I had already scheduled yesterday’s blog on Changing the World when I read something from Tim McConnell, lead pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Colorado Springs. He reminded us what really changes the world. Tim wrote, quoting Dick Eastman:

What Are You Praying For? There is a world in need of hope, in need of repair, in need of grace, in need of Jesus. Let’s learn to pray this week for Renewed Creation. {From Romans 8.19 – 22]

Dick Eastman, the President of Every Home for Christ, went to be with the Lord a few weeks ago. A leader in prayer movements in our times, Eastman wrote:

To be faithful in prayer is to share with God in His plan to change the world. Throughout every generation it has been the praying saint who has altered the course of history…Beloved, it is not age, experience, talent, or material wealth that makes the difference in the destiny of men and nations. Prayer alone will change the world, from our neighbors to the nations. It is true that God may use age, experience, talent, and material wealth to help carry forth His purposes, but only when each is properly backed by prayer. Without prayer, every effort is wasted, for it leaves God out of the picture. Wise is the statement that there is much we can do after we have prayed but nothing we can do until we have prayed.

Thanks for the reminder, Tim.

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6.16 – 19, ESV)