Martin Luther is said to have quipped: “I have so much to do today, I’d better start with a couple hours of prayer!”

Mmm… I guess it’s time for confession: I am an activist. I do not have the life of intentional prayer that I really would like to have. Sure, during the day I’m in an almost constant inner dialogue with God. But intentional prayer is something that I have known for intense periods of time in my life but have not practiced on a daily basis.

Good friends are pray-ers like that. (I think of Harden and Maxine Young, for instance - who, at over seventy, intercede for us and our kids, Philosophia.. and probably 3 dozen other friends and ministries each day. But I’m not there yet.)

Ann came up with the idea of a prayer vigil right at the beginning of the time leading up to the deadline for the downpayment for “House Nazareth”. I didn’t exactly groan inside - instead my conscience was pricked and I thought: “Yeah, she’s probably right! Take it all to God first.” (See, I’m growing!)

Philosophia and “House Nazareth” must be God’s project or it will all come to naught.

So, the bottom line is that we’re asking you to pray about our praying: we’re making (not “taking”!) the time. We leave today for a retreat center. Please ask God to meet us personally, confirm the path that He has led Philosophia, and give us any new instructions He has for the next 3 months.

One other prayer request: Have you ever been driving through the “heartland”? [Think Kansas!] Miles and miles can go by and you don’t see a single sign. You know that you’re on the right road but eagerly look for a little confirmation ["Dodge City - 250 miles", for instance]. We’re asking God to give us one of those. The Philosophia board met day before yesterday and Pete Stewart suggested that we ask God for another “chunk” (he didn’t define the exact quantity) of the down-payment to come in soon as a “road sign”. We’re not insisting that God do this - we know we’re on the right road; it would just be… let’s say, “reassuring”.

Have a wonderful Lord’s Day - I’ll try to get back to you about the middle of the week if I can get to an internet connection.