From “Lion Chasers” to “Prayer Pistols”

Our church is managing to cram Matt Batterson’s 40 Day Devotional entitled “Draw the Circle” into a 40 week Small Group study.  Last nights lesson was from Chapter 26, which I have affectionately re-titled “From Lion Chasers to Prayer Pistols.”

“Lion Chasers” comes from a reference by Coach Buzz Williams to his players at Marquette University.  The premise of the lesson was that our intensity for Jesus should match the intensity for all other areas of our lives.

This weeks lesson was based on a story about Frank Laubach, who in the 1930’s began a prayer experiment.  The driving motivation behind the story was based on a question that consumed every waking moment, and the question was this:  Can we have contact with God at all times?  He then set out on a quest to answer that question.

The Bible verse for this weeks lesson was from I Thessalonians 5:17, “pray without ceasing.”  However, the real emphasis was on I Timothy 2:1, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;” (KJV).  I like the way the New Living Translation puts it, “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.”

One of the ways he learned to spend more time with God was by “shooting people with silent prayer.”  Every one that you and I come in contact has a story.  Their story may not be something we know – but they have a story none the less.  Some are hurting through physical ailments, some through marital problems, others through the loss of a loved one, or financial devastation.  We do not know what issues those we pass may be facing, BUT, we can pray for them to the One who does know.  The distance between us and God is simply a prayer away.

So, if you really want to learn to spend more time with God, I would challenge you today with this thought:

• Rather than get angry at the driver that just cut you off on the way to work, shoot him/her with your prayer pistol;
• Rather than get stressed out over issues at work, shoot your co-workers with the prayer pistol;
• Rather than hold anger against your brother or sister in Christ, shoot them with the prayer pistol;
• Rather than spend another second being angry at those you love, whether a spouse or a child, shoot them with the prayer pistol.

And if you are unlike the rest of us and have no one to shoot a pray at – shoot me with the prayer pistol – I need all I can get!