What Every Hero Needs - A Phone Booth

The phone booth is THE iconic superhero changing station. Because of Clark Kent, whenever we think of the common man making the quick change into the superhero, we think of the phone booth! You can't help it!

In our lives as followers of Christ, heroes, and world changers - we need a phone booth! We need a place where we close ourselves off from the world, and come out heroic.

Even Jesus thought so - "When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. (Matthew 6:5-7)

Every hero has got to have a phone booth - a prayer booth - a prayer closet - if you will. Prayer is what will transform us to transform others.

What you desire you become! It's a similar idea to the fight. Private battles lead to public victories. In the same way, if our desires are set on Christ, as we seek Him privately, we will be able to reveal Him publicly!

Think about Jacob and Esau. Esau was so hungry for physical food that he gave up his birthright. He allowed himself to starve, and it resulted in a stupid decision. You become what you desire, what you're hungry for. Prayer keeps us from starving.

Esau allowed himself to get too hungry, and his hunger caused him to put the wrong things first. He sold his birthright for soup!

I don't think cannibalism was ever anyone's first choice! I can't imagine any cave man saying, "Honey, I'm sick of cow - let's go chop off the neighbors leg!"

Those outdoor survival shows are a great example too! When you've run out of options, you start thinking crazy thoughts in order to survive. Like drinking your own urine, or squeezing elephant dung to get the liquid out of it.

God will never let us starve when it comes to His presence. But we have the responsibility of seeking Him - of consuming His presence!

When we are starved of God's presence in our lives, we make stupid choices. It's hard to change the world when we are starved of the One who changes US!

And prayer does change us. In fact, Jesus Himself prayed. If Jesus needed to pray, that should tell you something about yourself! The night before the cross, He prayed in the garden, and then got up, and faced the cross head on!

There are going to be times in our lives when we don't feel like changing the world, or when we're flat out scared to pursue what is in front of us. Prayer is what changes that. Prayer takes us from scared and tempted, to bold and courageous.

Here's what I know: If you want to live a boring Christian life, then only do what is necessary. Read the parts of the Bible that make you feel good, and find a church that makes you happy. A place where you can give your money, and raise your family.

But whatever you do - DON'T PRAY! I mean, pray before you eat, and pray before bed, and pray simple "feel better" prayers when someone is sick.

But don't pray radical prayers. Don't ask God to help you change the world, because He'll start with you!

Don't ask God to raise the dead, or truly heal the sick, or cast out demons - because people might tell you you're crazy and you're going to do more damage than good.

Don't get private with God, because you might find out that He wants to go PUBLIC with you!

But if you want to be a world changer - go get in your phone booth. And let God transform you and give you what you need to truly change the world.

Mighty Hero! The Lord is with you! You were born for such a time as this!  You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. So put on the full armor of God, so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. Love one another as Christ has loved you. Fight the good fight of faith! Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you!

You ARE a hero! Go be heroic!