Day 18 - Healing Prayer

Tonight is the last Thursday of the month. Tonight is special; it’s Night of Healing Prayer at RiverStone. Don’t let the name fool you. We pray for healing all the time, not just tonight. But on the last Thursday night of each month, we put a sign out in front of the church for a week announcing “Healing Prayer 7- 8:30. Then those of us who want to pray and minister to the sick come worship, pray and wait to see who shows up. Well tonight over 48 people showed up, people who are desperate for a touch from God. These people, for the most part, come from other churches, or no church at all. Probably 55 – 60 percent or more come from outside our church. Many just come because of the little sign that is in front of the church, It is an awesome ministry, and truly reflects the values of the Kingdom of God. It is an honor to be a part of it, and have God use me for the healing of others.

Julia and I have been a part of this ministry since the beginning. It is one of our favorite things to do. Most of the time we both lead different teams, and don’t get to pray together. Every now and then, we would pair up, just so we could be together. Those times were really special. I loved it when we prayed together. God would use both of us. Sometimes it was like playing ping pong with the Holy Spirit. He would give Julia something, and she would pray , then what she pared, stirred something in me from the Holy Spirit and we would go back and forth. It was so much fun. I had to work tonight, so I got to the church a little late. Things were busy. As I went in, I knew that I was needed, and the presence of the Lord was with me. It was fun. You know that you are supposed to have fun in ministry. If you are not having fun, something is probably wrong. Well it was fun tonight. We prayed constantly until 8:30. I knew that Julia was watching, cheering us on. I didn’t have time to feel any missing part of me until it was over. On the way home, I remembered how we would go home talking about all that God had done. It was quiet in the car; there was no one to talk to. Don’t get me wrong, tonight was a GOOD night, it’s just that I’m finding out there can still be loneliness even when it is good.

I am more rested today than I was last night. I had a good nights sleep, and didn’t go to work until this afternoon. I was able to go to the “Y” this morning and get checked out on all the equipment. Now, if I can just get there to do all the weights plus continue my running. Tomorrow morning I work, and then we have sozos tomorrow night. It should be another busy day. I still have to complete my book and book report for school. I’ll try to do that this weekend.

I have a confession to make. I have been sleeping very well. I normally don’t take to long to get to sleep, especially when I focus on Jesus. I’m sleeping in our bedroom, and in our bed. But I’ve been cheating a little. The first night after all the kids went home and I moved back into my bedroom, it felt so big and empty. I could see Julia everywhere, but she was not there with me. I dreaded the thought of sleeping alone. We have a queen size bed, so I could normally feel her presence even when we weren’t touching. So I had a thought. I placed all the extra pillows we had on the bed on her side. I lined them up in a row on top of the covers. So when I got in and turned off all the lights, I could “feel” the weight next to me. Anyway, that has become a habit, for good or for bad. (I really think it’s for good right now). I get two advantages out of this. First, it gives me a comfortable feeling like she is next to me, even though I know she is not. Second, it keeps her side of the bed from getting messed up and makes it easier to make up in the morning. Both of these help me a lot. So, now you know. Please don’t tell anyone, it’s my secret. I’m sure that some psychologist could make a lot out of this, but I don’t care. God has given me the grace for this for now. In fact I believe it was Him who gave me the idea in the first place.