Rocky Twyman of Washington, D.C., started Pray at the Pump. Have you heard of this? This was a national campaign to urge believers to pray to bring down gas prices.
A colleague of his from St. Louis claimed his prayer sessions caused the price drop in July, pointing to his use of the civil rights anthem “We Shall Overcome” (and his new verse, “We’ll have lower gas prices”).
What do you think? Good use of prayer? Praying for lower prices at the gas pump?
Just where (if any where) do we draw the line on prayers?
Hopefully I am not going to be seen as being disrespectful of God but I don't think Rocky's "thing" is what lowered the gas prices. Sounds like a good sound bite though. 'Nuff said.
ReplyDeleteI don't quite buy it. I think it would be better to ask God where you can cut your own budget or asking God to help you get by in hard times. I'm with Bill. I don't think this guy's prayers lowered gas prices. A real test would be to ask him to pray for 1990s gas prices.
ReplyDeleteAt least he's praying.
ReplyDeleteBut I think it's silly too. It's like praying for your team to win the game. As if God prefers the Buckeyes over the Hurricanes. Ok, that's a bad example because we all know that on God's mansion there is an OSU flag draped across the front. But I digress.
Heidi Reed
How much more "effective" for the kingdom would it have been to talk to the people at the pump and see what needs they had and how to meet them.
ReplyDeleteOh wait. That would require action, and maybe money.
Don't get me wrong. Prayer is a powerful thing, and a good thing and a required thing. But, all too often, I see Christians using it as a "tool" to prove that God is on "their side." The recent "pray that it will rain on Obama's acceptance speech" struck me as that kind of thing.
Also, aren't we called to pray privately? I can't remember the exact verse, but there were some pretty harsh words for the ones standing on the street corner to pray. Taking "credit" (or assigning credit) for the falling gas prices puts this in that category, I think.
God can't be an OSU fan. God doesn't get blown out of consecutive national title games.
ReplyDeleteMany times, I look at prayer like when my kids ask me for things. Sometimes I give it to 'em. Sometimes I say "no". And sometimes I just have to chuckle.
ReplyDeleteBUT!!!! They are always welcomed and encouraged to ask me anything they want. That is their privilege as my children.
Karma, I liked your idea. "Sharing at the Pump" might have done more for the kingdom. These prayers (for lower gas prices) smack of the health and wealth variety. (Gee, that was rather judgmental of me. But by the measure I judge, so I will be judged [or something to that effect])
And, just for the record: Boomer Sooner!
It's a no-brainer ---
ReplyDeleteGO VOLS!!!!!!
Heidi, Rick, and Karma...you guys are dangerously close to lifetime bans from commenting on my blog!
ReplyDeleteEveryone knows (from the song, at least) that it the blood that flowed down Calvry's hill was crimson!
Roll Tide Roll!
"What goes around, comes around."
ReplyDeleteTide don't roll; it's sold in a box!
ROFL - Michael you have sinned. J/K.
ReplyDeleteTurned your post into a competition. Sorry Steve. ;)
Heidi
That's okay Heidi...my blog is your blog...
ReplyDeleteFor good measure . . . Wreck 'em Tech. We're gonna beat the snot out of OU this year IN OK.
ReplyDeleteWe shall see. I guess I'll be watching that game Michael. If your boys don't win get ready to eat some MAJOR CROW.
ReplyDeleteOh, and it's OSU -- you know "THE Ohio State University". ;)
Heidi
Michael,
ReplyDeletePride comes before the fall.
It looks like we have been meeting on the field of challenge since 1992. Since that time, Tech has beaten the Sooners 4 times ('96, '99, '05, & '07), and only one of those times was in Norman. We did not meet in in '95 or '97. So, in the last 15 times we have played, we've risen victorious. Chances are, you're not gonna win this time.
I guess we'll see on 11/22, huh? ;-)
Boomer Sooner!
** That should read, "In the last 15 times we have played, we've risen victorious 11 times."
ReplyDeleteI'll take my chances. I would be really impressed if you could win with actual players form OK instead of Texans.
ReplyDelete