It all started with a simple text to a friend. I [Matt Rumbaugh] was in Chicago at a conference and I had some time to kill. I decided to walk around the city a bit and I texted a friend to ask how I might pray for him.
“I have been pretty slack in my daily Bible reading and prayer. I’m trying to make a habit of getting up early every morning and doing it.”
Now this friend knows me well enough to know that he has entered my wheelhouse. I LOVE to talk about habits – specifically how good habits help us cultivate faithfulness in our walk with God. Research tells us that one of the most powerful ways to develop a habit is forming it in connection with a relationship. This is part of the reason groups like AA are so powerful and a big reason we emphasize small groups so much at Harvest.
Anyway, I respond: “I will definitely pray for you, but I might already be your answer. I get up pretty early in the morning. Want me to text you?”