Saturday Morning Men’s Prayer Report – SM²P

“Wilderness and desert will sing joyously, the badlands will celebrate and flower – bursting into blossom, a symphony of song and color. Mountain glories of Lebanon – a gift. Awesome Carmel, stunning Sharon – gifts. God’s resplendent glory, fully on display. God awesome, God majestic. Energize the limp hands, strengthen the rubbery knees. Tell fearful souls, “Courage! Take heart! God is here, right here, on his way to put things right And redress all wrongs. He’s on his way! He’ll save you!” Blind eyes will be opened, deaf ears unstopped, Lame men and women will leap like deer, the voiceless break into song. Springs of water will burst out in the wilderness, streams flow in the desert. Hot sands will become a cool oasis, thirsty ground a splashing fountain. Even lowly jackals will have water to drink, and barren grasslands flourish richly.” Isaiah 35:1-7 The Message Bible

I had been away, hibernating in Vermont through the holidays. It was wonderful but at the same time there was a growing feeling of disconnect. Disconnect with regular routines, family, friends, brethren. I did not have a real reason to come back home for another few days but there was something calling me to come home.

I came back to get caught up on things. The next day was Saturday so I decided to get up early and go to the Saturday Morning Men’s Prayer meeting at our church. That would be followed by the Saturday morning Dad’s ministry meeting. Both are ministries I love to support.

The next morning about half way through another sweet time with the Holy Spirit flowing through praying men, I exited to join the Dad’s ministry. Heading from the Prayer Room I noticed a lone figure standing in a distant corner of the Church foyer.

My eyesight isn’t what it used to be so I couldn’t make out who it was. I waved and the person waved back. Normally, I set my plans and that’s what I do – it was time to go to the Dad’s breakfast. I was going to just keep going but there was something in the person’s wave. It wasn’t a “Hi, I’m excited to see you” wave but more of a swipe of the hand saying, “I’m in no mood. Keep going.”

In spite of my impulse to go to the Dad’s breakfast (after all the food was getting cold), something (or someone) told me I should engage this person. I turned and headed over to realize it was actually a good friend/spiritual brother of mine. He was just shaking his head with a painful look on his face. I asked, “Dave, what’s going on?” He couldn’t hold back and all the sadness, disappointment and despair poured out of him.

Dave D is a guy who’s seen God do miracles in his life and intervene to saved his marriage and family. He has been dedicated to serving others in real tangible ways while never looking for recognition and accolades. But, today was his birthday. He and his “wingman” Keith had just cooked breakfast for 50 guys with no other help and no one coming into the kitchen to even say “Hi” or acknowledge them. Another year had just clicked by and feelings of being unappreciated, used and abused had taken over.

Much of what he shared I could relate to. As Christian men, we aren’t supposed to expect to be appreciated. Service for the Lord should be enough, right? But, sometimes it just isn’t. Sometimes, even in a large congregation we can feel like we are all alone.

Just before I saw him, he was on his way to walk out the door saying, “Forget this.” The Holy Spirit prodded me to intercept him. After he shared what was going on, my first impulse was to console him. But, God had a better plan. I asked, “How about we go into the Prayer Room? God’s got something in store for you there.” Dave agreed to go in.

What I love about this is that I had COMPLETE confidence that God would speak to Dave through the men still in the Prayer Room. There are few spiritual matters that I don’t have at least a hint of uncertainty and doubt as to what may happen. Not in this room – not with these men.

I brought Dave in, introduced him and asked if they could pray for Dave D. The guys -Dan, DB, Pete, Dave, Dennis, Hal and others gracefully allowed us to interrupt their prayers, immediately recognizing the Holy Spirit’s leading. I shared some of what was going on with Dave and he filled in the gaps.

The guys jumped right in. One after another prayed over Dave and shared what God was giving them for Dave – words of affirmation, comfort and hope.  They shared scriptures about God’s love and joy for Dave and specifics about what God has in store for him. I looked over at Dave and he was like the dried sponge spiritually soaking up the living water – stretching and expanding him back to spiritual vitality and life. The streams of living water were reviving the parched desert. The guys concluded their prayers and Dave was a new man.

I suggested we go in to catch the end of the Dad’s Breakfast. Our Pastor G was sharing and as soon as we sat down the Holy Spirit continued to minister to Dave through the Pastor’s concluding remarks. Finally, to Dave’s total annoyance, I announced it was his birthday and the men sang a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday with guys coming up to him to express their appreciation for Dave and all he does. He was totally embarrassed but, God now had the chance to tangibly show His appreciation for Dave through these men.

It’s a difficult thing to do – to “ask” for appreciation. How hard is that? We simply want to just be appreciated. Still, the onus is somewhat on us to establish relationship within the community where we can honestly express and talk/pray through our feelings. If we are not willing to do that we are not being fair to ourselves and to the community – not giving the community a chance to “love one another.”

Of all the “commands” spoken by Jesus in the Gospels, I believe that this is His one actual Commandment as written in John 13:34-35 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Paul writes in Ephesians 4 that we should “bear” with one another in love. That doesn’t just mean that we are “puting up with” or simply accommodating one another, or even appreciating one another, but lifting each other to an exalted place and celebrating each other’s uniqueness in Christ.

I believe that the men in the Prayer Room with Dave D were living out the instructions from James 5:16, “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

This is Loving one another with Love like a River of Living Water.