STRATEGIC GLOBAL PRAYER INITIATIVE
Hello Crossleft friends,
I offer below a proposal for your consideration. Any feed back will be greatly appreciated. Does this idea have any evident merit and do you think it is something that should be developed? Thanks to all...
Gary
Introduction and background
Kety Esquivel, in 2004, had a vision that inspired the creation of two progressive Christian organizations. It was her perception that the voice of the Religious Right was dominating the Christian political conversation and needed to be balanced. Teaming with Stephen Rockwell and other committed partners, they successfully established Crossleft (CL), dedicated to Balancing the Christian Voice, and later the Institute for Progressive Christianity (IPC), a 501 c 3 think tank.
It is becoming apparent that the vision, timing and conception of the IPC were prophetically initiated. Faith, passion and personal sacrifice by a few helped establish this organization in preparation for these trying times. Now, the IPC is in position to offer its services as we collectively begin the process of rebuilding our nation. The IPC About Us page states, "We have faith that we can positively confront the ills of this world with a progressive Christian witness that is coherent, convicted, intelligent, and passionate."
A new day has arrived where government welcomes and even solicits constructive and creative input from its citizens. -----We now cast the mission proposal below, as a direct response to President Obama's national and global call to action.
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All humanity is convened at the crossroads of global crisis as our life-sustaining environment deteriorates, economies collapse and international tensions approach the breaking point. The inhabitants of Earth are bedeviled with complex and acute problems on many fronts while few viable solutions are on the table. It will take a concerted global effort to discover and develop remedies for the most pressing problems we face.
*I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (1Timothy 2:1-2)
President Obama noted in his inaugural address that it would take more than good government to succeed, but that success rested upon two other things as well…"the faith and determination of the American people." He is asking for all Americans to contribute their tenacious faith and their innovative energies as ideas are sought for remedies for the pressing issues of the times. Research and development teams are being commissioned and mobilized as great minds tackle the issues and seek to implement the most productive ways forward.
The magnitude and complexity of many of these dilemmas demand greater wisdom than what is currently possessed by experts in every field. Seldom have government, scientists, economists and diplomats faced such daunting tasks. It will take more than science and technology alone to bring balance into this equation. Now is the time for people of faith to come together in unity to implement a Strategic Global Prayer Initiative that targets crisis issues and seeks divine assistance in resolving them. Prayer is one foundational practice that binds all Christians together.
Is God's wisdom available for a troubled nation and planet? If so, how can we gain it?
Perhaps something could be learned from Solomon, a king known for his wisdom. God gave Solomon, shortly after his inauguration, the prescription for recovery if his nation were to ever find itself in trouble resulting from waywardness… *If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2Chronicles 7:14)
This scripture urges all God's people to be humble, repentant and to seek forgiveness and restoration as individuals, as groups and as a nation. A new national era has dawned and most want to see justice, mercy and nobility as the defining traits of our approach to the future. These qualities can light the way forward and the power brokers of government and commerce need to be reminded of this fact.
*Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)
Imagine both secular and spiritual efforts aligning in an effort to meet the challenges of the day through research and development under girded with prayer. Strategically focused prayer can open the portals of heaven and pave the way for divine wisdom to be downloaded into the hearts and minds of innovators in their various fields of expertise.
*If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (James 1: 5)
Governing officials need an infusion of divine wisdom as they weigh the priorities of what needs to be done within the framework of fiscal responsibility. Divine wisdom is available and is essential for developing equitable diplomatic compromises for people and nations who have been warring for generations. Divine wisdom can bring breakthroughs to research scientists working on cures for disease and new life enhancing technology. Is there any problem beyond God's knowledge and power to deal with it?
Imagine a collection of prayer teams targeting the various critical issues…praying for insight and strategy to be imparted for each. People committed to daily prayer and meditations become powerful spiritual agents for change. Intercessors will not only pray for the research and development teams, but they will also be charged to listen for God to speak to the prophetically inclined.
All perceived prophetic veins of thought would be weighed among the members of the various groups as they develop prescriptive documents through utilization of group email, wiki, and teleconference calls. Finished papers will be developed into formal IPC policy documents, published either as press releases or academic policy papers and offered into the pool of ideas the Obama team is sifting through.
