July, 2001

Beam Me Your Prayers, Scotty!

Occasionally when surfing online I run across some unusual websites. Such was the case recently when I was seeking a site on prayer and discovered this one

For FREE New Prayer will send your message to the last known location of GOD. Click here to send your prayer!! You will receive an email notification when your prayer is sent. Simply click on the Pray button and transmit your prayer to the only known location of GOD.

It seems this group has discovered what they feel is the exact location of God- at the origin of the Universe. The Big Bang is one way that Scientists postulate how the universe began. The site claims that this supposed place of the Big Bang is where God must reside. To this end the originators of the site have created a radio transmitter and claim to be able to transmit your prayer to the last known location of GOD.

I'd love it if one day they received a radio transmission back from God. Maybe it would read like some of these "God Speaks" billboards:

Big bang theory, you've got to be kidding. -God

Will the road you're on get you to my place? -God

That "Love Thy Neighbor" thing... I meant it. -God

(And my personal favorite...)

Have you read my #1 best seller? There will be a test. -God

Isn't it good to know that we don't have to depend on radio transmissions for God to hear and answer prayer? It reminds me of a song our junior choir sang at church:

"I'm glad God doesn't have an answering machine or put me on hold when I call on Him…"

The makers of this website have one thing right. God was there at the beginning of the universe. They are correct in their desire to find Him. Our times are rich with opportunity to share the truth about God and about salvation through Jesus. Post Modern society is more open than ever to discussion about spiritual matters. They seek meaning about life and God to such a degree that they are beaming Him for answers. Do you exist God? Do you hear me? Do you care? Their desire to find Him is to be applauded. God promises that " You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. "

How ready are we to share the true Answer with them? Peter urged us "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…" I Peter 3:15

Like Paul on Mars Hill as he stood before the altar to the unknown god, we can say with confidence, this unknown God you seek, I know Him. Let me tell you about Him. He is not just somewhere way out there, but an ever present all knowing God who wants to be intimately involved in your life. His message is not quarantined to space but readily available to us through His Word. Our prayers are not limited to radio transmissions or e-mail, but instantly acknowledged by Him. He is the God who sees. The God who hears. The God who knows and the God who cares. He is the only God and no part of space can contain Him! And this almighty wonderful omniscient omnipresent perfect holy just true God loves you and gave His Son for you!

I don't know about you, but I believe that's something worth beaming about! Pray that we may proclaim it clearly, as we should. Colossians 4:4

More on Prayer

If you have a prayer request, you can share it with the prayer team by clicking here: Prayer Requests. (http://www.mercydrops.com/requests.html) We will be happy to pray with you regarding your prayer request.

You can also submit live prayer requests when someone is online to talk with you. Just click on the Talk Live button at Mercydrops.com.

Are you a mom who would like to pray with other mothers for her children? Moms in Touch is an international organization that assists moms in finding other moms to pray for their children and their schools. More info is available at http://www.momsintouch.org

You can also sign up for our community Prayer Link newsletter. (http://listserv.aol.com/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=pray-l&A=1)

If you are interested in Online Bible studies in the Fall please e-mail us at mercydrops@mercydrops.com for a list of Bible studies offered beginning in September.

Thoughts on prayer:

LUTHER ON THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER: It is well to let prayer be the first employment in the early morning and the last in the evening. Avoid diligently those false and deceptive thoughts which say, "I will pray an hour hence; I must first perform this or that." For with such thoughts a man quits prayer for business, which lays hold of and entangles him so that he comes not to pray the whole day long. Martin Luther

Teach us, good Lord, to serve thee as thou deservest: To give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labor and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing that we do thy will. St. Ignatius of Loyola

Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards; give me an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; give me an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose my tempt aside. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

I'd rather be able to pray than be a great preacher; Jesus Christ never taught his disciples how to preach, but only how to pray. D. L. Moody

It is no use to ask God with factitious earnestness for "A" when our whole mind is in reality filled with "B". We must lay before him what is in us, not what ought to be in us. C. S. Lewis, Letters to Malcolm