Witness from the prayer gathering for the Inspire Movement, seeking to make whole-life disciples of Jesus Christ.

We met for the first International Prayer Gathering of 2023, under the able and inspired leadership of the delightful Robin.  I suppose because it is more familiar now than it needs be, but we had folk in  Ireland, England and three in our house here in Texas – different countries, different continents, different times, one God.  It is too easy for the absolutely amazing to be taken for granted.

Robin led us with questions, and divided our time in sections: past, present, possible, prophecy, pledge and then part. How have we had joy in the Inspire Movement in the past year?  What do we lost for now?  What is possible?  

Peter and Liz from Ireland were there, and early on Peter said that the Lord brought to mind the verse when the young Samuel is first hearing the voice of the Lord, and doesn’t yet recognize it.  The priest Eli told the boy to say, “speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10)  

Later in the hour, when we came to the “prophecy”, Robin asked if anyone had a prophecy for any of us, or for Inspire. Peter again said the Scripture, and added something:

“I want to pray this over you, Frank, and over Brenda and Jerry Ann (my wife and a member our church attending the prayer meeting) and your congregation.  ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

What Peter did not know is that I had spent the night and morning before the meeting praying and studying, searching for a preaching series or direction for our church for 2023.  This is a time of new beginnings for us, any how am I going to lead?  I’m a retired, “part-time” pastor of a wonderful and dedicated church, with many multi-generational members.  I’m asked to choose the Scriptures,  choose the hymns, preach. What does the Lord want for us?  

I had been praying, and wrestling, and then Peter quoted, “speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”  

I did get some direction, and more than that I was reminded that in my prayers, in my wrestling and in my struggling, I am not alone.  We are not alone.  God is with us.  “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”  

Prayer is a powerful witness.  Amen.