A Manifesto on Engagement (Updated)

There is a recurring theme that I find as I travel to churches around the country. The church seems to be missing the life of engagement. I looked online and according to Merriam Webster here are a couple definitions of engagement:

emotional involvement or commitment
the state of being in gear

It seems like so many Christians are simply going through the motions. They are not “bad” people, but their journey has become a routine. Dare I say their faith has become boring? They come to church on Sunday; they give in the offering, and may even read their Bible every day. But something is missing. Sticking with the idea of engagement is seems like the church may be dating Jesus, but have refused his requests to get married.

There are two things that are connected that appear to have caused this. Imagine one of those hand cars that go down a railroad tracks. When you push on one side the other side goes up. One side of this car is prayer and the other side is mission. One leads to the other.

Being a prayer guy you would expect me to say that one side is prayer. But what you might not expect is that one of the reasons I challenge people to pray is because I know that it results in mission. As you see in the Bible, when people came into the presence of God they were draw into some mission that God had for them.

The flip side is true as well. As you engage in the mission that God has for you it become obvious that you cannot do this with your own power. It requires the power of God. This will drive you into the presence of God in prayer. And the cycle will continue. Now when I am talking about mission I mean this in two ways-the broader sense of God’s activity for us and more narrowly the cross cultural calling to new people.

I have found an interesting thing happens when I push the levers of prayer and mission in my own life. It begins me moving down the tracks. And very importantly is where it takes me. It takes me to the heart of God.

But my passion is not enough. What about your engagement? Are you moving down the track? Which side do you need to move down the field? God needs you!

Why Pray? 10 Reasons to Make an Investment in Prayer (Updated)

So why pray in the first place? Let me give you just some of the benefits to a consistent life of prayer. This is hardly a complete list but since this is a post not a book I figured I should start here.

1. Relationship with Jesus.

If this was the only reason to pray that would be plenty. We get to build a friendship with God. But there is more.

2. Health Reasons

The science that I have seen indicates that there are many health benefits to taking time to pray. Things like blood pressure, strengthened immune system and helps with arthritis.

3. Helps with my relationships.

I find that I am easier to deal with after a time of prayer. This makes it a positive thing for those people close to me when I pray. If I am a nicer person to be around my friendships have a better chance to grow.

4. Prayer impacts my family.

I see the difference in my family when I pray. I am investing in my daughter’s future every time that I pray for her. My marriage can get deeper and deeper as I pray for it.

5. Prayer impacts whatever I am praying about.

If I am praying for my church and leaders it makes a difference. It is like a buffet (and I like buffets). Anything in the world that I would like to impact can be touched in my prayer life.

6. I get direction for my days as I pray.

Sometimes God will speak to me about specific assignments for the day or topics for this blog. Other times He will give me more long term direction. I never know what God will say when I pray.

7. Prayer gives me perspective.

It is easy to get focused on my immediate concerns, worries, and cares. Prayer helps me step back and get the perspective of heaven and eternity. This makes life issues take on the right size.

8. Prayer helps me avoid temptation.

Jesus teaches us to pray, “Lead me not into temptation.” We don’t know all the sin we avoid simply by praying this prayer. I figure it is worth not having to go down that road.

9. Prayer makes me more effective.

It is amazing what I get done when I prayer over my list of things to do. I somehow am more productive than otherwise. And sometimes things that seem so important just get eliminated from my list altogether.

10. Answers for needs

I have seen too many answers to prayer over the years to not include this. Miracles happen! But will we ask?

As I said reason number one would be enough, but none of the others are too shabby either. Let me recommend taking a moment right now to get some of the benefits.

Pursuing your answer in Prayer- Seeing God’s Blessings

We may be closer to God’s answer for us than we imagine. We may feel in the midst of a struggle and just want it to stop. But maybe we need to be reminded to not give up to soon. Here is a short video I made to encourage you as you pursue God’s blessings in your life: