Praying With Old Dr. Carroll

B.H. Carroll had a heart for emerging ministers and devoted much of his life to preparing them for ministry. He was deeply concerned for them and wanted each of them to flourish in a fruitful ministry. He also grieved over the ones that began and stalled out or didn't really get going at all. Listen to this -

It is said that there are a thousand Baptist preachers in Texas, regularly ordained, who are neither pastors of churches, nor missionaries, nor teachers in schools - men without any charge. Was God mistaken in calling these men to preach, or were the churches mistaken in putting them into the ministry with undue haste? Doesn't such a lamentable fact as this vaste horde of unemployed men call upon us not only to exercise more caution in the matter of ordination, but to offer devout, earnest, and long continued prayer to God that we may make no mistake? Is it possible that some of these men failed to find employment because not apt to teach others, or because, though apt, they would not study to show themselves approved unto God; others because, having put their hands to the plow, they look backward, and others because they are not willing to endure harndess as good soldiers of Jesus Christ? And if there be any of these possibilites, does it not indicate that sin lieth at the door of the churches, which without due consideration, and especially without importunate prayer, laid hands on men who were not called of God, nor sent? Ah, me! What a question is this ministerial question! Brothers, if ever you find yourself out of objects of prayer known to be lawful, concentrate your devotion on this point: Pray for preachers! Pray for wiser churches!

There are a host of additonal reasons why their are ministers struggling with placement. Carroll touched on some possibilites that can be laid on the minister. Some blame can be laid on churches who fail to look beyond superficial hindrances when considering a candidate. Whatever the reason, a minister without a place of ministry is a "lamentable fact." I get to pastor college and seminary students. It is a joyful and and at times heartbreaking charge. The issue of ministry placement is heavy on me. I've decided to join old Dr. Carroll in praying for preachers and wiser churches. Please help me out with this one.

Red Letter Prayers: The Model Prayer

Walking with Christ: A Guide for Weekly Scripture Reading and Prayer

What is this?

We are busy people. Our days are jam-packed with noise, demands, and obligations. Most of us long to be closer to Christ and to each other, but we frankly don’t know where to start. We want our families to spend quality time praying and reading Scripture together, but our days are hectic and evening comes before we’re ready.  As a church staff, we love to see the people of God connecting with the heart of God.  And, thus, we will provide you a simple tool to carry home each Sunday.  This guide will help you slow down, remember the message you heard, and engage the biblical texts in a deeper way.  It will remind you to pray and reflect on God’s presence in your life each day. And all the while, you will be on this journey with others in the FBC family!  Together we can strive to be a people who not only hear God’s word but allow it to take root and transform our lives every single day. 

What do I do with it?

Each week the guide will be divided into three points.  You can do all three in one sitting or work through one a day throughout the week. The guides can be used for personal reflection or as a tool to use with your family or friends around the dinner table or before bed.  There will be room to take notes and record your own thoughts and reflections.  Since you will receive a new sheet each week, you are encouraged to purchase a notebook so you can keep the materials in one place. Each session will conclude with a children’s challenge.  This will give parents several ideas to help bring the passage to life for the whole family. Use this in whichever way you feel it will be most effective in your life and in the lives of your family and/or friends. 

August 12-18, 2012

Matthew 6:9-13

As this week’s sermon looks at the Model Prayer it seems appropriate to focus especially on pausing in the midst of a busy day and actually praying. Before beginning each day’s exercise take a moment to sit in silence and prepare yourself to meet with God. Read through the Scripture passage several times, asking God to speak to you through His Word.

1.      Many of us have recited the Lord’s Prayer more times than we can possibly count.  For some, it has become so familiar that we can pray the prayer without really praying the prayer. The Message translation of the Bible has a modern version of the Lord’s Prayer that offers the same meaning with renewed language.  In this season of prayer meditate on this translation, line by line, taking the time to actually think about what we are proclaiming, confessing, and asking.

Our Father in heaven,

Reveal who you are.

Set the world right;

Do what’s best—

As above, so below

Keep us alive with three square meals

Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others

You’re in charge!

You can do anything you want

You’re ablaze in beauty.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

2.      The Model Prayer begins with adoration. The Father is acknowledged as one who is holy and exalted. The verses before the Model Prayer tell believers not to heap up empty phrases and fill their prayer with meaningless words.  There is no secret formula that must be spoken to invoke God’s presence.  Rather than begging God to open Himself up to us, prayer allows us to intentionally open ourselves up to the God who is always present. Jesus is not speaking against long, thoughtful prayers, but rather, against prayers spoken to a god who is picky and difficult to please.  When our prayers to the Lord flow out of genuine hearts longing for an intimate relationship there is plenty of room for adoration.  In fact, there is something very humbling about remembering the names of God throughout Scripture and praying a prayer of praise as they cross your mind.  Take some time to remember all the ways God is named and described. As you think of each word honor God for who God is.

3.      Jesus says that confession should be a consistent part of our prayer life. “And forgive us our debts…” Too often we downplay our sin and pray the detached, blanket prayer- “and forgive me for all my sins.”   When we hurt someone in a relationship, our apology and desire for healing seems most sincere when we actually acknowledge our mistake and name it.  To name our sin for what it is constantly reminds us of our need for grace.  As you pray today, name your sins and trust that the Lord is faithful to forgive them.

“As we also have forgiven others.” We should not expect the Lord to do something for us that we, as God’s children, are not willing to do for our brothers and sisters. Who in your life do you need to forgive?  Are you willing to make a step in repairing that relationship today?

Humble confession is followed by a renewed awareness of God’s grace. This awareness will naturally lead to a heart of gratitude. As you pray, take the time to thank God for the many ways God has been good to you. 

