Torch, Fall 1999

I I 'j ! I f( r,,~ - . " ~', \1 i ',i' .. ~.. '-· - missions prayers," he says, "use the clothing in your closet. The tags in your clothing indicate the countries in which the clothing was manufactured. Simply pray for the countries that are indicated by the tags in your clothing." I was skeptical about this idea at first. I thought, "How many different countries could possibly be represented by the clothing tags in my closet?" So, I went to my closet and I was astounded at what I found . I found shirts made in Bangladesh and Turkey, clothing from India, Botswana, and China. All told, I found 31 different countries represented on the 12 Torch clothing in my closet. I routinely wear clothes from countries I have never heard 0£1 My closet's 31 countries made for one country for every day of the month. I am urging you, adopt a specific missionary to pray for, adopt a specific ethnic group, but also pray in general for the folks in the country represented by the clothing that you are wearing. Try it. Whether you adopt this or not, you must admit it gives brand new meaning to the phrase "prayer closet." It is very important that you be properly outfitted to run the race that God has set out before you. Focus is one way of being properly outfitted. It is also important for you to run the race with integrity. If you change lanes, if you cut corners, you are going to lose. It doesn't have anything to do with what kind of a runner you are. You may be a great runner, but you are going to lose because you are going to be disqualified. Breaking the rules has consequences. Hebrews 12:1 says," ... let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Psalm 60: 12 gives us good news as well. It says, "With God we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies." I also urge you not to forget II Timothy 2:5, which says, "... if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules." You want to run the race. Great! But, stay in your lane and follow the rules. [i] Spiritual Heritage Tour .· of Germany and Switzerland Includes the Passion Play at Oberammergau July 26-August 9, 2000 Featuring Dr. James McGoldrick Professor of History Contact Dr. Martin Clark 1-800-766-1115