If only everyone did, Carol. I think our world would look very different.

As for Anna's project, this was something specific that she believes the Lord called her to do. And indeed, my guess is that this is one of the least prayed-for groups of people in the world (apart from the efforts of dedicated prayer warriors like you, of whom we have not nearly enough!).

Thanks, Rolley, for another episode in the ongoing storeee of Nimrod and Dorcas. They make my day!

Gina, I have to take umbrage at Ms. Broadway's "Pray for Johns Day". Why only ONE day? Really? Do we not pray for sinners EVERY day (ourselves as well as others)??? How are we evangelizing the world if we are not praying daily--and, passionately (sorry for the pun)--for those who NEED it?

I have a "condensed version" I go thru every day: the poor, the homeless, the hungry; the unemployed, the uneducated, the addicted; the dispossessed, the oppressed, the disinfranchized. Granted, neither Johns nor hookers are mentioned specifically, but there are at least 2 places where they could be implied. I thought everyone did this.

I lead a group of men who are trying to come out of pornography and sexual addiction (and most are succeeding). The other day, a woman at my church who works with the women in the strip clubs told me about her group, and said they are getting more men involved in "the industry" who are looking for help to get out. Certainly, these men need prayer, too. And the ones who don't want to get out need prayer so they might change their ways.

There is no typical john. They come from all walks of life, and some are church-goers who at least in public are supporting their families. They, like the rest of us, are sinners.

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And, I am sure, not merely in the Psalm 2:4 sense.

For one thing, I want Him (in due, coming, heavenly season) to tell me – with a straight face – what all He had in mind when He created this (you can skip to the 50 second mark): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45yabrnryXk , and this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM9o4VnfHJU , and this (at 1:25): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfPQ_cyIF-8&feature=related , and this: http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=209424042483898&set=a.108816995877937.16426.100002489126248&type=3&theater

Emphasis on “straight face”.

I suppose Dorcas and Nimrod could be the (cough) “Biblical” equivalent of Stiller and Meara.

So far as I know this is “original” stuff, though in a world of 7 billion, how much true originality can you have?

It lifts my spirits to do nutty things. I’m so thankful for that verse in Philippians, “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” One given to rationalization (as certain here) can find abundant license in there for all kinds of tomfoolery.

:-)

That's very funny, Rolley! (and very sweet)
I'm still kinda new around here-- do you write these yourself, or are you channeling Stiller & Meara? :-)

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…”just another Valentine’s Day”….

Dorcas and Nimrod in:

“Valentwines”

Dorcas: Honey, if you had it to do all over again, would you still marry me?
Nimrod: Never thought about it.
Dorcas: Well if you did think about it, what would you decide?
Nimrod: [several moments of silence]
Dorcas: Are you thinking?
Nimrod: Am I thinking…?
Dorcas: About whether you’d marry me all over again.
Nimrod: Oh that. Yeah.
Dorcas: “Yeah” what?
Nimrod: Yeah, I’m thinking.
Dorcas: And?
Nimrod: I’m still thinking.
Dorcas: It takes you that long to decide?
Nimrod: No, it’s just that like I said it never occurred to me.
Dorcas: Oh.
Nimrod: [more silence]
Dorcas: Well?
Nimrod: Yeah.
Dorcas: “Yeah”, what?
Nimrod: Yeah, I’d still marry you.
Dorcas: But would you do it “again”?
Nimrod: I said I would.
Dorcas: You said you’d “still” do it.
Nimrod: That’s right, I’d still do it.
Dorcas: That’s not the same.
Nimrod: Not the same as what?
Dorcas: Not the same as doing it “again”.
Nimrod: It’s not?
Dorcas: No.
Nimrod: How’s it any different?
Dorcas: “Still” means “in spite of things”.
Nimrod: Okay…
Dorcas: And “again” means “because of things”.
Nimrod: Dorcas if I recall correctly, you asked me, “if I had it to do over AGAIN, would I STILL marry you.” So either way…
Dorcas: But what I meant was, would you marry me “because” it was what you wanted, not “in spite of” what you wanted.
Nimrod: How do you get all that out of just two words?
Dorcas: Different words have different meanings.
Nimrod: Evidently.
Dorcas: So?
Nimrod: “So” what?
Dorcas: So would you marry me again, because you wanted to?
Nimrod: I guess so.
Dorcas: You don’t KNOW?
Nimrod: How could I KNOW? It’s just hypothetical.
Dorcas: That’s not the point.
Nimrod: What IS the point?
Dorcas: Whether or not, given the choice, knowing what you know, you’d do it all over again.
Nimrod: Well, then, yes, I would.
Dorcas: You’re not just saying that?
Nimrod: No, I’m not just saying it.
Dorcas: How do you know?
Nimrod: “For better or for worse”.
Dorcas: What do you mean, “for better or for worse”?
Nimrod: I mean I married you “for better or for worse”.
Dorcas: What’s that got to do with marrying me all over again?
Nimrod: ‘Cause it would have to be one or the other, right? There aren’t any other options, right? It’s either “for better or for worse”, right?
Dorcas: I’m not following you.
Nimrod: Look Dorcas, bottom line I’m saying I’d marry you all over again.
Dorcas: But would you WANT to marry me again, Nimrod?
Nimrod: Yes!
Dorcas: Why?
Nimrod: You really want to know, Dorcas?
Dorcas: Yes I really want to know.
Nimrod: ‘Cause like I said, it’s “for better or for worse”, and second time around it sure couldn’t be any worse. [deadpan, then a snork]
Dorcas: [swats him] Nimrod, you’re so bad!
Nimrod: [pulls her to himself, long-stemmed red rose in hand] Happy Valentines Day, Love. Marry me?

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But it is once again (IMHO) a case of the followers leading because the leaders (the elders/deacons/pastors in our local congregations) won’t lead.

Our street-corner churches STILL, by and large, pretend this problem is either slight or else non-existent “within these four walls”. The problem is always “in American churches”, but seldom “here in our pews -- and pulpit.”

There are wonderful exceptions to this, of course; but as they say, the exception proves the rule.

By all means, ladies, pray (and men, too). But let’s not have a single congregation – not one - in all Christendom without a Men’s Group where this is THE Topic of the Day, every meeting. Even if no one comes, fellow-leaders, have it anyway. The reason they don’t come is not because they don’t have the problem; it’s because they are scared to death of what others will think of them. Give them a safe haven. “Build it and they will come” – eventually.

Don’t forget the verse (slightly paraphrased here): This kind cometh not out but by prayer, fasting, and elephants in the room who, with “manly” love, trumpet encouragement and hold one another accountable to keep on fighting the Enemy, together, until he’s dead.