book review: Transforming Prayer: How Everything Changes When You Seek God's Face by Daniel Henderson

In his book Transforming Prayer: How Everything Changes When You Seek God’s Face, author Daniel Henderson says it’s time we stop coming to God with our shopping lists of needs. A better way to pray, he suggests, is to “seek the face of God before the hand of God” p. 27.

Henderson starts out in Part One by poking fun of the prayer meetings his parents insisted he attend as a child. These consisted of a lot of visiting and discussing peoples’ needs (mostly physical health problems). He quips that people spent many more hours praying for God to keep His ill saints from glory than to save sinners from hell.

Having planted lots of discontent with the old prayer-list-focused type of prayer meeting, Henderson lays the groundwork for a different kind of prayer. In chapters that the explore topics of seeking God’s face and doing everything for His glory, he holds up people like Moses for readers to emulate.

In Part Two he further explains his thesis of prayer in chapters on what it means to abide in Christ and pray in Jesus’ name. He discusses how the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in a Christian’s life and God's revelation of Himself in the Bible affect how people pray and what they pray for.

He goes from the theory of prayer (Parts One and Two) to its practice in Part Three. There he shows how the Lord’s prayer can become one’s prayer template. As well he gives advice on how to implement the ideas he has developed. Four key questions (“Who is God? [reverence]; How should I respond? [response]; What do I pray about? [requests]; Where do I go from here? [readiness]” – p. 174) help readers bring focus to prayer and stimulate specific prayers. There is also a chapter that explains how his method would work in an actual prayer session.

Though some of his humor is corny (“I had a serious ‘drug problem.’ My parents drug me to the old-fashioned Wednesday night prayer meeting almost every week” – p. 24), and one or two chapter titles are flip (e.g. Ch. 5: “Glowin’ Moses and a Transformed You”), there is much to like and learn from this book.

Henderson’s teaching on seeking the glory of God and the resultant prayer that is molded by God’s revelation of Himself and His will for us rather than our desires for ourselves is scripturally defensible from every angle. His chapters on praying in Jesus’ name and how our abiding in Him guides what we request are full of depth and insight. My review copy is now full of underlined passages that articulate wisdom about prayer that I am hoping to apply in my own life – passages like:

“Worship is the response of all we are to the revelation of all God is….worship-based prayer seeks the face of God before the hand of God. God’s face is the essence of who He is. God’s hand is the blessing of what He does. God’s face represents His person and presence. God’s hand expresses His provision… if all we ever do is seek God’s hand, we may miss His face; but if we seek His face, He will be glad to open His hand and satisfy the deepest desires of our hearts” p. 27.

and

“The real joy and assurance in prayer comes from the primary focus of seeking Christ’s person and presence prior to His provision. Out of that intimacy of seeking His face, we discover again the wonder of His characters, His heart, His purpose, and His will” – p. 133.

Besides solid teaching about prayer the book has other features that give it value. Inspirational stories of people whose lives have been impacted by using Henderson’s method of prayer are scattered throughout the text. Several relevant quotes of others begin each chapter and Henderson quotes many great theologians and Christian thinkers throughout.

There are also five appendices which discuss prayer-related topics like “Face-to-Face Encounters with God,” “How Jesus Prayed” and others. A chapter-by chapter section of questions and discussion topics at the back of the book make it a great choice for group study.

If you’re dissatisfied with your personal prayer life or looking for a resource to broaden and deepen the prayers of your small group or church, Transforming Prayer is definitely worth checking out.

Read a sample online

Title: Transforming Prayer: How Everything Changes When You Seek God's Face
Author: Daniel Henderson
Publisher: Bethany House, January 2011, 236 pages, paperback

• ISBN-10: 0764208519
• ISBN-13: 978-0764208515

(I received this book as a gift from the publisher for the purpose of writing a review.
Article first published as Book Review: Transforming Prayer: How Everything Changes When You Seek God's Face by Daniel Henderson on Blogcritics.)

winter boots (#141-147 of 1000 gifts)

Yesterday after church while hubby toddled off to the city to go to a football game with son, I took my walk and found myself wandering through the A&N to see if I could find anything in the way of a cozy walking boot. Even though it isn't dreadfully cold here most of the winter, I prefer lined boots to runners for winter walks. (I remember I wrote about finding boots last year. But I eventually had to give them away because they hurt my naughty arthritic toe when I walked any distance at all.)

I combed the boot section forward and back, tried on a pair that looked comfy, but they had about as much support as tennis shoes. So I left the boots and browsed the hats (lots of aeronautic helmets and nordic ones with cute braided ties - not my style, but I wish they were).

On my way out of the store I detoured past the boots again...so many nice styles, you'd think I could find one pair. Lord, if there is a pair of boots for me anywhere this winter, please show me, was my thought-prayer as I turned to leave. And there, right in front of me, was a table of women's lined leather walking boots that I hadn't seen before. They were the exact style of my two-years-expired beloved but leaky old boots. I found my size and they fit like a handshake. (Of course, the true test will be how they feel when I walk any distance. But the price was right - under $20).

This week's collection, on the way to assembling 1000 gifts:

141. - those winter boots.

142. A surprise invite from an out-of-town friend for hubby and me to join her and her husband at a theatre production of "The Skin of Our Teeth" at Trinity Western University. Very fun! (Thanks again, Joyce!).

143. My bathroom shower - so quick to warm up, so easy to adjust.

144. Flannel bedding.

145. Friends who send me recipes for Cranberry Relish. I just made some (the tops are sealing with satisfying POPS as I write this Sunday night).

