I joked with a friend that I would be driving 2 hours to say a prayer that was to be 2 to 3 minutes last Wednesday (4.25.12). So what was the significance of praying on location? Why not pray for the leaders of our land from home or from our church sanctuary as we often do? I didn’t fully realize the value and privilege until I was there. Sure, talking to God in prayer was familiar to me … but this time it was from a significant desk, in an awesome room, with the public servants for whom I prayed listening and then joining in. Ohio House of Representatives (99 in Ohio I learned) plus a packed gallery of guests… students on field trips, law students, media members, observers? I was definitely on their turf and it was great! So I prayed then concluded with “…and borrowing the words of Christ when his disciples asked Him to teach them to pray… Our Father, who art in Heaven…” I was fully expecting to continue praying along but was pleasingly surprised when voices nearby and from the gallery loudly joined me in the Lord’s Prayer. May we never take for granted that public prayer is permitted and still requested in these settings in our country.
I learned a great lesson last Wednesday that IT IS significant to pray on other people’s turf, in their presence, inviting them to join you… yes, even if it’s 2 hour drive for a 3 minute prayer.
So tomorrow, it’s your turn. May 3 is the NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER across our nation. Sure you could just pray from home. But why not make the effort to pray on location, for your leaders, with other Christ followers? Type in your zip code at and I think you’ll find a location closer than a 2 hour drive. For the 6 sites in the city of Independence, log on to www.rocksidechurch.com
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
PRAYING ON THEIR TURF!
I joked with a friend that I would be driving 2 hours to say a prayer that was to be 2 to 3 minutes last Wednesday (4.25.12). So what was the significance of praying on location? Why not pray for the leaders of our land from home or from our church sanctuary as we often do? I didn’t fully realize the value and privilege until I was there. Sure, talking to God in prayer was familiar to me … but this time it was from a significant desk, in an awesome room, with the public servants for whom I prayed listening and then joining in. Ohio House of Representatives (99 in Ohio I learned) plus a packed gallery of guests… students on field trips, law students, media members, observers? I was definitely on their turf and it was great! So I prayed then concluded with “…and borrowing the words of Christ when his disciples asked Him to teach them to pray… Our Father, who art in Heaven…” I was fully expecting to continue praying along but was pleasingly surprised when voices nearby and from the gallery loudly joined me in the Lord’s Prayer. May we never take for granted that public prayer is permitted and still requested in these settings in our country.
I learned a great lesson last Wednesday that IT IS significant to pray on other people’s turf, in their presence, inviting them to join you… yes, even if it’s 2 hour drive for a 3 minute prayer.
So tomorrow, it’s your turn. May 3 is the NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER across our nation. Sure you could just pray from home. But why not make the effort to pray on location, for your leaders, with other Christ followers? Type in your zip code at and I think you’ll find a location closer than a 2 hour drive. For the 6 sites in the city of Independence, log on to www.rocksidechurch.com
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