thankful: my wife

Today, I am thankful for my wife. God has truly blessed me with a very thoughtful and supportive wife. She has a big caring and compassionate heart. When God put us together I knew that we were a good match, but each day  I am seeing more and more how great a match we really are. I love that she supports me in prayer and is my best friend in whom I can confide in. But who is also someone I can joke around and relax with. She helps me to be better. I know that we have only just begun our journey through life together, but honestly, I couldn't imagine life without her now. We are a team and my prayer is that we would grow stronger and stronger in our covenant to be partners for life.

In Genesis 2:18, God says, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him" (NIV). I am learning just how true these words are and when we wait on God to bring us to our spouse and our spouse to us, it is always on time and just right. Both of us have spent our fair share of time chasing after people, hoping that they would be right for us, that they would be suitable for us. But, each time all we found was a distorted and broken love. Then, we met God and He began filling us with His love and an amazing thing happened, our own hearts began to heal. And with the healing of our hearts we were transformed into the suitable helpers that each of us needed. God always knows what we need, even when we are clueless - God knows. Have you every prayed that God would transform you into the suitable helper for your spouse? God has someone very special for you, but we need to learn to trust that God knows who that is and that He will join you with that person in just the right time. So keep praying and trusting! God knows!

Mobile Prayer Station: DAY 34

What can I say about today? Well, my friend Dave came out today. He is on staff with the campus ministry InterVarsity and works predominately with the art schools in Chicago. After giving Dave a little "orientation" about the Mobile Prayer Station we chatted until God drew Hilda to us, who came up inquiring about dream interpretation. When, we asked her about her dreams she said she didn't really remember any of them, so we asked if we could pray for her. During the prayer time Dave got an image of a drawing of a butterfly that looked like it was drawn by a kid. We found out later that she actually works with kids. When he shared this image with Hilda she was amazed. It was obvious that butterflies hold some significance to her. But, then she started to ask Dave if he had any kids and if they drew pictures, maybe even of butterflies. What I believe Hilda was doing was trying to find an answer in the natural realm for the supernatural prophetic revelation. But, isn't that what we do? When something unexplainable happens, our immediate reaction is to try to find some sort of logical explanation for it, rather than accepting that maybe something supernatural did just happened. Hopeful I will see Hilda again. 

I did get to do one dream interpretation for a man who was with a couple teenagers who were on a one day mission trip in the city from a church in Elgin. It wasn't really a recent dream he had, but still - he shared that he was flying in his dream and then all of sudden started falling, but God took hold of his hand and pulled him up. While he was talking, I was silently asking God to bring revelation and interpretation to the dream. This is what came up, I told the man that him flying meant God was planning to give him some sort of breakthrough in his life and that he could trust that God will carry him through which was highlighted by God catching him when he was falling. It was a seemingly straightforward interpretation which I was grateful for (being my first one out here). I asked him if that seemed right in thinking back when he had the dream and he said it seemed right. Very cool! I also got to pray for him and the kids before they left while Dave had his hands full talking with William. What can I say about William except that Dave and I spent at least 30 minutes if not more talking with him about faith and life (Dave must have talked with him for a solid 30 minutes before I joined the conversation because I was talking with some other people). Let me say this, William has some issues with God. But, rather than start the story here, I think I'll retell the whole story on Day 35 because not only did we pray for William but God actually answered our prayers for William and did some pretty amazing things which he came back around to tell us. So stay tuned...


There were a couple more people who I got to pray with (while Dave was talking with William). First, there was Jeff who I know and while I was talking with Jeff, Harry came up. So, the three of us were talking when Jeff said he had to go, but before he left I prayed for rest for him and that God would give him dreams of his destiny. After he left and I turned back to Harry, who looked straight at me and said, "you need to pray for me." He shared how he felt that God was calling him to be bolder in his faith and to even preach the Gospel. Very cool! So, I prayed into this and some other things that the Holy Spirit brought to mind. Afterwards, he said that he felt like my words were coming right from the Holy Spirit because I hit everything that he's been holding in heart hoping to get prayer for. I just love it when God just shows up and loves on people. Harry's story also doesn't end here, but also continues on into Day 35. I love it when prayers are answered and people actually come back to share them with me. But, rather than make you wait on this one, I'll finish the story here. So, on Day 35 Harry came back around and said that since we prayed together, his faith has increased and he has been feeling more confident in God's presence in his life. Some of his fears are still lingering, but he doesn't feel immobilized by them. Praise God! My friend Nate who came out got the words baby steps and shared with Harry that he can trust that God will walk him through these first few small steps. Thank you Jesus!

