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Prayer: The Source of Martin Luther King’s Influence

April 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment

This topic is discussed in  more detail in my upcoming book Just Spirituality: How Faith Practices Fuel Social Action (IVP, 2012).

Prayer was one of the primary ways Martin Luther King, Jr. engaged in his personal relationship with God. In his book about the prayer life of Martin Luther King, Jr., Lewis Baldwin writes, “King turned to prayer as the foundation of his personal spiritual life, the center of his devotional practice, and a powerful, sacred force in his struggle to liberate and empower people.”[i] King’s commitment to prayer was disciplined and empowered him in his pursuit of social equality and freedom. Baldwin concludes, “King’s emphasis on private prayer as creative energy was, as the content of this work shows, consistent with his tendency to place spiritual transformation at the center of every action he took as a crusader for freedom, justice, and human dignity. Thus, he was able to confront the relentless pressure of the forces of evil and retrogression without faltering.”[ii] Prayer strengthened King and enabled him to stand up to the harsh criticisms and physical threats to himself and his loved ones.

Baldwin claims that prayer was the undergirding power behind King’s proclamations toward freedom: “King’s leadership was effective because his praying and preaching were effective… In fact, prayer and preaching were the great factors in the sharing and spreading of King’s gospel and vision of human freedom.”[iii] King’s formation in the context of community empowered him to be able to proclaim a message of freedom and hope for people who were suffering. During one of his departing sermons given at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, King shared these words:

“And I know this God enough to know that He’s with us. I’ve come to believe in prayer, stronger, stronger than ever before, since I’ve been in Montgomery. And I’ve convinced that when we engage in prayer, we are not engaging in just the process of autosuggestion, just an endless soliloquy or monologue, but we are engaged in a dialogue. And we are talking with a father who is concerned about us. And I’ve come to believe that… I have felt His power working in my life in so many instances, and I have felt an inner sense of calmness in dark and difficult situations, an inner strength I never knew I had.”[iv]

And I discovered then that religion had to become real to me, and I had to know God for myself. And I bowed down over that cup of coffee. I never will forget it… I prayed a prayer, and I prayed out loud that night. I said, ‘Lord, I’m down here trying to do what is right. I think I’m right. I think the cause that we represent is right. [v]

King was convinced the prayer was an “empowering an liberating force” which would enable him and others to stand up to any resistance in their pursuit of freedom and justice.[vi] Prayer gave King courage and hope to stay the course when it seemed the changes he sought would never come. King also believed that activism accompanied by prayer was the most effective. Prayer was not a “substitute for human initiative” but was a source of power and a significant part of his rallying cry toward justice.[vii]


[i] Lewis Baldwin, Never to Leave Us Alone: The Prayer Life of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2010), p. x.

[ii] Lewis Baldwin. Never to Leave Us Alone: The Prayer Life of Martin Luther King Jr. (p. xii). Kindle Edition.

[iii] Lewis Baldwin. Never to Leave Us Alone: The Prayer Life of Martin Luther King Jr. (p. 50). Kindle Edition.

[iv] Martin Luther King, Jr. “Address Delivered during ‘A Salute to Dr. and Mrs. Martin Luther King’ at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church,” January 31, 1960, ET-56, Martin Luther King Estate Collection in Troy Jackson, Becoming King: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Making of a National Leader (Lexington, KY: The University Press of Kentucky, 2008), p. 178.

[v] David J. Garrow, Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (New York, NY: HarperCollins Pubishers, 1986), p. 58.

[vi] Lewis Baldwin, Never to Leave Us Alone: The Prayer Life of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2010), p. xii.

[vii] Lewis Baldwin, Never to Leave Us Alone: The Prayer Life of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2010), p. xii.

Filed Under: Christianity, Spiritual Formation Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Tony Campolo & Red Letter Christians

April 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I was first introduced to Tony Campolo’s ministry when I was about 13 years old. I attended the Christian music festival – Creation –  somewhere in the Appalachian mountains. I was mesmerized as Tony talked about our call as Christians to love and serve God… and also to respond to the needs of the world’s poor. Tony’s message might have been the first time I heard about how it is a critical part of our Christian walk to live out the words of Jesus in Matthew 25: “Whatever you do unto one of these brothers and sisters of mine, you do unto me.” Other than the News Boys entering the main field by helicopter, Tony’s message is the one that I remember most.

