When I pray for my sister who has cancer, I pray that the cancer would be gone. I don't pray that she'll just "feel better", but I really pray for the cancer to be wiped out. I've been praying a similar prayer since I heard last week that a friend was diagnosed with leukemia. No generic, "just bless 'em" prayers, but really specific "wipe this out and amaze the doctors" kind of prayers.
I look back in the Bible and there are some pretty audacious prayers that people prayed. Joshua prayed that the sun would stand still so they could defeat their enemies, and God did it! David prayed to defeat a giant, and God did it. Elijah prayed that God would send fire to burn a water flooded sacrifice, and He did. I think my prayers are too generic most of the time, "love 'em and be with them." Well God always loves us and He promises to never leave us. So I think He's got that covered.
S this last week I really felt like God was challenging me to a different kind of prayer for our church. You may think this is crazy, but as I was heading into the weekend I was praying that we would see 25 people on Sunday commit their lives to Christ. Yep, I actually prayed for a specific amount: 25. I don't know why, and maybe I need faith for more, but I prayed for 25.
This morning, 28 people raised their hands and prayed to receive Christ! I guess 3 of them didn't get the memo, or maybe I should have prayed for 50. I'm not sure what this weekend will hold, but I'm praying for more faith and boldness this week. Pray with me this week, and throw some specifics God's way.
