What One Prayer Would You Like To Have Answered?

If you could have any one prayer answered, what would you pray?  This is an intriguing question, isn’t it?  Would you ask for millions of dollars?  Would you ask to live forever?  What about a solution for world peace or global warming?  One pastor here in Oklahoma City has answered this question.  Craig Groeschel of LifeChurch.tv has organized One Prayer in an attempt to create unity amongst many very different Christian churches.  So far, Groeschel has gotten over 1200 churches from 24 different countries to join together in participating in a four-week sermon series to explore what unity might accomplish. 

Why am I writing about One Prayer?

This is a historic event.  I don’t think that there has ever been this many churches come together in this way before.  Just think what could be accomplished if hundreds of churches could work together on a regular basis!  Think of the people that could be fed.  Think of the children that could be helped.  Think of the hope that could be offered.  Our world is in need of peace, compassion, and meaning in life.  I’ll admit that the Christian church has made its share of mistakes over time, but this sounds like an encouraging development.  It is one that I will be watching closely to see what happens.

The One Prayer sermon series runs through June.

The series starts this coming weekend, June 7-8, 2008.  You can even join in and watch the sermons online if your church is not participating.  Each week a different pastor will present their outlook on what could be accomplished through a unified effort.  The line-up of who will preach each message looks like this:

1. Week One – Craig Groeschel, LifeChurch.tv
2. Week Two – Jentezen Franklin, Free Chapel
3. Week Three – Ed Young, Fellowship Church
4. Week Four – Perry Noble, New Spring Church

These pastors represent some of the most dynamic and growing churches in America today.  I’m sure that they will deliver some inspiring messages on the topic of unity within the church.

What One Prayer aims to accomplish.

Of course, this would all be fairly unimpressive if it were just four sermons with no other purpose, but One Prayer does have some practical objectives in mind.  During the third week of the series, a special offering will be collected for a bold initiative.  The following is quoted from the One Prayer website as the mission:

What is the initiative? Together we will support four international organizations in planting 500 new churches in Cambodia, India, Sudan, and China! The local church is the hope of the world, and these churches will be able to make a sustainable, lasting and eternal impact on these four strategic regions.

This seems like a big, hairy, audacious goal to me!  Planting 500 new churches in the regions mentioned is no small task.  It takes vision, planning, and money.  It will also take a lot of people working together in unity.  There could be a lot to be learned from watching the One Prayer movement to see just how much success is achieved.

What is your one prayer?

So, what is your one prayer?  Have you decided?  Obviously, Groeschel made up his mind and acted on it.  It is an interesting example of how one person and one organization is standing up to try to make a difference.  I’m sure there have been and will be a lot of naysayers, but LifeChurch and the others aren’t letting that stop them.  They are going full steam ahead with One Prayer.  I’ll be watching and participating.  How about you?

Leave a comment and let me know your one prayer!

Photo by mulmatsherm

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