A couple of years ago, I met Tony in Bethlehem at the Christ at the Checkpoint conference. There I heard him speak a similar message of love, reconciliation, and forgiveness… and also a call to live out God’s heart for mercy and justice in the world. During the conference we ran into each other a couple of times. At one point, we were on the elevator and started to chat. I told him a little bit about my work and ministry… and he said something to the effect, “I know… I have your book on my desk.” I will carry those words with me forever! What a great and humbling privilege!

This past March, Tony was once again at the Christ at the Checkpoint conference in Bethlehem. He gave a powerful message: “Using the Red Letters of the Bible as Guides to Peace and Reconciliation.” You can watch his message here:

 

 

What does it mean to be a Red Letter Christian?

The goal of Red Letter Christians is simple: To take Jesus seriously by endeavoring to live out His radical, counter-cultural teachings as set forth in Scripture, and especially embracing the lifestyle prescribed in the Sermon on the Mount. I consider it an honor to be friends with many others who share similar values and are committed to living out Jesus’ call to meet the needs of the poor. Visit the Red Letter Christian blog and website to learn more about this amazing community!

Filed Under: Christianity, Israel/Palestine, Middle East, Spiritual Formation Tagged With: , , , ,

The Role of Religion in Global Society at the University of CA – Santa Barbara

April 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to speak on a panel at the University of California – Santa Barbara’s Luce Project on Religion in Global Civil Society. The topic of discussion was “The Role of Religion in Global Society: A Focus on the Middle East and Africa.” The dialogue was very thought provoking and included questions about the significance of religion in international development.

 

Participants included academics, practitioners, and religious leaders from various cultural backgrounds and faiths.

Here is a brief response to one of the questions I was asked:

Role of Religion on World Visions’s work in the Middle East:

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization providing hope and assistance to tens of millions of people in nearly 100 countries around the world. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, World Vision serves alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. We seek to honor God in all that we do; to honor our donors and the public by being transparent about our motivation; and to honor those we serve as well as our colleagues in the field. Our passion is for the world’s poorest children. The ability of these children to reach their God-given potential depends on the physical, social, and spiritual strength of their families and communities. To help secure a better future for each child, we focus on lasting, community-based transformation. We partner with individuals and communities, empowering them to develop sustainable access to clean water, food supplies, health care, education, and economic opportunities. World Vision works in several regions of the Middle East including Afghanistan, Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel/Palestine. Throughout the years World Vision has been involved in the Middle East, serious conflicts throughout the region have had profound impact on the lives of children. As a Christian organization, World Vision affirms that all people have the right to life, food, liberty, security, education, and adequate health care.  These rights also have been enshrined in such international agreements as the UN International Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), highlighting the responsibility we all have to ensure these rights are protected for all children throughout the Middle East.

Please note: While the above paragraph speaks to World Vision’s work in the ME, this blog is personal and the views here represent exclusively the owner of this blog.

Filed Under: Egypt, Ethiopia, Israel/Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Middle East, Yemen Tagged With: , , , , ,

Christ at the Checkpoint 2012: Palestinian Women Leaders

April 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I have now been back in the U.S. after spending a month in the Middle East… first in Egypt… and then in Israel/Palestine. I wanted to write almost everyday that I was on the ground, but found myself caught up in activities of work, ministry, and life. Nonetheless, I am committed to writing about some of the things I saw and experienced.

It was a great privilege for me to participate in this year’s Christ at the Checkpoint Conference in Bethlehem (March 2012). The first conference was hosted in 2010 by Bethlehem Bible College, an evangelical organization committed to spreading the light of Christ through Biblical education and training. There is a great book available which highlights some of the talks from the first conference called Christ at the Checkpoint: Theology in the Service of Justice and Peace. I wrote one of the chapters.

