Habits... And Their Anniversaries

Welcome to Year 2, since the relaunch of Bring Me 70, this day, 12 months ago. This feels so incredible... with a few exceptions, you've been reading a #pray4pastors post daily, before I left for work in the morning... which is saying a lot, since, I'm not normally a morning person. But it's early enough that nobody else is up yet.

And for the past few weeks, I've been getting up even earlier, trying to write these in the morning, rather than late at night, then paying for it with my tiredness factor as I rolled into work.

It really has been the grace of God, how these prayers have come together; how he has given me insights and perspectives throughout the day, as I've changed my routine and spending the day in an attitude of prayer. It's not a matter of spending hours on end in prayer, but an awareness that God could drop something in your heart or bring a situation or person to the forefront of your mind, which you in turn, bring to the forefront of the God's throne.

It's required me to change some habits along the way. When I was writing these at night, after the kids were in bed, you can't write a prayer, at least not a good one, while half-engaged in your favorite television series that you've watched entirely the way through, more than a few times now. (it really is that good!) You can't be prepared for God to drop something in your heart if the radio is turned on to your favorite talk radio station for 11 hrs. (yes, their programming really is that good!) As already stated... I can't focus if I'm being bombarded with kids arguing over toys and the youngest coming up to me every 90 seconds with "Daddy, can I ask you something?" (yes, she really is that polite when interrupting you)

Likewise, developing good decision making skills (or better ones at least) take time. Instilling good habits and "best practices", also takes time. Helping kids do so, takes even more time! But as this past year has proven; it starts with commitment. Which is how the relaunch unfolded. The Spirit of God having a moment of truth with me, that "you can't have a page called 'daily prayers', and then NOT write a prayer every day!"

Today is a great sense of accomplishment for me and I'm humbled that God is using me to draw attention to the need to support our pastors and church leaders in prayer. As this culture and society continues to spin away from God, the same level of prayer support needs to be given to your youth, their parents, and pastors and life leaders who will prepare them for a life of good decisions, good disciplines, good habits. We celebrate the anniversaries of lives changed through salvation. We celebrate the anniversaries of those set free from addictions and weight-loss; of faithful service to a company or our country; to a ministry. So also, some of the smallest life changes can make significant impacts over the long term. Like earning interest on an investment.

But it starts with a commitment to doing something different. And that always goes better when relying on God's help to make the change. Interestingly enough, today marks the first day of another area in our life we are attempting to change, so while you're reading this, I'm speaking to myself. Stick to it and watch the difference unfold. Trust in God to do His part as you faithfully work what you are responsible for. As we prayed yesterday, diligently develop your responsibilities.

Thanks so much, for joining me, as we pray over the second year of Bring Me 70 and this #youthPastorWednesday, that pastors and leaders, as well as us parents, who possess and maintain good and Godly habits and disciplines. Pray that our young people would take notice of our commitment to do the right things and to be aware of our motives and intentions. Pray for a spirit of grace for our failures and "dropped the ball" moments. May kids recognize the hand of God and His favor upon those who seek Him first, whose focus is on what God has in store and desires for their lives rather than self and interests that are self-serving and opportunities that are self-promoting. Pray God would help us to live lives of consistency; not perfection, but always seeking to be about the things of God and how He would and should be glorified in our lives, as we live for His purpose and not our own. Pray great foundations of faith be laid in their hearts and minds that todays kids will grow to be modern day heroes of faith; impacting this world for the cause of Jesus Christ... no matter what the world looks like in the days and years to come.

For His Glory
For the advancement of the Gospel

Thank you, from the depths of my heart.
In all humility...

- PNC

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