Praying as Mission Work: The Prayer Trinity
Prayer is mysterious. No way around it. No matter how much we read about it in scripture, read books or hear presentations about it, or practice the various forms developed through the ages by prayer sages, none of us really understands it. Not really. It doesn’t work like a Coke machine. Sometimes if feels like a slot machine, but we know that is not right either. It is a personal interaction with the Creator of the universe who is constantly monitoring over 7 billion humans on just this one planet, and who knows how many spiritual beings or other creatures on other planets in this vast universe flung over countless light years. We cannot understand it or master it.
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Race, America, and the Mission of God
I feel compelled to speak about racism, but I am hesitant to do so. I’m reticent not only because race is deeply controversial, but because tensions are high, and the issues are complex. More importantly, I’m still trying to understand the dynamics. However, I’ve been reading widely about racial history in the U.S. and the global context for years. I’ve been pursuing a multi-cultural vision for over 20 years and have learned much by making mistakes. I have had many conversations with church leaders of various races in the U.S. and around the world about these matters. Still, I feel in over my head all the time. Yet, at some point, it is time to move beyond learning and begin to say something. I need to do more than send out an occasional Tweet or Facebook post.
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Spiritual Heirlooms
For over 30 years, I’ve been hearing that Churches of Christ have an identity crisis. I’ve heard endless self-critiques. I’ve added to them myself. We’ve explored our weaknesses and their origins obsessively. It is not hard to find defenders or critics of our heritage. But wise self-awareness - that is more elusive.
Defensive denial is childish. Self-loathing is adolescent. Both are harmful. Having a healthy sense of both your strengths and weaknesses is mature and helpful.
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An Introduction
For several years I've been watching American church people slide into increasing fear and polarization. This has been developing for some time, but 2020 has pushed us over the edge. The coronavirus pandemic and lockdown have rocked us to the core. The racial unrest and demonstrations in the midst of all the disruption elevated an already overwhelming time.
We’ve had a near war with Iran, constant unrest in the middle east, and a divisive political climate in an election year. All of this dominates our minds so much that we’ve all but forgotten stories like Australia burning or murder hornets. It seems like the world is experiencing the bowls of God’s wrath from Revelation. We are all beginning to ask, “God, what in the world are you doing?”
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