Navigating the spiritual dimension of problem solving can be just as critical as the physical processes sought for the same. Success in scientific method is measurable and can be reproduced. Success in diplomacy is evident in peaceful outcomes. Strategically focalized prayer can maximize the possibility for success on all fronts as humanity seeks and hopes for a dramatic make over of our nations and planet… "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done…on Earth as it is in heaven."
"Starting today," Obama said, "we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America."
Perhaps getting to our knees is the first step in picking ourselves up. Let us pray…
Acute needs of the planet – Potential global white paper research groups
Poverty
*Hunger
*Water
*Disease
War
Environmental deterioration
Acute Needs of Our Nation – Potential domestic white paper research groups
Economic crisis
Two wars
Health care
Immigration
Living Wage
Ecological concerns
- Gary Vance's blog
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Comments
Prayer initiative - next Theological Panel topic?
Rev. Roger,
I suggest we focus on this as the topic of our next Theological Panel conference call. This is precisely the type of project the panel is well qualified to handle. I, for one, am not adverse to co-opting the right. Here we have the perfect opportunity to demonstrate how we progressives seek to balance the Christian voice.
Please pardon another senior moment. Is it the 3rd Tuesday, or Monday we have set? That would be the 17th or the 16th.
I would hope we get a full contingency of participants. This whole program should have great legs, as the politicos say.
Rich
Theo-panel is 17 February
Shall we wait till then or make a command decision to move it forward 1 week?
Theo-panel
Since there is a lot of interest in the theo-panel and often very little in the Crossleft call, why don't you go ahead and take the second week slot? People attracted to a site like Crossleft would naturally be more interested in matters of theology than organizational issues.Perhaps we can briefly take care of Crossleft business on the theo panel? The two issues are so interelated anyway.
re: Theo-panel
Done and Done, Jim.
Theo-panel Tuesday 10 February.
Thank you for graciously trading slots!
Co-opting prayer?
Great concept and vision there!
Another thing that has occurred to me as I have pondered this idea is that the fact that in many respects this will come as a surprise to those on the right. In my estimation, prayer has long been thought to be a strength of the right. In promoting this idea we will in respects be co-opting prayer, much as Frank's white paper co-opts capitalism.
Should we push to get a theo-panel discussion of this together, or is it time to put this before the board?
Prayer Can Unify
Roger,
You know, Kety and Steve's original vision included "re-claiming and re-framing" the Christian conversation in politics. It is my hope that a prayer initiative could help to further implement this idea. Frank's paper is certainly a strong move in that direction and is currently serving to introduce an irrefutable, righteous progressive moral and theological economic alternative to the neocon ideology that has shipwrecked our global economy.
Progressive Christianity has just as many praying saints as the Religious Right or anyone else. I believe it is a level playing field when one steps into the arena of prayer and that prayer is one unifying activity that all people of faith share. Christians continue to be polarized in certain areas of political agendas. However, we should note...one does not have to compromise a single point of her/his personal agenda when coming together with others in prayer. People pray and God sorts it all out.
Gary
Indeed
It has been my experience, however that many on the right view those on the left with distrust and suspicion, seeing us more as activists than as spiritually minded people earnestly seeking the will of God. When I spoke of co-opting prayer, I did so in realization that this effort will likely surprise many who hold the aformentioned concept of us, and will be surprised at a progressive group spearheading the effort.
It is my further hope that both left and right can rally around a cause such as this, finding common ground in prayer.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could be part of a group of earnest Christians from the left and right who can for a brief period each day, stop their debating and arguing to unite in prayer?
Don't mistake me, I am not suggesting that we back down and compromise those principles that we hold dear, those that form our progressive ideal; but rather that we seek unity wherever we may. In so doing, as both Left and Right reach across the gulf between us, we just might find some fellowship and sense kinship. And perhaps, if we are willing to reach a little outside of our own idealogical corners, we will allow more room for the spirit to work in, around and through us.
great idea
Gary,
I echo Rich's comments...great idea. I think our next call should be dedicated to discussing. If we don't have one scheduled, let's schedule.
steve
Grand idea
Gary,
This is a grand idea. With a new era of responsibility having now dawned these various topics provide an excellent focus for future IPC and CL activites. We can build bridges to individual churches who might take on a specific acute need to pray for, to build support for from other churches. I can see this whole effort multipling, compounding into global alliances, working coalitions.
You have definitely been divinely inspired!
Rich