Jeff Johnson: Let’s ‘pray our way in’ to serving immigrant children

I listened to a gentleman voice a prayer this past week that went like this: “God help us and our nation out of this immigration crisis.”

I certainly cannot speak for him. I, unfortunately, take my prayer life most seriously when I am attempting to “pray my way out.”

Jeff JohnsonToo often when faced with clutch circumstances, I hurl up panic-button prayers. I pray to God to help me get out of the mess I’ve landed in. I wonder whether God doesn’t spend the better part of the day hearing attempts by people to “pray their way out” of situations. I bet that gets old. Granted, Jesus listens to my panic-button prayers because Jesus himself got to a point where he prayed one of the classics in this genre: “Father, get me out of here.”

Another option? Instead of flailing around for an escape hatch, I can “pray my way in” to God’s plan for my life—trust God’s plan and “pray my way in” to a new possibility or opportunity. Have you ever thought maybe this immigration crisis is giving Texas Baptists an opportunity to glorify God on a national stage?

I visited with the gentleman who led the prayer and challenged him instead of asking God to “save America from this problem,” or “deliver the U.S. from this mess/stress/distress,” perhaps we should “pray ourselves in.” He agreed.

As president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, I challenge all Texas Baptists and Texas Baptist churches “pray our way in” and rally behind our BGCT staff leading our efforts (Gus Reyes, Chris Liebrum), Texas Baptist Men (Terry Henderson) and our child-care ministry leaders and their teams who are on the ministry frontline: Baptist Child and Family Services—Kevin Dinnin, president; Buckner International—Albert Reyes, president; Children at Heart Ministries—Todd Roberson, president; and South Texas Children’s Home Ministries—Eron Green, president.

All are working synergistically at various levels, like the early church did, (as Dennis Wiles so aptly framed in his 2012 convention sermon) to “figure it out” and develop both immediate and long-term viable, biblical solutions.

I believe it was Billy Graham who said: “If you are willing to pray for something or someone, be willing to be part of the answer.” How? For me, it means in addition to prayer, I can give sacrificially through financial contributions to BGCT disaster recovery and through donations of shoes and hygiene kits to Buckner. It also means communicating accurate reports and encouraging weary volunteers and staff.

Please read Kalie Lowrie’s article about the resolution from our Christian Life Commission as well as the story aired on CBN regarding our Texas Baptist efforts.

On issues concerning children, our Savior said: “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” And “it would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.”

Either we can try to “pray our way out” or we can “pray our way in.”

I’m in. Will you join me?

Jeff Johnson is president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and pastor of First Baptist Church in Commerce.