Olivia Gordon is an intern with the D. James Kennedy Center for Christian Statesmanship in Washington, D.C.

 

On June 13th I had the honor of attending the D. James Kennedy Center for Christian Statesmanship’s annual Distinguished Christian Statesman Award Dinner.  The outgoing winner was Rep. Joe Pitts and the recipient was none other than the Honorable Mike Huckabee.   It was a fabulous night and Mr. Huckabee gave a wonderful acceptance speech.  At one point he made the statement, “I don’t blame the non-Christians for the state of this country. I blame the Christians. We are the ones who haven’t stood up and kept our nation on course spiritually.”  Could he be more correct?  It was a true motivational speech and really got me thinking about my mission and purpose for the next 4 weeks.  Am I really willing to do everything I can to further God’s kingdom?  I will certainly try.

I’ve also been experiencing the power of prayer.  Mark Batterson says in his book ‘The Circle Maker’, “the reason we don’t experience answered prayers is because we don’t ask.”  “Some of our prayers are so vague that we have no way of knowing whether God has answered them or not.”  If we don’t ask for specific things it is easy to chalk life events up to chance.  I’ve seen God stop the rain on a day when the forecast was threatening dangerous winds and thunderstorms.  I’ve experienced God’s peace as I struggle to stay calm with a person I do not see eye to eye with.  I have heard reassurance from the mouth of an oblivious friend.  And all of these have been answers to specific prayers I have dared to pray.  I want to challenge anyone who reads this blog to do the same.  For years I have been too afraid to ask for specific things.  Who am I to ask for the impossible?  You are a child of the risen Savior! That’s who you are!  What father doesn’t strive to provide for his children and fill them with joy?  Give it a shot.  Walk out on a limb.  Jump off the ledge of security.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

~James 5:16

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” ~Philippians 4:6