Mobile Prayer Station: DAY 32

So my friend Rachel came out to the Mobile Prayer Station today. We had a great time talking about faith and life with each other. Throughout the day, we said hi to people as they sped on by. Some were friendly while some were not so friendly. In total, two people stopped for prayer. I had the great honor to be able to pray with Cindy, who had first stopped by last week, about some relational things happening in her life while Rachel got to pray with Greg, who was a bit nervous about us praying for him, but he did stop nonetheless. What I've learned over these past weeks is to be gentle yet direct with people. 

I was very glad to see Cindy again. If there is one thing that I really do enjoy is when I get to see people more than once. It's always better after the first relational encounter because of the inevitable awkwardness that comes from the newness of relationship. It's funny how connected you can feel to someone after you've prayed together. For me, I am always overwhelmed by God's heart towards His creation. He truly is a loving Creator who cares deeply for those whom He has created. That's why I will always pray for greater revelation of God's Hand in a person's life because (I know I must say this a lot but) knowing God is more than just knowledge, it's also experience. 

I've just spent the last three days at the Jesus Culture Awakening conference where the focus was on revival. There was much that went on and I know that I have been forever changed because of how God drew close to me during my time at the conference. There is something unique that happens when people gather together to worship God. It's like God releases a corporate anointing on those gathered that doesn't happen when we are worshiping God privately in our homes and rooms. But, what I wanted to share with you was a statement that Kim Walker, one of the members of the band Jesus Culture, said "If you're not passionate about Jesus it's because you haven't experienced just how much He loves you." What an amazingly true statement. Knowing God is more than just knowledge, it's also experience. 

If you haven't experienced just how much Jesus loves you, than I highly suggest that you ask Him to personally encounter you with His love. I would even add that you ask someone you know to pray with you. Maybe even asking Jesus to encounter you both with a life changing encounter of His love. Believe me, you will not disappoint. Jesus is faithful and if there's one thing that I've learned over the years is that Jesus loves to draw near to those who ask Him. 

Mobile Prayer Station: DAY 19

Wow, was it hot out, so today I camped out in the shade. I was still on the same corner, but off a little to the side under a tree. Now, a question that I've been reflecting on since DAY 1 has been: What does it mean to offer a service of prayer to the community?  I am continually revisiting this question as I stand on the street. If, my focus is truly for the people of the community, than I need to be continually positioning my heart towards them in humility. Again, I'm not out here to accomplish some sort of agenda, but solely out here to bless the people of the community with prayer: to go before our Father in Heaven on their behalf with the burdens and desires of their hearts. 

Over the years, the LORD has taken me on a journey of prayer. I can still remember the first years of my salvation and my fear (almost immobilizing at times) of praying aloud in front of people. You see, I was also deathly afraid of public speaking and praying aloud meant doing both. During this season, most of my fears centered on the style and elegance of my prayers. I was so afraid of stumbling over my words or worse yet I'd forget what exactly I was praying, lose my train of thought and then there'd be this long awkward silence. So, oftentimes I would practice what I was going to say in my head a few times before I prayed just to make sure I had it down. Sound familiar? I hope so because I'd hate think I'm no only one, but I have a feeling this is a pretty common. I was stuck projecting an image to God of how I thought I needed to be, rather than simply pursuing intimacy with God  and being real with Him. But, prayer during this season was more about me praying than about connecting with God. 


Fast forward a few years and now I'm in Seminary studying to be a pastor/missionary and I remember being even more terrified of public prayer. You see, going to a Christian university means praying before class. Usually the professor prays but there are those who will choose students to pray instead. Let me tell you, boy did I get nervous in those first few moments before class when I would see the professor surveying the students. But, this time most of my fear came from not wanting to say the "wrong" thing meaning I was afraid that my fellow students were going to critique my prayers to make sure they were theologically sound which was actually a pretty common fear among the students that I actually talked with about this. Needless to say, I've always felt so much pressure when it comes to prayer. Now here I am praying on a street corner for strangers. Who'd a guessed? Only God. 

