Communal Intercession: A Call to the Field

Think for a moment of where you live? Where were you born? Where were you raised? Where do you live now? Where has the journey taken you?

These are very important questions that make up our history...our story of life.

Life sure has been a journey...one that I'm thankful to be a part.

I grew up in Nackawic. I lived there for around 22 years. When I left there for college, I embarked a new journey. I remember the last day of college before summer break, I felt God leading me to walk on every street in Nackawic and pray. So I did. It was my summer project. I will never forget that experience.

Looking back on that experience I realize now that I was seeding into the earth Word. I was taking what I heard from the world inwhich I came from and speaking it out into the airwaves. I haven't seen the results of those prayer walks but that doesn't mean that results haven't happened.

After 1997, when I left Nackawic for good, I moved to Florenceville/Oakland. I spent a good many year there. I would go for long walks and pray. Sometimes I would feel like I was in Europe speaking to churches. Sometimes I would feel like I was talking to one person. Sometimes I would get my next course to teach. Other times I would be praying and interceding over the community.

Over a year and a half ago, I moved to Woodstock. I have found myself once again walking and praying. Alot of times it has been for certain people while other times it has been for the community as a whole.

I share all of this to say this: wherever God has placed you be open and available to pray. There is a reason as to why you live where you do. God is anointing and calling His intercessors to the field. The time has come.

I really believe we are in a time where God is birthing an ache deep within. I really sense there is a season where tears are going to be shed. There is work ahead. There is sowing in tears in order to reap in joy. Be open. Let Him lead you through your communities. Wherever God has placed you be present there. Let Him lead you in communal intercession.

What's so Great About Christianity?

I know...this may seem like a strange question....especially coming from someone who grew up in this thing all my life. My thought this past weekend has been how big the community is within Christianity. So many times we tend to think that we've got a corner on God. God can move in our church setting. God can have His way in our church setting but what if God chooses to move in another church setting other than our own? Will we support it? Will we judge it? Will we look down on it?

I've come to realize that there is a global community that is so much greater than just our small groups here and there. I love the thought that there are groups of people gathering everywhere serving, loving, reaching out, evangelizing, ministering, blessing and any other adjective that one could ever imagine.

Church should be THE place where community is nurtured and encouraged. Church should be THE place where people can be open and vulnerable and be loved and accepted. Church should be THE place where fellowship is sweet. Church should be THE place where we fall in love with God and each other every time we get together.

This next statement may seem critical and judgemental but please hear my heart in this. I don't mean it to be. However; what I am finding is that the Modern Day Church is very far removed from the original. We have become a club, a clique. We don't embrace others. When new people come in, do they feel welcomed and loved?

Now I realize that there are churches and assemblies who are moving and loving and accepting of people. So this is just a general statement and not a condenmation or a lumping together of everyone.

The Bible says that they will know that we are His disciples because we have love for one another. My challenge is this: Pentecostals: don't just love Pentecostal people. Don't just love people within your assembly. Reach beyond.

Baptists: Don't just love Baptist people. Reach Beyond.

Weslyans: Don't just love Weslyan people. Reach Beyond.

There is a global community of believers who need loved. There is a global community of believers-to-be that need loved. Reach beyond.

So to answer the question posed here: What makes Christianity great SHOULD BE love. Where am I on the love meter?

You may say, Clay, I don't see Christianity as being great because I don't see love. I see in-fighting, people who hurt people, politics, etc.

I know.

And what about history? Alot of wars were fought on religious grounds? Is that love?

No.

So where is the love?

Why do people stop going to church? It's because they don't feel loved, appreciated, accepted, heard. So how can I say Christianity is great?

What's great about christianity is that we have the opportunity to change history. We have the opportunity to do something about it. It's up to this generation to change things. It's up to us to operate out of a love that is greater than our own. It's up to us to make people feel loved, accepted, appreciated and heard. It's up to us to be open and vulnerable and to allow each other the same privilege.

That's what's going to make Christianity great again. Taht's what is going to make church the Haven it was meant to be. I want to return to the original plan. The original purpose. We have love one for another.

This is a long blog. I hope I gave you something to think about. :)