Dave
I was on my annual wilderness kayak trip to Isle Royale. We paddled out beyond the island and watched the sun set over Lake Superior. The water was deep and clear and cold—cold enough to kill you in 15 minutes (and in kayaks you sit below the water line). The power and majesty of God was sensual. Once the fiery ball had sunk below the horizon, we turned around. The full moon was just rising over the island’s ridge. We began to sing How Great Thou Art and our voices echoed off the rock cliffs.
SAY TO GOD: “HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME!”
Easter morning. We recited the Apostle’s Creed and when we got to “..and I believe in the resurrection of the dead and the life everlasting…” a woman who had just buried her husband stood up and shouted “Amen!” three times. Soon the whole church was standing and cheering and clapping. God tied the resurrection of Jesus to the sure hope of our own resurrections. I felt so fulfilled because I always pray that people’s hearts would be so full of the beauty of God and the gospel they would overflow in worship.
SAY TO GOD: “MAY YOUR WILL BE DONE!”
There was a time when my son was suicidally depressed and addicted to drugs. My wife and I prayed just for him to survive each day. He needed residential, lock-down care—$800 a day, not covered by insurance. We had no choice. We prayed. And my wife’s sister wrote to 50 people about our need. The response was overwhelming—over $20K donated. Recovery took four years and more funds. But later the son who’d been nearly lost asked me to be his best man and co-officiant with his grandfather at his wedding.
SAY TO GOD: “GIVE US TODAY OUR DAILY BREAD!”
I got an early morning call from a distraught husband who needed to see me. He wept in shame—his wife had just discovered his 6-month affair. A small group from church cared for them as they worked through the pain and began walking the path of forgiveness. I often wondered if they’d make it. But she forgave him. He changed deeply. A year later, they asked me to preside over their vow renewal - gathered with many of the original maids of honor and best men. They wept holy tears. And they are doing well today.
SAY TO GOD: “DELIVER US FROM EVIL!”