Sure, there's a lot more to this journey of prayer that the LORD has taken me on, but at the heart of it has always been the reality that God loves talking with me (and you) and shame on those who would critique and judge our prayers because there really is no wrong way to pray. Now for those of you who would say otherwise, I encourage you to read through Psalm 88 and get back to me. You see, I believe God's heart is bigger than anything that we can throw at Him. When I look back on my prayer life, I see a journey of grace, love and transformation. Living this side of Heaven means that we will go through different seasons of faith and life, but we should never feel like we can't go to our Father in Heaven with the hurts and burdens of our hearts. No matter how angry, hurt, bitter, jealous, even volatile we may feel and be at the time, we need to trust that God is bigger and can handle it. God would much rather that we be real with Him and pursue intimacy with Him, than be shallow and superficial with Him by projecting some image to Him of how we think we should be.


The devil would also love to stop us from praying to God, even discourage us by getting us believing that there is a set way or form when it comes to prayer, which indirectly implies that there is a wrong way to pray. The devil knows that if he can drive a wedge between us and God, then he can rob us from experiencing God's love, protection, favor, blessing and provisions. So, I'll put the question out there again: Is there a wrong way to pray? I'm hoping you're catching my heart on this. God meets us right where we're at and He loves us unconditionally. Just recently, I was asked a question from a fellow believer who put her faith on hold for awhile. She asked me, "Gerry, do you think that God's mad at me for not praying and talking to Him for so long?" I told her, "No, God never holds any resentment towards us, He loves us unconditionally and is simply delighted and overjoyed every time that we choose to pray and talk with Him." God loves being in relationship with us and waits patiently for us to begin pursuing Him just as passionately as He is continually pursuing us. 


So, back to the question: What does it mean to offer a service of prayer to the community?  I believe it means praying for people's spoken and unspoken needs. I fully understand that stepping out in prayer can be scary at times and I'm not here to judge or critique their prayer requests, I'm only here to stand with them in order to ask our Father in Heaven to draw near to them (sometimes for the very first time) through prayer. Today, I was honored to be able to do that for Paloma, Jim and Kiomi. I know from personal experience that God is able and the longer I lean into Jesus for strength and security, the more confident I've become in prayer. And I pray that God would impart to every person I am privileged to pray with the grace, confidence and understanding that He has given me to them when it comes to prayer. So this is my prayer: Faither God, pour out your grace on people and empower them to draw near to you. Set them free from fear, shame and guilt and release more love, life and redemption into their lives. In Jesus Name, Amen. 

Mobile Prayer Station: DAY 11

It felt really good to be back on the street. Missing Friday (because of my Commencement rehearsal) and Saturday (because of my Commencement from Graduate school plus rain) was hard. There was a part of me that would have rather skipped my graduation in order to be on the street with the Mobile Prayer Station. I'm really enjoying serving the community in this way and kind of beginning to see myself as part of the community which is a neat feeling. 

For most of the day I quietly stood by the prayer sign, not really engaging too many people. It was sunny out today but extremely windy. There weren't that many people out and those who were seemed to be in a hurry on such a brisk day. My sense of the spiritual atmosphere of most people today was one of blasé. I think we are all tired of the bipolar weather and concerned about the rising gas prices. But, I also got the sense from the Holy Spirit that there are a lot of wounded people walking around which moved me to pray for hope, asking God to release hope into people's hearts and lives. Revival was also on the Father's heart, so I prayed for revival every hour I was out today. 

I did get to connect with Jeff who has been coming by from time to time to chat with me about faith and life. We talked about Rahm Emanuel's inauguration, the city of Chicago's financial state and basketball. At the very end of the day, I got to pray with Jeff, asking God to bring healing to his lungs and for the revitalization of his prayer life. I really don't think it was a coincidence for this because for most of the day I felt impressed by the LORD to pray for both Divine and spiritual curiosity, that as people saw the prayer sign that they would begin to reflect on the meaning and significance of prayer and the reality of a spiritual realm and of a Creator. 

I had a very good time conversing with Jesus today, I would literally ask Him to ignite spiritual curiosity and reflections on prayer in 15 minute blocks and as people walked by I was stirred in my spirit to thank the LORD for doing just this. But there were also times when someone walked by and I would want to thank the LORD for stirring their heart when the Holy Spirit restrained me from this because the LORD didn't do that for that person. But, then there were other times where I couldn't thank the LORD quick enough for leading people to reflect of prayer. Maybe this sounds silly to some, but when I talk to the LORD He talks back, not in a booming audible voice but more like a whisper or in my thoughts. Jesus tells us that He is the good Shepherd and that He knows His sheep and His sheep know His voice (John 10:1-18). It's true. 

