Comfort and power through prayer

One week ago, I returned from my summer vacation. It was one of the most active ones I have had for quite awhile. I had relatives visiting from the UK and I was chaperone/tour guide. It was a great occasion especially for the teenaged boys who wanted to maximise every opportunity for good Jamaican fun and excitement. For each day I continuously asked for God's protection and guidance. All went well.



However there are three moments that stand out in my mind, and you might have guessed it...the moments when someone said, "Let us pray". I will share them with you.



On the day when my relatives were leaving, just before setting out for the airport, my landlord and his wife stood with us, we joined hands and he prayed. It was so potent and comforting. We gave thanks and asked for continued protection. It reminded me of how incomplete we are without the assurance of knowing we can totally commit every aspect of our lives to God. Nothing is too simple to talk to him about. He is concerned about every area of our lives.



My return flight was an early one, so I would have to leave home about 5:00 am. The night prior to my return, my landlord's wife again met with me and prayed. I felt like God himself was hugging me. I realised also how wonderful to have a good relationship with a landlord who has a relationship with the Master. At the end, I felt really covered and 'sheltered safe within the arms of GOD'.


I had a two hour wait for my connecting flight from Montego Bay, so I had breakfast at the airport. I went to sit at a table where only one person was sitting. He turned out to be a Canadian who was returning from a one week mission trip in Jamaica. We had a very warm converstaion and at the end before he left to board his flight, we (did you guess it?) joined hands and prayed. Whoaa...was it heartwarming. I was really feeling 'prayed up'.


There were no other points in my vacation that were so empowering. I again had the reminder that we need to pray one for another. It is no wonder that the word says we should PRAY WITHOUT CEASING-1 Thess 5:17. Friends, let us remember that God is always listening. He wants us to come into his presence and be revived and refreshed through prayer. Let us maximise the oportunities to pray for each other.


Shalom.

Free and blessed

Me seh me know seh me blessed

Me know seh me blessed

As long as God a fi mi provider

Me know seh me blessed.

This is one of the popular choruses sang in Jamaican church circles and I just love the spunk to it and the cultural flair from the languagae. As I hummed it over and over, I could not help but affirm its truth in my life. Indeed I am blessed and I know unreservedly that God is my Jehovah Jireh!

I have been doing some reflection while on vacation and there are two things that stand out in my mind. While walking down the streets of the town where we are holidaying, we witnessed the public arrest of well dressed gentleman. Initial information suggested shady deals. Then later on while watching television news I saw the results of a failed drug plan that resulted in a helicopter crash and two deaths and the arrest of four others and ilegal drugs.

It reminded me of the many attempts people make to acquire money, albeit not all by legitimate means. In a world where there is the tendency to measure one's worth by their assests, it is easy to be sucked in to shady deals and get rich schemes which can often leave many trapped. Sadly, many christians get lured into these.

Let me remind you though, that material possesions is not the only measure of being blessed. Just the hope we have as christians that one day we will leave this miserable world to reign with Christ, empowers us to accept our lot knowing that we are blessed people. We can also give thanks in all things and accept God's provision in whatever form he provides. We then do not have to watch our backs as Prov 10:22 reminds us 'The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich , and he addeth no sorrow with it'.

So let me encourage you to remain thankful and always have a spirit of gratitude because 1 Timothy 6:6 says 'godliness with contentment is great gain'. Be blessed and stay free from sinful entanglings in a bid to feel blessed.

Shalom