7 Things in 7 Years: Prayer Changes Things
We were only a year in at Harvest when my precious sister fell ill and was left her fighting for her life. Within hours the news had spread around the church and people were on their knees praying for her.
Through no effort of my own, complete strangers in Harvest's overseas were also contacting me to say they were praying for her.
Harvest is a praying church.
Every Sunday before the service there are people praying. Kids ministry leaders are huddled, quietly praying for the little souls that are entrusted to their care. The worship team pray as they set up for another week and can be found praying in the corridors, 'to God be the glory'.
Even before you step inside the building, you are being prayed for by people who have came early. When people at Harvest say they will pray for you, they will.
I have learned though that prayer is not just a shopping list to recite to my God. Although I have liberty to make my requests known to God, I have been shown through my time at Harvest that prayer is so much more than that. It is a way to enrich my walk by spending time in communion with him. It is a way to try and fathom Him by ascribing His greatness. It is a way I can allow my heart to overflow with thankfulness and most importantly, it is a way I can try to align my will with his.
The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. Psalm 145:17-19