This year’s event was the second conference and it was amazing to notice many of the differences. It seemed twice as many people attended. The tone of the conference was intentionally focused on empowering and encouraging the Palestinian church, creating a platform for open dialogue and engagement for evangelicals, and motivating participants to become advocates of reconciliation… while also calling attention to the reality of daily life for Palestinians, particularly those in the Christian community. While I don’t agree with everything that was discussed at the conference, I do believe the platform is a critical one from which the Palestinian evangelical community can use their voice and engage in the public sphere. Biblical scholars and Christian leaders from around the world came to talk about the Scriptures, the people of Israel in a theological context, the land, and God’s heart for righteousness and justice. I was one of the “speakers” and led an hour panel discussion of Palestinian women leaders. Here is a video of the panel that I facilitated:

Palestinian Women in Ministry from Christ at the Checkpoint on Vimeo.

The participants on the panel were Diana Simaan, Grace Al-Zoughbi, Dina Katanacho, and Shadia Qubti. A brief biography of each of these women is provided below. They are amazing leaders who are doing great work on behalf of the kingdom!

Diana Simaan: Diana is the program director of the Palestinian Bible Society. She is currently involved in a project dealing with the building of Palestinian families by developing communication skills within the family. Diana has a M.A. in Health Administration from Tel Aviv University. She oversees other projects that involve empowering youth.

Grace Al-Zoughbi: A Christian Palestinian from Bethlehem, Grace serves as a teacher at Bethlehem Bible College. Grace was an undergraduate student at the college and finished her M.A. in the Theology of Transformation: Church, Scripture and World from the London School of Theology in 2010. Her dissertation entitled: “A Study of Six Influential Women: Evaluating their Personal Impact in Old Testament Times and in Palestine Today,” sought to explore the idea of the dignity of women and ways in which women can seek to defend and promote values that are associated with this idea, specifically within strong patriarchal contexts. In addition to her teaching position, Grace takes part in leading a varity of programmes through her local church in Bethlehem.

Dina Katanacho: Dina Katanacho is a Palestinian Arab Israeli leader. She has earned her B.Ed. at David Yallin College (an Israeli college) and is finishing up her M.A. in Christian Ministry at Bethlehem Bible College (a Palestinian college). Dina works now as the director of the Arab Israeli Bible Society. She has led many projects empowering women to serve God and advocating family oriented ministries in which both men and women are advocating the Kingdom of God. Dina is responsible to make the Bible available for 1.5 million Palestinian Arab Israeli Citizens. She is married and has three boys.

Shadia Qubti: Shadia Qubti is a Christian Palestinian living in the Galilee, Israel. Qubti works with Musalaha, a faith-based organization that promotes reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. She was born and raised in Nazareth. She finished her undergraduate degree at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem in International Relations and English Language, and her postgraduate degree in Conflict Resolution and Nonviolent Action in Trinity College University in Dublin, Ireland. In her free time, she is a member of Alphateam, a worship team that produces and composes local Palestinian Arabic songs (www.alphateam.org.).

 

 

Filed Under: Israel/Palestine, Middle East Tagged With: , , ,

Book Review: Gospel of Matthew

January 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

IVP Resonate Commentary Series

Gospel of Matthew: God with Us

Written by: Matt Woodley

Review by: Reverend Mae Elise Cannon

Previously, I have expressed by excitement about the InterVarsity Press Resonate Commentary Series edited by Paul Louis Metzger. I wrote a review of the Gospel of John: When Love Comes to Town for the Covenant Companion and lauded the creative integration of sound theological explanations with culturally relevant examples of how the Gospel might be better brought to light for the struggling generations of the 21st century. In the series introduction, Metzger acknowledges the significant distinction of the commentary’s dual purpose to both highlight the biblical sense (what does the book of the Bible mean?) and cultural significance (what does it say to us in this particular setting?) of the Scriptures. I have read many different commentaries and in comparison, the Resonate series thus far has proven to be full of legitimate scholarship with refreshing relevance to daily living. The commentaries, as reflected in both The Gospel of John and The Gospel of Matthew seek to provoke people out of spiritual complacency by providing a stimulating alternative that bear witness to the work of God and his people through the written word, compelling stories, and relevance to the broader cultural context.