146. A new month with a new challenge (no NaNoWriMo for me this year).

147. Colourful fall foliage everywhere I look. It's absolutely glorious!

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If you'd like to join me and many others collecting One Thousand Gifts, please do. Some members of this gratefulness community post their gifts on blogs, while others list them in private journals. Instructions on how to join are here. 

a prayer meditation

Just over two weeks ago our son had a scary fall from a roof, 20 feet down onto concrete. You can probably imagine the frantic prayers a parent prays at times like this. In fact, the hours of the first few days and nights blurred into one long prayer.

It's at times like that I really appreciate a little book I bought some years ago. Praying with Fire by Barbara Billett is a collection of prayers based on Scripture. The prayer for children is one I've been reading/praying over and over.

In the last few days I've also been meditating on the Bible passages these prayers are based on (they're listed at the bottom of each prayer, in the order they occur). Isaiah 54:13 is one of those verses:

All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
And great shall be the peace of your children.


ALL YOUR CHILDREN - children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren...

"TAUGHT BY THE LORD" - how does He do it?
- through nature.
- through the Bible.
- through the experience and counsel of others.
- through their own experiences - including tragedy, loss, sickness, disaster - and good times too.
- through miracles - dreams, visions, miracles, healings.

"AND GREAT SHALL BE THE PEACE OF YOUR CHILDREN."
That's an interesting outcome. Not wealth or intelligence, favor, or joy but peace.
- A state of mental or physical quiet or tranquility; calm, repose
- Absence or cessation of war
- Public order - freedom from riot or violence
- Reconciliation after strife or enmity
- Freedom from mental agitation or anxiety


Lord, teach our children. Bring peace to them - and us. Amen.

A sampling of the prayers in Praying with Fire is on The Miracle Channel website. Here is the "Prayer for Children". Other prayers are linked at the top of the page.

Happy 142nd - Canada!!

Today is Canada Day - the celebration of Canada's 142nd birthday. This scenic version of our national anthem comes from the Mother Corp.




"O Canada" is actually a hymn with the second verse a prayer.

Speaking of prayer, Rev. Rob Parker of Canada's National House of Prayer spoke in our church last Sunday. He told of the beautiful former Ottawa convent that now houses this prayer movement's headquarters. As a result of the National House of Prayer initiatives there are now people praying in the gallery of the House of Commons every time the House is in session. How encouraging is that!

(Information about sending a delegation to Ottawa to participate in National House of Prayer activities here.)

prayer for Canada

What a roller coaster week! I must admit I've been more than a little exercised by what's been happening in Ottawa. The possibility of my country falling into jeopardy has made me realize how much I love Canada.

Though I've struggled with an array of emotions from anger to despair, I return again and again to the only posture that I believe will make any real difference. It's prayer. It's bringing the issue to God, the way Hezekiah spread out the threatening letter he got from Sennarcherib, and asking for Divine help.

I have a wonderful book of prayers on my bookshelf. Praying with Fire by Barbara Billett is a slim, coil-bound book full of prayers based on Scripture. This morning I found myself praying the prayer for Canada.

If you're feeling similarly shaken by recent events, why don't you join me in this prayer (abbreviated from the book version - complete prayer found here -- beginning at "Confess aloud the following prayer over Canada every day..."):

1 Timothy 2:1-3

Father, in Jesus' name, I give thanks for our nation and its government. I bring before you the men and women in positions of authority. I pray and intercede for our Prime Minister (and the Governor General), and every Premier of every province. I pray for every person who is in authority over us in any way. I pray that the anointing of the Holy Spirit be upon them to lead them and to guide them.

....

It is written in Your Word that the heart of the king is in the hand of You Lord, and that You turn it which ever way You desire. I believe that the hearts of our Prime Minister and the leaders of Canada are in Your Hand and that their decisions are divinely directed of the Lord.

....

Father, I ask you in Jesus Name to pour out your anointing of divine favour, wisdom and discernment upon the leaders in the Name of Jesus. I ask you Lord that they would have great liberty in sounding the alarm and blowing the trumpet regarding every unrighteous strategy that is trying to be implemented in this nation. I pray that there would be an exposure of the hidden things of darkness in the government in the Name of Jesus.

I ask You, Lord, to remove every deceitful worker and unrighteous person from being in any position of authority in our nation of Canada, in the Name of Jesus. I thank You, Lord, for replacing them with righteous men and women.

....

I thank You, Lord, that this nation stands together in one accord and that You, Lord, command a blessing where there is unity! In the name of Jesus, I serve notice to every attempt of Satan to bring division to this nation and I declare that every spirit of division is bound and broken from our nation of Canada. I command you rulers of darkness, principalities and powers and spirits of division and witchcraft to loose Canada and its leaders in the Name of Jesus.

.....

I thank you, Lord, that the Word of God is prevailing and growing mightily in the hearts of the people of Canada. I thank you, Lord, that Your Word is upholding, maintaining, propelling and guiding the leaders of this nation. I thank you, Lord, that You are watching over Your Word to perform it and that Your Word shall not return void in the Name of Jesus!

I stand in agreement with every person who confesses this Word over the nation and its leaders in the Name of Jesus. The Bible says that when two shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them by My Father which is in heaven. I confess and believe that the angels of God are hearkening to the voice of God's Word today and are going forth to bring Your Word to pass in the Nation of Canada! I confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings over the Nation of Canada, in Jesus Name! PRAISE THE LORD!

