Pray - it's what you were called to do

Why do we pray? More specifically, why do you pray? The obvious answer is that God commands/tells us to, in Matthew 5 (for those who persecute you), Colossians 4 (continue in prayer), I Thessalonians 5 (pray without ceasing), and many other places in the Bible. Being obedient and following God’s Word is a great reason to pray, but one of the great aspects about God is that the things he commands us to do are for our own well-being. Prayer is no different.

Our family has been part of the Shiloh Prayer team for several years. The Shiloh Prayer team supports the work led by David and Joan Pierce in establishing a church in Kansas City, Kan. The great part about being on this prayer team is that we get to see our missionaries face-to-face during our prayer meetings. So why join a prayer team?

• You get to participate in God’s mission – You get to see first-hand how God moves in accomplishing His mission.

• It deepens your appreciation for God’s servants – in the case of Shiloh, being able to pray for the Pierces, and everyone serving at Shiloh, is a privilege and an honor. When I see how much Dave and Joan are personally investing into living out the Great Commission at Shiloh, it makes it a joy to participate by praying for them. Their humility and focus on others is a Biblical example for everyone on the team. They both constantly ask those on the prayer team for things that they can pray for us about. They are leaders who lead by serving.

• It focuses your attention on the things of God – Modern life is full of distractions. Being part of a prayer team focuses your attention back on God, where it should be. I find myself praying for Shiloh during breaks at work, while eating lunch, driving home, etc.

So what does being on a prayer team require? Not much. The ability to show up for semi-regular meetings throughout the year and a willingness to pray is about it. Sounds reasonable, doesn’t it?

Service at Shiloh

Cooking for Camp

Cooking for 45? That’s exactly what Chloe and I got to do for five days for the HBF High School Camp, May 28-June 3, held this year at the Si Colburn State Camp, near Florida, Mo.

Neither of us is exactly sure how we agreed to do this, but agree we did.  And as is the case when giving up time and effort to serve the Lord, the return to those serving far outweighs the costs in time or effort.

Without a doubt, the highlight of the week was getting to know better the high school students, and adult service staff and counselors. We were so fortunate to have an awesome service staff of Zach Feurt, Jackson McGuire and Livia Dunham to pitch in wherever needed. The counseling staff (Brad and Annie McGuire, Jacob and Linzy Dunham, Abi Shipley, Lauren Stovall, Mark Brizendine) did a great job ministering the kids, leading them through issues in the Word of God and serving as great examples). And of course the camp directors, Tielor and Jen Scoles, who give of themselves beyond what seems humanly possible every year for camp.

The camp verse this year was Neh. 2:18, “…Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.” The counseling and service staff took these words to heart, and strengthened their hands for the good work of serving at camp. Chloe and I were the oldest persons at camp, and aside from feeling a bit old at the energy level of everyone there, it was so encouraging to us to see so many of the 20-somethings at HBF who don’t just say they love the Lord, but put actions behind those words by giving up a week of their summer to serve others and the Lord.

As far as the cooking went, no one starved or got sick (that I know of). And a few things even turned out well, including the big plate of lemon bars (pictured below). 

The lemon bars are ready

It was a blessing to be able to serve alongside my wife for a week, and in some small way help advance God’s mission. If you have the opportunity to help out at camp do so next year, whether through sending your high school age children to camp, sponsoring a kid’s camp fee, praying or helping in some other way, please consider doing so. It will be well worth your investment. 

Ready to cook