I'm reading through Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge by Mark Batterson for the second time this year. This book is a follow-up to his New York Times Bestselling book The Circle Maker. Both books are life changing! This morning during my devotion, I read a chapter titled Quit Praying. Those two words can send your thoughts in many directions, but the moral of the chapter is to quit praying and take action. Here are some exerts that better describe this command...
- "There comes a moment when praying become a form of spiritual procrastination. It's time to stop praying and start acting. Quit praying about the program and fill out the application. Quit praying for the friend you hurt and make the phone call. Don't just complain to God about your coworker; circle them in prayer. Don't just pray for the missionaries; write a check." -Pg 156
- "Please don't misinterpret what I'm saying. Pray about everything. Then pray some more. But at some point, we have to quit praying and start acting. One of the great mistakes we make is asking God to do for us what God wants us to do for ourselves ... We are called to pray about everything, but there comes a time when praying can be a form of disobedience, laziness, or negligence. We can't just pray like it depends on God; we also must work like it depends on us." -Pg 157
- "When Christianity turns into a noun, it becomes a turnoff. Christianity was always intended to be a verb - more specifically, an action verb. The title of the book of Acts says it all, doesn't it? It's not the book of Ideas or Words. It's the book of Acts. And if we said less and did more, I believe we would have the same kid of impact the first-century church had." -Pg 157
- "Prayer that doesn't lead to action isn't true prayer; it's self-talk. When we talk to God, God will talk back to us. He will provoke us, rouse us, stir us, goad us, and prompt us, When we say 'amen,' inaction is no longer an option." -Pg 157-158
- "When everything is said and done, God won't say, 'Well said, good and faithful servant.' He won't say, 'Well thought,' 'well planned,' or even 'well prayed.' There is only one commendation He will give: 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'" -Pg 159
If these passages stirred something in you, then maybe it's time to act. I encourage you to act upon the thoughts that God has placed on your mind. One great God-Idea can change the world. You, alone, can change the world. You, one person. Don't forget about Moses, Mother Teresa, and my all time favorite, Jesus. It only took one person to start a revolution. Maybe, just maybe, that one person is You!
In Jan of this year, I had an amazing God-Idea placed in my thoughts during my first time through this 40 Day prayer challenge. I've already called this idea to action, because I believe that God will use me to see it through. Click HERE to read more about my God-Idea, and please share with me your own Call to Action. I would love to encourage you to change the world!
