Comments on: #603. Prayer Walks http://stuffchristianslike.net/2009/08/603-prayer-walks/ Musings by Jon Acuff Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:55:44 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Provillu http://stuffchristianslike.net/2009/08/603-prayer-walks/comment-page-2/#comment-55221 Provillu Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:18:54 +0000 http://70.32.99.203/2009/08/603-prayer-walks/#comment-55221 Provillus natural hair loss treatment now available for Men and Women . Order here for your 90 Day Money Back Guarantee at <a href="http://www.Managehairloss.com" target="_blank">www.Managehairloss.com</a> Provillus natural hair loss treatment now available for Men and Women . Order here for your 90 Day Money Back Guarantee at http://www.Managehairloss.com

]]> By: Stephanie_Dragoo http://stuffchristianslike.net/2009/08/603-prayer-walks/comment-page-2/#comment-46507 Stephanie_Dragoo Sat, 29 Aug 2009 21:21:15 +0000 http://70.32.99.203/2009/08/603-prayer-walks/#comment-46507 (I'm sure somebody's already said something to this affect, but I'm too lazy to read all the abundant comments.)<br /><br />I was skeptical about a good friend of mine who "suffered for Jesus" serving with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) in Hawaii and Fiji. Turns out, however, that she was spending her time with homeless people, drug users, and prostitutes scraping by in tropical paradise. I felt more than a little stupid for prejudging that one.<br /><br />And I'm writing this from my patio in East Nashville. How fun that your brother lives here! It's a wonderful place :) (I'm sure somebody's already said something to this affect, but I'm too lazy to read all the abundant comments.)

I was skeptical about a good friend of mine who "suffered for Jesus" serving with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) in Hawaii and Fiji. Turns out, however, that she was spending her time with homeless people, drug users, and prostitutes scraping by in tropical paradise. I felt more than a little stupid for prejudging that one.

And I'm writing this from my patio in East Nashville. How fun that your brother lives here! It's a wonderful place :)

]]> By: Katie L. http://stuffchristianslike.net/2009/08/603-prayer-walks/comment-page-2/#comment-46432 Katie L. Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:51:49 +0000 http://70.32.99.203/2009/08/603-prayer-walks/#comment-46432 Let me qualify my previous comment.<br /><br />I am poking at the idea of prayer walks in general. I find them awkward. I know prayer is important and I know prayer does mighty things. I just think that frequently we could do it... differently... I mean, if I lived somewhere and saw a mob walking past my house, and especially if I knew they were praying, I would wish they were doing something tangible for me to see. Maybe pick up trash. Or engage people in conversation. Something. Let me qualify my previous comment.

I am poking at the idea of prayer walks in general. I find them awkward. I know prayer is important and I know prayer does mighty things. I just think that frequently we could do it… differently… I mean, if I lived somewhere and saw a mob walking past my house, and especially if I knew they were praying, I would wish they were doing something tangible for me to see. Maybe pick up trash. Or engage people in conversation. Something.

]]> By: Katie L. http://stuffchristianslike.net/2009/08/603-prayer-walks/comment-page-2/#comment-46427 Katie L. Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:12:59 +0000 http://70.32.99.203/2009/08/603-prayer-walks/#comment-46427 The thing is, you have to do prayer walks in exotic, touristy places. And here is why: it's a disguise. In a normal situation, if you have 15-30 people walking down streets together in a mob, it just looks weird. Or dangerous (which is not a good idea in a third world country). But in a tourist location, it looks like you're part of a tour group! You can sneak in and <b>bam!</b> know one knows you're praying. Sneaky! The thing is, you have to do prayer walks in exotic, touristy places. And here is why: it's a disguise. In a normal situation, if you have 15-30 people walking down streets together in a mob, it just looks weird. Or dangerous (which is not a good idea in a third world country). But in a tourist location, it looks like you're part of a tour group! You can sneak in and bam! know one knows you're praying. Sneaky!