Prayer references: 1 Timothy 2:1-3; Proverbs 2:10-11,20;28:2 (Amplified Bible); Matthew 18:18, 19; James 3:15; 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5; Proverbs 21:1; 2 Corinthians 11:13; Psalms 5:12; Proverbs 2:10; 1 Corinthians 2:16; Psalm 33:12; Ephesians 6:12; Psalms 133; Proverbs 29:18; 2 Corinthians 4:4,6; Hebrews 1:3; (Amplified Bible); Jeremiah 1:12; Isaiah 55:11; Psalms 103:20

sunday quote

"In the name of Jesus Christ who was never in a hurry, we pray, O God, that You will slow us down, for we know that we live too fast. With all of eternity before us, make us take time to live -- time to get acquainted with You, time to enjoy Your blessings, and time to know each other."

- Peter Marshall, 1902-1949

puppets shivering in the park

When Paul lists the things he's suffered for the gospel, I don't think he mentions freezing temperatures. He surely would have if he'd had any experience in Grande Prairie, Alberta at the end of August.

My friend Maralee Dawn (ventriloquist, minister to children) is there right now, doing a series of evening outdoor meetings sponsored by one of the local churches. Her blog this morning tells of last night's frigid temperatures and winds that nearly blew over the speakers. Two hundred were there despite that. Many made decisions for Jesus!

I just checked today's weather forecast for Grande Prairie. If anything it's even colder (predicted low of plus 3 - brrr) a veritable early winter! (Where's global warming when you need it?!)

Join me in praying for my friend, that even the cold and wind will work for God's glory - or that He will create a little pocket of warmth right over that park.

christian morality vs. HRCs

Christian morality and Canadian Human Rights Commissions come to blows again. This time in Ontario, where the OHRC has come down hard on Christian Horizons, a mission to the developmentally challenged. A condition of employment at Christian Horizons is that staff sign the mission's code of conduct which includes a ban on unbiblical sexual behavior such as adultery, sex before marriage and homosexuality.

This was challenged when a former lesbian employee took the matter to the OHRC, alleging that Christian Horizons had discriminated against her (whether she resigned or was fired is not clear).

The result, as reported by Nigel Hannaford in the Calgary Herald:

The OHRC... order(ed) Christian Horizons to pay her money. And to change its culture. "Christian Horizons shall develop and adopt an anti-discrimination and an anti-harassment policy as well as a human rights training program for all employees and managers . . . [and] shall cease and desist from imposing the Lifestyle and Morality Statement as a condition of employment."

read entire...

This ruling despite the fact that Canada needs Christian organizations to help deal with the poor, destitute and marginalized. Michael Coren (Toronto Sun):

Quite simply, without Christian groups and Christian people the social welfare network of Canada would collapse. This is not hyperbole. Walk along almost any main street and look at the names of the houses, associations and institutes that care for the poor, the abused, the marginalized, irrespective of their gender, race, religion or sexuality.

Christian welfare groups tend to be the most successful in dealing with the needy, much of their work is performed by volunteers and most of their money comes from donations.They are motivated by their faith -- the same faith that leads them to sign morality statements and not to lie, cheat, be promiscuous or, sorry, engage in homosexual sex. Goodness, this isn't brain surgery. If people want to be homosexual, that is their business. If people want to be Christian, it should be theirs.

read entire...

Aside from wringing our hands, what can Christians do?

1. We can pray. "If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

(Personally I've taken to praying against HRCs in an imprecatory Psalm way - using words from Psalm 40: "Let them (HRCs) be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion, Let them be driven backward and brought to dishonor. Let them be confounded because of their shame.")

2. We need to get used to the idea that the days of the state and church working together are pretty much over in Canada. For far too long we've been silenced by the fear that our speaking out will compromise our church's tax-exempt status. Personally, I think we should repudiate that status and refuse to take any public monies, even though this would have huge ramifications, especially on Christian schools. And it probably wouldn't stop the HRCs from coming after us. But at least they would no longer have the "public money" reason to bully us on matters of morality.

listen to Pastor Sunday Adelaja live!

Update - Wednesday 04/23/08
I was unable to hear the streaming video last night, but this morning Strang Ministries sent me a link which I can access. If you missed it, it's here. It's a worthwhile interview - Listen!

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Join in on a teleconference call with Stephen Strang (President & CEO of Strang Communications - Charisma Magazine) and Pastor Sunday Adelaja from Kiev Ukraine. Or, if you prefer, listen to the conversation by streaming audio on the internet. This is happening Tuesday, April 22/08 - 6:00 p.m. PST.

About Pastor Sunday Adelaja (blurb taken from the Strang Ministries email):

Sunday Adelaja is the founder and senior pastor of The Embassy of the Blessed Kingdom of God for All Nations in Kiev, Ukraine. Pastor Sunday has an international ministry that reaches more than 30 countries, including the U.S., Canada, England, Germany, Russia and Singapore.

Born in Nigeria, he was recruited by Russian communists as a teenager. Today he pastors one of the largest churches in Eastern Europe. His congregation has had a direct influence on the regime change during the Orange Revolution. His cross-cultural ministry has had more than 2 million converts and 600 church plants worldwide.

You can register here

Related: Read Pastor Sunday Adelaja's testimony about prayer: How Sunday Adelaja Learned to Pray.

a prayer aid

Probably most of us pray at some time or other. I know I certainly do -- for things that concern me personally as well as requests that others give me, or for things that I hear about in the world at large that leave me feeling helpless, or upset or threatened or frightened or any number of other things.