Now, I know that it's not all about me, but I had a good time with the LORD as He lead me in how I should pray and intercede for people and the community. I am going to miss being out on the street this week because I am going to visit my brother and his family in San Antonio, Texas. I will be back in a week. I know life will go on, but like I said, I've really come to enjoy offering this service of prayer to the community. Not only is it a good time praying and talking with people, but it's also been a pretty sweet time listening and talking with the LORD and getting a greater sense of His heart towards His many lost children wandering about Wicker Park and also His desire for bringing revival and redemption to the community. So, it looks like the Mobile Prayer Station will be closed for a week, very sad. But please continue to pray for grace, open doors and freedom. Thank you!

Mobile Prayer Station: DAY 9

I've come to realize that everyday is going to be different. I say this because there really is such a diverse collection of people who live in the Wicker Park area and I see most of them. Add to this reality the fact that people are all at different places in both faith and life and well needless to say, "Everyday is an adventure!" For the most part being out on the street isn't as confrontational as you may think. Most people are more curious than anything else. Sure, there are those who are a bit more guarded and apprehensive and those who think I'm a fool for being out there, even those who are offended by my very presence on the street. I find it hardest to connect and interact with people who have been hurt or burned by the church. I am praying that as I am being obedient to the LORD in being available to Him and the community for prayer, He will bring healing to people and reignite hope in the community. 

Despite the dark and glooming day, I still got to pray with Jeff, who has 4 years sobriety under his belt. I told him I have 8 years clean time. It was very cool talking with him, he's an older gentlemen maybe in his late early 60s. He shared some of his life journey with me and I did the same. He was on his way to a doctor's appointment because he has about 60% lung capacity from 40 years of smoking. I asked if I could pray and ask God to heal his lungs which he said yes. After praying, he said that he lives right across the street and said that if I'm out tomorrow he'll come by to talk and have me pray for him again. I love it! Building bridges with people in the community one relationship at a time (sounds catchy, I must have heard that somewhere at sometime). Anyways, that's all any of us can do. I truly believe that the more that we step out in love and obedience, the more God will bless the work of our hands. 

There is a great harvest coming, but this means that we all need to do our part in tilling the soil and sowing seed. It's through intercessory prayer that we till the soil of both the community and people's hearts. And it's through being in relationship that we are given the opportunity to sow seeds of faith, hope and love. So this is my prayer: that the God of the universe who moved heaven and earth in order to be in relationship with us by allowing His Son Jesus to come and die on a cross for our sins would actively anoint and empower His children to do the work of His Kingdom. Holy Spirit we ask that You would begin simplifying our lives, making us more available to the LORD to do what He has placed on our hearts to do. In Jesus' Name, Amen. 

Mobile Prayer Station: DAY 7

The weather today ended up being pretty phenomenal. When I first arrived at the park (4:00pm) it actually started drizzling a little. But, after about 10 minutes it stopped and the sun came out and it was simply gorgeous. Right after I set up, my friend Mat came walking across the street. It was definitely a nice surprise. We talked for a bit and he ended up praying for me. It was very encouraging. If you haven't noticed yet, I love prayer! Even while we were talking, Mat got a sense of something from God and ended up prayerfully walking around the perimeter of the park. I'm telling you, God is in this and if you stop by you will experience His presence.  

Today, was filled with lots of "hellos" and "what's ups." I think people may be getting used to me or maybe I'm just getting used to being on the street or may be God is showing me grace and giving me favor. It's mostly likely all of the above. Regardless, I am beginning to see some familiar faces. I got to pray with Suzanne again, whom I prayed with last week which was really encouraging because I am interested in building bridges and relationships with people in the community. Win. There were also people who remembered me from last week and said he to me with that tone of familiarity. Double win. 

People are getting used to me. I feel like this is due to the fact that I am being more light than heat. What the LORD has been continually impressing on me is that I am here to provide a service for the community. I'm not trying to preach at people or convert people or even force prayer on people (heat), what I'm doing is offering people a prayer service and if they are in need of prayer I am making myself available to pray with them (light). That is all. Now maybe other people have different understandings of what it means to be a light in the world, for me it means serving the world and offering them what I feel is most valuable to me: prayer. Prayer is the opportunity to allow God love on us. And at the end of the day that's my heart's desire that people would be touched by the love of God. If you're in the area, come by and see me! I've been tweeting the times I'm out there, so following me on Twitter. I will be on the corner of Damen and Wicker Park Avenue. You can't miss me, I'll be the one by the sign...

