RE-POST: REFINING IS DEFINING

I was wrecked within the first 10 pages.

I’d received a prepublication copy of Craig Groeschel’s latest book, Dangerous Prayers: Because Following Jesus Was Never Meant to Be Safe. As founder and leader of the revolutionary multisite Life.Church and presider over the international presence of Life.Church Online, he deserves a hearing. So I expected to appreciate his book.

But I didn’t expect to be undone by it. I didn’t expect it to lead me to deep repentance about the wrong ways I’ve led in every sphere of influence: with my family, with our staff, and yes, with our church. I didn’t expect to learn why I must be more intentional about the types of things I pray for. I didn’t expect to realize that my inadequate prayers have gotten in the way of people coming to know Jesus.

Anything I’d write here wouldn’t do the book justice. You must read it for yourself. And, besides, my purpose isn’t to post a book review. Instead, I want to tell you about the three prayers Groeschel challenges us to pray. And I want to explain how those prayers are changing me.

Church, Leadership, LifeTrevor DeVageOctober 21, 2020prayer, dangerous prayers, church, church leaders, christians, send, use, break, refine, define, god, jesusComment

PASSION LEADS TO PURPOSE LEADS TO PATH

Everyone is passionate about something, Or at least they once were. Or they certainly can rekindle or rediscover their passion.

How do you recognize your passion? Ask yourself, “Do I enjoy dealing with the details surrounding this activity? Am I compelled to learn about it, get better at it, seek out the experts who are pursuing this passion too? Does a taste of this activity make me hungry to do more of it?”

Sometimes a person finds his passion through trial and error. I’ve discovered I’m passionate about editing video, playing golf, and doing photography. Writing a book? I thought I wanted to do that till I gave it a try and decided I have no passion for the process book writing requires.

Church, LeadershipTrevor DeVageOctober 14, 2020passion, purpose, path, leadership, vision, dream, work, play, prayer, leaderComment

FOUR R's FOR PRACTICAL PRAYING

We’ve all been told we ought to pray. Some of us pray often. More of us struggle to pray. Many Christians feel embarrassed or guilty when they’re urged to pray, because they already knew they don’t pray like they should. Often they don’t pray because no one has taught them how.

As I’ve mentioned here before, I’ve been praying most mornings as I walk a giant circle around our church property. I take at least three laps, and for two of those I talk out loud (more about the silent lap below). I wear ear buds so passersby will think I’m talking on the phone instead of babbling incoherently.

Through the weeks, I’ve developed a process for prayer that helps me stay on track. It’s not complicated. (I need something simple!) Anyone can do it. I encourage you to try my four R’s.

Church, Leadership, LifeTrevor DeVageOctober 7, 2020prayer, reveal, respond, repent, reflect, leadership, church, covid, cancer, practical, simple, simplicityComment

5 WAYS TO GET POWER HUNGRY

All of us are more powerless than we want to admit. But in this time of quarantine, with daily reports of death and disease, we may feel more helpless than ever.

In these challenging days I’ve been thinking afresh about prayer. And I’ve come to believe what I’m beginning to experience: Prayer brings power. And the power that comes with prayer is unlike anything else we can imagine or create. Here’s what I mean.

Church, Leadership, LifeTrevor DeVageApril 29, 2020prayer, progress, protagonists, peace, protection, church, hope, help, healing, anxietyComment

A PANDEMIC THAT NEEDS PRAYER

Confronted by uncertainty and pressing needs all around us, I decided to lead a Facebook Live prayer session yesterday. Inspired by Craig Groeschel’s Dangerous Prayers, I quoted several biblical prayers he lists at the back of his book. While the world has hit “Pause,” we paused for prayer. As I shared the Scriptures, dozens among the 320 who joined us wrote their prayer requests in the Comments section so all of us could pray about their needs.

Church, Leadership, LifeTrevor DeVageMarch 18, 2020corona, virus, prayer, dangerous prayers, craig groeschel, guidance, unity, healing, hope, unbearable, life, protection, confession, pandemic, panicComment

Trevor DeVage

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