However, a few months ago I began to feel convicted about the sloppiness with which I handled these prayer concerns. Because I was trusting my memory to pull them up for me, my praying was very hit-and-miss. That's when I decided to do something list-wise and designed my monthly prayer-list / chart.

I decided to make this a list I will revisit weekly. I designed my chart to fit on two pages, with five large sections (to accommodate even the longest month). Each large section is divided into a request box on the left, and an answer box on the right. When I get an answer to prayer, I write it across from the request in red - so I'm sure not to miss it.


I confess I haven't been completely regular about keeping current with this list. But I do now have quite a few filled-out sheets that help me see what I've prayed for and how God has answered those prayers. Often when looking back over past weeks, I see answers when I didn't at the time (keeping a list with a space for answers keeps one alert for something to put in that section).

To motivate me further. I placed two of my favorite quotes about prayer at the top of the first page:

"Intercession means that we rouse ourselves up to get the mind of Christ about the one for whom we pray . . . . Get into the real work of intercession, and remember it is a work that taxes every power; but a work that has no snare"
- Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest, March 30

and

"Without the intervention of God's kingdom rule through prayer, Earth's circumstances will succumb to inevitable consequences. Earthly scenes of need must be penetrated by God's "will here as in heaven." Either the weakness of man's rule (the flesh) or the viciousness of hell's works (the Devil) will prevail. God's power alone can change things and bring heaven's rule (kingdom) instead, and the honor and the glory for prayer's answers are His. however, the praying is ours to do. Unless we ask for the intervention of His kingdom and obey His prayer-lessons, nothing will change. All kingdom ministry begins with and is sustained by, and will triumph through prayer

- Jack Hayford (New Spirit-Filled Life Bible)

Aren't those great!

Rebecca runs a monthly theme on her blog Rebecca Writes, and this month's theme is "Petitionary Prayer." On Tuesdays and Fridays she does a Petitionary Prayer post where she links to posts where other bloggers share things for which they are currently petitioning God.

For me an item that has appeared on each list I've made so far is for healing for friends and relatives who are ill, many with cancer. My prayer list has helped me keep regular with these prayers and, praise God, there are some red notes next to those items -- but I wish there were more. Of course I know only eternity will tell the complete effects my prayers have had.

the week ahead

I have an interesting week ahead of me. One of the things on my to-do list is fly to Lethbridge to be interviewed by my friend Maralee for Passionate Women, the TV show she hosts. The interview subject is my children's devotional blog.

Maralee, who was formerly the children's pastor at our church, has had a heart for kids for a long time. She is a ventriloquist and with puppets Butch, Suzi and many others has put together several series of video shows for kids called Maralee Dawn and Friends.

From the minute I told her I was working on the kids' devotional project, she has been one of my biggest encouragers. I felt hugely honored when she asked me to be on Passionate Women. It is taped at the Miracle Channel in Lethbridge (Canada's only Christian TV channel). My taping is scheduled for Wednesday morning (Feb. 13th) - so if you think of it, please pray for me.

Passionate Women airs on the Miracle Channel as well as a variety of faith-based channels in the U.S.

book review: How Strong Women Pray by Bonnie St. James

Title: How Strong Women Pray
Author: Bonnie St. James
Publisher: Faith Words - Hachette Book Group USA, 2007
Genre: Christian living, Inspirational
ISBN: 0446579262

Bonnie St. James is a strong woman if there ever was one. After her right leg was amputated as a child, she not only won a silver Paralympic medal in downhill skiing (1984), but she earned degrees at Harvard and Oxford, worked in the White House as a director, and has since established herself as a writer and motivational speaker. But she would be the first to tell you she could never have done it without prayer and God’s help.

In the book How Strong Women Pray, Bonnie tells her story in twenty-five chapters that are woven between the stories of twenty-seven other strong women as diverse as Afghanistan soldier Karen Kim, former First Lady Barbara Bush, and poet Maya Angelou.

The book is divided into six sections that follow the path of Bonnie’s life starting with childhood (“Facing Life’s Storms with Childlike Faith”), youth (“Climbing the World’s Highest Mountain”), marriage (“From Marriage to Politics: Powerful Relationships”), motherhood (“Motherhood and Working with the Spirit”), overcoming the demons of the past (“In the Valley We Grow” – where she tells of her wrestle with the buried memories of early childhood sexual abuse), and, finally, moving on with hope (“And Still I Rise”).

All the stories are powerful in their own way. In the chapters where the various women give their perspectives on prayer, each woman is introduced briefly in a vignette from her life. The voice then changes (signified in the text by a font change) to the woman telling her own story and giving her thoughts on prayer. Thus the writing voices and the insights are as varied and interesting as talking with twenty-seven different women. For example, Martha Williamson tells the story of how she came to produce the TV series “Touched by an Angel.” Colette Branch tells of how she evacuated 100 clients plus about 200 employees from New Orleans just before Hurricane Katrina hit. Kathy and Barbara Ireland (daughter and mother) talk about 18-year-old Kathy’s foray into the international professional modeling scene while at home Barbara prayed.

Here are some examples of some of the book’s prayer insights:

“I never feel closer to God than when I’m dancing. I dance all over the house like other people sing in the shower. I choreograph movements for the Lord’s Prayer.” – Dr. Suzanne Karefe-Johnson, hospice physician.

“Prayer isn’t about alerting Him to my needs, it’s about my heart being changed.” – Janet Parshall, radio show host.

“I prayed for my enemy to go away. I told God, ‘I know that this person is like me. He’s a human being. He has kindness somewhere deep down. I pray that the humanity in him will come out..... I began to see the harshness leave his face….I could actually see evil flying from his spirit. I knew God was there.” – Immaculée Ilibagiza, Rwandan genocide survivor.

