YWAM Prayer Letter February

Following Jesus and becoming more like Him means developing a lifestyle of openness and continually walking in habits of humility, forgiveness and love. It is costly and challenging, but it gets easier with practice. Humility is being known for who we are ----both in our strengths and in our weaknesses. It means that we do not know everything and it is a reminder that God is God and we are not. We sometimes hold on to sins committed against us (or others close to us), say things we don’t mean or do things that we regret. Depending on where you live, sunrise to sunset is about 12 hours. The Bible clearly instructs us not to let the sun go down on our anger (Eph. 4:26). So, how do we keep short accounts in a meaningful way?

God gives us regular opportunities to humble ourselves. Just this week, I needed to humble myself to Marie, my wife of 36 years, after I said harsh things to her which hurt her. I needed to ask her forgiveness. “I am sorry, please forgive me” are powerful words. Sometimes we need to apologize to a son or daughter or to a fellow worker when we have made a mistake or have said or done the wrong thing. We resist humbling ourselves but it is one of the best habits we can form.

I’ve recently been reading “The God of Intimacy and Action —reconnecting ancient spiritual practices, evangelism and justice” by Tony Campolo and Mary Albert Darling. One of the practices written about is the regular prayer of “examen.” Examen is a time of reflection when you deliberately think about what happened during the day with thankfulness and a spirit of reconciliation. It is a time of spiritual inventory: when during the day did we live out of love and freedom in Christ and when did we not live out of love and freedom in Christ? This practice gives us opportunity to keep short accounts with God, with co-workers and everyone else we love. It helped me with Marie. Whatever helps you remember the events of the day and take them before the Lord, whatever aids you in giving thanks and making things right.... do these things in increasing measure! Let’s build stronger habits of forgiveness and transparency and become more and more like Jesus.

Read also:


The Power of Forgiveness: Testimony by Steve Goode
Following Jesus and becoming more like Him means developing a lifestyle of openness and continually walking in habits of humility, forgiveness and love. It is costly and challenging, but it gets easier with practice. Humility is being known for who we are ----both in our strengths and in our weaknesses. It means that we do not know everything and it is a reminder that God is God and we are not. We sometimes hold on to sins committed against us (or others close to us), say things we don’t mean or do things that we regret. Depending on where you live, sunrise to sunset is about 12 hours. The Bible clearly instructs us not to let the sun go down on our anger (Eph. 4:26). So, how do we keep short accounts in a meaningful way? God gives us regular opportunities to humble ourselves. Just this week, I needed to humble myself to Marie, my wife of 36 years, after I said harsh things to her which hurt her. I needed to ask her forgiveness. “I am sorry, please forgive me” are powerful words. Sometimes we need to apologize to a son or daughter or to a fellow worker when we have made a mistake or have said or done the wrong thing. We resist humbling ourselves but it is one of the best habits we can form. I’ve recently been reading “The God of Intimacy and Action —reconnecting ancient spiritual practices, evangelism and justice” by Tony Campolo and Mary Albert Darling. One of the practices written about is the regular prayer of “examen.” Examen is a time of reflection when you deliberately think about what happened during the day with thankfulness and a spirit of reconciliation. It is a time of spiritual inventory: when during the day did we live out of love and freedom in Christ and when did we not live out of love and freedom in Christ? This practice gives us opportunity to keep short accounts with God, with co-workers and everyone else we love. It helped me with Marie. Whatever helps you remember the events of the day and take them before the Lord, whatever aids you in giving thanks and making things right.... do these things in increasing measure! Let’s build stronger habits of forgiveness and transparency and become more and more like Jesus. Read also: Read also:
Forgiveness: The Key to Living Free of Offense
February Leader’s Letter
The Power of Forgiveness: Testimony by Gina Fadely
The Power of Forgiveness: Testimony by Steve Good