where prayer rules convergence
Earlier this month I dropped prayer and change squarely upon you. All of you.
Sure enough, those paths are beginning to manifest themselves.
“What paths”, you ask? Read the post. Do it!
But, John Stein is back. Although, in many ways, he likely never left. So is Tim Barker (oddly, Tim does not reference his primary calling on LinkedIN, so I’ll not include a relative link). But, if you consider the Parable of the Talents, his is akin to truth – and, this is apparently why he seeks me out. John is helping me do something different, for me, anyway – part of this on-going blog effort, in fact. And, Tim is finally letting me really help him. So, stay tuned for those stories.
It’s all rather involved, and about being involved.
Johnny Walker is also in my life. That’s because of Vincent Birley (I coached him into his current role at Ron Blue). …And, God, of course. Or, perhaps over the course of matters.
Just to be clear, I’m lifting some material that Johnny recently wrote himself and weaving it into this post. The details are less important than the result. I’ll just do my best to make it work, and lift the credit up to elsewhere.
If you have a Bible in-hand, you know that, evidently, there exist passages of scripture that keep using the word prayer over and over. But, the key is the nuance. Not enough of you know that the New Testament was originally written in the Greek language. The Greeks had many different words to describe the word “love”, for example. So, it’s relevant to ponder if each time prayer is mentioned that it meant the same thing.
What you will find, if you investigate, or just take my word for it (and, Johnny’s) are eight different Greek words that we can translate into the single word, prayer.
One of the different variations of the word prayer the Bible uses means to beg. According to Johnny, the Bible actually tells us that there is an appropriate time to beg God for something.
Another word for prayer is meant to wish for something. The intensity of our prayer in these circumstances is to let God know that it may be something we would like to see happen, but isn’t that important.
Begging as opposed to wishing. A profound nuance, to be certain.
The variation of the word prayer that is most relevant to this post, today, though is the word that translates, ultimately into intercede or to stand in the gap for. There is power in that form of the word. It’s meaningful because it’s about amplifying the needs of others with our own voice and passion. So, the Greek word for interceding is “Entuxis”, and is the variation of the word prayer that is used in James 5:15:
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
To intercede is like standing between the other person in greatly evident need, and God. This might actually mean pointing at the person and asking for a thing on their behalf. It’s really more than requesting and more like petitioning. Not in terms of flippantly merely signing a petition, but to be that arbiter that keeps on representing on behalf of the victim, until something , meaningful, is accomplished.
Johnny Walker writes:
With God we should never demand, but neither should we only flippantly pray for someone and move on. We should stand in the gap, fight for them, and seek aid for them.
With that in mind Johnny Walker thinks he needs your help. Indeed, he has been asked to intercede for someone and to pass the prayer request on to others. To be sure, we all have needs. However, Joey Murray was apparently diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) in 1991. It is a progressive disease that attacks the nerve cells in the central nervous system that control voluntary muscle movement. Johnny will tell you that he has Joey for about ten years. And, although he suffered from this disease even before they met, Joey’s faith has always been incredibly strong, and something that he has truly admired.
That intrigues me. I’ll add that because Johnny Walker was introduced to me by Vincent Birley, and described as unusual, passionate and talented – and, someone I had to meet. So, I did. Now I coach him. And, I may be the better man for it. Johnny is now an ass-kicking sales professional. But, before today, he has also been a Pastor and a Police Officer,and Counselor.
In any event, Joey will be on a retreat this next week that will focus on intercession and healing. According to Johnny this is “basically, James 5:15 in action”. Here is a portion of an e-mail to Johnny from Joey that helps set this stage, further:
I am grateful for the prayers you’ve offered up for my healing of ALS since 1996. I’m thankful to still be alive, but my health has continued to decline. The Bible tells us many times that Jesus came to forgive and heal all, for all time, and that there is much power in the prayers of many that agree. I will be going to a weeklong healing retreat in Thomaston GA. I am humbly asking for you, your church, and friends to pray this prayer in faith often for me for the next few weeks.”
According to Johnny, the prayer that Joey requests for us to leverage on his behalf is specifically:
Heavenly Father, deliver Joey from all demonic oppression, and restore his body and mind to complete long lasting health, in Jesus name, Amen.
I encourage you as James the brother of Jesus encouraged us: “Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says!”
I don’t know if what the Bible reads us is true, or the ultimate truth. But, it does inspire us to decisive action- and, in particularly so, this day.
As many of you know, if not really understand, I can’t profess to being a Christian. There are many points around this to be found in this BLOG. I do fear and loathe hypocrisy. But, I’ll strive not to make this effort about me, and more so about letting you know that I do believe it can’t hurt to live your life like Christ. So, I’ll continue my searching. But, I can leverage my own influence. And, you also know that is rather vast and meaningful. So, I went right to my own special forces healer, John Stein, and asked him to intercede.
Verily, I sent John this email message introducing him to Johnny:
Hey Johnny.
I’m on it.
I’m raising the ante by including John Stein in this exchange. John is my friend. And, he is a healer.
John, I’m coaching Johnny. He’s a neat dude. Great story. You’ll love it. Please see the attachment and get involved.
Brian
And, sure enough, this was John’s immediate response to my plea:
Jesus needs to collect on something He paid for a long time ago. God is moving and will heal this man.
In fact, John swiftly moving into action himself met Joey before that retreat.
More later. But, somehow, much of this is now in our collective hands.
I’ll petition you to intercede for Joey. His wife needs her husband. His children need their father. AND, we probably all need Joey walking this earth with us, as a living, breathing, miracle.
I need a miracle. This is all part of me living the Authentic Life. Lets start with Joey. Let’s dare try. Come on man, let’s rally!
In closing… I had contemplated a dramatic, life-changing, motivational post to send you off, collectively, into the new year. But, I’m finding myself guided by another objective as I prepare to be different myself with the onset of 2011. Will this qualify? I’ll continue to selfishly want to be part of you and amongst you.
Happy New Year.
Peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.
Brian Patrick Cork
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