PHARISEES?

 (MATTHEW 6:5,6 NIV) “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

 Some have used this scripture when challenging the concept of the 30KD. First of all, please let me make it clear I encourage you to follow your convictions. In this article, I will share my convictions about the 30KD prayer revolution.

 The most important thought seems to be in the first two phrases, “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites”. I am convinced that “hypocrite” here is much more about the posture of the heart than about the posture of the body. I say that because of what you read next, “for they love to pray standing in the synagogues”.

  Has anyone prayed in your church lately? Are they a hypocrite for standing and praying in the church (synagogue)? They may be or they may not be! They could have walked off the platform thinking, “I am the man or woman! What a prayer I just prayed!” Who would know? God would know and that person would probably know. On the other hand, is it wrong to stand in church (synagogue) and pray? I don’t think so. It goes on to talk about the street corner and ties it to the synagogue. If you are doing anything in the kingdom to receive accolades from others then it is surely prideful and wrong.

 Each year students stand in the public place and pray at the flag pole to ask God to touch their school. Is it any different now since it is inside the school at a locker? I would say it is not. It is surely more difficult to take a stand alone than it is with a group of others.

 Please look at Daniel 6: 10, 11 (NIV) with me.

 “Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help.”

 Daniel made his prayers a very public event three times each day! We know this because men came to throw him into the lion’s den after hearing him pray with his windows opened for all to hear. He was not going to stop praying! I would say we need some modern day Daniels to rise up in their schools! Will you feel as though you were in the lion’s den each day when you kneel at your locker? I would say most definitely, YES! God, however, has already proven He will be with you.

 Will everyone join the revolution? I would say it will be a remnant. Many will want to spare their reputation with their peers and others won’t sense God calling them to this prayer revolution. One hundred and twenty people started the greatest revolution we have ever known on the day of Pentecost. They not only lost their reputation but many of them lost their lives. Fifty-six men started a revolution in America when they signed the Declaration of Independence. Many followed the 120 and many followed the 56 after their initial stand. I believe it will be the same with the 30KD prayer revolution. A remnant will start but I believe there will many others to follow.

 It is so enjoyable to watch millions of youth stand at a flag pole one day each year in September. I am now dreaming of a day when a prayer revolution will sweep through the hallways of our schools EVERYDAY. Seeing 300, 400, or 500 youth lining their hallways and praying everyday would transform a school. Could you see a high school campus transformed by the presence of God? I believe this is the time and this is the generation!

 I would end with this thought. It does say, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door...” Much of our praying is done in the private place alone with God. We are a people called to intimacy with the Father and anything intimate isn’t to be done as a public display. Most of our prayer journey with God will be done in the secret place. I am one who believes not all prayer has to be done privately. Many are now prayer walking in public while others are gathering thousands of people in public places to fast and pray for the nations.

 I believe with all my heart it is difficult to have a prideful heart while kneeling in front of your peers each day at your locker. Could it happen? Of course it could happen! I know the many students who are doing the 30KD say it is the most humbling thing they have ever done. It is like picking up your cross each day. You are dying to yourself. It is important to get off your knees and walk in humility, servanthood and love toward each classmate. BE Jesus each day at school!

 Sharing my heart,

 Tom Sipling