Mobile Prayer Station: DAY 4

Today there weren't that many people walking around today which I'm thinking may have been due to the chance for scattered showers weather forecast. Needless to say, I was kind of glad there weren't that many people out today because I felt a lot of hostility from people which was a bit discouraging. Now, I know that this is all part of the package of this street prayer ministry and I'm ok with that, but it still doesn't take away the sting. It was like nobody was even slightly interested in even saying hi to me. I was ignored most of the time. I even got some sneers and eyes rolled at me today. One man had to forcibly restrain himself from just going off on me. Thankfully by God's grace, I just smiled and wished him a wonderful day which seemed to really throw him off balance. Proverbs 15:1 comes to mind, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."  

So, I spend much of the day with my head buried in the bible reading through the middle part of Isaiah. It was good because I found refuge and comfort in God's Word that reminded me that God is the Creator of the universe (Isaiah 42:5) and that there is no reason to be afraid because He is with me (Isaiah 43:5; 44:8), He is Savior (Isaiah 43:11) and that no one can snatch anyone out of His hand (Isaiah 43:13). Thank you Lord. I did pray for people today, and what I really felt impressed to pray for the people I saw was for the revelation of Christ. Over and over again, person after person, I was moved to pray for the revelation of Christ to be birthed in people's hearts which may be telling of the people I encountered today maybe even the spiritual condition of the Wicker Park area at large.

I find what happened today interested because I spent the first part of my time today praying for revival. More specifically, I prayed against the principalities of lust, drunkenness, greed, anger and hate. I prayed that God would release hope into the area where there was hopelessness, love where there was hate and peace where there was anger. So, maybe it's no surprise that in engaging with the darkness of over this area of the city, I was confronted with opposition and hostility. Maybe I'm over spiritualizing all of this, but I tell you, when I left the park I literally had my tail between my legs, that's how discouraged I felt. It was like I couldn't get away from that area fast enough. I was even telling myself that I hope it rains tomorrow so that I wouldn't have to come out. But, God's faithful and I believe it is through answering people's prayers that I have been renewed. So, thank you for your prayers. I am feeling much better and yes I will be heading back out tomorrow.

Mobile Prayer Station: DAY 2

Today was more about me than others. I was dragging my feet today because it was pretty chilly out. But then I heard the Lord ask me: "Are you a fair-weather Christian?" Now I know this could have had a variety of meanings, for my situation it seemed to touch on both the physical (the weather) and the spiritual (commitment and obedience). You see, when the Lord first gave me the vision for the Mobile Prayer Station, I had a strong impression that it was to be a daily ministry. At the heart of the ministry is to make prayer available to the lost children of God by going into their midst. Prayer has been described many ways, but I believe the best description of prayer is this: spending time with God and allowing Him to lavish His grace and love upon you. From the beginning that has always been my sense of God's heart in all of this. He wants to touch people through me with His love and grace.

To be honest there weren't many people out today because of the weather. But of the few people I saw, I prayed for, not with but for. I need to confess something, I am sometimes afraid of getting prophetic revelations from God because I'm afraid of the responsibility of stewarding these revelations. But the more I thought this through, the more I begin to see the foolishness of my ways. I felt the Holy Spirit lovingly nudge me through this by asking me "Who are you to reject revelation from God?" Let me tell you, in that moment all of my wishy-washiness about receiving prophetic revelation from God dissipated. The Holy Spirit was right (of course), if the God of the universe desires to reveal things to me, I best listen. So after repenting for my fear and foolishness I begin listening and asking God for prophetic revelation about the people walking by. So for the rest of time, God spoke and I prayed.

Furthermore, the Holy Spirit reminded me of something He spoke to me many years ago. Roughly around 8 years ago, I was stopped at a red light while driving my car. Now, as I was watching this lady walk cross the street, the Spirit of God overwhelmed me with an urgency to pray for this woman and I quote the Spirit's voice in verbatim here: "No one has ever prayed for her, neither her name nor her image has ever been brought before the throne of God." When I heard this, my heart broke. Needless to say, I couldn't begin to pray for her fast enough.

