Core Scripture: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20)

Message: I feel this calling.  It is weird, but I cannot ignore it anymore.  God has put too many Amazonian colleagues in my path lately.  Friends of all ages, backgrounds, and ethnicities.  They all have one thing in common. 

They seem to be craving something deeper to get through life. 

Some are more on board than others.  Christians just stick out like a sore thumb at Amazon.  They work their tails off.  They help others.  They look to the positive in life and complain less.  They just seem to enjoy life more than your typical person.

Like my friends Jora and Steve.  Their work ethic is untouchable.  They are driven by a motor that my 48-year-old body cannot physically keep up with.  They are polite.  They always say thank you.  They stay to finish a task, even when break is called.

Others are searching.  Like my buddy Logan I wrote about last week.  He confessed he used to go to church and was just happier with life back then.  I cannot wait to nourish this relationship and take this young man under my wing!  What a blessing that our paths crossed.

Then there is Alejandro.  God handed this relationship to me on a silver platter last week.  It was our first in depth conversation, and he said something like, “Man, I have been searching forever for a prayer coach, but I just can’t find one.”

Alejandro … brother … I got you!

The faith conversations I have had through my three months working at Amazon have been priceless.  It is almost impossible to list them all, but I will try.  My apologies to anyone I forgot …

There was “Q” who once wore a shirt with three crosses.  I asked her if she was a believer.  She told me with a wide smile that she was a Morman.  It led to some awesome conversations over the next few days as she taught me about Mormonism.  I of course shared I was a Christian.

There was the day I met Brianna on the doc.  I thought she said her name was Rihanna.  Later I found out I misunderstood when someone else said her name.  I even joked about her umberella-ella-ella-eh-eh-eh.  Whoops!  She had cross earrings that day, and I asked if she was a believer.  She smiled brightly, saying yes!

Just yesterday I pulled Kary aside on the doc.  He told me he homeschooled his 15-year-old daughter.  I followed up with the question of whether that decision was based on religious reasons.  He said partly yes, and I was aching to dive deeper into that conversation.  Then a new truck arrived, ready to unload. 

Another day, brother Kary!

Last week I was talking with one of our managers, Mark, about music.  I discovered Mark had been a drummer for different Christian bands through the years.  Man, the things you learn about your colleagues when you get to know them!  I told him I was a believer, too.  We connected.

Laura wears this sweatshirt that says God is Dope.  That was kinda an easy one!  A tap in putt if you will.  Her softspoken demeanor and relentless work ethic showed me she was a Christ follower already, and I shared that I love Jesus too. 

Then there are my black brothers from another mother.  Warren and Vaughn.  Warren’s demeanor simply oozes that he is a Christ follower.  He is selfless, kindhearted, and positive.  I haven’t really gotten in depth with him about the faith I see in him, but I yearn to connect with him on that level.

Vaughn is certainly open to prayer.  He is a member of our lunch bunch, and when we hit up China Buffet the first time, brotha’ called me out when we sat down to eat.  “What, you aint gonna pray like you did last week at Golden Corral?” he said out of the side of his mouth, a smile curling on his lips.

Guilty.  We all chuckled, and yes, I prayed. 

There is Nick who says he is Catholic.  Doug, who once said, “You love Jesus, don’t you, Clint?”  Derek, who I was told attends church with his family.  I know there are more, but what about the people at Amazon who need prayer?  What about the ones as a prayer team we might be able to lead to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?

I have heard so many stories from my friends.  Stuff that makes me grateful for what I have.  Some have spent time in prison.  Others are single mothers.  One friend is homeless, living out of his car, while his wife is pregnant with their first child, living with her sister. 

My heart aches for these people.  I cannot imagine being in their shoes.  Most at Amazon probably don’t even know I write on my blog about this amazing company that took me in when I needed it most.  Guess what?  They will more than likely find out soon.  Because I have this idea.

What if we formed a prayer team?  What if others who worked at Amazon came to us on breaks and asked for prayer?  What if we met together after work in the break room to share prayer requests and pray over each other?  What if intimate friendships were formed?  What if lives were changed? 

What if God showed up at Amazon on a regular basis?

He is already there.  Don’t doubt that at all.  My God is omnipresent already, and He is moving mountains in my life.  I just want to share His awesomeness with others!  There is no better way to do that than prayer.  That is why I want to propose an idea to Amazon. 

