- NEW INSPIRATION EACH WEEK -
My name is Dumas A. Harshaw, Jr., Ph.D.,
founder and executive director of
I have been in the pastoral ministry and a professor of theology for more than 30 years, serving churches and seminaries in California, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. My passion is to grow as a prayer warrior and to encourage others to experience the power of prayer in their lives, vocations and ministries. If you’d like to know more about me, click here.
“At All Times”
The first three verses of Psalm 34 constitute a call to worship. It is an invitation to praise the Lord. It beckons us to adopt an attitude of gratitude as a way of life. This attitude can be a tremendous blessing to us and for all who find themselves in our company.
The Psalmist has determined that everyday will be an opportunity for praising God for mercies and grace. Each day for the person of faith and for those who yearn for the presence of the Spirit of God in the world, is a worship experience of sorts. During this season of thanksgiving and advent we are afforded the occasion to intentionally remain in a place of peace and thankfulness. “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
The attitude of gratitude is linked to the recollection of the good things God does for us and the many blessings consistently bestowed upon our lives. This holiday season we would do well to reflect on the good, not the bad, and remember the blessing of life, and not forget from whence we have come. “My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.”
When we are dominated by a positive approach to life, even in the face of negative circumstances, we can be a big influence on others who also face some of the same challenges we do. Our sphere of influence is much larger than we know. We can bring to others an attitude of gratitude as well. We can share the joy, share the light, and share the love that we have as a result of our relationship with the Lord. “Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.”
Dumas Alexander Harshaw, Jr.
Call To Action Dumas Alexander Harshaw, Jr.
“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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
Today America is at a crossroads, the question is, will we be a united nation with diversity, reflecting the “Beloved Community”, where everyone is valued, or we will be a broken, divided, resentful, and exclusive nation standing at the threshold of a “civil war”, in which case there will be no wholesome survivors.
As an Apostle of prayer and encouragement, sent and divinely prepared for such a time as this, I propose for people of faith and goodwill, to engage in a life of serious prayer and reflection. This is a time for dedicated spiritual warriors and anointed intercessors to heed the call of God in 2 Chronicles 7:14. This kind of spiritual warfare is intentional and entails significant action in doing good and performing the works of righteousness. This might be called pragmatic spirituality, engaged contemplation or simply following the example of Jesus Christ. We need people who are armed with the armor of God to take a stand for what is right. The contemplative life is more than simply praying about the challenges of our times, the life of contemplation is focus on prayer that ends in involvement with the world around for the cause of Christ.
The second aspect of my proposal is the commitment to take the role of an encourager. This is over and against negativity, hopelessness, despair, defamation of character or even the conditions that surround us. It means to speak with words of faith, affirmation, peace, positivity, uplift. It does however include speaking the truth in love and standing on principles, values and ethical standards that may confront the status quo.
These are not easy times that we live in, but they are critical times filled with the promise of victory, fulfillment, breakthrough and transformation.
Will you join me and see what the end will be?
“Nor by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of hosts.”
Zechariah 4:6
Dumas Alexander Harshaw, Jr.
Apostle of Prayer and Encouragement