ACT 1: A Turbulent Takeoff:
Picture this: you’re boarding a mysterious plane, completely clueless about the destination, and suddenly you’re hit with a cocktail of turbulence, unexpected passengers, and a sprinkle of divine in-flight entertainment. Welcome to my life!
My journey to Christ was not the first-class ticket to enlightenment that I’d always imagined; instead, it felt like a cattle-call flight through the stormy skies of existence, filled with existential free-falls and celestial course corrections that only God could navigate.
Honestly, it’s a story so bizarre that even Kafka would chuckle and say, “You’ve got to be kidding!”
​
So there I was, just a nice Jewish kid, steeped in cultural traditions and simmering in a pot of skepticism. Christianity? That was like the other aisle seat—full of fervent believers waving their faith around like frequent flyer miles. Not my path, said my upbringing.
Raised in a conservative Jewish household, I felt increasingly disconnected from, well, everything—an island surrounded by a sea of uncertainty.
​
Adulthood hit me harder than a sudden drop in cabin pressure. Imagine it: addiction, job instability, homelessness. My search for God was the only constant amid the chaos, even if the signal was as patchy as the inflight Wi-Fi.
I dove down every spiritual rabbit hole you could think of—Buddhism, New Age philosophies, Hinduism, conspiracy theories, astrology, tarot—you name it, I took the plunge. And let me tell you, those rabbit holes got dark really fast.
I found myself tangled up in the mafia in Chicago and caught just a block away from the Boston Marathon bombing. Both true stories. Why I was there, only God knows.
But guess what? I kept seeking, and God eventually pulled me out of the darkness with a smile. :)
It's a long story, but let’s just say that the moment I discovered I was a miserable, selfish person who never smiled was my first step toward knowing Jesus.
I picked myself up from homelessness and founded an advocacy organization in St. Louis called Smilocracy, dedicated to helping the homeless.
​​
But I left St. Louis with spiritual loose ends, my journey far from complete.
​
​
​
​
​
ACT 2: A Desert Detour
​​
I moved to Arizona, my personal desert (cue the dramatic music!). I was 40 years old—just like the ancient Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years—I too looking for the promised land!
It was here that I met a woman whose devotion to Jesus was both inspiring and a little annoying, much like an endlessly playing in-flight movie. Our debates were spirited, but she always managed to steer the conversation back to Jesus and the Bible.
​
Curiosity piqued, I began to read the Bible. At first, it was merely a tactic for our debates, but soon it became painfully clear: Jesus was the main character in this saga.
I joined Bible study sessions, stirring the pot with tough questions and bold opinions. Yet every discussion seemed to circle back to Him.
​
The more I read, the more I realized that Jesus had been a frequent flyer on my life’s journey.
​
One scripture kept popping into my mind, much like that one annoying seatmate who refuses to let you sleep:
Ask, and it will be given to you;
Seek, and you will find;
Knock, and the door will be opened to you.
- Matthew 7:7
This verse became my guiding star. Asking, seeking, knocking—each act began to arrange the chaotic puzzle pieces of my life into a divine flight plan.
​
Meeting Grandpa Bob
Before long, I crossed paths with Bob Webb—an engineer turned Christian who became my co-pilot on this journey of faith. Bob’s insights into prayer were like discovering secret controls in a cockpit. It felt as if God had placed Grandpa Bob in my life specifically to teach me about His Son, Jesus.
Despite the four-decade age gap, we quickly formed an unlikely bond, like a dynamic duo ready to tackle the world.
​
Bob, with his background as a pilot and engineer, had a way of explaining scripture that was as clear and precise as a well-built airplane. He dissected the Bible and prayer with such methodical skill that even a new believer like me could grasp the concepts.
Through his mentorship, I began to see my incredible potential to serve God—a potential that before felt as elusive as an exit row seat on a budget airline.
​​
​
​
​
​
​​
​
ACT 3: Building a NEW "PrayerCraft" for my life
​
Inspired by Grandpa Bob’s wisdom, I found my fingers itching to write. Suddenly, I was on a whirlwind adventure of my own, and before I knew it, I had penned three enchanting books titled Little Prayer Warrior.
In these stories, Grandpa Bob is the main character, teaching a young boy named Matthew (me!) how to pray.
These books felt like more than just stories; they were revelations, perhaps even prophecies!
Now, I know that sounds dramatic, but hey, we’re talking about some biblical stuff here! The most mind-blowing part? The books unveiled a thrilling vision for something even bigger—the Matthew 7:7 App and my very own PrayerCraft!
​
You absolutely must check out the books if you haven’t already; they’re critical to this incredible journey.
​
And that brings me to the part of the story I’m writing today!
​
What you see on this website is the grand culmination of a lifetime filled with failed ideas, hopeful visions, and entrepreneurial dreams. It’s as if I’ve been on a series of budget flights, never quite reaching my intended destination. All those turbulent journeys have led to this—The Little Prayer Warrior books and the Matthew 7:7 App. Honestly, I’m as baffled as anyone that all of this even exists!
​
That’s why I honor and glorify God in everything I do and create.
Nothing about the Matthew 7:7 App, the Little Prayer Warrior Books originates from me—it’s all God’s doing! I’m merely asking, seeking, and knocking for guidance—most importantly, in Jesus’s name—and this is the incredible journey God has mapped out for me.
And let’s not forget to give a special shout-out to that wonderful woman I debated so fiercely at the beginning of my journey. Please forgive me, Love!
​
As I wrap up, I want to express how deeply I love Jesus. He has truly become the captain in the cockpit of my life, skillfully navigating me to where I need to go through prayer.
The lessons that Grandpa Bob imparted to me have made a real difference—just take a look at what you find on this website, the PrayerCraft designs, the books I've written, and so much more.
Again, all the glory goes to God because I can genuinely say that none of this is my doing.
​
​​
​
​
​
​
​​
Dedication Prayer and Prayer Force Pilot School
Don’t forget to check out my Dedication Prayer to God. That was Grandpa Bob’s brilliant idea, and I’m forever grateful for his presence and wisdom in my life.
There’s so much more I want to share, and I’ll be doing just that through the app’s website, my prayers, podcasts, and social media channels, which I hope to launch very soon!
​
Also, be sure to sign up for the beta version of the App! We’re starting a prayer pilot school with Captain Jesus as the main flight instructor. It’s going to be amazing! He taught me everything you see on this site, and trust me, YOU kids are going to LOVE IT!!!
​
Finally, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to my beloved, Jini. Thank you for guiding me to Christ. I miss you and love you dearly.
​
With ALL the love of God in my heart... in Christ Jesus' holy name,
Matthew
​
July 7, 2024
7:07 pm
