Selfless Prayer Challenge

This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.

John 15:12

We have heard these words for years.  All throughout our lives we have been taught to “love one another.” In Vacation Bible School we were taught this through skits or crafts or other means designed to reach children. Then as teens we were taught this throughout Bible studies and Sunday school lessons and by our Youth Pastors. Finally as adults we are preached to by our pastors and given Greek vocabulary lessons from the pulpit about how to love (a-ga-pe) our neighbors as Christ loved us.  We have had it beaten down upon us, but have we listened?

As Christians we kneel down and pray often (we should be anyway).  The problem is often the subject of our prayers.  “Lord Jesus bless me as I do this…help me as I do that…use me to accomplish this.”  We tend to pray as children loose in a toy store.  “Daddy, buy me this…get me that…I want…I need.”  As Captain Hook (Dustin Hoffman – Hook - 1991) said, “And you mindless, inexhaustible, unstoppable, repetitive, and nagging demands: He took my toy! She hit my bear! I want a potty! I want a cookie! I want to stay up! I want, I want, I want, me, me, me, me, mine, mine, mine, mine, now, now, now!”  Ok, maybe a little over the top; but, you see the point.  It’s hard not to pray like this.  We are hurting…the economy is crashing around us…the world is such a negative place right now.  You are correct!  We all need that spiritual awakening that will help us deal with our daily needs AND help us to “love one another.”

I just finished reading The Woodcarver, And Other Stories of Faith and Inspiration, by William Kevin Stoos.  It is compiled of short stories that demonstrate how others have found the ability, patience, and love necessary to place other people ahead of themselves.  Whether it is through random acts of kindness or just silently lifting other people up in prayer we can all do our part in loving one another.  I have developed what I thought was a great relationship with God, but after reading this book I have a better grip on how to apply that love from the Holy Spirit to others.  I do offer a challenge:  Spend one week, just one week…only praying for the needs of others and nothing for yourself.  It is tough, but I have done it and rest assured it has revitalized my prayer life.  In order to help you get inspired to place others ahead of your own needs and desires The Roman Road Christian Bookstore will be offering a coupon in order to take an additional 10% OFF The Woodcarver, And Other Stories of Faith and Inspiration.  Use the coupon code “wkstoos” while in the shopping cart to take advantage of this offer by February 28, 2011.

To the author: Thank you for writing such an inspirational book and God Bless you and the church you are supporting!