Bonnie tells her own story all in first person. Her prose is brisk and lively. She never sounds whiny or self-pitying as she recounts the challenges she faced in every new venture, though there are parts which would have warranted it. I was moved by her transparency, especially when she shared bitter details (always tastefully of course) from her early childhood. Her love of people is evident and she comes across as a joyful, whole woman who has found such a wonderful thing in prayer and a relationship with God that she can’t help but share it with others.

The sturdy little hardcover (black print on creamy white paper) has a nice heft. Under the colorful dust jacket, the covers are red with gold writing on a white spine.

As someone who has prayed for as long as I can remember, this book with its many stories about and perspectives on prayer helped me gain a new appreciation for the treasure it is. I saw my own practice reflected in some of the stories while others challenged me to pray in new ways. Whether you are a woman who is committed to prayer, or someone who has only had the odd thought of giving it a try, I’m sure you’ll find How Strong Women Pray has something to say to you too.

attack on the most vulnerable

Last week I saw a disturbing documentary about elementary-aged kids playing something called the choking game. In it, they either hold their breath, choke themselves or get someone else to choke them in order to get a short high. The tragic thing is, sometimes this game ends in death.

In the documentary, several of the most unlikely kids were found dead of strangulation. Investigators and parents, at first unaware of the deadly game they were playing, labeled the deaths suicide. It was only later, when the children's participation in the choking game came to light, that it was considered these deaths might have been accidental.

Then today I heard a most tragic thing. About a week ago a six-year-old boy was stripped of his clothes and pushed into a lake by three other boys (seven, eight and nine years). He didn't know how to swim and drowned. It happened in a village north of Winnipeg.

A news article describes the tragic setting -- the village of Pauingassi, which has long had a problem with kids sniffing gasoline and adult alcoholism, abuse, violence and neglect.

What links these two things in my mind is the fact that they are both attacks on kids that are rank with the odor of destruction and death. In fact, the fingerprints of the destroyer are all over them. Satan is attacking the kids! It makes me angry. Let's resist this destruction with more watchfulness and prayer!

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Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8

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Remember that no prayer goes unanswered. Remember that the moment a thing seems wrong to you, or a person's actions to be not what you think they should be, at that moment begins your obligation and responsibility to pray for those wrongs to be righted, or that person to be different.

Face your responsibilities. What is wrong in your country, its statesmen, its laws, its people? Think out quietly, and make these matters your prayer matters. You will see lives you never touch altered, laws made at your request, evils banished....

You may never see the mighty work you do, but I see it, evil sees it. Oh! it is a glorious life, the life of one who saves..."

- From God Calling by Two Listeners, edited by A. J. Russell

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Information on the choking game:

- on Wikipedia
- from a teacher site
- chokinggameinformation.com

chaplains

Every time more Canadian soldiers are killed in Afghanistan, a brouhaha erupts in the news with questions being asked, mostly by politicians and some media types: "When have too many Canadians died? When is it time for us to withdraw?" Since there have been many casualties lately, this discussion is happening a lot and it is getting tiresome. This is, after all, war. And this isn't this what the terrorists are counting on us to do - wimp out when the going gets tough? Did the same thing happen, I wonder, during World War II every time deaths were reported from the front? I wonder too how this attitude affects the morale of the soldiers stationed there.

That's why the presence of Major Pierre Bergeron, a Canadian Forces chaplain, in church yesterday morning, was so refreshing. For once we heard from someone who is not out to question our presence in Afghanistan, but to support the troops.

He was visiting family in the area and spoke only briefly. But I found what he said encouraging.

He described eight church services happening at the chapel in Kandahar every Sunday -- accommodating every worship style from liturgical to Black Gospel. He told us of a dream he has of bringing these various 'congregations' together in a joint prayer and fasting meeting one day a month. He spoke of chaplains providing a presence on the base as well as at the front, where soldiers want to talk to them before they go out on missions, and after they return from them.

Major Bergeron was first sent to Afghanistan in December '06 for several weeks. Now he will be returning in two weeks for another nine months.

Our pastors and people from the congregation gathered around him and his wife, laid hands on them and prayed for them. As I looked down from my seat in the balcony at him and his wife back in their seats, and saw her place an arm around his waist, and then saw how he took her hand, I thought of the months ahead for them.

Sending someone off to a place like Afghanistan, no matter how noble the cause, must be terrifying. It made me want to renew my prayers for the soldiers there and add to them the chaplains. They also go into harm's way, not to do direct fighting but to support our soldiers, bringing an eternal perspective to the men and women who represent our nation in its stand against repression and terrorism, and for freedom and democracy,

come

When Peter asked Jesus to prove His identity by commanding him to walk on the water, Peter was putting out a fleece of sorts. Jesus' answer, "Come," brought Peter to a crossroads of faith. Would he trust Jesus, or trust his ears, eyes and the very slap of the wind on his face?

We know the story -- how he jumped out, started walking on the water but then, distracted by the storm, took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink.

How many times don't we find ourselves in a similar situation? We've prayed, perhaps even put out a fleece and sensed Jesus' answer was "Come." But then we must actually live our faith by jumping into that roiling sea, which every human instinct says will swallow us up. Our choice is to either focus on the natural situation or on the face of the One Who said, 'Come.'

How does walking on water work? I sure don't know. But I do know from this and many other Bible stories of faith, that the very act of doing seems to throw the switch on the law of Kingdom buoyancy.

