth he has set aside for this particular generation. I wonder if the truth for us is regarding the power of prayer. Certainly, the Key family is learning anew the strength to be found in prayer. I know that the staff at FAS is learning new truths about prayer and the strength God provides his children when they earnestly pray.
Honestly, there have been times when I almost wish we had focused on financial rewards or having beautiful weather and had not been asking God to teach us new things regarding prayer. But I am stopped when I think about Katy. I know she would rather be home with her kids and grandkids right now, but I also know that, more than anything else, she wants to be in God’s will—even if it is not easy or comfortable. May God forgive me, but I am not sure I always have been able to say that for myself.
Dr. Kinlaw’s book, “Prayer: Bearing the World as Jesus Did,” helped lead us to the theme of prayer and seemed to affirm its validity for the coming year. I love how he writes in a way that speaks directly to your heart. Dr. Kinlaw opens his book with a story about a trip to Florida and the first question he was asked during an interview there: “What is the most staggering thought you have ever found in your walk with God and your study of Scripture?” There is power and wonder in his answer: “The most staggering thing I have ever learned is that the eternal God—who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—has invited me to enter into conversation with that exclusive group.”
Do you realize that you have received a personal invitation to enter into conversation with the Creator of the universe? Maybe a better question is, are you in conversation with him?
This book continues to point out the simplicity of prayer, that there is no one place to pray, no one position we need to be in, whether we are alone or in a group. When we feel the need to pray, we should pray. Our eyes might be open or closed. We can be standing or sitting, walking or kneeling. The position of our bodies is not what transports us into God’s presence; it’s the attitude in our hearts. This truth releases us to pray anywhere and anytime. And that’s powerful.
We often seem to have the attitude that with enough blood, sweat, and tears, we can accomplish anything for the kingdom of God, and we are eager to pick up our tools and get to work. How sad that while we are working so hard for the kingdom, God can seem distant. Imagine what can be achieved when we realize that it is God working through us and never what we are doing in our own strength that accomplishes his purposes! We are created to be his tools who, when surrendered in prayer and resting in his holy hands, can and will accomplish wondrous things for his kingdom.
As with many books that have the ability to reach deep and transform lives, this small book—just over 100 pages—has a great potential to change the way you pray. I know it has mine.