Pathways Press.com

Written by Chris Webb, a contemporary author. This is an excerpt from his book “God Soaked Life.”

During one of the persecutions that afflicted the early church, the prefect of Rome arrested a young deacon called Lawrence. The prefect knew that one of Lawrence’s responsibilities was the care of his congregation’s property, and he demanded that Lawrence arrange to hand over all the wealth of church. Lawrence asked for three days to comply, time that he used to prepare for his next meeting with the authorities. After the three days had passed Lawrence came into the prefect’s presence surrounded by beggars and paupers: the lame and blind, the maimed and outcast, the widows and orphans gathered up from the backstreets of Rome. Lawrence waved his hand grandly over the pathetic crowd. “Here they are!” he announced. “Our pride, our glory, our treasure. I offer them to you. Behold, prefect: here is the wealth of the church!”

Prayer:

Written by David Platt, a contemporary pastor and author.

So God, we need your help today. Help us to live in absolute surrender to you for what you say is most important. Not for what this world says is most important. Help us. Help us to live differently, to think differently, to desire differently according to your word, not according to the ways of this world. We need your help. In every way today, in my life, and in the lives of those who are listening. Help us to believe that many who are first will be last and the last first and to live accordingly. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.