The Protester

Time magazine recently named, “the protester” as the person of the year 2011. The unrest is everywhere and it is reshaping the world from Tunisia to Egypt, from Greece to Russia, and across our own nation from “Tea Party” to “Occupy.” The diversity of protests globally seems to share a common denominator: frustration and outrage with leadership. And the power of the protester was exponentially propagated globally through internet based social networks like Twitter and Facebook.

The Prayer Warrior

I would like to see the person of the year in 2012 be the praying Christian. A prayer warrior doesn’t fight with weapons of violence, or speeches, but is devoted to blessing our world with tireless petition and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father. They consider prayer the first order of business in their lives. They are intercessors, speaking not only for their own concerns, but on behalf of others. They are in the Word of God, praying beside it and listening to his voice.

At St. John’s, Prayer Warriors are everywhere. They are praying in niches and corners all over this building. They are priests using telephone, text, email, Facebook and whatever other tool they can get their hands on to connect people to our high priest, Jesus. This past December, dozens of them came on Thursdays which were designated as “Days of Prayer.” Still more participate in our weekly prayer email for ministry. They pray with a “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, Ends of the Earth” perspective (as we are accustomed to saying). Their prayers are a movement in action flowing from our own internal concerns to external concerns the world over.

If you’re not already apart of the movement, I encourage you to get connected. Empowering, mentoring and raising up prayer warriors has been the shared passion of Sandi and I for our entire ministry together. Our motto and call to prayer is from Psalm 127:1, “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.” Sandi champions, encourages and resources many of the prayer warriors of our ministry and she’d love to hear from you.

Kingdoms, Powers and Principalities

Many unlikely powers fell at the voice of the protester in 2011. The scriptures tell us there’s far greater power available to those who pray. To the community that prays, Psalm 46 says, “God is within her… Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.” Talk about revolutionary words! When you become a prayer warrior you join a revolutionary movement for the peace of the world. Prayer warriors see the people they meet and the headlines they read as the canvas of their prayer life. They have a panoramic view of the kingdom of God and see themselves as soul-mates holding hands with the persecuted church. They use every media they have available to hold up others in prayer. They bring an attitude of joy and peace where there once was fear and anxiety. They have leaders of the nations and leaders in the church as their passion for prayer rather than their frustration. Prayer warriors are at watch for Jesus’ return. It is their heart’s desire.

The Year of Our Lord 2012

Many are trying to predict what will come of this year 2012. No prediction is certain. We are absolutely sure, however, that this is The Year of our Lord. Those who believe Jesus is our only certainty will be led to take up his movement of prayer. “You will do what I have been doing,” Jesus says, “even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” And to drive it all home, he concludes, “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.” (John 14:12-13). There’s no better place to be and no better way to bless our homes, our loved ones, our church and our world than to make this the Year of the Prayer Warrior.

(c)2012 St. John's Lutheran Church and School | 505 S Park RD | La Grange IL 60525 www.sjlagrange.com
See the Archives for Previous Issues