North Point Bathroom Prayer

had been looking forward to yesterday’s sermon for three months.  here’s how it came about…

earlier this fall, north point was in some pretty deep funk in the giving department.  we had used up our savings safety net.  weekly giving was consistent, but it wasn’t quite covering the budget.  honestly, we were living from week to week.  we were cutting everything we could.  we were trying to make every adjustment we knew to make.  and then we get the news that we are entering the second coming of the great depression.  this was not good.

we had been reading, talking, and listening to just about anybody who had something to say on church finances.  lots of good ideas, but always missing the mark of north point’s personality.  a consistent idea was always the “commitment card”.  for the church rookie, a commitment card is something you sign with your money pledge for a project or a period of time…say, 2009.  lots of churches use them.  we have thought about them pretty much every year since i’ve been here.  we were seriously contemplating using them this year during our 2009 budgeting season.

when it came down to pulling the trigger, i just couldn’t do it.  it didn’t feel right.  that’s where the np bathroom prayer comes in.

i have always felt that our financial obedience to the cause of christ is the inevitable outcome of a life surrendered to the cause of christ.  healthy giving flows out of healthy living.  sacrificial giving is the result of how deeply connected i am to the heart of god.  my willingness to offer my money is tied directly to my willingness to offer my body as a living sacrifice.  first things first.

that’s why we will pray this prayer for 2009:

Lord,

• You alone are the Master
• May I see myself the way you see me
• May my choices emerge from your priorities
• May my giving be from sacrifice
• May my love for others reflect your love for me
• May I do all I can today to live as Jesus would
• May I always be motivated by your mercy