In the previous post there was a question and some discussion as to why that kind of thing takes place here...? There were a couple of responses to it. I respond with...
Well said, Micah. I do believe it happens here because we trust it will happen here. But I also see it happening at a home on Huntington Blvd. in Fresno, a beach in SoCal, and a coffee shop in Spokane.
I didn't do it, I just listened and did and said what I was suppose to act upon. I trust that Jesus will speak to the person, if the person will take the time to listen and believe. I trust that the Savior is here to save not compound the problem. In all the years of praying, I am always touched in my heart and strengthened in my faith when I see the face of the person change when they are hearing the sweet, encouraging, understanding words of Jesus.
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This is not meant as a challenge, but I'm interested to see if you've had any experience praying this way with people who've been conditioned by traumatic experiences, physical/emotional abuse, and things of that nature. Women who've been abused by men, parental abuse, sexual abuse, incenst, abuse because of prejudices, racially motivated coercion and crimes...
If you have, what have those experiences been like?
I've had two friends in pretty bad situations. One practiced self-harm because she felt perpetually guilty. God was always telling her to "repent," for any of her emotions that didn't fit in the category of joy. She agreed with God's instruction to repent for not always being happy and decided to cut.
Another friend has been treated inappropriately by guys multiple times and tends to retreat and bottle it up inside. God tends to tell her similar things as my other friend: it's not ok to mourn. So she's quick to hear that and continues bottling it up.
Do you ever have similar experiences, when experiences and conditioning masquerade as the voice of God? I'm not sure what to do in those situations.
I know you weren't asking me these questions, but I often struggled with knowing what was from God and what wasn't. So, He used his words from the bible. When I sought out relationships, He said "seek first the kingdom." When I was sad, lonely, and had a hole that couldn't be fixed and looked to the wrong places and asked what will help me and who? He answered, "I am." As He spoke to me with what I had read in the bible, I learned His voice. I learned about Him. I then got better at deciphering what was truth and what wasn't. Journaling my thoughts and feelings also helped, as I was able to look back and see how God worked in my life. I was able to see how He had been there through the rough times.
Anyway, that's how I did it. I just thought I would share, seeing as how I feel their struggles. Be their prayer warrior. God bless you and your friends and may you truly know his voice.
I like what the anonymous comment says about using God's word to discern God's voice, and encouraging you to be their prayer warrior. I know people in similar situations, and God's Word is the best comfort and dicerner that I know.
James, what would friend one have done with the verse "do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)?
Or what would friend two have done with the verse "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4)?
May they both have the comfort and the riches of the Advocate...
Here is another amazing verse that I read today. Jesus says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10).
Thanks, Erin. We had a few conversations about the Col. passage. She said that the Jews would cut themselves (blood-letting) for various reasons (health, mourning), and that doing was a way to mourn that connected her deeply to God...a way for her to pray. And then she started giving me examples from the Shabbats. For her it had become something holy...
I think that's what we tend to do in prayer---we pray in ways that connect us deeply. Ways that confirm our sense of protection, joy, saftey, who knows what, to ourselves. I know I often pray by remembering passages, stories, memories, bits of poems...things I'm identifying with...and ask God to come there. That's me though, usually a little bit inside my head.
I'm not very inclined to pray for wisdom, which is a weakness of mine; even after being invited to in Matthew 7, and promised a response. It's just something I struggle to do. I think that's why I really appreciate your suggestions (and anonymous's) to do so alongside scripture.
Thanks for prompting great discussion....
Tony, so good to read up on what the Lord is doing in and through you. I so appreciate your heart for bringing Jesus to all you come in contact with. God bless you and Calvin Crest this summer.
Sorry to take so long in getting back to you James but yes I have prayed a lot with people who have had extreme traumatic experiences with ritual, sexual, physical,and mental abuses. And it is the same way of praying.
Whether it is abuse or future planning, I always listen to what His heart and instructions are instead of asking Jesus to ordain my needs and plans...
Hurrah for coffee shops in Spokane!! Hope you are well Tony, think of and pray for you guys and the ministry up there often.
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