Matt Chandler: His Praying Is More Powerful Than Even His Preaching

Matt Chandler, the Dallas Southern Baptist pastor who has battled brain cancer, preached a powerful message at the Pastors' Conference this morning. He encouraged pastors to teach their people how to be grace driven in their santification. Rather than preaching moralistic messages to appease an angry Diety, Southern Baptist pastors should deepen believers in their understanding of the powerful atonement of Jesus Christ, encouraging them to murder their sin because of the radical grace of God in Christ Jesus. Powerful, profound words, indeed.

But what struck me about Matt is something that people in the arena may not have caught. At the end of the message, he prayed with his eyes wide open. He addressed God respectfully, but in the manner of an intimate friend, he used first person pronouns--all the while looking at the pastors who were seated before him. Again, eyes wide open. Praying with intimacy, praying as comfortably and naturally as one who breathes. Spurgeon used to say you know the character of a man by not hearing what he says, but observing how he prays. It's evident to me Matt Chandler knows his God.

In His Grace,

Wade Burleson