22 January 08 - 10:49
Cry For Mercy
They tell deceitful lies, and they don't have the sense to live right. Psalm 36:3 (CEV)
Some evenings seem to be a study in contrasts, one woman doesn’t want to be bothered so she tells you a lie and another woman touches your heart with her prayer request. Leather jacket lady is walking up and down the street so we stop to introduce ourselves and ask if we could give her a Christmas gift and a prayer. She haughtily replies, ‘No, can’t you see it’s raining and I don’t want to get my hair wet.” We thank her for stopping and wish her well. We cruise down the street and meet ladies standing on street corners soaking wet. Women with big smiles when we offer a gift bag, women who are eager for prayer, hope, love and acceptance. “G” wants prayer for strength to walk away from a physically abusive relationship. “P” wants prayer for strength to enter drug-treatment. “P” is very determined to change her life and listens intently as we explain the steps she will need to take to turn her life around. “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Eph. 4:13 (NIV)
2 hours later and leather jacket lady is still standing on the street corner in the rain, with wet hair and her back turned towards us. Lord, we pray that you will soften the heart of this lady. If we are not to be the ones to bring her a message a hope then please send someone to walk beside her and speak the Words of truth to her, to give her a hope and a future. A future free from the snares of the evil one and a heart open to the love, grace and mercy that only come from a relationship with You.
“T”, precious soft-spoken “T” voices a prayer request and we are so awe-struck by her request that tears immediately flood our eyes. “T’s” prayer request is for forgiveness. She doesn’t elaborate and we don’t ask. The request is made of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, not us. Her request reminds us that we are so blessed to be used of God to reach out to the lost, lonely and hurting people in our community. Lord, you search her heart and know her deepest needs, her trials and tribulations and you grant mercy. “Hear my prayer, O LORD; listen to my cry for mercy.” Ps. 86:6 (NIV)
Our God, you bless everyone whose sins you forgive and wipe away. You bless them by saying, "You told me your sins, without trying to hide them, and now I forgive you." Psalm 32:1-2 (CEV)
The Christmas season is upon us and at this time I’m reminded of a prayer one of our clients prays when we see him. He is a homeless man we have known and loved for many years now and when we see him he always insists we take turns praying. One particular sentence in his prayer always leaves us humbled. “Lord, we thank you for everything you give us and we also thank you for everything you take away.” We did not see our homeless friend this evening and our hearts are a little heavy as we make our way home to our warm houses, soft beds and cupboards full of food. We pray that in some small way we can share the blessing of our abundance with those less fortunate, and give thanks to the Father for the gift of His Son.
Merry CHRISTmas,
Donna
"Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out." Deut.28:6No comments
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