"These days, not many people stand before God with their knees knocking. The scriptures say that the demons believe in Jesus and they "shudder" but even most Christians don't shudder anymore when they think of Jesus; it has all grown so ordinary and stale. For most of my life, there wasn't much to shudder over, except hell. And now, the tables have turned. It's God who makes the demons of hell shudder. I'm not scared of hell-hell's a hard thing to grasp. but I know how much I want folks to experience God's love and grace, and I know how much more good God is than me, so that helps me feel pretty confident. Besides, Jesus assures Peter that "the gates of hell will not prevail against the church" So it's not hell that makes me shudder but God, because I have no idea what in the world God's going to dare me to do next."- Shane Claiborne
One late night I decided to take a walk. During my walk, I came upon a catholic university, just like my own school. It was really cool exploring the campus (though I must admit I must've looked like a creeper walking by myself in the dead of a friday night-quite loserish if you will, ha I know). Anyhow, I somehow found myself walking down some stairs, that led to this stone cave-like structure. I was surprised to see that there was a ginormous cross hung up in the middle of the cave and a lot of different candles lit up. Funny. I had been meaning to take my walk to clear my mind and spend some time with God in prayer and here I was. staring at a giant cross. Coincidence... God? Now it wasn't as magical as I imagined/pictured for you to be but still, as I was praying on my knees, the wind was blowing in the trees, and maybe it was a set-up, or maybe it was really feeling worked up by prayer-but I shuddered.
After I was done, I got up and turned around, and saw that my view was overlooking the city of austin. I thought to myself, "How cool would it be if I just prayed for this city?!" So I confess, I raised my hands toward the city, and prayed for that city!!! SO embaressed! but I have to tell ya'll cause I GET EXCITED BOUT THESE CRAZY IDEAS!!! (mind you, I made sure no one was around in case they thought I was insane). But I did it!! I prayed. For the people. For the christians, to start a movement to change the city. To reach the homeless. To make a radical change. I couldn't help but think of Chris Tomlin's song "God of this city."
Recently God has been speaking to me the importance of prayer. I feel like christians often neglect HOW POWERFUL, prayer really is. I realized when I go days without really truly setting aside time for prayer, i feel so crummy. Instead, after I whip out my deepest darkest secrets to God, pray for my small group, for my church, for my friends/family, for missionaries over the world, for the christians all over to be strengthened, I feel refreshed. I imagine just like those sierra mist commercials where the person is steaming hot during summer and icicle water splashes at them. refreshed. Because God calls us to pray. unceasingly, in every circumstance.. and sometimes we get so wrapped up in our own little world we forget how big God is and how big God can move. We CAN tremble, if our eyes just readjust unto God, and off ourselves.
I've really enjoyed being with my sister here in austin. We have tried before we go to bed, to pray aloud. Pray for the people we know, people that come to mind, and pray for the difficulties we're going through. I believe, that is the kind of community we need with other believers. To be challenged to really pray together, because when 2 or more are gathered in his name, he is there. Do you understand that?? He is THERE. HE IS HERE. wow. shudder.
PS. as I'm writing this blog, my loud, annoying neighbors below who keep me and my sister up at night, I just realize are playing the guitar and singing david crowder, "You never let go". Funny. Maybe I'll pray for them. (to be quiet :) )
edit--
my dad wrote me this email shortly after this day:
Dear Triica: (23 YEARS AND HE SPELLS MY NAME WRONG :) )
I like to listen to your prayer when we pray together. I think it is also true to the Lord in Heaven.
First, we should have a burden to pray, not prayer becomes a burden. I believe more than before that God listens to our prayer.
My experience has been with the SLU Student Fellowship - I do not pray for them too often. As I get to know them more and build relationship, I feel they have so much need in their life. I start to pray for them. I feel compassion. Sometimes, I have too many things going on so I really do not have much energy.
Pray is a life long endeavor. The Lord sometimes just move us to pray.
Thanks for praying !
Love, Dad
