The seat beside me...

Two days ago I sat next to a well educated lady on a flight from Delhi to Mumbai. During most of the flight we sat quietly, she was reading the paper, I was trying to catch up on some sleep while listening to my ipod.

After awhile I noticed her reading a New Testament.

Considering that believers are around 2% of the Indian population I realized that this was not a chance encounter.

In hushed voices we fellowshipped together for the rest of the flight. I was able to share with her the purpose of my trip and first hand stories that I was hearing about the ever increasing harvest in her homeland.

Tears welled up in her eyes as I described the stories of the harvest, she and others have been praying for this to happen.

Just when I didn't think it could get any better God showed me something about prayer and the unique bond that we share in Jesus.

It started when I asked a simple question;
"Where are you from?"

She informed me that she was living in Mumbai but was from Orissa, a state in east central India, (Orissa most recently gained worldwide attention due to horrific persecution of Christians in August and September of 2008).

I asked her if she from anywhere near the Kandhamal district of Orissa (A district is like a county or township).

Her face lit up, surprised that an American would know the name of a district by name, even more so because that was her home district.

"How could you know of the name of my home district?"

I told her that Christians from across the world had been interceding for her and her fellow believers during the time of persecution.

She was totally floored, she had no idea.

"Really? Christians around the world knew and were praying for us?"
Then she became quiet as tears welled up in her eyes.

I sat there feeling awkward, I hate it when I make a girl cry.

Then it struck me.
I don't think I had understood the power of prayer or the bond that we share when we pray for one another. For this woman it was powerful because it reminded her that they were not suffering alone, that God had not abandoned them.

Not praying
At times I might be quick to say to "I will pray for you" only to forget, or I might be really concerned and burdened for someone but if I don't lift them before the throne then I have missed it. I don't think partially missed it, but totally missed it. I don't know if there will be regret in heaven, but I believe I will be able to look back and see the countless times when I should have prayed.

"I worried for you"
When my grandmother spoke those words she was saying exactly that: she was worried. For her it was her greatest way of showing concern for you. But it was not prayer and in fact, it sells God short. It is like going to the grocery store without going inside, that's crazy! When I enter the storehouse of prayer I access the very throne of God.

Go inside
Today we are moved by the suffering in places like Darfur and Haiti. Be faithful to pray, bring them before the throne of mercy and grace. Worry or concern is like waiting outside the store, go inside before the throne.

Prayer binds us
Back in 2008 when we were praying specifically for the persecuted believers of Orissa I had no idea that I would later share that moment on the airplane. Through the tender tears of this Indian believer I saw the body of Christ at work.

Fulfilling a promise
Anjali asked me to thank those who prayed, so on her behalf and from the believers of Kandhamal Orissa, thank you.

In eternity we will fully know but today be faithful to pray.



Be devoted to one another in brotherly love..
Be joyful in hope,
patient in affliction,
faithful in prayer.
Romans 12



....the story continues, next time: The wild dogs and elephants of Kandhamal, you have got to hear this one.