The second book in the series is Matt Woodley’s Gospel of Matthew: God with Us. I was moved from the very first pages as I read about Woodley’s encounters and personal insights gained from working in a home for the developmentally disabled. Through Woodley’s personal narrative and stories of others, the reader is reminded of the truth which resonates throughout the Gospel of Matthew, God is with us: “In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus shows up and offers us God’s personal presence.” (20). From Tolkien’s The Hobbit to Charriere’s Papillon, Woodley weaves throughout his interpretation of the Gospel examples of other compelling stories and of tastes of cultural relevance. Woodley reminds us that for millennium people have searched and looked for God, seeking permission to ask questions along the way about how the truth about him might be found. Woodley notes that Jesus’ ministry was not begun with a loud bang and the devastation of all of his enemies; rather, his ministry began with three small steps: the calling of ordinary people to follow him; the healing of the sick; and the community he gathered around himself (54). The transformational power of the coming kingdom of God was expressed in these simple, yet profound, actions of Jesus’ life and example.

Woodley outlines truths revealed in the Gospel of Matthew about the kingdom of heaven as both radically communal and global, as it would one day reign over all things (57). He provides rich explanations of well familiar passages including the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord’s Prayer, and other accounts throughout the Gospel of Matthew. While reading his interpretations for both scriptural significance and cultural relevance, I loved fluctuating from the thoughts of academic geniuses to children’s books heroes with references from the philosopher Soren Kierkegaard to direct quotes from Dr. Seuss in Horton Hears a Who.

However, I was a bit disappointed with Woodley’s exposition of Matthew 25, particularly the passages that speak about Jesus’ words: “Whatever you do unto the least of these, you do unto me.” I agree that these verses are about the personal presence required in acts of mercy. I also believe they are about so much more. This passage demands of followers of Christ an engagement with the least of these in society, the poor, the outcast, the widow, people who are marginalized and neglected. Woodley’s interpretation seemed shallow in respect to the profound significance of this particular passage. He did mention a trip to Mexico City and the reminder from a friend that the “poor need you and you need them.” However, much more could be said. I was disappointed that Woodley did not engage more on this specific passage.

Nonetheless, I still would still very much recommend this book as a resource. Recently, I had the opportunity to offer this endorsement for Gospel of Matthew: God with Us:

“Throughout the pages of Gospel of Matthew: God with Us, Matt Woodley makes accessible the truth of the incarnation of Christ through his own candid personal narrative and the inspirational stories of others. The reader is continually engaged from the divinely “human” genealogy of Jesus to the promise of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit at book’s end. This commentary provides a refreshing expository of an often familiar Gospel by provoking questions about the impact of God’s coming kingdom in today’s culture and society.”

Filed Under: Spiritual Formation Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Silence – Continued

December 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

This post is from an excerpt of my new book project with InterVarsity Press… tentatively titled Disciplines of Justice.

The Discipline and Gift of Silence

In the practice of silence, prayer and meditation are often incorporated. Silence, like meditation, is what the Quakers call “centering.” Richard Foster writes in Celebration of Discipline: “It is a time to become still, to enter into the recreating silence, to allow the fragmentation of our minds to become centered.” This allows the opportunity for God to “commune with you.”[i] Silence allows one to be still, listening for the words of God to our hearts, souls, and mind. Foster writes: “Without silence there is no solitude;” inner solitude and inner silence are inseparable.[ii]

Silence greets different people in unique ways. Sometimes, the gift of silence is the lack of mental clutter that keeps us frazzled, distracted, and worrying about burdens of daily life. Other times, silence is filled with deep truth of words that God desires to speak to our hearts. Adele Calhoun writes of silence in her Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: “The discipline of silence invites us to leave behind the competing demands of our outer world for time alone with Jesus. Silence offers a way of paying attention to the Spirit of God and what he brings to the surface of our souls.” [iii] Calhoun reminds us, “Silence is a time to rest in God.” [iv]

 Over the years, I have participated and led many retreats of silence. I am regularly overwhelmed by how different each retreat is experienced by the men and women who participate. When I begin a retreat, I am able to say with confidence: “I do not know how the Lord will speak to us in the days ahead, but I know that He will be with us in our silence.” I have not once been disappointed. Each and every time, the Lord has revealed Himself. Sometimes participants in the silence experience a release of grief and sorrow. Other times a young man or woman will come face to face with an encounter of the truth of God’s love and forgiveness. Sometimes the silence serves to comfort. Other times, the silence provides the space for personal conviction. Silence can be scary, because one often doesn’t know what will be revealed when the soul is quiet and still. However, the comfort of knowing God is with us in the silence provides courage to enter in.

