There is another key question though: Is prayer actually a form of work? And if so, what is the nature of that work?

Anyone who has spent more than ten minutes a day trying to pray will tell you that time in prayer can feel like work – but what does the Bible say? Does God classify prayer as a form of work? Finally, if prayer is work, do we actually need to take a rest from prayer at times? The first question will be addressed in this post; other posts will begin to dig deeper into the very heart and nature of prayer, leisure, and work – using Josef Pieper’s Leisure the Basis of Culture as a sort of guide on this journey.

Colossians 4:12 concretely addresses whether prayer can be rightly called work, it says: “Epaphras…a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”

Some Bible translations translate the Greek word ‘labor’ here more literally as ‘wrestle’. Paul seems to be recalling and hinting back at his exhortation in the first chapter of Colossians where he says, “[Jesus] we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.” (Col 1:28,29)

The word ‘striving’ or ‘wrestling’ used in these verses is the same; and there is also a common theme of presenting the Colossian church as a gift to Jesus.

The word labor here implies actual pain because of an exertion of strength. Now, obviously, in Epaphras’ situation he was not principally wrestling against a human opponant or exerting physical effort – but there is a clear assertion is that it cost him real strength in order to pray for the Colossians.

This stands as a clear New Testament example of prayer being likened to work or labor. This passage is specifically highlights intercession as a valid form of labor for believers. Certainly, other passages from the New Testament could be examined to illustrate that there is an actual labor and effort associated with prayer (Rom 8:23 comes to mind); but these verses in Colossians illustrate the basic premise of of ‘prayer as labor’ concisely enough to get started.

Next: The question of what God calls true rest and what God calls true work.

We’ve concluded that many intercessory missionaries (working six days a week) have 290 work days a year – but we still have to break down how much work is actually being done in those 290 days.

Once we subtract sleep;  the number of available working hours a year numbers about 4640. All of our daily toil and humdrum happens in these precious hours. A successful life in God is won or lost based on the choices we make in this time.

The basic intercessory missionary commits to a 50 hour work week – which includes prayer time as well as ministry and any partnership development. Let us assume that a missionary is very committed to their partnership development, and add an extra 3 hours a week of service in this area. This is the bulk of the regular work – and when we subtract this we are left with almost 2080 hours a year. That is about six hours a day.

Now some of that six hours will certainly be spent working, doing necessary household chores, mowing the lawn, washing the dog, etc. Those with a family will spend a portion of it serving their spouse, serving your children, etc.

Even if we assume that the average person is doing 3-4 hours daily on household tasks or serving their household in some way (a far higher average than most Americans), this still leaves 2-3 hours daily that is essentially unscheduled ‘leisure’ time.

Americans spend that three hours each day watching television.

The bottom line: An intercessory missionary who works six days a week, doing 53-55 hours of ministry a week spends almost 57% of their time either sleeping or in leisure or unscheduled personal time.

We can conclude that those who have chosen to serve as intercessory missionaries should perhaps give pause if we are tempted to boast of our personal sacrifice. God has profound affection for those who labor in the house of prayer, but few can claim to have attained the heroic virtue of those saints we esteem in history or the Scriptures.

As we grow in maturity, wisdom and grace let us give heed to the Apostle Paul’s words in Philippians:

“Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ … I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me…but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

This is essentially a ‘re-skin’ of a post I did several years ago; it is especially relevant in light of our reprioritizing of our prayer time on the night watch and at IHOP-KC.

Being on the night watch (insert loud cheer), means a specific ‘shift’ based commitment to the house of prayer. We volunteer to show up 12-6AM each night to pray, serve and occasionally dance. Let it be known, I’m not doing much of the dancing.

We do this six nights a week. There are many benefits of this choice of lifestyle – and this choice enables us to critically examine some of the more dubious assumptions about how we utilize our time.

At IHOP-KC we have 290-day work year. That’s six days a week minus those days we have reserved for vacation, sick days, etc. That’s about 42 weeks of work and about 10 weeks of rest each year. Basically that means 20% of our time is spent ‘not working ‘ at the house of prayer.

Of course these numbers are a bit deceiving given the fact that no one (except maybe heads of state) is actually working for 24 hours a day every day. And of course, at as intercessory missionaries the nature of our work often involves tasks which can rejuvenate our minds and our spirits. We also haven’t factored in time spent sleeping, breaks throughout the day or leisure time when we are not at work. We’ll look at those numbers in more detail in my next post.

Even in an initial examination we can draw some basic conclusions – 20% of our time resting is already more than the basic biblical ‘concept’ of a single day a week (1 7 = 14%).

Two more quick points which will eventually need considered:

First, we have not even discussed the nature of work nor have we concluded anything regarding a biblical perspective about work . The same is true related to leisure.

