Early this morning, our staff got together and visited in young man in the hospital named Chris, who is continuing to fight for life against Leukemia. He’s an amazing young man who , after being diagnosed in high school, has followed hard after Jesus while his body is being ravaged with disease. After months of hospitalization, the medical community is frustrated at his lack of progress. So yesterday his parents called and asked if we would send some elders to come lay hands on him, pray and anoint him with oil, according to James 5:14.
And you bet we did.
As we prayed I was struck by the words of Greg Boyd, that prayer is foremost an act of warfare. We pray because it changes the future. Otherwise, why bother?
And because we are living in the midst of a now-and-not-yet conflict. In prayer, we are drawing a line in the sand, choosing sides. Yes, Jesus is King, but the battle is far from over. We elect a new president in November…and he takes office in January. But meanwhile we’re still living in early December.
And in December, we are still fighting Hell. Still working for Change. Still praying. Still living in defiance of the soon-to-be-outgoing Ruler of this world. Still an enemy of the state until January.
But January IS coming…
Please pray for Chris Ratliff.