I had stopped taking pictures. I had no mind in me to be thinking about pictures. I just wanted to feel God enveloping us in that stillness. Calling us closer in that stillness. And then, without a specific invitation, (I think); to the very last man, everybody ended up on their feet surrounding Jack; crowding in upon him; wanting prayer.
I can't remember all that was prayed for as he placed his hands on one man and then another. It was like everything was happening in slow motion. For me, it was a special encounter with Jesus in our midst. But coupled with this was one last thing. After we left, on that dirt road driving back toward town, Pastor Jack said: "Can you do me a favor Michael? Can you get me a list of each of those men's names? I want to pray for them."
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As the Church of Jesus Christ in the earth; do we really have this heart for others? Do we have the faith, hope, and love to actually remember these men and others like them in prayer; recognizing them as our 'brethren' by praying for them in real, heartfelt ways?
In the judgment, I believe one of the first questions that will come to light in the glory of Jesus' face will be these words from His lips: "Did you remember the least of My brethren?" (Mt 25:40, Heb 2:9-10) We should remember them. We are called to remember them in their physical needs as we are able; but certainly always in prayer.
If a 79 year old pastor, missionary, and servant with a ton of responsibility all around the world can do that. If he can get up at 3am in the morning to pray for men, who in the world's eyes are garbage. If he can pray for them 'by name'...what does that say to me?
What will I do? What will you do?
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 1 John 4:10-11
Lord help us by grace to love one another as we ought. Amen
