“We realize that nothing else works”

This was a Bosnian pastor’s response to my question “What is the vision behind the ‘2008 year of prayer” in Bosnia?” 

I asked him this at a recent prayer conference which was the last in a series of conferences for this event  ”Year of Prayer.” They had 2 other conferences this past year focusing on praying for different regions of Bosnia. In this conference we prayed for specific cities, villages and churches in Northern Bosnia. We prayed collectively, in small groups and went on prayer walks. We also spent a good amount of time in worship and prayer through music. 

A map of BIH indicating the different cities represented at the conference.

But this pastor’s response truly showed the spirit behind the conference. The church of BIH (Bosnia-Herzegovina) has realized that they need to root themselves in prayer as they seek the transformation, healing and restoration of their country. They can’t afford to wrap themselves in the comfort of numbers… how many people are: coming to church, choosing salvation, serving, in Bible study, etc… because those numbers do not reflect their tireless work for God. For whatever reason, the church of BIH has not seen many results, but what is so beautiful is that they are staying faithful despite great discouragement. This faithfulness is founded in the earnest and constant prayers for God’s grace to rain down on BIH. 

For me, this statement was simple and so incredibly profound. Especially thinking of my typical American background that is strongly rooted in strategy, tactics and results. I was thinking how pleased God must be with the underlying humility in this pastor’s statement. He was essentially saying: we can’t pretend that we can do it on our own. And of course I was humbled and convicted that I often to default to thinking that I can. That is definitely one of the reasons I am here, to repent and to grow in knowing that it is only in Jesus that I can do anything of heavenly significance. And just as important, we are called to be faithful and obedient… NOT successful. 

To be honest, in the past I would shudder at the idea of the prayer conference. I definitely have a negative stereotype of prayer conferences. They seem so inward focused, so “Christian,” so cliche and frankly pretty boring. I don’t want to be sitting in a room praying and singing, I want to be out in the world serving and taking risks for Jesus. Yet the two must go hand in hand. I must embrace the fullness of who God is, which means spending time being with Him– listening, asking, interceding, praising and being still. It is all part of the picture. As well, as going out and doing the work to which He has called me. Because if I don’t spend time in conversation with God, I will switch to the default and go out thinking that I can change the world. Pretty terrifying thought. Thank God for his kindness that He is gently helping me realize these things and changing me. 

I have been reading Acts lately and am struck by the power and directness of the Holy Spirit in the disciples lives. I pray that I can be that dependent, that in tune and that aware of how the Holy Spirit is at work. So I can have the same attitude of the pastor who knows in the depth of his being, that without the Holy Spirit nothing works.