SPIRITUAL MATTERS: The power of community

A very religious man was once caught in rising floodwaters. He climbed onto the roof of his house and trusted God to rescue him. A neighbor came by in a canoe and said, “The waters will soon be above your house. Hop in and we’ll paddle to safety.”
“No thanks,” replied the religious man. “I’ve prayed to God and I’m sure he will save me.”
A short time later the police came by in a boat. “The waters will soon be above your house. Hop in and we’ll take you to safety.”
“No thanks,” replied the religious man. “I’ve prayed to God and I’m sure he will save me.”
A little time later a rescue helicopter hovered overhead, let down a rope ladder and said, “The waters will soon be above your house. Climb the ladder and we’ll fly you to safety.”
“No thanks,” replied the man. “I’ve prayed to God and I’m sure he will save me.”
All this time the floodwaters continued to rise, until soon they reached above the roof and the religious man drowned. When he arrived at heaven he demanded an audience with God. Ushered into God’s throne room he said, “Lord, why am I here in heaven? I prayed for you to save me. I trusted you to save me from that flood.”
“Yes you did my child,” replied the Lord. “And I sent you a canoe, a boat and a helicopter. But you never got in.”
Perhaps you have heard this silly story before. It has made it around churches and the internet for a while. It illustrates the power of prayer. The man prayed and God answered, but not how the man expected. I wonder how many prayers God has answered and we have not noticed?
This story also illustrates the power of community. I am learning that God answers most of our prayers in community. God meets our needs through others. The Bible is full of examples of where needy people pray –for food, for clothing, for shelter, for protection and for love. How does God answer? Sometimes he performs miracles, but most of the time God answers through community.
Jesus tells us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, provide for the homeless, and to love one another. Who could YOU be the answer to prayer for today?
The Rev. Greg Henneman is pastor of Clarkston Community Church

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