Too Soon the End

Well, last night was the last night of our Prayer Works. A great worship time and then they brought the kids in and they all sat on the platform. About 30 kids. The children's pastor asked them if they would like to pray for the adults and asked them to put their hand up if they had a prayer.  It was pretty powerful - some of the prayers - cute, and what you might expect from 5 or 6 year olds. One little girl, said she was praying for her parents who don't know Jesus and are going through a divorce. A few 'sighs' slipped out unexpectedly. Some prayed for people to have what they wanted (meant in the most spiritual way I'm sure), some for the children to have food and shelter in Haiti, and the one that for some reason stood out in my mind was that we would be 'reasonable' with each other. Out of the mouths of babes, eh?!

After they left for their own program in the gym which by the way was supposed to be fantastic. It was a 'camp out' evening with tents set up, a real fire (not sure how they did that) and stars in the sky (they had a special light in the ceiling which caused tiny holes to shine tiny lights as stars - unbelievably real!). 

Anyway, we continued with four 'prayer stations' at the front of the church. At the first one, someone was assigned to lead prayer for our church (and other churches) and our ministries, the pastors, their families, etc. Another 'station' was for 'Newcomers to Canada', all that they must learn, encouagement to be good Canadians and opportunities to learn about Jesus; a third was for children, schools, young people for protection of their minds, etc. and the fourth (I think) for Service Industry, police, fire etc. for care and protection and the laws (and lawmakers) that govern us. We were asked to come to the front and chose one of the four to 'stand up for' and pray. The leader first led us in prayer in each group and then we were free to pray as we were inclined within the group.  It was a pretty amazing prayertime.

After that our MLA, Mike Lake, came to the platform with his wife, Debbie, and had been asked to share what he felt we could pray for gov't leaders (himself included). He outlined the Lord's Prayer and shared a little of how he prayed. The Pastor then asked the Board members to come and they all prayed for Mike/Debbie and our gov't, led by the pastor. It was a great visual as the Canada flag and the Provincial flag were 'front and center' and they prayed beside it.

Then WE were asked to pray. We could come to the front for a specific prayer request as there would be some people there to pray with them. We could gather into groups of 4-6 in the pew where we were, or pray just with the person beside us - or if we did not like to pray out loud at all, we can lower our head and pray silently ourselves. Many options and all were taken!

I had been seated beside someone I normally don't sit with and the three women in front of me I didn't even know, yet when we prayed for each other, we became 'soul sisters'. It was very moving. We are looking for a dramatic healing in one. We know our God CAN and if not, we pray, she has the strength to walk the path given her. We enveloped her with courage, patience and peace. We will continue to pray for her now that we know of her circumstance. It is amazing what God can do.

It was over too soon. It's unfortunate that we can't do that regularly and yet, you can't maintain those highs. But it's how we handle the low's where the highs have their great impact.

Reading the bible this morning I was drawn to this verse. I believe it encapsulates the overall message I received this past week. I hope this will strengthen your faith as well.

Psalm 73:23-26.
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.