September 5, 2009
Julie Smith (pictured above, last to the right) has been a Christian her whole life and a member of the Forest Lake Church for all together twenty years. She serves as the HoPE Partner Intercessory Prayer Coordinator. She is organizing a band of prayer leaders to gather around people who would come forward for special prayers of healing and blessings or anointing. This past Wednesday, many people of all ages came forward to meet with prayer leaders during the meeting. Julie’s passion for God, people and service to both is unmistakable. She took the time to answer a few questions.
What does prayer mean to you?
Julie: “Prayer gives me hope where often there is none.”
What does House of Prayer Experience meetings at Forest Lake Church mean to you?
Julie: It’s a place where I come and see so many other people come and where they are really reaching out. I get really filled with the Holy Spirit when I’m there.
It’s in the middle of the week and that means it occurs between Sabbaths. H.o.P.E is my layover on the journey from Sabbath to Sabbath! It’s so nice to see other people coming to be prayed over and get that same lift.
What struck you about last Wednesday night’s?
Julie: It was awesome because people are so eager to be prayed for. They are willing to step forward in front of everyone. The whole congregation! They have faith in prayer and people are here willing to journey with them… they are taking advantage of that.
What do you want people to know about House of Prayer Experience?
Julie: I want them to know what they are missing! 🙂 So much blessing is gained from meeting with our church family to pray together. I want them to know that! I wish that the church would be full to the brim.
What encouragement do you have for people who are praying for their loved-ones?
Julie: I would remind them that God doesn’t always answer all at once. Sometimes… His answers are not ours. Yet I would encourage them to keep praying in praise and with thankfulness…as if God has already answered.
When I listen to Julie and other dedicated leaders like her, I am reminded that Christianity is not meant to be experienced in isolation. Acts 2: 44 says that the people of God had ‘everything in common’. That means that they shared their lives together and made an impact for Jesus together. May H.o.P.E be a launching place for us to join a disciple-making group where faith, relationship and service matter.
Here are a few groups for you to look into and be part of starting September 12, 2009 at the Forest Lake Church:
• ‘Spirit Empowered Witnesses’( a study on the Book of Acts) at 11.30am in Classroom 6.
• “Get out of Debt” at 11.30am in Classroom 4
There is also still space for you…
• Classroom 5: Group Bible Study, prayers and sharing at 11.15am also every Saturday!
• Every Wednesday at 6.15pm, Praying for Our Kids group meets in Classroom 5.
Praying for our joy and hope for the journey!
Pastor Sabine
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