We're in a situation today where I feel like we've jumped over the side of the boat. The story of Peter walking on water came to mind as I was praying about it, and the old hymn, "I Need The Every Hour':

I need Thee; oh I need Thee!
Every hour I need Thee!
Oh bless me now, my Saviour;
I come to Thee.

prayer request

UPDATE 2:

Char has posted pictures of baby after surgery yesterday.

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UPDATE 1:

Char writes on her blog at 4:51 this afternoon:

"Surgery was a success!!"

Karter was out of surgery and in the ICU by 12:30 today. The surgeon said that the operation went very well and there were no major complications. They were happy with how well everything went.

Read more...

She thanks all who prayed. I thank you too!

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Little Karter Witt, 10-month-old son of my choir friend Char, goes for brain surgery this morning (about now - 8:a.m. PST). It will take 4-5 hours. Pray for him.

do miracles still happen?

Suppose you’re a mom. You have a beautiful two-year-old girl and give birth to a healthy son. Sounds like perfection, doesn’t it? But then at three months old, your baby boy begins having seizures. This is the story of Char, my section leader in our choir.

Baby Karter is now ten months old. He and his family have been around the block more than once at Children’s Hospital. It was determined a few months ago that the medication isn't working; he needs surgery. As I understand it, the surgeon will remove a tiny part of his brain where the activity is focused. This is hugely risky and could have implications for the rest of his life. Not doing the surgery is also risky. From the time his seizures began, his mom noticed a change in his tone and ability to do things like roll over and meet other milestones.

His surgery, first scheduled for March, had to be postponed because he got sick. Now he is healthy and surgery has been rescheduled for next Friday (May 18th). But his mom and dad and a host of people at our church and around the world are praying and trusting that God will intervene and heal him. They are praying that the pre-surgery MRI that is scheduled for next Thursday will show that he is all better, and that surgery isn't necessary.

I was thinking about Karter evening as I was reading some of the blogs I subscribe to. When I came to this post by Lori that tells what happened to her son - I just about shouted Hallelujah! Miracles do happen!

Read about Karter and the Witt Family’s journey on their blog. And if you feel so moved, please join in praying for another miracle.

a letter from the Protestant church of Smyrna

This very sobering letter was forwarded to me this morning by my sister-in-law who, with my brother, spent February of this year in a village near Antakya (Antioch), Turkey. (Warning: there are graphic descriptions of torture) Read it, weep - AND PRAY!

A letter to the Global Church from The Protestant Church of Smyrna

Dear friends,
This past week has been filled with much sorrow. Many of you have heard by now of our devastating loss here in an event that took place in Malatya, a Turkish province 300 miles northeast of Antioch, the city where believers were first called Christians (Acts 11:26).

On Wednesday morning, April 18, 2007, 46 year old German missionary and father of three Tilman Geske prepared to go to his office, kissing his wife goodbye taking a moment to hug his son and give him the priceless memory, “Goodbye, son. I love you.”

Tilman rented an office space from Zirve Publishing where he was preparing notes for the new Turkish Study Bible. Zirve was also the location of the Malatya Evangelist Church office. A ministry of the church, Zirve prints and distributes Christian literature to Malatya and nearby cities in Eastern Turkey. In another area of town, 35 year old Pastor Necati Aydin, father of two, said goodbye to his wife, leaving for the office as well. They had a morning Bible Study and prayer meeting that some other believers in town would also be attending. Ugur Yuksel likewise made his way to the Bible study.

None of these three men knew that what awaited them at the Bible study was the ultimate testing and application of their faith, which would conclude with their entrance into glory to receive their crown of righteousness from Christ and honor from all the saints awaiting them in the Lord’s presence.

On the other side of town, ten young men all under 20 years old put into place final arrangements for their ultimate act of faith, living out their love for Allah and hatred of infidels who they felt undermined Islam.

On Resurrection Sunday, five of these men had been to a by-invitation-only evangelistic service that Pastor Necati and his men had arranged at a hotel conference room in the city. The men were known to the believers as “seekers.” No one knows what happened in the hearts of those men as they listened to the gospel. Were they touched by the Holy Spirit? Were they convicted of sin? Did they hear the gospel in their heart of hearts? Today we only have the beginning of their story.

These young men, one of whom is the son of a mayor in the Province of Malatya, are part of a tarikat, or a group of “faithful believers” in Islam. Tarikat membership is highly respected here; it’s like a fraternity membership. In fact, it is said that no one can get into public office without membership in a tarikat. These young men all lived in the same dorm, all preparing for university entrance exams.

The young men got guns, breadknives, ropes and towels ready for their final act of service to Allah. They knew there would be a lot of blood. They arrived in time for the Bible Study, around 10 o’clock.

They arrived, and apparently the Bible Study began. Reportedly, after Necati read a chapter from the Bible the assault began. The boys tied Ugur, Necati, and Tilman’s hands and feet to chairs and as they videoed their work on their cellphones, they tortured our brothers for almost three hours*

[Details of the torture--
* Tilman was stabbed 156 times, Necati 99 times and Ugur’s stabs were too numerous to count. They were disemboweled, and their intestines sliced up in front of their eyes. They were emasculated and watched as those body parts were destroyed. Fingers were chopped off, their noses and mouths and anuses were sliced open. Possibly the worst part was watching as their brothers were likewise tortured. Finally, their throats were sliced from ear to ear, heads practically decapitated.]

Neighbors in workplaces near the printhouse said later they had heard yelling, but assumed the owners were having a domestic argument so they did not respond.

