I usually sit here in front of my laptop for a while every week trying to figure out what to write for my blog. Sometimes there are too many things I could write about. Other times I can't think of a single idea. This time, I had many ideas, but the topic of prayer came to me so fast and strong. God has impressed upon me that he wants me to write about what I've learned about prayer in the past week.
It all started on Monday, a day after Josiah and I arrived in Torremolinos. The many times of prayer we've had with this team. The team gathers for prayer and worship every Monday and Thursday. I was overwhelmed throughout the first session of the week by the fervent and passionate prayers of the people.
Second session. Even more passionate prayers. Prayers for the people affected by the earthquake in Morrocco. Prayers for our friends who have been affected. Prayers for our friends who have been serving those in that area. Prayers for our friend who is moving to France for school. Prayers for the language classes that were to start soon at the Center.
So, by the time we have finished our prayer time and transitioned to a going away party for our friend/ birthday party for me, I had moved on mentally from prayer and started to prepare myself for lots of conversations and other party-related fun things. I went down the stairs to the party and stood with some of my new friends, unsure what to do as people set food out and prepared everything. Seemingly out of nowhere, one of the staff members on the team walked out of the kitchen with a chocolate cake with my name on it (literally). Candles were lit on the top as everyone around me started to sing. I felt so surprised and overwhelmed with emotion that I began to cry. Once they sang in English and then in Spanish, the sweet friend who brought the cake out said that the tradition at the center is to pray over the... She asked if I would be okay with being prayed over. So, I said, "Yes!" probably too enthusiastically. While two volunteers prayed, I couldn't stop the tears from coming, so I just let them fall down my face... wow... this team barely even knows me and they want to pray over me! How overwhelmingly sweet!
The weekend went by, which was filled with more adventures and meeting more kind and warm people. On Monday, we had another prayer session, which was to be Josiah's last session. It was so sweet that we gathered around Josiah and prayed for him as he heads back to the United States and readjusts to the semester at UA. We also prayed for the discipleship school that is to start in a week. During this session, I was amazed by my friend's great faith. We prayed for this school with assurance that God would surely come through. With joy and peace that he would work all things together for the good of those who love him, as stated in Romans 8:28. Even the things that were not very clear were prayed for in a way that took away any doubt of our powerful God. Words were spoken from what they had seen, not with their human eyes, but their spiritual eyes. Their spiritual eyes are enabled by their faith in the Lord, in whom they trust with their whole heart. As we were praying, I silently prayed, "I want that kind of faith." It's an unstoppable and relentless faith. Faith that won't give up, knowing that God won't let us down.
During our coffee break, I got to talk with a friend, who has been so kind to host Josiah well in his home with his family. I asked him what he enjoys most about leading the discipleship training school. He told me that he loves to teach and model prayer. I thought that was really neat... And it just seems to drive this theme home.
~Kthnxbai!
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