This chapter kind of cut me to the heart.
Lee Stroebel opens by talking about a baptism service his church was having. It was their practice to have those coming up to be baptized bring someone along who was significant in their life- from their family, faith, etc. One of the women who walked up that day came accompanied by a brawny, tough looking man who didn’t appear all that interested or excited about his role. After asking the woman about her faith, Lee was moved to turn to the man and ask him too. One second the man’s expression was almost angry then it became a pained expression and he burst into tears. He admitted that he wasn’t a believer but he wanted to become one. They prayed together right then and there as God brought him into the faith.
Amazing, but it gets better. After the service another woman came up to Lee and said, “nine years”. The woman was her sister-in-law and the man her brother. She’d been praying for him for nine years to come to faith and never a hint of interest. Lee asked if she’d ever thought of giving up and she said no, after all, it was her brother.
But then Lee challenged me- he challenges us. Is there someone who you’ve prayed for that you’ve given up on. Think back on all those you’ve prayed over for faith. There’s probably someone who either consciously or unconsciously you’ve basically quit on.
But we’re called to persistence. This cut me to the heart and there are a couple of people I’m trying to look up right now. These people matter. They’re God’s children, and I’d like them to understand that. May the Lord strengthen me to never quit praying again.
Tags: persistent prayer, witnessing