]]> By: JasonSix http://stuffchristianslike.net/2009/08/603-prayer-walks/comment-page-2/#comment-46254 JasonSix Thu, 27 Aug 2009 03:54:09 +0000 http://70.32.99.203/2009/08/603-prayer-walks/#comment-46254 Jon,<br /> I can't believe you created a post hell-bent on humilating and belittling every Christian who ever attempted to make a difference on the continent of Europe. Shame on you for mocking the reformation and spitting in the face of Martin Luther and John Calvin. What's next? A C.S. Lewis book burning???<br /> Oh wait, let me re-read your original post a moment... ahhhh, I see. You were just questioning people who say they went on "mission trips" when they did no sharing of the gospel.<br /> Well, your "Missionary or Vacationary Questionnaire" is not 100% theologically correct. Perhaps you should take it before the Nicene Council, Council of Orange, and Geneva Convention for review and approval.<br /><br /> Desperately searching for ways to be offended,<br /> Jason<br /><br />p.s. what does 'fecicious' mean? Jon,
I can't believe you created a post hell-bent on humilating and belittling every Christian who ever attempted to make a difference on the continent of Europe. Shame on you for mocking the reformation and spitting in the face of Martin Luther and John Calvin. What's next? A C.S. Lewis book burning???
Oh wait, let me re-read your original post a moment… ahhhh, I see. You were just questioning people who say they went on "mission trips" when they did no sharing of the gospel.
Well, your "Missionary or Vacationary Questionnaire" is not 100% theologically correct. Perhaps you should take it before the Nicene Council, Council of Orange, and Geneva Convention for review and approval.

Desperately searching for ways to be offended,
Jason

p.s. what does 'fecicious' mean?

]]> By: Pastor Bob http://stuffchristianslike.net/2009/08/603-prayer-walks/comment-page-2/#comment-46252 Pastor Bob Thu, 27 Aug 2009 02:27:24 +0000 http://70.32.99.203/2009/08/603-prayer-walks/#comment-46252 Hi Jon,<br /><br />Thank you so much for commenting with such length and detail to my question. <br /><br />Hey... this is what I have to say... most long-term missionaries really care about what they're doing no matter where it is and they suffer to do it. <br /><br />About what you said regarding one person taking it in a good way and another taking it in a bad way...<br /><br />This blog is a crucible for your ideas. Instead of being frustrated by that, be thankful for it. It's just a blog. It's not a final "stance paper" you are presenting to God to see if you pass. By putting your thoughts out there you get a lot of help from others to work them out, and for you to change your thinking by considering things you never considered before. If you only had two "yes man" commenters, you couldn't do this so much. But you have hundreds of commenters of people willing to both praise and challenge you. That is a real blessing. <br /><br />You know how it says in Proverbs that iron sharpens iron as one man sharpens another. You have those people to help sharpen you. Be very thankful!<br /><br />You know what would be very interesting... for you to a post... or series of posts... of things you've learned or changed your thinking on BECAUSE of comments people have left that made you consider things you never thought of before. <br /><br />Thank you. Hi Jon,

Thank you so much for commenting with such length and detail to my question.

Hey… this is what I have to say… most long-term missionaries really care about what they're doing no matter where it is and they suffer to do it.

About what you said regarding one person taking it in a good way and another taking it in a bad way…

This blog is a crucible for your ideas. Instead of being frustrated by that, be thankful for it. It's just a blog. It's not a final "stance paper" you are presenting to God to see if you pass. By putting your thoughts out there you get a lot of help from others to work them out, and for you to change your thinking by considering things you never considered before. If you only had two "yes man" commenters, you couldn't do this so much. But you have hundreds of commenters of people willing to both praise and challenge you. That is a real blessing.

You know how it says in Proverbs that iron sharpens iron as one man sharpens another. You have those people to help sharpen you. Be very thankful!

You know what would be very interesting… for you to a post… or series of posts… of things you've learned or changed your thinking on BECAUSE of comments people have left that made you consider things you never thought of before.

Thank you.

]]> By: xate http://stuffchristianslike.net/2009/08/603-prayer-walks/comment-page-2/#comment-46250 xate Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:45:46 +0000 http://70.32.99.203/2009/08/603-prayer-walks/#comment-46250 i generally enjoy your posts and have a good laugh.. but this post really hurt my feelings. it echoed a sentiment i have come across so often in the past few years. i have been in full time missions in germany since 2001... <br /><br />it is increadibly hard to raise support because people think i am just on "vacation." this is no vacation. and, its actually really expensive to do missions in europe.. i live far under the poverty threshhold. <br /><br />one man actually came up to me after a speaking engagement in the states, and asked me in all earnestness "now if i give you this, are you going to go off and use it to buy a lambourgihni?" before putting a dollar in my hand. i generally enjoy your posts and have a good laugh.. but this post really hurt my feelings. it echoed a sentiment i have come across so often in the past few years. i have been in full time missions in germany since 2001…

it is increadibly hard to raise support because people think i am just on "vacation." this is no vacation. and, its actually really expensive to do missions in europe.. i live far under the poverty threshhold.

one man actually came up to me after a speaking engagement in the states, and asked me in all earnestness "now if i give you this, are you going to go off and use it to buy a lambourgihni?" before putting a dollar in my hand.

