"So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." Hebrews 4:16
We can do a lot for people and become busy about justice issues, but forget to look at the person we're trying to help and simply just be with them, pointing them to the greatest helper of all. We all need to be rescued. Together in our brokenness we must pray and boldly approach the throne of our gracious God. This is something I now want more than ever! Learning to walk slower, listen better and welcome daily interruptions so God can determine my steps and show me His ways. God is powerful, lives among us and wants to save us. Zephaniah 3:17 says, "For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty saviour. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs." As individuals and as a ministry, we desperately need to be willing to pray for one another as it says in Galatians 6:2, "Share each others burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ."
The other day I sat with a friend whose life has been consistently filled with misery. There's really no other way to put it. Abuse started at a very young age and for over 50 years, "darkness became his closest lover," Psalm 88:18. We needed to pray. He prayed from the depths of despair and his words were few, simply asking Jesus to save him! He physically looked like the Psalm 88:4 description of one "counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like one without strength." He spent all of his money on cocaine, VLT machines and wild living. He sat in our shelter lounge ready for change. He was boldly approaching God for salvation. I believe God can handle our bold, unedited prayers because the Bible tells me so.
When Outflow Ministry began, we were homeless. We had no building to call our own, which forced us for years to be on the streets. I'm thankful for this! I remember the summer of 2008, standing in King's Square on Thursday nights waiting with coffee and some food, hoping to have the opportunity to feed a hungry person. People from all sorts of backgrounds showed up to help. We served homeless men, women, kids, youth, whole families, people struggling with substance abuse, those caught in the sex trade and the working poor. We still do this today. People from all walks of life join us for supper. As the ministry continues, I'm learning more and more what I do not know. Each day is a new day to discover the wonder of God. God loves people and is the only one who knows all things! He wants a relationship with all people and as long as we have the breath to breathe, let's expect He can save anyone in any state. I'm so thankful for the strength of many of my friends that teach me to pray for rescue no matter how I feel. Approaching God with our rock bottom prayers is okay, and God can handle anything you bring to Him. From the depths we cry, and by grace alone we stand. He is mighty to save. God is so good!
