Praying Big

Wow! What does it mean to "pray big"? That's something I've been asking myself over the last couple of weeks. It's not necessarily to pray louder or harder - but to pray more and to do so more earnestly than normal. We have a lot of neat stuff getting ready to go down in the life of The River Church and our pastor has been telling us to "pray big". I guess it has it's own meaning for each of us. But as I've explored this as well as other issues of my faith, I feel like God is trying to get me to understand a few things: 1)that my rescuer personality has to (must) surrender; that I can't fix everything or be responsible for the outcome of things that I have no control over, 2)that i need to prayerfully seek solutions, 3)and by doing this, tomorrow will take care of itself just as His word promises us, 4)thus leaving time for other things that mean more than trying to fix the things that He already can handle - like reaching out to and befriending people who are seeking to learn more about their faith.

Lots of change is about to happen and we need to be open to it - ready to receive it. We also need to continue to seek the face of God and His will for our church as we embark on this new portion of our journey. I feel anxious, unsure, uncertain, but excited, and thankful all at the same time. I'm thankful every single day that I've found this body of believers who have a vision bigger than just the inside of their four walls; a vision that extends to our community, to the surrounding neighborhoods, to the world. Love God, Love People, Change the World - so much bigger than we are individually, but not too big that it can't be done when we seek. It's about trusting Him to take care of the things that are bigger than we are. And this is defintely bigger than any of us. Michael W. Smith says it well in his song A New Hallelujah, especially in the 2nd part. . .bringing hope of the grace that has freed us, make Him known and make Him famous.

I pray that The River remains focused on the important work that lies ahead of us; on the big picture while we let God handle the details.


A New Hallelujah!
by Michael W. Smith

Can you hear, there's a new song
Breaking out from the children of freedom
Every race and every nation
Sing it out sing a new Hallelujah

Let us sing love to the nations
Bringing hope of the grace that has freed us
Make Him known and make Him famous
Sing it out sing to the new Hallelujah

Chorus
Arise
Let the church arise
Let love reach to the other side
Alive come alive
Let the song Arise