Sending out the Nine

On Sunday April 10th, we had an 80 degree day. I wish the week after that day was as warm, but it was an exceptional day. We were conducting our Workshop on Supernatural Ministry and only nine folks showed up. I suspect the nice weather had a lot to do with it. But after a brief time of instruction, I told the group we were going to walk around Township Park and find people to pray for.

It was funny at first, because several of those who were there wanted to "flee" because it was going to stretch them. But we were blessed and all agreed to "try." We broke into 3 groups of 3 and went out. My group found a family that wasn't interested, then a few who were open. As we were finishing up, one of the teens with my group suggested we go talk to the people sitting in their cars watching the sunset. Now I was the one who was reluctant! But we went towards one car, and as we did, the sole occupant opened his window. We chatted and noticed he was reading a book on Buddhism. So we chatted some more and asked him questions about his journey toward God, and gave him some suggestions on books he might like. Then we told him we were there to pray for him...and he opened up and let us! He had some serious needs and we prayed for the provision and blessing and revelation of Father God to him.

A second group had several folks they prayed for before they ran across a family on the swings. As they offered to pray with them, the family asked them, "are you the same church that was at Dairy Queen last year praying for people? Because if you were, you guys prayed for us!" I had been among those who had prayed for them then during our practice! Needless to say, we were blessed to see our fruit returning a blessing.

The third group ran across a young woman in dire need, her boyfriend was struggling with emotional issues. The students who knew her also knew she wasn't open to prayer. Yet when they asked her, she began to weep and was very open. We saw God touch this woman who had a divine appointment with the Healer of Hearts.

As we returned to the church building to chat, we all were amazed at how 1) easy it was to talk to strangers and 2) how easy and rewarding to ask people if we can pray with them. Doors were opened for a number of participants to actually do what we had been talking about for the past several months!