I’ve witnessed some amazing examples of how social networking is being used to connect people in prayer.
Matt Singley has a great post with just one example happening in our church on Facebook. So check that out.
Here is what is happening. A young woman in our congregation went in for emergency brain surgery at the beginning of the week, and within a day or two her family and community rallied around her, not only in person, but also in prayer as people all over the country and here locally swarmed to Facebook to prayer for her, receive constant updates on her condition, as well as finding out ways how they could help the family. Simply amazing.
Praying for Katherine Wolf has 688 members
Pray for Katherine Arnold Wolf has 1,303 members
And everytime I log on the numbers are growing. It’s an amazing example of the power of prayer in someone’s life.
In the past and still today, people usually set up prayer chains via a phone or answering service, emails, etc. But the way Facebook is being used is awesome. And if you are on Facebook, you will see constant reminders of the need to pray for Katherine and her family.
I have a meeting with Robert of Kindle this Friday, and I know he is working on ways to build praying communities online. Kindle is another great tool, and I’m excited to see it expand and grow.
Forgive me if I sound all “devil’s advocate” because I that’s not my intention. But I can also see a negative spiral here where social networking prayer can also catalyze gossip as prayer often functions in groups of Christians. I would see so much prayer in college as almost the function of a kiosk in order to draw attention to one’s self.
So I do see the power in it, but I also see a potential nasty underbelly as well…
Drew:
I would just say that anytime something good is present, there is always the potential for it to be used in harmul ways. That said, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t capitalize on it and use it.
But certainly, we have to be careful how we use such powerful tools such as technoloyg.
I remember my Church history professor telling me that one of the first things printed and made available when the printing press was invented was pornography. But that doesn’t mean we don’t take advantage of the printing press because it has the potential for a negative spiral effect. Instead, we use it for good, just like Martin Luther capitalized on it and helped play his part in the Reformation.
As Christians we always have to be careful of our “tongues” and being gossippers. But that could easily happen in a small group in someone’s house as it can online.
thanks for the comments…good thoughts.
rhett
Isn’t that the whole idea in C.S. Lewis’ Out of the Silent Planet? That somehow the good was “bent”? I think it’s a great idea right up there with everyone having phone service.
Alan
Dude,
I am still overwhelmed by what is happening with the Katherine Wolf deal and Facebook. This is an example of social networking at its finest. I do agree with Drew, but like you said, anything can be abused. And obviously, in this case, gossip has nothing to do with it.
My wife and I were talking today, saying that if you relied on traditional methods to start the prayer chain, to get 1,300 people you would be calling, writing, and emailing for the next week or more. So kudos to social networking on this one. I will hold back my “issues” with you until another time.
ro
Hi,
I’m Katherine’s mom. I haven’t really been able to get on the computer until last night,just before going to sleep. I was so blown away that I almost woke James up with my crying. This is beyond my wildest imagination. I have ranted about the evils of Facebook for the past several years, and I have seen it used (misused) for great harm. HOWEVER, I am now reminded of Joseph’s situation….what may be meant for evil can be used by God for great good. It is humbling and comforting to see His use of it in this way. Good triumphs! May the cry of my heart go out to the ends of the earth through this vehicle: “Talitha cum!”
Kim Arnold
Kim,
Thank you so much for your comments. I think we all have been hesitant about social networking sites at some point, but to see them be used powefully for good is amazing.
I can only imagine what it must be like to see and to know that thousands of people are praying for your daughter.
We will all continue to pray for her and your family. Please keep us updated.
Rhett
What is clearly can allow that face to face communication cannot is complex networks of people who never would have even crossed paths before. While it’s not Teilhard’s noosphere, you can get a sense of what he was thinking about…
Like this.
I need prayer for bipolar disorder and depression
Please pray that Christ will purify Carey’s heart once
again.
So that she can return to Christ. She has turned her back on
God. She is a christian.
God Bless
Joe