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Team Talk
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Becoming a Christian
There is no set formula to becoming a Christian, but many people have found saying this prayer to be a helpful first step to a relationship with God
Lord Jesus Christ, I am truly sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. Please forgive me. I now turn from everything that I know is wrong. Thank you that you died on the cross for me so that I could be forgiven and set free. Thank you that you offer me forgiveness and the gift of your Holy Spirit. Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me for ever. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen
Extract from Why Jesus? by Nicky Gumbel published by Alpha International, 2011. Used by kind permission of Alpha International
’ talk Team talk ‘TEAM TALK Always on his mind
Claire Brine gives her take on a story catching the attention of War Cry reporters
ACCORDING to his stepbrother, Elvis Presley ‘relied on God for everything’.
His faith was ‘where he got his strength’, Billy Stanley told the Observer. ‘Elvis was so appreciative of what the Lord had given him. He thanked God every day and constantly sought God’s guidance through prayer and reading the Bible.’
Ahead of the publication of his book, The Faith of Elvis, due for release in October, Billy told the paper that his superstar sibling turned to God ‘whenever he needed help’. He revealed that Elvis prayed before concerts, asking God to settle his nerves; that he sang gospel songs around the house and that he read the Bible and prayed alongside his younger brothers.
I’ve got to admit, I’m no Elvis superfan, but hearing that the king of rock ‘n’ roll had a faith in Jesus was news to me. Perhaps Elvis thanked it’s because most articles I’ve read about him have focused solely on his music, his iconic look God every day (complete with lip curl), and his performance style. Dig a bit deeper and it’s easy to find stories focusing on the less savoury aspects of his character, such as his drug addiction. Rarely does God feature in the conversation when people talk about Elvis.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean that God wasn’t a significant part of his life.
Despite any mistakes that Elvis may have made during his years on Earth, my own Christian faith tells me that God still loved him – always. God would have heard every one of those prayers that Elvis spoke. I believe he would have rejoiced with Elvis on good days and shared his sorrow on bad ones. God would have forgiven Elvis every time he made a mistake and said a heartfelt sorry for it.
Understanding the faith of another person and how it appears to influence their life is a tricky business. It’s hard enough for me to understand my own faith and behaviour sometimes. But reading about Elvis has reminded me of God’s steadiness in humanity’s inconsistencies. When we ebb and flow in our faith, God’s love for us never changes. We’re always on his mind, that’s why Elvis, and countless others over history, have relied on him for everything.