Now even though I didn't get to pray with anyone today. I did get to pray for quite a few people and I am betting that for many of them it may have been the very first time their image was ever brought before the throne of God. Think about this reality as you spend your day, of the many people you will see, even talk to today how many of them do you think have never ever been prayed for? How many of them have never had their name or image brought before God's throne of grace? You could be the first. "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:16 NLT)

Mobile Prayer Station: DAY 1

Today marks Day 1 of the Mobile Prayer Station. I ended up setup the prayer sign at the corner of Damen & Wicker Park Avenue right at one of the entrances into Wicker Park. I arrived around 3:30pm and stood nervously wondering what would become of the next few hours. So, I said a quick prayer for the courage to unpack the sign. Immediately, I felt God's peace and slowly setup the sign when two skateboarders came rolling up.  One of them looked at the sign, then at me and said, "I'm encouraged already." I couldn't have asked for a better launch. But, it gets better. 

Right after the kids left, an ice cream vender came by and we started chatting. It wasn't long before he shared that he was just beginning his ice cream business. While we were talking two girls came and bought some ice cream from him. Lao was very friendly and welcoming. After the sale, Lao asked me what the sign was all about and I told him that I was here to pray for people. He asked me how it worked (I could tell he was interested). So, I told him that I could ask God to bless his new business and family which I ended up doing. I could tell he was nervous, but God's presence and grace helped to ease the awkwardness. Afterward, Lao went on his merry way.

Over the next hour, I smiled and said hi to people. I really don't think people knew how to react. They'd read the sign, looked at me and then back to the sign. I got all kinds of reactions from smiles to confused looks to stonefaced stares. Mark was this 10 year old boy who was riding his Razor scooter round and round the park. He must have pasted me a half dozen times. Each time saying hi. Finally, he stopped and all he said was "hope?" I told I could pray for hope for him and he said "ok" so I did. He bowed his head with me and everything and then he was off again. 

Next, a homeless woman named Denise came and we sat on the near by bench for awhile and talked about her family. She shared her heart with me and I prayed for her. If you're reading this please remember the Weeks family in your prayers. They truly need God to come and rescue them from addiction. I have a feeling that I will be seeing lots of Denise over the next few weeks. Later on, one of her friends Maurice came rolling over in his wheelchair and stopped right in front of my sign and asked me to pray a blessing for Osama Bin Laden. I told him sure, but  that I'd rather pray a blessing over him. He then proceeded to press me on why I didn't want to pray for Osama which I replied I'll pray for both of you. So, I prayed a blessing over Osama Bin Laden's family and asked God to bring healing and redemption to them and then prayed a blessing over Maurice. He thanked me and rolled off. 

The last woman I had the privilege to pray for was Suzanne. She came beelining for me from across the street. She stood right in front of me and said, "I could so use some encouragement right now" so we talked for a little. I asked her how I could pray and she shared her day with me. I prayed for her and then we talked some more. And I prayed for her again. She cried and then she smiled. God showed up. We ended up talking for at least 20 minutes until she had to leave to got pick up her two kids from daycare.

I ended up leaving around 6:40pm. I was planning on staying until 7:00pm, but the wind kicked up something fierce and it got extremely chilly. I am looking forward to returning to the same spot tomorrow. I think people just need to get used to me being there. I was blessed by God today to be able to pray with 5 people, but really was given the opportunity to pray for dozens upon dozens of people as they walked by. What the Holy Spirit impressed upon me most was to pray for the Father's love to be released into people's lives and for the healing of their  wounded, broken and beat-up hearts. "Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sin" (1 Peter 4:8 NLT).

Lindsey Kane: HE KNOWS

This is such a timely song for me because since coming back from Tanzania I've been feeling a bit disconnected. Now I know that this is natural in transitioning back Stateside, but on a heart level this disconnectedness has gotten me in touch with a deeper sense of loneliness that's always been within my heart. My sense is that this revelation is not a coincidence but purposeful by the Lord so that He can bring healing to the pain and burden of this loneliness that finds comfort in isolation, rather than in community. 

Just the other day I heard these words in my spirit "I know your pain." Then the Holy Spirit flashed in my mind pictures of Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane and the great anguish and loneliness He felt  in having to face the coming trial of the Cross (Matthew 26:36-45). He truly knows the deep pain of loneliness because He's been there. In that moment, He felt utterly alone, but rather than isolating Himself He sought the fellowship of both the Father (vv. 39, 42, 44) and the other disciples (vv. 40, 45).