Meanwhile, another believer Gokhan and his wife had a leisurely morning. He slept in till 10, ate a long breakfast and finally around 12:30 he and his wife arrived at the office. The door was locked from the inside, and his key would not work. He phoned and though it had connection on his end he did not hear the phone ringing inside. He called cell phones of his brothers and finally Ugur answered his phone. “We are not at the office. Go to the hotel meeting. We are there. We will come there,” he said cryptically. As Ugur spoke Gokhan heard in the telephone’s background weeping and a strange snarling sound.

He phoned the police, and the nearest officer arrived in about five minutes. He pounded on the door, “Police, open up!” Initially the officer thought it was a domestic disturbance. At that point they heard another snarl and a gurgling moan. The police understood that sound as human suffering, prepared the clip in his gun and tried over and over again to burst through the door. One of the frightened assailants unlocked the door for the policeman, who entered to find a grisly scene.

Tilman and Necati had been slaughtered, practically decapitated with their necks slit from ear to ear. Ugur’s throat was likewise slit and he was barely alive.

Three assailants in front of the policeman dropped their weapons.

Meanwhile Gokhan heard a sound of yelling in the street. Someone had fallen from their third story office. Running down, he found a man on the ground, whom he later recognized, named Emre Gunaydin. He had massive head trauma and, strangely, was snarling. He had tried to climb down the drainpipe to escape, and losing his balance had plummeted to the ground. It seems that he was the main leader of the attackers. Another assailant was found hiding on a lower balcony.

To untangle the web we need to back up six years. In April 2001, the National Security Council of Turkey (Milli Guvenlik Kurulu) began to consider evangelical Christians as a threat to national security, on equal footing as Al Quaida and PKK terrorism. Statements made in the press by political leaders, columnists and commentators have fueled a hatred against missionaries who they claim bribe young people to change their religion.

After that decision in 2001, attacks and threats on churches, pastors and Christians began. Bombings, physical attacks, verbal and written abuse are only some of the ways Christians are being targetted. Most significant is the use of media propaganda.

From December 2005, after having a long meeting regarding the Christian threat, the wife of Former Prime Minister Ecevit, historian Ilber Ortayli, Professor Hasan Unsal, Politician Ahmet Tan and writer/propogandist Aytunc Altindal, each in their own profession began a campaign to bring the public’s attention to the looming threat of Christians who sought to “buy their children’s souls”. Hidden cameras in churches have taken church service footage and used it sensationally to promote fear and antagonism toward Christianity.

In an official televised response from Ankara, the Interior Minister of Turkey smirked as he spoke of the attacks on our brothers. Amid public outrage and protests against the event and in favor of freedom of religion and freedom of thought, media and official comments ring with the same message, “We hope you have learned your lesson. We do not want Christians here.”

It appears that this was an organized attack initiated by an unknown adult tarikat leader. As in the Hrant Dink murder in January 2007, and a Catholic priest Andrea Santoro in February 2006, minors are being used to commit religious murders because public sympathy for youth is strong and they face lower penalties than an adult convicted of the same crime. Even the parents of these children are in favor of the acts. The mother of the 16 year old boy who killed the Catholic priest Andrea Santoro looked at the cameras as her son was going to prison and said, “he will serve time for Allah.”

The young men involved in the killing are currently in custody. Today news reported that they would be tried as terrorists, so their age would not affect the strict penalty. Assailant Emre Gunaydin is still in intensive care. The investigation centers around him and his contacts and they say will fall apart if he does not recover.

The Church in Turkey responded in a way that honored God as hundreds of believers and dozens of pastors flew in as fast as they could to stand by the small church of Malatya and encourage the believers, take care of legal issues, and represent Christians to the media.

When Susanne Tilman expressed her wish to bury her husband in Malatya, the Governor tried to stop it, and when he realized he could not stop it, a rumor was spread that “it is a sin to dig a grave for a Christian.” In the end, in an undertaking that should be remembered in Christian history forever, the men from the church in Adana (near Tarsus), grabbed shovels and dug a grave for their slain brother in an un-tended hundred year old Armenian graveyard.

Ugur was buried by his family in an Alevi Muslim ceremony in his hometown of Elazig, his believing fiance watching from the shadows as his family and friends refused to accept in death the faith Ugur had so long professed and died for.

Necati’s funeral took place in his hometown of Izmir, the city where he came to faith. The darkness does not understand the light. Though the churches expressed their forgiveness for the event, Christians were not to be trusted. Before they would load the coffin onto the plane from Malatya, it went through two separate xray exams to make sure it was not loaded with explosives. This is not a usual procedure for Muslim coffins.

Necati’s funeral was a beautiful event. Like a glimpse of heaven, thousands of Turkish Christians and missionaries came to show their love for Christ, and their honor for this man chosen to die for Christ. Necati’s wife Shemsa told the world, “His death was full of meaning, because he died for Christ and he lived for Christ… Necati was a gift from God. I feel honored that he was in my life, I feel crowned with honor. I want to be worthy of that honor.”

Boldly the believers took their stand at Necati’s funeral, facing the risks of being seen publicly and likewise becoming targets. As expected, the anti-terror police attended and videotaped everyone attending the funeral for their future use. The service took place outside at Buca Baptist church, and he was buried in a small Christian graveyard in the outskirts of Izmir.

Two assistant Governors of Izmir were there solemnly watching the event from the front row. Dozens of news agencies were there documenting the events with live news and photographs. Who knows the impact the funeral had on those watching? This is the beginning of their story as well. Pray for them.

In an act that hit front pages in the largest newspapers in Turkey, Susanne Tilman in a television interview expressed her forgiveness. She did not want revenge, she told reporters. “Oh God, forgive them for they know not what they do,” she said, wholeheartedly agreeing with the words of Christ on Calvary (Luke 23:34).

In a country where blood-for-blood revenge is as normal as breathing, many many reports have come to the attention of the church of how this comment of Susanne Tilman has changed lives. One columnist wrote of her comment, “She said in one sentence what 1000 missionaries in 1000 years could never do.”

The missionaries in Malatya will most likely move out, as their families and children have become publicly identified as targets to the hostile city. The remaining 10 believers are in hiding. What will happen to this church, this light in the darkness? Most likely it will go underground. Pray for wisdom, that Turkish brothers from other cities will go to lead the leaderless church. Should we not be concerned for that great city of Malatya, a city that does not know what it is doing? (Jonah 4:11)

When our Pastor Fikret Bocek went with a brother to give a statement to the Security Directorate on Monday they were ushered into the Anti-Terror Department. On the wall was a huge chart covering the whole wall listing all the terrorist cells in Izmir, categorized. In one prominent column were listed all the evangelical churches in Izmir. The darkness does not understand the light. “These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also.” (Acts 17:6)

Please pray for the Church in Turkey. “Don’t pray against persecution, pray for perseverence,” urges Pastor Fikret Bocek.

The Church is better having lost our brothers; the fruit in our lives, the renewed faith, the burning desire to spread the gospel to quench more darkness in Malatya …all these are not to be regretted. Pray that we stand strong against external opposition and especially pray that we stand strong against internal struggles with sin, our true debilitating weakness.

This we know. Christ Jesus was there when our brothers were giving their lives for Him. He was there, like He was when Stephen was being stoned in the sight of Saul of Tarsus.

Someday the video of the deaths of our brothers may reveal more to us about the strength that we know Christ gave them to endure their last cross, about the peace the Spirit of God endowed them with to suffer for their beloved Savior. But we know He did not leave their side. We know their minds were full of Scripture strengthening them to endure, as darkness tried to subdue the unsubduable Light of the Gospel. We know, in whatever way they were able, with a look or a word, they encouraged one another to stand strong. We know they knew they would soon be with Christ.

We don’t know the details. We don’t know the kind of justice that will or will not be served on this earth.

But we pray-- and urge you to pray-- that someday at least one of those five boys will come to faith because of the testimony in death of Tilman Geske, who gave his life as a missionary to his beloved Turks, and the testimonies in death of Necati Aydin and Ugur Yuksel, the first martyrs for Christ out of the Turkish Church.

Reported by Darlene N. Bocek (24 April 2007)
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Please please please pass this on to as many praying Christians as you can, in as many countries as you can. Please always keep the heading as “From the Protestant Church of Smyrna” with this contact information: email, http://www.izmirprotestan.org

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This incident was also reported in the The Australian here.

woe!

Saturday afternoon driving into Vancouver we again passed the site, in front of the Chinese Consulate, where for five years Falun Gong members demonstrated against the Chinese Government. They were protesting the persecution of their brothers and sisters China.

The city tried to shut down the protest last summer. Thus people no longer sit and stand there 24/7 as they used to. But there are still posters and banners. As we sped by, I caught sight of a woman’s face on a poster, emaciated and bruised, hair a mess, eyes filled with pain. I thought of how much she looked like pictures of persecuted Christians I have seen.

This morning when reading Jesus’ woes in Luke 6: “Woe to you who are rich....Woe to you who are full....Woe to you who laugh now....Woe to you when all men speak well of you....” I thought of my rich, full, accepted life, and what a contrast is the life of Christians in places where persecution is the norm. And I also thought of that Falun Gong protest site.

It was not my choice to be born in Canada – a land of tolerance and plenty. But I do have other choices. One of them concerns what to do about my persecuted brothers and sisters in India and Uzbekistan and Pakistan and China and Myanmar and Thailand etc. etc. Like the Falun Gong, should I consider making myself a little uncomfortable and unpopular by protesting against governments that deal oppressively with Christians and which my country supports with respect and trade? That Granville Street monument of Falun Gong's dedication is a rebuke to me.

At the very least, I know I should pray regularly for my persecuted brothers and sisters. For if I don’t take some of their present woe on myself in this least (and perhaps most) thing I can do – intercession – I can consider myself warned. Jesus said someday the tables would be turned:

“Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now. Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you and cast out your name as evil....For your reward is great in heaven (Luke 6:20-23).

To find out what’s happening to Christians around the world check out:

WorldServe Ministries

Voice of the Martyrs

Persecution blog

sequel

Part 1 of the story is here.

We decided to visit my niece, her husband and baby Rebecca at Children’s Hospital this afternoon. This after I phoned my sister, who told me the little tyke is improving but she would be staying in Vancouver till Monday. Her platelets went as low as 10 Friday morning, followed by medication and a platelet transfusion after which they began to rise. Serial tests revealed results in the 50s, then 70s and finally over 100 (normal is 150 to 450). What an answer to prayer. Thank you Lord!!


We got to the hospital around 4:00. When the unit clerk called the kids out of the Intensive Care Nursery, they told us if we had arrived ten minutes later they would have been gone! It turns out the hospital needed the bed for someone who is sicker, but baby was so much improved they felt they could safely send her home. Since an air ambulance was flying up to Fort St. John this afternoon, the three of them got transportation home that way.

But we did get to see the kids and their little darling even if for only about 10 minutes. Doesn't she look absolutely adorable?