Reflections on an incredible Prayer Morning
By all accounts, at all our campuses it was an incredibly moving and profound weekend. I hope you found the Lord's presence in our services palpable in the same way many of us did. It was a privilege to be able to speak about Jesus, our Great Physician, who longs to heal us and to see people seek the healer through prayer with our leaders.
After spending some time with the family this afternoon, I've got a few minutes to jot down some reflections on this weekend's service. Here goes:
- I prayed personally with one person to receive Christ as their saviour. I know of 4 other people who gave their life to Christ this weekend. Seeing people join the family of God never gets old! Stepping into eternal life is the ultimate healing.
- I am appreciate of the leaders of Calvary and their willingness to pray. I know that they loved ministering spiritually to people, going to the Father on their behalf, and praying boldly for the Holy Spirit's power to work. I am so thankful for each person who prayed.
- Today was a reminder again of the brokenness of our world and of the brokennesss many people live with. To hear the heart cries of people and the desperate need they have for God to work speaks to humanity's great pain. That is what Jesus died for. He was nailed to a cross to bring healing, hope and freedom to the painful areas of our lives.
- Jesus is all we need. We sang that this morning and it was at the core of our prayers. We cannot do it on our own and we need Him. He brings us to places where we rely solely on His power. I am grateful He shares His life and power with us. I am grateful to that when we surrender to Him, he released His grace so that it truly can be well with our soul.
- I keep asking myself what "coat" am I wearing. What "coat" are you longing for? We are driven to seek the coat of human affirmation or to seek the coat of human effort. I know many are you are deeply disappointed and hurting because someone has rejected you or because your effort and hard work was not enough. Wear His coat of grace. He wants to give it to you. Walk with that coat. Cease striving to please or demand affection. Jesus deeply loves you.
- I don't know what healing God has done this weekend, but he won't let those prayers go unanswered. I know deep healing has taken place. It may not be what we expect, but will be better than what we could imagine. The Great Physician knows what area of healing each person needs.
- We want to know what God does in your life. Please keep us updated and share your story. Let myself or another staff person know so we can encourage the congregation with the ways God is at work.
- Some have already asked if we are going to have another service like that sometime. Of course we will. We do have people at the end of each service at our various campuses who would love to pray with people every week. But we will certainly plan services where there is an extended time of ministry to people.
Joseph's healing is certainly not the end to Joseph's story. Now God wants to heal his brothers. For twenty years they have been living with unresolved guilt. Guilt they might not be aware of much of the time, but guilt that festers under the surface. Next week we will look at finding God's grace and forgiveness for that guilt.
Have a blessed week.
