I was in Chiang Mai on an emergency visit as dad was in the hospital and mom was taking it hard. It was an unplanned trip in mid-January but necessary. An intense time to just be with dad and mom and love them.
In my second week, after dad had settled back at home and mom in a better space because dad was back, I had an amazing opportunity to join the ZOE kids, staff and missionaries for their weekly prayer meeting.
The room was darkened and worship music was playing loudly. The idea is that you are not distracted from God and prayer. Some people sat and faced the wall, others were pacing back and forth, some sat quietly heads bowed. Murmurs of voices all around the room of people already in prayer. I entered and sat down and started to pray. Thanking God for ZOE, for all the children, the staff, the missionaries and the founders who started it all and just reflecting and praising Him for His goodness. I prayed for dad and mom and their peace and joy and health.
I felt a hand on my shoulder and someone was praying for me. I couldn’t hear all the words but I could feel the love and God’s spirit. This happened several times during this prayer hour. Sometimes I prayed for them too and then I sense God wanting me to approach others and put my hand on their shoulder and pray for them. What was so amazing was that often they would pray for me in Thai (a language I do not understand yet) and I would pray for them in English. We couldn’t really understand what the other person was saying but Jesus hears our hearts and understands our prayers. He is the one that connects and binds us together. Prayers given and prayers accepted and we ministered to one another as the Holy Spirit led us. I saw little children who had been given names of those they were to pray for go around and pray for these people. It was beautiful. It was humbling. I was moved to tears. I was blessed and came away with my heart and spirit full of God’s peace.
Dear friends, may you know God’s love and peace today and each and every day. We think of you often and pray for you. We pray like this every Monday evening.
20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Matthew 18:20 (NIV)
