From the Zebra Bag   Musings from a follower of Jesus, husband , father and pastor

A few Sundays ago I was talking with Andy Lie about the wonderful project to build affordable housing for teachers in the Jefferson Union School District. He was observing that bond measures being offered in a number of other districts were not doing well and we were musing as to why this was. 

Whereas it is not helpful to speculate as to all the reasons for the lack of progress in other places there is one distinctive the JUHSD project has that we at least suspect is unique. The site on which the housing will be built was prayer walked by a number of Christians on multiple occasions. Trash was collect form the site symbolizing the removal of opposition to the project. Whether or not this was THE reason for the success of the project we don’t know of course but I believe even the most cautious of us can be confident it was a major factor.

This reality got me thinking about the effectiveness of covering locations within our city ( or whatever location you are reading this in!) with consistent, committed, confident prayer. I am excited that members of our church family are already regularly praying together ( observing social distancing of course!!) In a number of locations. Recently the management of Casa Pacifica has said that they do not want our growth group to continue visiting once a month (This was before the virus restrictions). We have decided to make a practice of walking past Casa Pacifica regularly and praying for its residents and asking the Father to open it up to us again. 

One of the things we CAN do during the current restrictions is to get outside and walk in the fresh Pacifica air.  What if we saw this as an opportunity to regularly take time to pray all over our city? What if we asked God where He would have us pray, maybe for a local business or at some other local landmark and we walk in that location as part of our routine. Is it to much to think that our Father might fulfill for us the promise He made to Israel “ “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land”.2 Chronicles 7:14 ?