Breaking the law! Breaking the law!
I was previewing the new Saint disc yesterday and watched some Rock Honors show on VH-1 last night, which had all-star tribute bands and metal classic bands. All American Rejects, I think, were covering a Def Leppard song, and then Def Leppard came out. Judas Priest played. And then I finished the Saint album on the way home. Boy, it sure sounds like Priest...
In chapter 16 of Rees Howells, Intercessor, he talks about his call to daily intercession. His life was so busy that he hardly had time for prayer. He worked at the mine from 7 am to 4:30 pm and then went into the village mission for nightly meetings, five days a week were in meetings and two were just for hanging out or visiting (whatever "visiting" means). The only time he had alone for prayer was his two mile walk to and from the village. When walking he would remove his hat and pray.
What was weird is that no man at the time would ever be seen outdoors without a hat. It was such a strong custom that it freaked Howells out if he was seen this way. The Lord called him to remain in a state of prayer all day, which meant he wouldn't wear his hat all day long. He basically pleaded for the Lord to take away this command, but was informed that his fear of the public, fear of man, fear of the world's opinion needed to be broken. So he did it, but what a trial. How funny is that? Today I don't even feel a need to take my hat off indoors or even for prayer. Many people still carry that tradition around, but it's never been a Scriptural law that has meant much to me. Sometimes out of respect, when I'm thinking about it, I'll remove a hat when in prayer. But I often don't even think about it.
He also faced another trial when one of his good friends in the mission was being told by a bunch of people, "You'll never reach your potential working under him. You need to start your own ministry.' Howells saw this coming and through prayer decided he'd do what the enemy told this man would never happen, he turned over the Mission to his friend, taking the role of a prayer support behind him. That was a good way to avoid the tearing-apart tension that a "Paul vs. Apollos" situation would bring.
P.S. Be sure to check out the Intern Diaries, with our new guy, Rand Renfrow.
Posted by Doug Van Pelt at June 1, 2006 08:16 AM