Secondly, we live in a unique time in history. The nature of work and leisure in 2011 is a radical change from the first 6000 years of history. Our experience of work and leisure in western democracies is also different from the social and cultural experience of most of the earth. What is normal in the United States is certainly not normal in mainland China. To give consideration to these facts will only serve to clarify the nature and value of our distinct labor as intercessory missionaries.

In September, I’ll have served at IHOP-KC for nine years. I had my 35th birthday this year, and as I continue to work at the house of prayer I am regularly confronted with the many paradoxes that arise as we embrace a monastic lifestyle in America. This is a strange time in human history to choose such an intentionally austere life. Of course, the Benedictines or Dominicans couldn’t have imagined wireless internet connections, smartphones or soft-rock melodies as they sat down to write their rules of life. Austerity is relative, after all – which brings us to one of our specific struggles.

American culture has created virtually unlimited options – and we are often paralyzed by that tragically post-modern dilemma – option fatigue. You know what I mean – it hits you standing in the toothpaste aisle, you ask,  “Do I want the premium whitening mint toothpaste with fluoride, extra gentle (for canker sore sufferers), or do I want the complete care fluoride extra whitening toothpaste with baking soda & peroxide, fresh mint flavor? And wasn’t there an article in the paper last week about how fluoride in water could cause an increased risk of osteosarcoma?” Too much, too fast, and every day we are forced to decide.

It’s enough to make you wonder if a $.50 box of baking soda on the bathroom sink wouldn’t significantly increase your quality of life.

I digress; to the point: if St. Benedict, Dominic, or Francis were to have the opportunity to visit to our little Mid-Western cloister, would they walk away encouraged or dismayed? The answer to that question, simply, is found in the practical expression of our values – in a nutshell, how do we value our time, our money, and our emotional resources? Our values, of course, are truly revealed in our behavior when no on is watching but God.

There has been a clear trumpet sounded for those called to be intercessory missonaries here in Kansas City. It is not unique nor a new idea, but it is radical in its embrace of Gospel principles and biblical doctrine.

What does the Bible really say about work? What does it really say about the specific work of maintaining a sanctuary dedicated to the continual exaltation of God? And how do we who serve order our lives so that God’s house can become a house of prayer to all nations?

Let’s begin to answer these questions with candor and hope.

Hopeful future posts: abe lincoln is not a xian role model, fearing muslims is a bad xian witness, and conspiracy theories create cynics…

Also writing poetry again, a few of those may show up in 2011. Do me a favor and maybe say a little ephesians 1 prayer for me if you get the chance.

When the voters of Massachusetts elected Ted Kennedy, they could not have foreseen his unfortunate passing in August. Those voters could also not forsee that the current election’s implications related to the health care bill. Of course, no person could have anticipated these things. God wasn’t surprised though.

The irony of the situation highlights the futility of human agendas. The hours, finances, and sheer willpower which are pushing the health care bill forward  can change in an instant. Those who went to the polls last November voting for Kennedy, in one sense – their vote just didn’t count. God has veto power over our plans. Now the bad news.

I don’t want to be cynical, but the current agenda which is powering the Democratic Congress is alarming me more deeply than anything I’ve seen in a long time. Congress passing a health care bill which funds abortion would be the most disastrous error in judgment conceivable for our nation. If that door opens  – God can only respond to America with judgement. It is inevitable. For the sake of our children and our loved ones we must resist this in prayer.

Why am I tempted to cynicism? The last week has seen Speaker Pelosi, House and Senate Republicans and our President in back room negotiations to merge the two health care bills. Senate must still vote on the new bill. If a Democrat does not win in Massachusetts today, the Republicans will have the power to filibuster. Without getting into the technicalities, that stalls the passage of the legislation. So what is being talked about in the back room? Are they discussing what is best for all Americans?

According to a recent CNN poll, 61 percent of the public opposes any federal funding for abortion. The ‘will of the people’ is clear on this: no federal funding for abortion, period. The House version of the bill would absolutely prevent any federal money from being directed from abortions – the Senate bill has loopholes, however, which do not directly prevent such funding. Those back room talks are not interested in considering the House restrictions on funding for abortion.

Why hide these discussions from our view? The logical answer is the most frightening one, they believe, “we can’t handle the truth.” Trust me on one thing – abortion was not on the top of the list of things to discuss in that back room. The people in that room do not have a spirit of compassion for the unborn. They have made their position clear on that matter already. Many news articles on the topic of this discussion do not even mention abortion – because no one in that room wants to talk about it.

