Stronger Than Fate
with Frank Peretti
“Under [Christ’s] direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly.
As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow,
so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”
(Ephesians 4:16)
Frank Peretti reigns as Christian fiction’s undisputed master of supernatural thrillers. With over twelve million books sold, Peretti uses the art of storytelling to expose satan’s plan to disrupt the ability of believers to fulfill their purpose in the Kingdom of God.
The plot of Peretti’s books often emphasizes the power of praying saints who face battles in both spiritual and physical realms. The destinies of his characters unfold as their lives mysteriously connect with divinely appointed people in significant places—all developed in the timely sequence of a Master plan.
In a recent interview, James asked Frank Peretti how he prays for the world and for believers who face the kind of challenges in his stories. He struggled to answer and finally said, “I pray, ‘God show me how to pray.’” Then, he shared an experience that revealed his personal reliance on God’s perspective.
“I was reading in the third chapter of Nehemiah. It listed person after person who had done a specific job and section in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. It was like reading the begat sections of the Old Testament. I asked God what he wanted me to get out of it,” he admitted, “because it was really boring.”
The Lord answered, “I want you to see that you don’t have to do it all by yourself.” Peretti expressed his relief in knowing the job of building and defending the Kingdom of God is not solely his. “Just as each guy had a section of the wall to repair, God will call and equip believers to do their part.”
James agreed that each of us has a specific role. “I often ask people, ‘What is your part in God’s heart?’ It’s important for Christians to have a sense of mission for their lives.”
James explained how the Lord revealed many things to him during the early years of his life, but how it took him many years to understand that the vision encompassed the efforts of many people.
“I saw what was on his heart for the church. At first I assumed I was responsible for everything I saw, and I came close to ministry burnout before I would connect me with others who had their part in the plan. Their mission and purpose was as specific and as important as mine.”
In the same way, Nehemiah sensed that God had created him with the skills for a difficult task when he saw a defenseless city with no walls to protect a disorganized group of defeated people.
The despair Nehemiah felt led to fasting and prayer for guidance as he made himself available to God. His organizational and leadership skills put a brilliant plan into action that ultimately fulfilled the prophecies of Zechariah and Daniel concerning the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls.
He left a wealthy position in Persia, returned to his fractured homeland, and rallied the people for their part in God’s mission of restoration. He knew they could be motivated and that the enormous task wasn’t all up to him. He used prayer, teamwork, and problem solving to complete the job in 52 days.
The world uses the word fate to describe our role in life, but the Scriptures insist that we have been chosen by something stronger than fate. The God of all creation has chosen us for a specific part and He empowers us with His Holy Spirit to perform our part of His mission.
This Week
Listen to God’s direction and make yourself available. Let prayer be the constant guiding force and evaluate circumstances in light of God’s will.
Prayer
“Lord, I don’t want to just analyze and scrutinize all the problems in the world. I want to be a part of rebuilding broken lives. Let me see clearly how you can use my gifts and talents to achieve what is in your heart for me to do.”
Watch Life Today featuring Frank Peretti on May 31.
