6/23/12

Jeremiah 33:3

Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know.
A boring Saturday night quickly turned outrageously faith building.

My housemate Jeremy and I decided we would hit the streets of Anderson, Indiana and see if we could share the Gospel and pray with people we came across.  We met probably around 20 or so people... I started to list names, but I had better not, but a special mention to the sweet little boy who was probably around 4 years old and was busy to work blowing bubbles while we prayed for his family!

We came across multiple drunk and high people, and the stench of booze and marijuana was in the air on Nichol Avenue.  Half way through our journey from Arrow Avenue, down Nichol, and back up around to 5th and John Street, we met a lady and her son.  They had others up on the porch smoking something, and one man held up his middle finger while singing a rap song that repeated the phrase "f*** y'all n******" as he stared us down from the steps.  It was a faith stretching time.

The climax of our night came when we reached the railroad tracks that run parallel with John Street.  As we approached, I felt timid...

"I'm not feeling these guys..."
"Why not, man?  C'mon, lets go!"
"OK then, you take the lead..." I said as we approached.

The group of 6 or so kind of scattered when Jeremy boldly announced we just were out seeing if we could share the love of Christ and pray with anyone.  Only a guy and his girlfriend remained.  They had clearly been having a serious conversation.

I mentioned how Jesus had done so much to save and help me, I wanted to share it with others.  The guy simply said, "I have a question.  Is it wrong for me to be afraid to die?"

The conversation took a quick turn to the Gospel!  We gladly presented to him, of course!  We said we were about to pray, and right before we bowed our heads to ask God to bless these two children of His, Brandon interrupted...

"God sent you guys here because earlier tonight I tried to hang myself..."  he said while gripping a leather belt in his hand so tight.

We talked a little more and prayed.  Afterwards, they gave me their phone number so I could call them and pick them up for church in the morning!  Which is only like 8 hours from now, so I gotta type faster.

We were so happy that God used us... but God was not done yet!

As we walked away rejoicing, we got half way across the road when another guy from the group yelled out, "Hey do you guys have any medication or pills I can have?  I have had this migraine for two days now..."

Of course he was hittin us up for drugs, but we did not have any.  What we did have, we offered him...

"I don't carry that stuff man, sorry."
"But we can pray for you!" Jeremy says as we begin to walk back over to the group.
"No that's OK thanks anyway." He said.
"We serve a God who is alive and can heal," I say, surprisingly, since I rarely pray for that kind of stuff, because I tend to be skeptical... but I surprised myself!

"You got this, bro." I whisper to Jeremy as we make our way across the street.
"No you pray." He whispers back.
"No, no.  You take it man!"

We were back standing in front of him.

"OK, I will give it a try."

Jeremy began to pray for his healing.  I kept my eyes wide open to watch.  If God was gonna heal this guy I wanted to see it with my own eyes.  The guy seemed indifferent as Jeremy prayed aloud and I admittedly prayed silently saying, "God you better show up!"  I didn't want God to be mocked, and more so I did not wanna be mocked!

Halfway through the pray, the guys eyes began to shut and his breathing rhythm changed... he was taking deeper breaths now.  Jeremy concluded the prayer.

Awkward silence...

"Did it work?"  Jeremy asked.

Awkward silence as the guy scratched his head...


"That really worked, wow."  He said!


"ARE YOU SERIOUS?" I accidently blurt out!


"Yeah, wow, thanks that really worked!"


He still did not wanna come to church with his friends in the morning, but when I told him God would be chasing him down now he agreed.


"And when He calls, you better answer!" I said.


As a smile swept over his face and he scratched his head, he said he would answer.  We shook hands with him and Jeremy and I began to walk back home... barely able to contain ourselves, until we were out of earshot from the group at least.  Then we laughed and shouted and even sang a little.


We called to God, and He answered us, and showed us some great and mighty things.  Check out Jeremiah 33:3!

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