Besides just being incredibly ingenious in having the ability to fly and withstand attacks, Ironman’s suit offers him a wealth of information. His helmet gives the awareness of people, locations and objects as well as the ability to access his surroundings and available weaponry. Ironman was the first Superhero movie that I saw in the theaters and I have been a fan of them ever since. It’s a standing date with my son each time a new one comes out.
For the past several months I have been reading, studying, listening and learning about a book that I have avoided my whole life. I always found it too scary, too end-of-the-worldish and didn’t want to dabble in this highly debated book. The book? Revelation. And it is all I had feared it would be and more. Whether you look at it as allegorical, historical or literal, it’s mind-blowing and thought-provoking unlike anything I have ever read or studied.
I have taken copious notes as I’ve been led through this book by Gary Hamrick, pastor of the Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Virginia. This man knows his Bible. From beginning to end. He's smart and inspiring, and I’ve listened to 19 teachings so far on Revelation with another 14 more to go.
But something has happened along the way. You’ve heard stories of a grandma’s prayer list. One friend shared how his grandma would go under the attic stairs and spend hours praying. Another grandma spent the hours in her chair late at night, going through her list. Well, I seem to be becoming one of those grandmas. Except my prayers happen at my desk as I finish each morning’s study.
Since the start of Revelation, I have begun a list. It wasn’t premeditated or driven by panic or worry, but prayer has certainly been the outcome of each day’s study. It began in a small notebook that I was using for my Shema prayer - to help me remember the pronunciations. I had always prayed each morning, but lately have felt compelled to write them down. And it occurred to me yesterday that my own little grandma prayer list had begun. Daily prayer for my family and friends. California fires. Israel. Ukraine. Government leaders. The Red Cross. People I walk by in the hallway here at my apartment building. People I pass on the sidewalk. People and events that I read or hear about. They all end up in my notebook.
I don’t often know what to pray, but only to pray. If only I had Ironman’s helmet, then my prayers would be much more effective. Giving me detailed information about each person and event. But since I don’t, I’m praying that everyone that’s on my list would somehow, someway encounter Jesus. Encounter Jesus in the depth of their loss, in the decisions that they make, in their relationships that they have. In their aloneness. In their groupness. Because Jesus is yesterday, today and tomorrow and He has the capacity and power to love, to heal, to protect, to offer hope, to provide peace, to bring redemption.
So until Ironman’s helmet becomes available and affordable for this grandma, making my prayers so much shorter and more specific, I will be seeking God for direction as I pray for this ever-lengthening list that could possibly, one of these mornings, make me very late for work.
Love this!