On your second point, I also agree. I think there is a difference, though, in a negative view of our impact and a joyful conviction that one’s impact is not what it ought to be. I’ve experienced the latter. I have nothing but joy in realizing I could do more. It’s been freeing for me, and I am excited to spend more time with the Lord so that I may be more like Him and thus impact more for Him.

On your personal reflection I have two thoughts.

First, (andI gathered this from our discussion last night) it is not so much prayer that we need but meditation. Prayer is often chatter and noise, but I think we could all use times of silence and/or listening. Times of immersion in the Word. Times of allowing God to speak to us, not for us to make requests from God.

Second, I would warn against being so negative of our own impact. We all should want to make an impact and should never feel satisfied with how much we are doing. So this can lead us to become Martha instead of Mary. Paul in 2 Corinthians 3 talks to the church about them being their letters of recommendations. I think those whom we have influenced may be more qualified to answer the question of our impact than we are. They are living testimonies of our influence “…written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God…”

Love your use of the scripture in your answere. I really enjoyed our discussion tonight and I am going to spend some time going through the scripture you have marked here and then I will offer a more thorough response.

chad