A call to become Christ like men…

Disclaimer: I am writing this series for the male audience. If you are female and have not read any book on the male psychology then I discourage you to continue. The reason is that in this series and the series to come there will be lots of open ended questions. Apologies in advance.

Instructions: Read this series with fresh perspectives as if this is your first time reading on such topic. Try not to rationalize with any prior knowledge or book that you have read. Take a 30 second pause, and say a short prayer,” Christ, teach me, I am listening”.

Series I

Click here to read more (Ask author for the password)

Prayers offered by pro-LIFE people

The Second largest abortion clinic in the world is being built at this present moment in Houston, Texas. This six-story Planned Parenthood abortion “super center” is within a mile from my campus.

We had a gathering of the pro-LIFE people of Houston, Texas, and America yesterday (Sunday night, January 17th, 2010) at Grace Community Church. It was five hours of prayer meeting for spiritual awakening and justice. I had an opportunity to be a part of this awakening.

I am so thankful to my pastor who canceled the church service and encouraged us to attend this prayer meeting.

As soon as I stepped inside the worship center, I sensed the presence of God. Presence of God is something that cannot be faked. Nobody can summon God.

Psalms 22 says “But you are holy, O you that inhabit the praises of Israel”. For the first forty five minutes of the prayer meeting people just sang “Holy, Holy. You are God almighty”. It reminded me of Revelation 4:8, “…Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."

I have always admired the power of prayer. It seems so simple and yet it is the strongest weapon we have. It seems so boring and yet we are instructed to pray continually, 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

The prayer meeting was very creative. I was expecting them to pray something like this, “Oh God, we pray that you frustrate the plans of the enemy and destroy the work of the devil. Amen”. But the prayer meeting included a time, where many young girls came to the stage and repented on behalf of the many young girls who have aborted their children. Not a single eye in the church remained dry.

Then there was a time for guys to repent from the addiction of pornography. It is amazing how genuine prayer meeting goes beyond superficiality. As the Holy Spirit was bringing conviction, there were several men who came forth and repented. By this time God’s grace and kindness had filled the whole church. His kindness leading people to repentance and His grace offering justification. There were a variety of ways in which people were praying. There were people who were wailing, groaning, some were lying prostrate on the ground, some were kneeling, some were raising their hands while some people couldn’t stop crying. In the prayer meeting I sensed the uniqueness in which God has created each one of.

Then we prayed for churches all across US to have a burden for adoption. Adoption is an alternative to abortion. There were several people who came forward and testified to how they have adopted children from girls who would have otherwise gone for abortion. During the prayer meeting many people made commitment to adopt children. Sometimes we are the answer to our own prayer. Statistically 1.3 million babies are murdered every year because of abortion. I realized the growing need of adoption in our society.

Lastly we prayed for the staffs who work in the abortion clinics. There was no condemnation in our prayers instead we prayed blessings over them. We prayed that God would move in their lives.

I learned yet again, that prayer is not fundamentally about getting answers; rather it is the transformation that it brings to my life.

Urbana 2009 Testimony

I went to Urbana with lots of expectations. Much to my surprise the first thing that I heard from the speaker was, “To let go of your expectations or lack of expectations”. Each day of the conference was packed with bible studies, seminars, sessions and prayer meetings. It was overwhelming as each activity was so enriching and there was so much to learn.

The conference was a glimpse of heaven with God’s presence so eminent. From morning 7 am till night 11:30 pm I was surrounded by thousands of students who were genuinely seeking God and worshipping Him. The theme of the conference was, “The word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” John 1:14. I gained new perspectives towards this bible verse as I discovered anew what it means for Jesus to dwell among us. Jesus being incarnated and dwelling in my neighborhood. Initially it was difficult to imagine the incarnated Jesus dwelling in my neighborhood. My neighborhood which seems so secular and graceless. God’s love and His calling in my life broke the dichotomy between sacred and secular. It helped me to find my special dwelling place in God’s global purposes.

“The incarnated Christ didn’t bring truth to us in philosophy but in person” was a resonating statement made by one of the speakers. I am challenged to use Christ’s incarnation model to reach out to my friends rather than any business model.

I was reassured that God can use me where ever I am. I have learned not to despise any practical training as God can use any experience that I have had and use it if I cooperate. I have made a commitment to Jesus to allow Him to work through me “now”.

At the conference I was also challenged in my prayer life. I have come to a new understanding on how to pray and “The dignity of causality” (quoted by speaker) that it provides. I learned that prayer is not fundamentally about getting answers; rather it is the transformation that it brings to my life.

I confronted the truth that sharing Jesus with my college friends is the most significant and important thing that I can ever do.

I am broken but I still have my testimony. I have said "yes" to Jesus, “yes” to use me and to make His dwelling in my neighborhood.