This has moved me to begin asking the Lord to help me to remain faithful through this coming season as He pulls me from this loneliness and not isolate myself or seek after less than healthy or pure avenues to self-medicate this loneliness. But, to seek the comfort of the Father and the fellowship of the Body of Christ. Somehow I feel like I'm probably not the only one who feels this way. So this is my prayer: "Help us Lord, to find comfort in the fact that You know the pain of our loneliness and that we can trust that You will lead us out of this loneliness and into the comfort and joy of fellowship, both with the Father and others, as You bring healing to our brokenness. In Your Name Jesus, we pray amen."

Vineyard UK: come to me

This song seems fitting for the days I've walked around the village of Mlangali in Tanzania, Africa visiting families in their homes. At every turn I was confronted by poverty and sickness, people living in less then acceptable shelters while suffering with various insufferable health issues. I met a man today working his farm with what seemed like a fractured leg, a woman with a persistent cough, another man with severe back pain, many children coughing with runny noses and others with various sores and painful ailments. At one point, a woman came looking for me (and my translator) as she must have heard that I was visiting and praying for people. She asked for prayer for her husband whom she said literally lost his mind one day and gave away everything the family owned leaving them in poverty with nothing.

It’s painfully obvious that the kingdom of darkness is actively at work in oppressing people and stealing their hope for a future. The reality of Jesus’ words couldn’t ring truer, “The thief [devil] comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10 ESV). God is life and He desires to bless people with an abundant life. Throughout the day, I was reminded by Holy Spirit that God cares for every aspect of each and every person. He cares about their physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual needs. At each home I was overwhelmed with great compassion for the family, Christ’s compassion, and as I was talking with them about their lives all my heart wanted to do was pray that God would intervene in their lives and restore all that the devil has stolen, killed and destroyed. Thankfully, I had an opportunity to pray for just about every family I visited. Praise the Lord!

simple Fruit

Over the last several years, the Lord has been simplifying my life. This has been an inward transformative work by the Holy Spirit that is now bearing outward fruit. This simple, yet lasting fruit is allowing me to be content in the midst of a town called Morogoro, Tanzania. I have been here for the last few days waiting on a translator while my friend David is in Dar es Salaam procuring a car among other goods for our journey. Morogoro is a rural town with not much in terms of modern world amenities. It is a simple life here, where the power can go out at any moment (just the other day, January 17, 2011, it was out for nearly 10 hours). Small street side shops line dusty roads while others sell their wares on sidewalks. The larger shops have generators which are a God send when the power fails.

Now what the Holy Spirit has been highlighting to me is that it is by the grace of God I can be content here (or anywhere for that matter). You maybe saying well of course, but the way this grace has been apportioned to me is two-fold. First, providentially there is the inward transformative work He’s done in freeing me from the stranglehold of materialism which has helped me to gain a greater eternal perspective on life in general. It’s sad how much influence materialism has and consumerism for that matter (because you can’t have materialism without consumerism) in clouding a person’s judgment and perspective. Add to this the many years the Lord has impressed upon me the need to live a fasted lifestyle also helps to keep the world at bay. The fruit of much of this good work has manifested itself in the contentment of living a simple lifestyle.

This is not to say that I don’t need or want things because I do, but these desires no longer control me. Pressing into the Lord is becoming more and more of my first impulse rather than a second, third, even last resort. Case and point, I’ve spent a day fasting and praying alone in my room while here in Morogoro because seeing the Father’s Kingdom agenda happen has become more important than sightseeing or eating out. Again, I give all praise to God for this because it is by His providential grace of transformation through the Holy Spirit that this is now my passion and reality. Secondly, I would add that God is continually lavishing His grace upon all people, but it is His children who have learned to more readily receive and depend on His grace. Compound this with the prayers of my supporters and I truly am blessed. His grace truly is new each and every morning and I feel His grace through their prayers. If this is you, THANK YOU! Together we can by God's grace!

The 420 Prayer Movement: STORY

Do you believe God can transform a person's life? Well, God supernaturally changed mine. I was hopelessly addicted to drugs. But, God changed all of that. The Kingdom of God broke in power into my life and I was forever changed. What's your story? Share it here.

