January 19, 2011

When we’re in trouble,and we turn to God, what can we expect?
The Bible paints an encouraging picture. Let’s take a look at what God does, based on what Jesus did:

1. Jesus accepted people
In the Bible, we find stories about people who came to Him. Jesus didn’t reject them-ever. He was moved with compassion for people, especially the those who were sick.
Tonight, Lyn told her story from being a woman of means and independence to becoming someone who finds herself depending on the kindness of family and strangers. She has been out of a job for almost two years, and to say that the experience has been stressful for this single mother of two is an understatement. Still, she says with gratitude and a trace of astonishment that she has been able to feed her kids and keep busy through volunteering. Her life has been enriched by the lesson on depending on God and keeping the faith. Please pray for Lyn and her search for employment. Of course, she is not the only one who has been on a long-term search for a job.

A whole family came with their three children to the House of Prayer. An unexpected bill caused them a lot of stress. Husband and wife Al and Maria pleaded: “We just want a victory, and to hold on and not be discouraged!” As in the case of Lyn, people who could relate to their situation simply surrounded the young family who came to find spiritual support tonight. They had been homeless at one point. Their ten year old girl especially remembered the prayers for her a year ago. She and her family prayed for a home of their own. She was failing in school and wanted to not be in trouble anymore. God had answered both prayers and it gave her hope that He would come through again for them.

2. Jesus prayed in different ways
Jesus sometimes used dirt, spit, and sometimes he simply spoke or touched people. There are no formulas to reach God.

He is so huge. How can we think that it’s possible that we can manipulate or box God in? We pray to Jesus any way we can. Sometimes, all we can do is yell: “Jesus, help!” or as in the case of Peter: “Jesus, save Me!“

Tonight,a niece came with her friend to ask everyone to pray for her uncle Ivan. She invited people to symbolically tie knots on a prayer quilt. This way, when Uncle Ivan runs his hand over it, he would remember that people had prayed for him.

At one point, I read a letter sent by the sibling of one of the pastors on staff. Last week, this relative was anointed with oil.

“My heart is full of gratitude for strangers who were praying for my surgery, recovery and victory over cancer(…). To all the saints of God at House of Prayer, I send hugs and thank yous. I can never repay you.”

We come to Jesus anyway we can and pray to him any way we can. Sometimes through a quilt, and other times through the gift of Anointing.

3. Jesus sometimes prayed more than once for some individuals or with more intensity.
The first example that comes to the mind of many is Mary Magdalene. She had seven demons, not just one. Jesus didn’t give up on people. There are times when we have to pray longer, more often and with more intensity. Even, through fasting as He noted after casting evil spirits from a boy. (See Mark 9)

Sometimes it takes a while for the answers to come? What can we do? A young adult’s heart was breaking and children, parents, grandparents rushed all around before I even asked. The people encircled this individual and held on. They held on to one another. Together, we hold on to Jesus.

What do to when we need to be renewed mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually?
We come to Jesus.
We come any way we can.
We hold on to Jesus.
And we hold on to each other.

Praying for our Joy…and Hope for the journey.
pastor Sabine