Prayer

Prayer is something that is so often overlooked. As we grew up we learned how to pray and would often do it every night before we went to bed. We pray in church, school, meetings, and many other events almost systematically to the point where it's purpose can often be lost in habit. In my intro to ministry class we are currently reading "Working the Angles" a book written by Eugene H. Peterson, on pastoral integrity. It raises the point that one of the most essential tools in ministry is prayer. One of my favorite statements that I came across while reading was "Prayer means that we deal first with God and then with the world. Or, that we experience the world first not as a problem to be solved but as a reality in which God is acting." I stopped my reading for several minutes and dwelt on this statement because it defines how I have been called by God to live my life.

I live in a world that has so many problems, so many obstacles that I must overcome, and so many opportunities in which I can fail. However, this world does not define who I am. When I pray I am indeed proclaiming that I deal with God and then with the world, and that he is working in this world - that is what defines who I am. All of this is proclaimed by my act of prayer, which is my response to God's speech.

I am in constant need of a challenge to look more into God's message so that I can respond adequately to whatever he calls me to do.

First Post

Hey there! So I'm really new to blogging and here is my first post! I actually just got back today from Gulf Coast Getaway. GCG is a huge gathering of hundreds of college ministries around the country held in Panama City, Florida. It was such an amazing expereience, Paul Evans and Randy Harris were the two Key note speakers and the theme of the weekend was Ezekiel 37, about revitalizing dry bones. The worship was truly amazing, it is always neat to be able to give praise to God with over two thousand other people. I had a great time meeting a bunch of new people and building upon other relationships that I already have, and I definitely feel recharged.

Through GCG God was able to show me that I don't need to rely upon myself, and that I need to lift everything that I can to God. This is so hard for me to grasp sometimes because I am constantly relying on myself for things. Because of this I am consistently making mistakes when I try to give a part of my life to God, and this weekend has helped me reafirm that I don't just need to give God a part of my life, but all of it. I am so truly thankful that God allows us to come to him and let him improve our lives.

God bless!