There are even rumors that Congress will find a procedural loophole to avoid the Senate from filibuster. If that happens, the Senate Democrats and the White House will have proven that they are not for the people – but they are simply conspirators in a liberal agenda that ignores the will of the people that they serve. This is likely the most significant domestic bill that will ever pass in the lifetimes of most Americans. It will directly affect every single American citizen for the rest of their natural lives. To shove it through without the full light of public scrutiny and debate would prove the Democrats have moved outside of democracy and towards socialism.

If Congress rams this bill through without patiently allowing the American public to scrutinize it and question it – then perhaps there is a socialist agenda in Washington. I was loath to believe it could be true, but the decisions Congress makes over the next few weeks will be the tell. Removing the American people from the process of legislation, disallowing the press to have able time to report the facts, believing that the people have no ‘good sense’ to decide for themselves – patriarchalism always leads to a boot on someone’s neck.

The way Senate Democrats are attempting to merge these bills disturbs me. They have taken the debate out of the public eye and removed the American people from the process. The backroom talks and hidden discussions, though necessary in some federal decisions, are at best arrogant and at worst, totalitarian.

At least one person last week, when I mentioned the Health Care Reform (HCR) bill said, “didn’t that already pass?” I have great compassion for those who don’t understand what is going on. It’s my desire for the praying church to have a basic level of clarity on what is happening in Congress. Honestly, I believe wholeheartedly that if all you pray is, “God bring justice,” your prayers are entirely effective – however, there are human dynamics which can make it easier or more difficult to maintain a heart of prayer. It is easier to pray for people, groups, or places to whom you feel connected.

On Christmas Eve the Senate passed its version of the HCR bill. Out of 100 senators, they got 60 votes (all Democrats) signing off of their version of the bill, all the Republicans (39) voted against. On November 7, a different version of the bill passed in the House of Representatives. The House version passed with a vote of 220-215. Of the 220 voting for the bill all but one were Democrats. Of the 215 voting against it, 39 were Democrats and the rest were Republicans. In order to pass the bill the House needed 218 votes. In both of these cases the passage ‘hung on a thread’ so to speak – one Democrat could have trainwrecked the Senate Bill, two Democrats breaking rank could have ended the passage of the House bill.

The next step is to merge the two bills, a difficult process. Then this ‘new’ bill must pass the House and the Senate. If it passes, President Obama can sign it into law. There are significant differences between the bills and reconciling them will be an elaborate dance.

The passage of this bill already hung on a thread – two people in the House and one in the Senate; it will be even more intense the second time.

Personally, I feel strongly that some version of HCR is essential to prevent a financial collapse in the United States. On this fact both Democrats and Republicans are in agreement. All the information they have points to a need for drastic change. Any sane economist is advocating a need for change. The debate of course, is what that change looks like.

To put that in context, if medical costs continue at the current rate of inflation, in 10 years a family of four will have to pay $36,000 a year for health care. That will be about 50% of their income. That is a recipe for another Great Depression.

The hurdles to passage come down to abortion and money. Most Americans strongly oppose any measure in any federal legislation that subsidizes abortion. Abortion is the single issue that can derail this bill. A bill passing with federal funding for abortion would be a disaster. However, the bill failing to pass at all, would also be a disaster.

I see two possible ways which the Lord could use these events to release judgment upon the US.

In the first scenario, the bill passes with federal funding for abortion in place. This would be God giving America over to spirit of murder in a degree which would open doors of darkness over our nation. It would be the single most abominable legislative decision we have ever witnessed. We must absolutely contend against this with fervent intercession.

However, if this bill fails to pass, the Lord could also be handing us over to a severe economic judgment. I’m not presenting these as the only two options, or claiming to have the word of the Lord on the situation. My best judgment is all I have available until I hear from the Lord prophet arises.

As for me, I’m hoping the bill passes, but with no federal funding going to abortion. We need a change, but not at the cost of innocent blood. This, in fact, looks like the most likely scenario. There are enough pro-life Democrats to prevent the passage of a bill the funnels tax dollars to abortion.

Next post will look at the specific debate over abortion and the differences between the Senate and House bills related to funding abortion.

First of all, the health care system in America is not even a system. It is a series of historical blunders, and random circumstances compounded by greed, bureaucracy, and self-interests. Consider that modern medicine as we know it is only about 80 years old. Up until the 1920′s doctors were still bleeding people, and hospitals were basically poor houses and places for unwed mothers to live. Health insurance itself didn’t really appear on the scene in force until the 50′s.

The complex relationship between hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, physicians, insurance companies and the government is nearly impossible to decipher. Add the emerging global economy into the picture and it is enough to make anyone throw up their hands in despair and quit.

However, there are certain simple facts which shine a light upon the deep needs for reform. First of all, we know why health care is out of reach for many Americans. Health care is expensive not because it actually costs a great deal to manufacture pills or administer certain procedures. Health care is expensive because there are sometimes as many as 4 or 5 middle-men between services, products and the consumer. When every one of those middle men is taking a cut, prices skyrocket.

