Wowie, zowie!
That cat's got soul.
He's the Rock that doesn't roll.
Reading Rees Howells, Intercessor and thinking about the context of the time it was written in still amazes me. History can be so fascinating if a good story teller is telling it. It's funny how we can look back in hindsight and say that Hitler was demon possessed and he had to be stopped. But the United States was "sitting out" of this war and not getting involved. It wasn't until we were bombed at Pearl Harbor that we sent troops and entered World War II. I'd like to find out more factors that were involved in getting us to participate in the defense of Europe.
I can only imagine the urgency and concern of people in England in 1940, as they were being bombed. There was concern about the college campus that Howells taught on. There were families and missionary children there. Much prayer was going on. Howells said some interesting things:
"The situation in the country because of air raids may become very serious. We have never walked this way before. The important thing is to find out where God is in this. When you are in danger every night, it takes you a long time to be sure that you are under God's protection. Can you say you are safe in the air raids? Has God told you? You may try to use the Word of God without having His power behind it. If God is going to deliver from this hell, there will have to be some power released. Unless you are sure of your own victory, you will never be able to pray for the deliverance of the country..."
I like that Howells doesn't throw out another formula, like the "Faith Movement" has subtly suggested: That you can use God's Word to get what you want. Even if you're praying for something good and claiming God's Word in prayer, it is still the awesome power of God that must show up and do this or that thing. Howells keeps the "formula" dependent upon an ongoing, living relationship with God. It's not mustering up our own faith and believing that something is going to happen. That is involved AFTER we find out what God wants to do. It involves knowing the God we are asking to move and do this or that. I love that and I believe that's the vital element in all things of faith -- keeping in relation with God Himself. I'm sure there's probably times where we venture out on our own and we claim the promises of God and He happens to want the same thing, too. But I believe the amazing and super effective things are revealed to the ones who are seeking Him and knowing Him and "walking" with Him on a daily basis.
It reminds me of that "scary prayer" that I've heard before:
"Good morning, God. What are You up to today? And how can I be a part of it?"
Two more chapters to go in this book; and only 44 days, 3 hours, 1 minute, and 30 seconds left 'til deadline.
Posted by Doug Van Pelt at August 9, 2006 08:58 AM