by David Fawcett
Should we or shouldn't we?
That's a question we’ve probably all asked ourselves at some point when given the opportunity to receive prayer.
We wonder if our request is silly. Is it significant enough? Are we comfortable sharing with strangers in a public setting? Will we have the right words to describe the need? Do we even know what the need is?
At last Saturday's food pantry, a young couple faced this dilemma as they stood outside the atrium deciding whether to accept an initial invitation to enter the sanctuary for prayer or head to the exit and get on with their day.
After a few moments, one member of the All Saints' prayer team followed up to let them know prayer was available. They continued to privately discuss what to do before looking at each other and then nodding in the affirmative.
Once they entered the sanctuary, two other prayer team members then prayed with the couple, who we believe were food pantry first-timers.
The young woman opened up enough to share that the couple was facing a pregnancy challenge. Neither one showed much emotion, but they humbly received prayer for their need before departing.
There was no clarity on where they stood faith-wise or if they belonged to a church. But they clearly were receptive to prayer and receiving words of encouragement, peace and strength during this trying time in their lives. Seeds were planted.
We might never see these two again or know what happens to them. But at that moment, they responded to the Holy Spirit's nudging and the prayer members humbly ministered to them.
It was powerful to see.
Overall, they were among the 25 people who came through for prayer.
Prayer requests included work and immigration concerns, remaining in remission for breast cancer, wisdom for financial issues and healing from abdominal pain. One person came in just to say thank you.
Two people said they planned on coming to Sunday services since they had no church home. I know one of them did show up Sept. 14 for the 8:15 a.m. service with her daughter.
Finally, I will end with this story. There is a young man who comes in for prayer each month. And each month, he usually asks prayer for the same things, starting with luck and wanting to be a millionaire.
This time, he only wanted prayer for his father to be able to pay the bills. I know that the prayer team members have faithfully helped this young man each month to understand the proper purpose of prayer and they’ve done so with truth and grace. Clearly, God is working there.
A thank you to the Dorcas ministry for the shawls they make and then contribute. We handed out at least four of them and each woman who took one felt blessed. We also handed out a number of Hispanic and English-speaking Bibles and the always popular Beanie Babies for the kids.