The Power of Prayer

      Today, God graciously revealed to me that He is listening. As I write this I am beginning to realize how incredibly awing it is that the God of the universe heard a little 19 year-old girl sitting in one country, in one state, in one county, in one neighborhood, in one apartment, in one room.  God did not only hear my voice, but he answered it. Christ always answers prayers, whether it is yes, no, or be patient. He answers. Always.This morning I prayed that I would have courage and be a light to this world. After handing in two large papers and finishing a long test, my brain felt fried. I wanted to just sit in a corner and lose myself in a book, and that is exactly what I did.

      "Oh, gosh what are you reading now?" While grabbing my book, an acquaintance from work plopped himself beside me. "It is one of those religious books again isn't it? Yup." Flipping through the pages he smirked "pshh I already see things this book doesn't like about me." 

                 "Like what?"

    

      "Oh you know sexual flirtatious stuff…I am a flirt. I flirt all the time. So what is it with you and all this religious stuff? You are really into it." His one eye brow raised as the other lowered. He looked curious or perhaps he was thinking "oh boy this will be interesting."

    

     I told him that "the book may not approve of particular behaviors but that doesn't mean that the people that believe those things won't accept you. We are all sinners. I am a sinner. I lie, manipulate, and I am selfish. No one is perfect."

     

    "Yea, that's for sure. I am a sinner too. I used to believe all that religious stuff. The more I have thought about things though, I felt like there are way to many things left unanswered that the bible doesn't tell us. Plus how do you explain when in American Christians were the one's who were promoting slavery. And to make matters even better they would support their efforts with the bible. That doesn't sound too Christian like to me."

      

    "You know it hurts me to hear when Christians in the past, and in the present, take the bible out of context and use it for their one selfish pleasure. You are right. In American history people who claimed to be Christians would not only own slaves but sometimes be unjust toward them. However, we all are sinners. Just like you admitted. God loves us for who we are. He knows we are imperfect people living in a broken world. It saddens Him to know that His sons and daughters are capable of treating other people in such a controlling and demeaning manner. What truly separates one person from another is, whether they realize their sin and are convicted about it enough to make a change and repent. God will always forgive. Do you know the story of Mosses?" 

            

               "Yea."

      "Yea. Well he was a murderer. Yet God chose him to free the Jewish people from bondage. God worked profound miracles through a sinner. A broken man."

      "That is a good point. I still am not sure though…"

      This is the the second conversation I have had with this man. However, I can see God stirring his heart. God is good. If you could, I beg you to pray for his salvation. Our brother in Christ is spiritually dead. Let's make a part in heaven and help make this man spiritually alive. What is life worth if we are not sharing the gospel? I have complete faith that God will work miracles in this guys life. Aren't we told in Matthew chapter 7 that if we "Ask, it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks reveives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." If you believe this I kindly ask you to pray.

     GOD IS LISTENING!