Praying Outside

Summertime brings a new dimension to the things we do. The beauty of God’s creation in full bloom reminds us of His creative power. How did He make so many varieties of flowers and even insects? His manifold witness is spread before us each day in the magnificence of His creation. Come out and see! One of the greatest treats for me is to pray outside especially early in the morning when the birds are beginning to sing to His glory. I love the cacophony of His sounds vs. man’s sounds. I can hear the hum in the distance of cars and trucks moving on the highway, but blanketed by the morning dances of birds, frogs, squirrels and lizards. We used to play a game with our girls called “God Always Wins.” As we walked on a beach or any where outside, we would challenged them to find something that God made and something that man made. Next they had to compare them and we always concluded in a giggle, “God Wins!”

This summer I am attempting to create a Prayer Garden in my backyard with nine benches based on the 9 Fruit(s) of the Spirit.  Each bench is based on love, joy, peace, goodness, kindness, gentleness, patience, self-control and faithful will also have a favorite verse. The 1^st bench is completed with Ps. 118:24 – This is the day the Lord has made; Let us be glad and rejoice in it,” and the fruit of peace as it’s guidepost. My granddaughter is so cute because she is helping me design it and she says we will call it the Community Prayer Garden.  What a heart. You are all invited to come and pray in the prayer garden when we finish it.

Let me encourage you to pray outside this summer. Make it a goal to step outside and thank Him for His wondrous works and the beauty of His creation. Praying outside eliminates any tired eyes or sleeping heads that may happen on your knees and adds a sense of awe to this special time with God. May He bless you this summer with renewed joy for your high calling.

PS. We are asking you to practice being a part of the 1:16PM prayer movement this summer. For the 2013-2014 school year, we are asking every Christian in the public schools to stop and pray at 1:16PM. Based on Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes; first to the Jew, then to the Gentile, we believe that this movement can be in every public school in America. The key is reverence and discretion. For more information, visit www.one16pray.com. Help us spread the word to your sphere of influence.

Prayerfully dependent,

K

Note: To more fully understand the 16-9 Movement, please read the first blog entry by clicking here.

Christian Educators Association International is the only professional association in the United States specifically for Christian educators in public schools.  CEAI protects our members first in prayer, next with excellent professional liability insurance and other benefits while helping them live out their high calling as a Christian in the public school.