What do you think about when you think about prayer? - 26 Jun 2013
Maybe it's hands together and heads bowed or, if you're a friend of 24-7, it could well be post-it notes and fairy lights, but I bet none of you would think: Dog the Bounty Hunter!
Last week I was sat outside the 24-7 HQ enjoying a rare spell of British sunshine when I got chatting to the gardener who tends the lawn in front of our building. As the door has a sign saying '24-7 Prayer' he asked me what we did and I did my best to explain that we tried to help resource the church all over the world in prayer, mission and justice.
After careful consideration he totally caught me off guard, when he said:
"I thought that you were the UK base for that bounty hunter guy"
After a little back and forth I realised he was referring to Dog the Bounty Hunter; a Christian, American, reality TV host who is paid to hunt and arrest people who have broken their bail terms. Apparently Dog prays before each mission and as, I guessed, this was the only contact with prayer that this man had ever encountered it would seem a likely situation to him.
I had to tell him that, sadly no, 24-7 Prayer had no affiliation with Dog and I didn't think he did much 'bounty hunting' in the UK.
It was certainly my most unusual conversation of that week and I gave my best attempt to make what 24-7 Prayer really does sound more exciting than assisting Dog the Bounty Hunter, but with catch phrases like "when mercy is shown, mercy is given" I am not sure if I did a good job.
The whole episode got me thinking: what is the first thing I think about when I think about prayer? It probably isn't anything quite as dramatic as Dog the Bounty Hunter. But what is it? I would like to say; miracles, or overwhelming joy in knowing I connect with the Almighty God, or even something about wild and creative prayer rooms …. but if I am honest, it is too often the thought of boring meetings sat in a circle blindly talking at God instead of with God.
A.W. Tozer said "What comes into your mind when you think about God is the most important thing about you"
I wonder if something similar could be said of prayer?
