Mosaic Church of Bellingham

Some of you may not be aware, but Sunday was the Global Day of Prayer, which culminated in our area with a rally-type-thing at one of the area churches. We were invited….

How do I say this without it sounding like I am down on the culminating rally, the Global Day of Prayer or the whole “Operation Rolling Thunder 24/7 prayer movement”, I am not. I think that prayer (and giving by the way) is one of the few ways that actually demonstrates that we believe God is alive and is the One on whom we depend. We cannot do the work of God’s kingdom without God’s help, period!

But…. And…. uh…. yeah, I don’t know how to say this next part, so here goes…

Sunday was also the biggest event of the year in Bellingham, and while many were attending church services and gathering together for prayer and worship as part of the Global Day of Prayer, our community was in Fairhaven throwing a party. Many of the people who “should” have been in church were there too. Some were racing. Some were supporting racers. Some were spectating and some were serving. What do you think? Could it be that serving in this way is a type of prayer that touches the heart of God as well as the hearts of people?

“The most eloquent prayer is the prayer through hands
that heal and bless.
The highest form of worship is the worship of
unselfish Christian service.
The greatest form of praise is the sound of
consecrated feet seeking out the lost and helpless.”

Billy Graham

This is what I am talking about. Prayer is not just the act of lifting our voices and hearts to God with praise, petition, silence, etc… It is also the lifting of our hands in service and blessing to others. James says, “This is pure and undefiled religion, to care for widows and orphans in their distress and to keep oneself unstained (unpolluted) by the world.” (Jms. 1:27)

“Religion” in the book of James is not a negative thing like so many think of it today. We might understand his point better if we used the word, “spirituality”. James is saying that the life of a “Christ follower”, that does not manifest itself in the way of service to others, is really not the kind of life that God desires for his children.

The Message says it this way: “Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.”

Now, I know that we were not directly helping the poor, the widows, the homeless or the loveless at Ski To Sea. But, we were out with many who feel unloved and uncared for by those of us who call ourselves Christ-followers. We were living in their midst and being present (incarnate) with them. We were serving with nothing to gain from it. We were being a part of our community and enjoying the beauty of Bellingham and its people. In short, we were interceding for Bellingham by being present, rather than absent. We let our light so shine before Bellingham, that hopefully, they saw our good work (service) and will one day glorify our Father in heaven.