I have to keep blogging....

So I haven't blogged in FOREVER, and I really need to keep writing. I'm always afraid I'll offend someone with my stories or I'm thinking who might read this? Blogging is therapy for me so I need to do this more and more. Oh, by the way, its a lot easier to pour your heart out when you are on the other side of the world and don't have to actually see anyone face to face, lol.

So recently the Father has really been working in my heart about prayer, or the lack thereof. Not only in my own life but in the lives of those around me. For almost three months now, I've had a job at a local church here in town. This is not a reflection on this specific church, this is a reflection of our culture and I believe could be applied to any American church. Anyway, every Tuesday morning, we have staff prayer time. We all gather first thing and one of the admin. assistants prints out a prayer list of things that were on the worship folder prayer list and other requests that come across her desk. The prayer list consists of sickness, sympathy, cancer and some misc. prayer "needs." We go through the list, then take prayer request from one another, again usually consisting of sickness, etc. Then we'll pair off in groups of two or three and spend less than 5 minutes praying for the things mentioned.

Now, before I go on, let me say that please understand my heart here and know that I've lived in a different world and seen different things. I also must say that I've never been faced with a lot of suffering in my life. I feel extremely blessed and extremely sheltered from many of the worlds tragedies. However, what makes me want to cry every Tuesday morning is the fact that I'm sitting in a room with individuals in church ministry, and not once has anyone ever mentioned our brothers and sisters around the world or the persecuted church. Very rarely someone will mention a spiritual need. So why is it that we are so concerned for the sick and uncomfortable and we are forgetting one of the main reasons we should pray......THE LOST and those that truly suffer. There are so many around the world that suffer everything from jail time to beatings to death and we never ever mention them. WHY??!!??? Is it too much for us to have to think about. Is it just that painful or is it that we are so out of touch with these things that we just forget. A dear friend of mine and I were talking about this the other day and she said this on the topic of the lost and the way we pray. "Why is it that we spend so much time keeping saved ones out of heaven and never pray to keep lost people out of hell." Then she quickly followed up with, "If I'm ever sick or old and I'm nearing death, don't you dare use your prayers to hold me back from Glory."

Last week a friend of mine, Liber, who is a Cuban national and here in America as a missionary to the Latino community, told me he was going on a two week trip to Cancun. My first thought was, why is Liber going to Cancun? LOL. He explained to me that he and his wife had worked there for several years and had eventually begun a church plant in Cancun and were taking a trip back to check on things and encourage the group. He said, "please pray for us, it is very dangerous. They have many gangs." I didn't see fear in his eyes but I did see some anxiousness. He and his wife are there for a visit and will only face those dangers for a short time, but there are brothers and sisters whose homes are there. They are living right outside of one of the world's most popular resort destinations yet are in danger everyday because of their faith.

In Tuesday prayer meeting, no one ever stopped to mention or pray for Liber. This makes me want to cry.

We have to change what we are praying for and how we are praying. Is there anything wrong with praying for the elderly, the sick, those with grief? No, we should pray for them, but when that's ALL we take to the throne.....well, we have a serious problem. A problem that concerns my heart.

Father, please give me a heart for the lost and for my brothers and sisters all around the world.

Beautiful Feet