]]> By: Jennifer Powell http://stuffchristianslike.net/2009/08/603-prayer-walks/comment-page-2/#comment-46243 Jennifer Powell Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:12:42 +0000 http://70.32.99.203/2009/08/603-prayer-walks/#comment-46243 What you said, "When I hear about trips like that, the grumpy old man inside me kicks over the rocking chair on his metaphorical front porch and wants to ghost ride his rascal scooter off a cliff after using some World War II era profanities at some neighborhood street youths." <br />All I can say Jon is BRILLIANT! What you said, "When I hear about trips like that, the grumpy old man inside me kicks over the rocking chair on his metaphorical front porch and wants to ghost ride his rascal scooter off a cliff after using some World War II era profanities at some neighborhood street youths."
All I can say Jon is BRILLIANT!

]]> By: The Laughing Rover http://stuffchristianslike.net/2009/08/603-prayer-walks/comment-page-2/#comment-46239 The Laughing Rover Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:12:38 +0000 http://70.32.99.203/2009/08/603-prayer-walks/#comment-46239 Hi Jon,<br />I'm afraid I don't have the time to read through 62 comments to see if someone has said this already, but I'd just like to say that in my experience as a missionary both in Africa and Europe, while Africa is an understandable mission destination because of its MATERIAL need, Europe--at least France--is WAY behind when it comes to SPIRITUAL need, and is in desperate need of missionaries and people who are willing to give up their lives to work there. Yes, it is 'cushier' in terms of environment (which ironically makes it so much harder to raise support), but the need is so very great, and the work is hard and laborious. <br /><br />So, if you come across anyone who wants to work as a valid missionary in the beautiful French Alps, I know a camp there that desperately needs a fulltime administrative assistant who is willing to work for no pay. And yes, benefits such as a ski resort just up the hill are included. :)<br /><br />(But thanks, as always, for the good post and making me think!) Hi Jon,
I'm afraid I don't have the time to read through 62 comments to see if someone has said this already, but I'd just like to say that in my experience as a missionary both in Africa and Europe, while Africa is an understandable mission destination because of its MATERIAL need, Europe–at least France–is WAY behind when it comes to SPIRITUAL need, and is in desperate need of missionaries and people who are willing to give up their lives to work there. Yes, it is 'cushier' in terms of environment (which ironically makes it so much harder to raise support), but the need is so very great, and the work is hard and laborious.

So, if you come across anyone who wants to work as a valid missionary in the beautiful French Alps, I know a camp there that desperately needs a fulltime administrative assistant who is willing to work for no pay. And yes, benefits such as a ski resort just up the hill are included. :)

(But thanks, as always, for the good post and making me think!)

]]> By: Saskia http://stuffchristianslike.net/2009/08/603-prayer-walks/comment-page-2/#comment-46234 Saskia Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:50:48 +0000 http://70.32.99.203/2009/08/603-prayer-walks/#comment-46234 I consider every type of short term missionary trip of the vacationary kind unless the people involved are also helping to build up their, or a nearby, community. It never ceases to amaze me how people can be so full of love for African babies and speak of wanting to end poverty by building schools for three weeks, yet step over the homeless every day on their way to work, school, or the grocery store. You can't help everybody, but you can try. And the first step is acknowledging that people are people wherever you go. My home situation really drove home the lesson "there but for the grace of God go I". My mom was addicted for twenty years, and would have ended up on the streets if she had had less of a support system. On the streets, she would have been ignored by those same Christians that appease their conscience by donating to the local youth group going to Brazil or Rome or Mexico. So no, exotic missionary short trips do not cut it with me. It's just an easy way to go somewhere exotic for cheap and get to feel good about yourself. It has little to do with other people. In most cases, at least. I consider every type of short term missionary trip of the vacationary kind unless the people involved are also helping to build up their, or a nearby, community. It never ceases to amaze me how people can be so full of love for African babies and speak of wanting to end poverty by building schools for three weeks, yet step over the homeless every day on their way to work, school, or the grocery store. You can't help everybody, but you can try. And the first step is acknowledging that people are people wherever you go. My home situation really drove home the lesson "there but for the grace of God go I". My mom was addicted for twenty years, and would have ended up on the streets if she had had less of a support system. On the streets, she would have been ignored by those same Christians that appease their conscience by donating to the local youth group going to Brazil or Rome or Mexico. So no, exotic missionary short trips do not cut it with me. It's just an easy way to go somewhere exotic for cheap and get to feel good about yourself. It has little to do with other people. In most cases, at least.

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