This is why America has the most expensive health care in the world, with so many people who cannot access it. Let me give just one example of the types of dilemmas that Congress is attempting to address in the current crisis: employers providing health insurance to most Americans.

Let’s say you are interviewing for a job. You are a sought after professional in your field, you know they want to hire you; you are in a bargaining position. Your potential employer, sweetening the deal, explains that if you work for them they will buy your groceries and your clothing. Sounds good, right? They continue explaining that they have company owned grocery stores and a clothing outlets. If you take the job the freebies are contingent upon shopping only at their company stores. Now its getting a little weird, right?

In America about 70% of those who have health insurance receive it at the company store so to speak. Would you trust Starbucks or Lowe’s to feed and clothe you (excluding giving you a paycheck of course)? So why do we trust them to buy our health insurance? When the company rep goes shopping for health insurance, do you think they are considering your asthmatic child? Or your diabetic husband? Even if you have an excellent employer, do want them as the primary health advocate for your children or spouse?

A note here: Many from the Christian right are announcing with zeal that with federal intervention in health care our choices will reduced or eliminated. Though I hear their concerns, the simple fact is – if you get your insurance through your employer, your choice has already been significantly reduced. I don’t see how the government adding options is going to give us less choice. It sounds like for 70% who are currently insured will have at least one other choice. The government plan may suit them, it may not – but at least they’ll have an option.

More to follow in the next few days.

Hebrews says that Jesus is the exact representation of the Father and the radiance of His glory and Colossians tells us that in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form. But what exactly does this mean? And what does it have to do with us?

Isn’t it that God the Father is in charge, Jesus sort of listens to Him and does what he says, and the Holy Spirit kind of hangs out agreeing with them both? I mean, the Father’s the boss, right? And Jesus is like, a really, really good employee? And the Holy Spirit, well, we like Him but who knows what He’s really doing anyhow…

Obviously, I’m joking, but in our daily thoughts we tend to gravitate towards an overly humanistic view of the Father’s relationship to Jesus.

Part of this is because we view power as a limited resource. Power is held by a few people who rarely relinquish it. And if the do ‘share’ power, it is only with other strong people. We line up for kickball at recess – the good athletic kids, the strongest kids unite themselves to the strongest. That’s how authority works. If you are strong, you make sure you surround yourself with strength – but you also make sure than you can beat everyone who is serving under you. Dog eat dog.

Because we are fallen, we can’t help but assume the Father is sort of the same. He lets Jesus play, sure, but He’s the one that’s really in control and all the lightning, the fire, the unapproachable light, and the thundering prove who’s really boss.  He delegates the “Lamb o God thing,” but He’s the who will melt your face if you open the ark of the covenant. The Father has the power and Jesus serves under Him.

Of course, we know that is a false dichotomy. What ruins it is the fact that for God love and power are the same thing. The power to love is what makes God, God.

Human history is the sad story of humans wielding power without love. We’ve all experienced suffering at the hands of another who had power – and we’ve all wounded others.

But the Father doesn’t see power as a limited resource He must cling to or use to protect Himself. He is quite secure. He shares all of His power with Jesus because He loves Jesus. The Father trusts Jesus completely with everything which He possesses. Think about that for a moment. Is there anyone in your life you would trust will every single possession you have?

Of course, for the Father, His most prized possessions aren’t material – they are much more personal. The Father tells Jesus the deepest, most tender secrets of His heart. He tells Jesus everything. There is no thought, no emotion of His heart which He withholds. Is there anyone you trust enough to do that with?

And that is the nature of the unity of these two persons. They share deep, personal, trust and vulnerability in a way that can only be fueled by (or perhaps evidence of) their capacity to love. They love one another because they are humble, and the lover does not seek as an object their own power or privilege. Instead a true lover seeks only the best for the object of their affection.

I’m not wimping out (I really could pull off a post a day, I’m certain)

I’m just not sure I can pull of a quality post a day. I’d prefer to avoid my blog getting weighed down by unclear thinking or filler – filler is bad – go eat a chicken nugget and you’ll know I’m right. Unclear thinking is bad – consider the entire Bush administration, and you’ll agree with me.

My personal goal is simply to let writing become part of the daily routine of my life, and prevent my blog from getting weighed down with semi-thoughts and filler. Plus, if I want to post on something not in the theme of “Things that Are True” – I have the space to do it.

So, with that said, see you tomorrow. (my tomorrow…which is YOUR today…because I’m on a night schedule, and though I’ll go to sleep in a bit and its ‘technically’ Tuesday (your today)…it’s still Monday to me. Welcome to my life.

Blessings.