From Silence to Service  

 As one enters into silence, room is created for God to do the work of transforming our souls. The spiritual discipline of silence changes us, inside and out. Richard Foster calls attention to this “transforming power of silence.”[v] As a person becomes more connected to themselves and to God, clarity of purpose emerges out of the silence. Christians not only experience the truth of God’s love for each of us as individuals and for all of humanity, but we are also reminded of the commandments in Scripture to love our neighbor (Matt 22:37). The spiritual discipline of silence directly motivates and compels people toward other-oriented service. The Quakers practice of silence provides further evidence of the strong correlation between the integration of silence and service. Foster acknowledges that silence is a direct pathway to service.[vi] He writes about the outcome of the Quaker practice of silence: “the result has been a vital social impact far in excess of their numbers.”[vii]

I go on to tell the story of Mother Teresa and the way the spiritual discipline of silence empowered and equipped her ministry to respond to the needs of people suffering and hurting in her community in Calcutta.

[i] Foster, 30.

[ii] Foster, 98.

[iii] Calhoun, 108.

[iv] Calhoun, 109.

[v] Foster, 98.

[vi] Foster, 139.

[vii] Foster, 22.

Filed Under: Spiritual Formation Tagged With: , ,

Advent Retreat of Silence 2011

December 10, 2011 By 1 Comment

I can’t really remember the year of my first Advent Retreat of silence. It was many years ago… Perhaps 2002? I was invited by a group called “Hungry Souls” and was led by Sibyl Towner and Karen Mains. I remember being nervous about the silence. Would I get bored? I imagined being in a group of a few dozen women and all the sudden needing to “shout out loud” to break the quiet. I had many questions. As much as I was nervous, when I arrived at the retreat center… everything was right in place. Karen and Sibyl gently guided us into the silence. We were given instructions along the way… so even in the quiet… no one was ever alone.

Since that first retreat, I have tried to keep the practice of two overnight retreats of silence every year – one around Easter during Lent and the other during Advent as Christmas approaches. I try to have a day of silence a month as a part of my own spiritual rhythm. Some months I am more successful than others!

This year… I am particularly thankful to enter into quiet that awaits. I am at a retreat center – Pendle Hill – somewhere in Pennsylvania. The year has been a busy one. The holidays are busy too. As I begin to settle my heart… I enter with anticipation into the silence. My prayer – for myself and others – is that we might all have some quiet to reflect upon the true purpose of the Advent Season. I am reminded of what it must have been like for the early church… awaiting the coming of the Messiah. We, too, must wait. We wait upon the Lord to hear the cries of our hearts. We wait… We wait also for Him to return again… that in His coming, the world might again be made right.

 These are the Scriptures upon which I will meditate as I enter into this year’s retreat into silence:

 

Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly (Psalm 5:3)

We wait in hope for the Lord, he is our help and our shield (Psalm 33:20)

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16)

And there were shepherds living out in fields nearby, keeping watch over their flock by  night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:8-11)

 

 

Filed Under: Spiritual Formation Tagged With: , , ,

Work in the Middle East Continues

October 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I am very excited to share the news that I am moving into a new role that will allow me to continue my work in the Middle East! As of October 1, I am now based in Washington D.C. and am thankful to have moved back home to Southern Maryland. Here is an announcement about my new role and some of my responsibilities:

I am now working as the Senior Director of Advocacy & Outreach – Middle East for World Vision USA. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian charity organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves close to 100 million people in nearly 100 countries around the world. My new role focuses on consensus building and collaborating to promote peace and justice in the Jerusalem/West Bank region. I will be responsible to lead and coordinate World Vision U.S.’ education, policy, and advocacy efforts related to Israel and Palestine. In addition, I look forward to working alongside of church leaders and to help raise awareness about U.S. policy toward the region. I will have the opportunity to work closely with our offices in Jerusalem/West Bank to build consensus, policy statements, and strategies in relation to the region and the conflict. I look forward to seeing how my studies and past ministry experience might be used to help shape the future direction of this work and ministry. I would very much appreciate your prayers on my behalf and on behalf of all of the people living in the Holy Land and the greater Middle East.