Finally, pray for others and yourself.

Children’s Challenge

·         Throughout the week help your child memorize the Lord’s Prayer.  As they learn it take the time to explain each line in a way he or she will understand.

·         If your child already knows the Lord’s Prayer it would be a fun activity to rewrite it together.  Talk about what each line says and ask, “What do you think this means?” For example, “Your will be done,” could be reworded, “God, do what you want!”  This can become a prayer you write together and pray together regularly as a family.

·         Choose 4 different times this week to teach your child different ways to pray. One night focus on adoration and help them think of the many names of God. On another night talk about sin and explain how you also sin. Ask God for forgiveness together.  Spend a day thanking God for your many blessings. You may want to have a small Thanksgiving dinner that night and share your praises around the table.  Finally, take a night to teach your child how you pray for family, friends, and strangers. Finish by praying for one another and yourself.

Red Letter Prayers

I hope this new series - Red Letter Prayers encourages your prayer life.  We at FBC Waco have begun offering take home spiritual formation guides to accompany each Sunday morning message. Jamie McCallum, our Associate Pastor for Congregational Life, is writing them for us. Enjoy.

Walking with Christ: A Guide for Weekly Scripture Reading and Prayer

What is this?

We are busy people. Our days are jam-packed with noise, demands, and obligations. Most of us long to be closer to Christ and to each other, but we frankly don’t know where to start. We want our families to spend quality time praying and reading Scripture together, but our days are hectic and evening comes before we’re ready.  As a church staff, we love to see the people of God connecting with the heart of God.  And, thus, we will provide you a simple tool to carry home each Sunday.  This guide will help you slow down, remember the message you heard, and engage the biblical texts in a deeper way.  It will remind you to pray and reflect on God’s presence in your life each day. And all the while, you will be on this journey with others in the FBC family!  Together we can strive to be a people who not only hear God’s word but allow it to take root and transform our lives every single day. 

What do I do with it?

Each week the guide will be divided into three points.  You can do all three in one sitting or work through one a day throughout the week. The guides can be used for personal reflection or as a tool to use with your family or friends around the dinner table or before bed.  There will be room to take notes and record your own thoughts and reflections.  Since you will receive a new sheet each week, you are encouraged to purchase a notebook so you can keep the materials in one place. Each session will conclude with a children’s challenge.  This will give parents several ideas to help bring the passage to life for the whole family. Use this in whichever way you feel it will be most effective in your life and in the lives of your family and/or friends. 

August 5-11, 2012

John 17:20-24

To begin each exercise, spend a moment in prayer, quieting your mind and asking God to speak through God’s Word. Read John 17:20-24 slowly and as many times as you need to, in order to really hear what is being said.

1. John 17 allows us to overhear Jesus’ final request before his arrest. There is something significant about “finals.” When long-time television hosts retire they usually have a final show with a farewell speech.  When someone knows their time on earth is almost done, they often offer a final word to loved ones. If you had a final prayer to offer on behalf of your loved ones or for this world what might your prayer include?

What does it mean that Jesus’ final prayer on earth was a prayer for us?

Today, what would it look like for your life to serve as at least part of the Father’s answer to Christ’s final prayer?

2. In this passage, Jesus is speaking to God about us.  We are not really invited into the conversation except as eavesdroppers.  Thus, it seems that what Jesus asks the Father is not something we can make happen on our own initiative.  We can simply be open to God’s movement in our lives. When believers comes together in one accord, and when the light flows from us and touches a hurting world we must remember that we are not the ones doing this. God is. We are simply called to let God reign fully so God can move freely in and through us.  

How do you feel when someone prays for you?

How does the fact that Jesus spent some of his last moments praying for us and not with us challenge you in your pursuit of holiness today?

3. All of Jesus’ final requests are still waiting for fulfillment. The people of God do not yet live as one. Our sins, fears, and failures keep us from really being with the Father as the Son was with the Father. When the world looks at us, more times than not, they do not think twice about a loving God who sent himself to be with them. And for all of us who are still waiting for that day when God’s Kingdom will come in full, we have yet to really see the glory of Christ but in a tiny glimpse here and there.  Jesus prayed a prayer that was not immediately fulfilled. Jesus prayed a prayer that two thousand years later has yet to be fulfilled. And yet, Jesus prayed a prayer.

What prayers have you prayed again and again that remain unfulfilled? 

How does Jesus’ final prayer give you hope to pray your prayer once again?

Children’s Challenge:

·         Share with your children the ways you pray for them when they are not listening.  Explain why you ask God for these things. 

·         Tell your child about a time someone prayed for you and how it made you feel.  Ask your child if you can pray for him or her, and then ask your child how it feels to have someone pray for you.

Explain to them that Jesus prayed specifically for them in this passage, and that he still prays for them today.

·         Ask your child, “If you could ask for anything, what would you ask God for?” Help him or her turn this longing into a prayer and discuss how we continue praying even when the answer doesn’t seem to come.

·         Let your child know about something you have prayed for, for a long time. Explain how Jesus’ prayer gives you hope to keep praying each day.

Red Letter Prayers

We begin a new message series at FBC Waco this Sunday. The title of the series is Red Letter Prayers. It will include four expository sermons on some of the prayers Jesus prayed. I believe these texts will shape us in powerful ways.





8.5.12 - The Lord's Prayer, John 17:20-24

8.12.12 - The Model Prayer, Matthew 6:9-13

8.19.12 - The Garden Prayer, Luke 22:39-46

8.26.12 - The Cross Prayer, Luke 23:34