Amazon has Affinity Groups.  They are not promoted widely, but they are there.  One deals with mental health.  Another is for the LGBTQ.  There is one for blacks, Asians, families, Latinos, women, disabilities, and veterans.  I know Amazon cannot promote a single religion as it embraces all religions and lifestyles, but what if a prayer group was born?

All they can do is say no.  Why not try?  As the old cliché goes, you never know unless you try.  Will there be hoops to jump through?  You betcha.  Will Satan try to thwart my idea now that it has gone public?  Probably.  I am not immune to his attacks.  And I have to say he has attacked mightily over the past two years. 

Do you know what the funny thing is?  His deception and trickery, all his lies and mind games he has played, they have done nothing but make my faith stronger.  Do you know why?  Because I have a God who cares about me.  He never leaves me.  He sent His son, Jesus, to die for me, and I want to honor Him wherever I go. 

Dear followers, would you please join me in prayer this week?  Pray that this idea might be a seed planted not just here but EVERYWHERE.  In schools.  In businesses.  In churches.  I even have missionaries that might be reading this overseas.  Statistics show my blog has been seen 121 times and counting in the Philippines this week.  Not bragging.  Just stating a fact.

Romans 1:16 is one of my favorite scriptures in the Bible.  It states, “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.”  These words epitomize my mentality right now.  I am ready to share my faith on a much broader level, and if you are one of my fellow Amazonian colleagues reading this, I am an open book.  Ask me questions. 

I am ready to defend my stance. 

Bracken, I love you, man, and I would be privileged to take steps forward at Amazon to pray for our team at DKS3.  It is the least I can do for the company that took me in when I needed work most.  I am here to serve and help our team, and I cannot wait to see what God is going to do at our company.

Raven, I know I was told you were the one to talk to about Affinity Groups.  Are you the person I need to talk to in order to make this happen?  Whatever I need to do, just let me know.  I love your passion for Amazon, and I wonder if this idea might be cool to put in the company newsletter next week.

Alright, I have said enough.  Lord, the ball is in Your hands! 

Challenge: Do you belong to a prayer group in your workplace?  Consider starting one!  Email me with any questions at theteachersdevotional@gmail.com. 

Amazon Google Form: If you are a fellow Amazonian at DKS3 and you are interested in taking a quick survey, click on the link here.  No pressure. https://forms.gle/gELhVi61CwaQyM2y8.

Song application: “Somebody Prayed” by David Crowder

Every night there by your bed
You fold your hands and bow your head
Throwing out another prayer in faith
When you’re wondering if He’s hearing you
Look at me, I’m living proof
I’m only right where I am today
Because somebody prayed

So I hit my knees ’cause I’ve seen all heaven move
(Don’t matter if you hit rock bottom)
(My God pick you up when you call Him)
I pray, “Father, please” ’cause I’ve seen what He can do
(Don’t matter if the storm cloud coming)
(My God come through when you call Him)
These hands have no power
But there ain’t an hour He don’t come through
That’s why when mountains move, I say
“Looks like somebody prayed”

Just for fun: Now that we have a few new viewers this week at Amazon, I thought it might be fun to play a teacher game I used to play with my students called Would You Rather.  You probably know the game.  Maybe it was even played at sleepovers when you were a kid.  Let’s do this Amazonian style …

1. Would you rather be bombarded with a hailstorm of packages stowing for two straight hours, or would you rather never get VTO for an entire month?
2. Would you rather have Amazon bless you with an unexpected paid snow day, or would you rather get paid time and a half?
3. Would you rather have your shin get slammed by a go-kart when you try to close it too quickly, or would you rather pull a muscle in your back trying to toss a heavy bag on the top during picking?
4. Would you rather use PTO at the end of a shift when you are exhausted beyond belief, or would you rather use PTO at the beginning of your shift to get a few extra hours of precious sleep?
5. Would you rather enjoy a ten minute conversation with Super about whatever pops into his head, or would you rather listen to Bales imitate Sean Connery for 10 minutes?

Prayer: Father, thank you for the power of prayer, growing us closer to You and helping us encounter a God that cares so deeply for all of us.  Thank you for being available 24/7 for us to come to You, understand You, and pour our hearts out to You.  Amen.