Please note that the content of this blog does not reflect any formal policy or position of World Vision US.

Filed Under: Egypt

Singapore: The Lion City

September 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment

After finishing an intense week of waking up bright and early (before 6 a.m. every morning!) and participating in meetings, lectures, worship, brainstorming, strategy meetings,  and prayer until after 8 p.m. at night… I am tired! But, I had one full day (and last night) to explore a bit of Singapore.

Singapore is called the Lion City… Modern Singapore has many remnants from the time of British colonization (1823-1942) under the influence of Sir Stanford Raffles. I am going to Raffles Hotel tonight to have a drink and check out the history museum. From 1942-45, Singapore suffered under Japanese occupation (e.g. WWII) until the British regained control in 1945. The British maintained influence through 1959 when the first full Singaporean legislative elections were held.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel

Today Singapore is a bright city famous for its many multi-cultural neighborhoods, stunning views from the harbor, and its food! Last night I went out with my roommate and visited the brand new (and very expensive!) luxury hotel in Marina Bay. The view was stunning! We also caught a light and water show – which reminded me a little bit of Disney World… it was lovely!

My South Indian meal from Banana Leaf Restaurant

 

 

 

 

 

Today, my adventures started in Little India. There are many South Asians in Singapore in addition to the many other ethnic groups including Chinese, Malay, Thai, and many others. I had lunch at a place called “Banana Leaf Restaurant” where I was served fresh coconut milk… chicken curry… semosas… It was fabulous! I walked around a bit and have been told that the neighborhood truly is a glimpse of India… Bright colors… fun little shops.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

I then went to Chinatown. I am surprised how much I am using my Mandarin here. Everyday I have been treating myself to “zhen-zhou nai-cha” (Taiwan Bubble Milk Tea)… I am in heaven.

Tonight I am going to the “Night Safari” which may be a little touristy – but I’ve been told is one of a kind in the world. Hope I don’t get eaten by a lion!

Filed Under: Singapore Tagged With: , , , ,

Singapore: Global 4/14 Window Summit

September 8, 2011 By 2 Comments

This past week, I have had the great privilege of participating in the 4/14 Window Global Summit III in Singapore. The 4/14 Window refers to the millions of children around the world who are aged 4 to 14 years old. The Summit is a gathering of more than 700 leaders from around the world (92 countries) who are committed to praying, developing, equipping, and responding to the needs of the world’s children. The movement started three years ago with the specific intention of raising awareness about the value of children and to mobilize the church around the world to not ignore the contribution and needs of our children. Some of the most meaningful moments of our time together have been listening to the voice of children saying “you’re losing us” – “thank you for not ignoring us” – “thank you for giving us a chance to contribute”. I had the privilege of being prayed for by a group of 5-6 young girls. As they laid hands on me and prayed, I was deeply moved hearing their voices in several different languages. I was reminded of the words of Jesus – “let the children come to me”… and the reminder that “the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” I think the Lord gives special ear to the prayers of children. Those gathered here have been praying all week long for the adults in attendance. I am humbled by their model and example. And I am also reminded of the great influence that children have had on my own life… Roby and I have had five children live with us over the course of the first five years of our marriage. Those years were certainly challenging in many ways – but I wouldn’t trade them for anything. I love each of those children very much. I am thankful for AJ, Kimberly, Dashawn… they have taught me so much about myself and about the world. I am also very thankful for my siblings. Being a decade older than them, it has been a great privilege to watch them – through struggles and triumphs – grow into adulthood. I am very proud!

To learn more about the Global 4/14 Window Summit go to www.4to14window.com.

Filed Under: Singapore Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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