By Grantley Morris
Only heaven can calculate the enormity of your value to the Prayer NET.
As a prayer powerhouse, the team of which you are a vital part is of infinite value. The Lord uses you to do astounding things. In addition, to being a power house, the Prayer NET is to me a treasured storehouse of Christian ministry. I rely very much on your e-mails to assist in counseling and encouraging people. Even if you haven’t yet availed yourself of this opportunity for ministry, I know the Lord can tap you on the shoulder when needed.
One of the great strengths of the Prayer NET is its diversity in age, gender, cultural and social background, education and a huge range of life experiences. Another valued asset is that we represent different Christian traditions. For any particular situation, you can think of aspects to pray for that would totally elude me. And in counseling, if you had exactly my views you could contribute little other than save me valuable time. As it is, you have so much to offer because you see things differently. You don’t have my blind spots etc.
Paul was most concerned that the Corinthians were dividing into groups, each aligning themselves to different personalities - Paul, Peter, Apollos; some were claiming to be super-spiritual and saying they belonged only to Christ. I love 1 Corinthians 3:22,23 ‘Whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas . . . ALL are yours, and you are of Christ . . .’ Whether Luther, Calvin, Wesley, etc, or some living Christian minister, they belong to all of us. We can praise God for them and enjoy their contribution without having to necessarily agree with everything they say and do.
Sadly, sometimes through believing gossip, sometimes through genuine concerns, not everyone is able to have this attitude. No Christian denomination, organization or leader has a 100% approval rating among Christians. If, as is my desire, our Prayer NET begins to represent anything like the diversity of opinion that exists within the worldwide body of Christ, the moment any denomination, movement or well known name is mentioned, someone will feel offended. And offense is the last thing we want. For this reason Submissions to the Prayer Reports will be edited to try to remove references to personalities or moments or views likely to offend any of our valued team. Normally the message can be accurately conveyed without that particular detail. Our prayer coordinator needs to get the requests out as soon as possible and if in the pressure of time he slips, I’m sure you’ll make allowances, but our prayer coordinator is most gracious and if you find anything that could be potentially offensive, please let him know. We want to make this as smooth and painless as possible for everyone. We believe there is strength in diversity and that God is far bigger than any Christian moment.
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