Christian Living

---

Sometimes I catch myself in church, realising that I am not as focused as I should be. I might be wondering if I have enough money for the offering, or thinking about how to get my child to have a nap during the service. Maybe I am dwelling on a comment made from the pulpit, or reminding myself to catch up with someone afterwards, and meanwhile, haven’t followed the change of program. I am then taken by surprise when a hymn starts or everyone kneels for prayer. Often I can redirect my thoughts quickly, before I have gotten too distracted. It is awful to have this realisation in the middle of congregational prayer that I have not paid attention and wasted half the prayer time!

Today was like that. Our head elder shared the news of a former member who was desperately ill and in need of a liver transplant. We had an impromptu call for volunteers to lead a prayer. Four people came forward to the front of church and we all knelt to intercede for this lady.

As the first person prayed I heard his heartfelt reflections with a sense of detachment. He was so concerned, yet I didn’t have the same empathy. I wasn’t focused and I knew if I had the mind of Christ I would care infinitely more.

“Oh Lord, please forgive me for my lack of interest,” I prayed inwardly. “Please give me compassion. Help me to feel for this woman. Help me to care, and have love for her.”

The second person began to pray – a middle-aged man with two hearing aids who spoke with a low mumble. I wondered how effective he would be praying at the front of the church.

His prayer arrested my business-like scrutiny. His sincere words were touching; he spoke slowly and thoughtfully. As I listened, I found myself agreeing with his prayer and wanting to see hope in the woman’s health problem.

I noticed our PA assistant had put on some subtle background music during the prayer. It’s soft melody brought a calming influence and I felt uplifted. I appreciated this seemingly small detail.

Our next prayer leader was one of our deacons. He had made his first ‘public’ church prayer from the rostrum only two weeks ago. Now he was volunteering to pray at the front despite his nervousness and lack of ‘experience’. His commitment was inspiring.

“We pray for a suitable liver donor here,” he prayed. “But we know that someone has to die for another to live. We thank you God, for your death, that we might live.”

What a stunning parallel! My heart said Amen.

The last volunteer – the pastor’s wife - took the microphone. Her voice was gentle and her requests genuine. “She must feel very scared. Please give her courage and also guide and protect her family, who are supporting her and feeling fear also.”

I got more of a glimpse of the personal struggles this woman must be facing. At the end of the prayer session, I felt more compassion for her, and in the process had drawn closer to the heart of God.

God answered my prayer, not with a mystical wave of Godly love sweeping over me, but through the Spirit-filled examples of others.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE