The Sweet Smell of Prayer

Treat my prayer as sweet incense rising; my raised hands are my evening prayers.

Psalm 141:2 (MSG)


The Sweet Smell of Prayer.

Twice a year I do a Sweet Fast where I abstain from, well, sweets for an extended period of time. Usually during Lent and then again in the fall. Currently I am fasting from sweets for the month of November, breaking it with my favorite, pumpkin pie, at Thanksgiving. I am a little embarrassed to even be calling it a fast. It’s not like I am starving myself. I am not depriving myself of nutrition. I am just staying away from donuts, cake, pie, ice cream, cookies, soda etc. It isn’t even for a whole month as Thanksgiving comes on the 27th.

As I write this, we have a Costco GIANT pumpkin pie in the fridge that Laura bought not knowing I was fasting from sweets. We also have the most awesome chocolate chip cookies (next to Mrs. Switzer’s) that our neighbor brought over, AND left over birthday cake from my nephew’s birthday party that he just had to share with our family. Not to mention a case of my favorite Tasty Kakes (Philly’s equivalent to Little Debbie’s) – that my mom shipped out to me along with other Phillies memorabilia. I have done total fasts before. I have done Daniel fasts (fruits and veggies) for an extended period of time. But the one that wears me down the most is the Sweet Fast. I didn’t realize my daily ritual at 10:00 am, 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm of going to the fridge and looking for something sweet - that is until now. I find myself standing in front of the fridge, looking inside and saying to myself “What am I doing?” The other night, while wishing I could devour a serving of Oreos (a serving of Oreos is defined by the single-serving wrapping, usually 3 servings per box) I thought I would try and switch from sweets to salt and finish off a bag of Cheetos. Legally, not breaking my fast but probably missing the whole point. Anyway, I realized that nothing could fill the “sweet” void. Not even a bowl of Honey Nut Cherrios. I know they are full of sugar, but they are not on my list of banned substances.

Today is November 10th, and already I have found myself on two occasions this month, while spending time in prayer for our country, city, church, and my family, bursting out in uncontrollable tears. “Where did THAT come from?” Wiping away the tears. “I hope no one saw me!” Ironically, in my morning devotions I am currently in the book of Jeremiah…how fitting! Initially as I read Jeremiah, I thought, how odd to be crying for your country. What would make me cry for my country? No, I didn’t cry because Obama won the election. (Personally I don’t think McCain OR Obama would make a good president but that’s another issue). Jeremiah wept for his country partially because of the current (backslidden) status of Israel. But I think Jeremiah also wept because he knew that the more he preached “thus said Jehovah”, the more the people would rebel. They didn’t want to hear what Jeremiah was telling them! Their rejection of God was reaching a fevered pitch. The anger, hate, intolerance had boiled over and would no longer be contained. While Jeremiah was “tolerated” in the past, now he would pay for his “hate-speech”. I think this is why I weep for our country. Not so much that America has turned its back on God, rather that America has turned a new corner. Open hostility towards God and His Church. No longer are Christian values accepted or even “tolerated”. Just last week, protestors in fits of rage, disrupted church services, declaring God’s message of hope as “hate speech”. America’s passive rejection of God has turned the corner and is heading full speed ahead lining up the church in the cross-hairs of their scopes. Do I cry because my freedom to gather with like-minded believers is threatened? No. Do I cry because my freedom to express my beliefs is no longer accepted or even tolerated by those who say they preach tolerance? No. Do I cry because as a pastor, I could be labeled a preacher of hate and perhaps jailed much like Jeremiah? No. I cry because there is a world of people who want nothing to do with God. And God, being a loving God and not forcing Himself on anyone, will grant their wish, for all of eternity.

Presently, this is the worst economy since the Great Depression (probably worse given the greater number of people). Twice, the majority of California has voted to preserve traditional marriage and the attack on marriage has only intensified. Corporate and government corruption. Hundred’s of billions of dollars in bailouts. Personal debt reaching an all time high. National debt spiraling out of control. And the proposed solution? More debt. America is on the verge of imploding much like ancient Rome. Economically, morally, spiritually. I don’t cry for the condition of our country. I cry for the path it has chosen.
I pray for our country as it turns a new corner. I pray for our city as it deteriorates. I pray for the church as it goes underground. I pray for my family, that we would stand our ground. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

I find fear creeping in. Yet I know, perfect love casts out all fear. I want to run, and realize the safest place is in the palm of His hand. I want to scream, but no one hears.
How exciting to see biblical prophecy happening before our eyes! I don’t think that is what Jeremiah thought while sitting in prison.

Yes, I want to serve the Lord. But I am realizing how selfish I am in wanting to serve Him - conditionally. …that You bless my family…that You prosper my family…that You protect my family…that You would grow “our” church…that You would place honorable men and women in positions of authority and leadership in our city, state, and country. I find myself wining toward God. I want it my way…I want a Tasty Kake!

November 11, 2008
I spent most of today in Tecate Mexico playing with kids at a daycare facility our family and church support. 150 kids come to the daycare before or after school to have a safe place to stay and at least one good meal daily. I try to visit the day care several times a year. Most of the kids know me as Pastor Loco (Crazy Pastor). I try to get down on their level, play their games, have fun with them, and let them know it is OK to be a kid. Many of these boys and girls do not have a father figure, and the ones that do are not positive. So just being an adult male who spends time with them is something they don’t experience too often.

None of the children I spoke to could tell me the name of the new president of the United States. None of them knew anything about the propositions that divide our country, the plummeting stock market, or the hundreds of billions of dollars being spent on keeping companies from bankruptcy. Most of the kids I talked to were glad to have a hot meal that day. The biggest concern I heard anyone mention was whether they would have a warm enough blanket that night. Funny how spending a day just a twenty minute drive on the other side of the border, less than a 2 hour drive from my home, puts things into perspective. Jesus said there are really only 2 things you need to do: Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.


So I continue to pray for my country, my city, my church and my family. Whether our country has turned a dangerous corner or not, I am not driving! God is still in control. God has not turned over the direction of our country to the previous president nor the next president, nor the president after that, and certainly not to me.


Lord, please forgive me. My prayer life has been very selfish. My attitude has been very “ME”. I have more in my fridge than I could possibly eat, and all I want is what I have “sacrificed” to you. Most (if not all) of which I don’t need! The cake…the pie…the cookies. I pray that this “sacrifice” as superficial as it seems, would be a sweet smelling aroma to you. Change my heart, Lord. Break my heart, for what breaks Yours.