June 3 - Romans 12:15

Rejoice with those who rejoice,

and weep with those who weep

Romans 12:15

On Sunday mornings – and throughout the week – many of us are studying David Chotka’s 50 Days of Prayer.

Those who are joining with us on Sundays have been challenged: Pick one big thing you’d like to pray about for the next seven weeks, and let’s see how God shows up. In other words, we’re learning to pray big, and then we’re regrouping each Sunday to reflect on what we’ve seen, heard, and learned.

I’m praying with a group of men. The prayer needs we had from Week One were big. So this past Sunday, we reported on progress.

• Some of us saw progress!!! Some of us witnessed God show up!!!
• Some of us didn’t.

Hmmm. Is that good or bad?

David Chotka’s answer is: It depends on what country and culture you live in!

• He said essentially, “Imagine that you and I pray together … and imagine that one week, your prayers for healing are answered … but mine are not.” How should that be interpreted?
• He says, “If we were in Africa, both of us would celebrate.” Why? “Because God showed up among us.”
• “But if we’re in Canada or America,” he said, “the one who didn’t get healed would say, ‘God’s not fair. Where’s my answer to my prayer?!’” 

Do you see the difference? It’s huge! God showed up powerfully this week in our little circle of six. And we’re learning to celebrate as a group! We’re learning to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.

Indeed, rather than being whining individuals who cry, ‘Where’s mine?’” we’re learning that we need people to pray with. Their successes in prayer are my successes too. Why? Because God is alive … and active … and showing up!

Indeed, God’s activity in your life, is proof that he is active in my life too … whether I can see it yet or not!

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who wants a more

African communal faith

than American and individualistic

“what’s in it for me?”