The 420 Prayer Movement: VISION

I'm pretty excited about where God is taking the 420 Prayer Movement. One of the next steps in this coming year is to become a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. You can read more about this here. Do you know someone struggling with drug or alcohol addiction? The 420 Prayer Movement is dedicated to praying for all addicts and acoholics: http://ww.420prayer.com/ 

WFJ: Wrestling for Jesus

What do you think? Personally, I think it's awesome that there are evangelist wrestlers that travel from town to town wrestling and preaching the Gospel. I mean Jesus tells us that, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" (Luke 10:2). Well, this video is proof that the Lord of the harvest is actively sending out workers into His harvest field. In this case the wrestling lovers harvest field.

When's the last time you ask the Lord of the harvest to raise up laborers? I'd like to invite you into a movement going round called the "Luke 10:2b" virus where people are setting their cell phone alarms to go off at 10:02 am everyday, in order to ask the Lord of the harvest to raise up laborers. Let's join together in one voice and Spirit to begin begging the Lord for more workers! Set your cell phone alarm today.

Sky Lantern Festival 2010

In watching this video I am again reminded of just how fast paced of a world that we live in. Do you have days where it seems like you are just going and going and going? I know I do. It is so difficult sometimes to just slow down and be: to unplug myself from my iPhone, the Internet and all the many avenues of communication (thanks to social networking) that are at our fingertips and go offline for a moment in order to connect with God. That's what I love about the Sky Lantern Festival, it gives people a moment to pause from the busyness and write prayers containing their wishes, hopes and dreams on sky lanterns that then float up to heaven. If only more people would pause nightly to offer up their own sky lanterns of prayer to the one and only living God who loves it when we speak with Him about our wishes, hopes and dreams. How wonderfully beautiful life could be...

Biblical Prayer

During my time at Trinty Evangelical Divinity School, I've had the opportunity to both personally interact and learn from Don Carson. He is a man filled with grace and truth and has a deep passion to see Christ formed in people. In this short interview through the Gospel Coalition, Dr. Carson unpacks some of the ins and outs of biblical prayer. Enjoy!

The 4:20 Prayer Movement has begun...

In the drug culture world, there is a significant time of the day, 4:20 pm which is known globally as the universal time to get high. At 4:20 people all across the Earth either by themselves or together get high on marijuana (or other drugs).

Over this past week, I've really felt lead by God to start a prayer ministry called the 4:20 Prayer Movement.The story behind all of this was on March 2nd, 2009, at 4:20 pm God reminded me of all the people (including many old friends) who were at that moment getting high, but it wasn't until a few days later on March 5th, while I was sitting in my car waiting in line at a local car wash that I felt the Spirit of God tell me to start praying for those getting high at 4:20. So, I prayed that God would intersect into their lives, so that they would encounter Him, the living God, and that He would set them free from their addictions.

After praying, I felt God telling me to begin looking through the New Testament at all the 4:20 verses, in order to help guide me in my prayers. So, that's what I did, now as I was reading through these verses three stood out: Matthew 4:20, Mark 4:20 and 1 Corinthians 4:20. As I further meditated on these verses, I felt the Holy Spirit showing me how I needed to be praying for those struggling with drug addiction. First, I needed to ask that the kingdom of God would break into their lives in power (1 Corinthians 4:20). Secondly, that those getting high would leave their current lifestyles, in order to follow Jesus (Matthew 4:20). And thirdly, that one day their hearts would be transformed into the good soil that hears and accepts God's Word and bears abundant good fruit (Mark 4:20).

So, this is what I did. I set my alarm clock on my cell phone to go off at 4:20 pm. daily, so that I could begin praying these three verses and interceding for those who were getting high right at that moment. Now, it wasn't until a few days later, when I was telling a good friend of mine about all of this that he said to me: "I'd join you doing that!" that's when it dawn on me to begin the 4:20 Prayer Movement.

It's really easy to join, just set your cell phone alarm to 4:20 pm and when it goes off, begin praying the three verses. Now, if you personally know people struggling with drug addiction then I suggest you pray specifically for them by name. Remember, drug addiction is messy and untangling a person's heart from the drug lifestyle is a process. So, the importance in covering the drug addicted with consistent faithful prayer is crucial to their freedom. Thank you for your love, compassion and obedient faithfulness to Jesus' call to set the oppressed free.