The gospel according to MC Hammer.

So we've already covered the gospel according to washing toilet seats. How about the gospel according to MC Hammer?

First some context.

Last week my daughter walked up to me and said "Dad, can you please pray for me? I think I'm getting sick".

Oh Snap. If this were the classic old school Adam West batman movies, this is the part of the blog where I get popped in the soul.

BOOM. KAPOW. POW. ZAP!!!!!

"Dad, can you please pray for me?"

I don't know what was more convicting, the fact that she actually really believed that my prayers would make a difference or the fact that it made me realize how much I don't pray for her.

To be frank, praying for her voice would have been one of the last things on my mind had she just told me she was sick.

Take a nap. Drink some tea. Here's some Nyquil.

I know that's a smallish example but the reason it stung was because It pointed to a greater reality in my life; I simply don't pray enough for the people and things that matter most in my life.

I'm not entirely sure why but I think a big part of it is because I have an overconfidence in myself.

I don't pray for my marriage because I think I can be a great husband and I can make this work.
I don't pray for my daughter because I believe in my potential to father her into a well lived life.
I don't pray for SOMA because I put my confidence in being a gifted speaker and pretty decent leader.
I don't pray for these blog posts because hey, I can write interesting things and people seem into it.

In other words, I choose not to pray because of pride.
We don't pray because we think we've got it covered.

What we don't realize is that only God can do what we think we can do.

Only God can make our marriages work.
Only God can make our kids love him.
Only God can move anyone to love their spouse like he loves them.
Only God can produce lasting fruit in the lives of people.
Only God can touch others through our words and actions.

Only God can.

Not you. Or me. Or Billy Graham. Or Mother Theresa.

Only Jesus can.

So, starting last week, I'm choosing to pray. I'm not praying long hours but I'm taking baby steps and praying nonetheless.

I pray for my wife and my kids. I plead with God to grab their hearts and incline it towards him.
I pray that God will help me not ruin my marriage and that my wife would love him passionately.
I pray that the Holy Spirit will give me patience so I'm not an overbearing father.
I pray against lukewarnmess in all of us.
I pray that God would change the people he has entrusted to our church.
I pray that God would speak to you as you read this blog.
I pray God will do what only he can do in me.

I pray because I can't pull any of those things off.

What about you? Who or what do you need to start praying for because only God can?

'We've got to pray just to make it today, I say we pray... Pray!' - MC Hammer