The World at Our Doorstep

Several months ago, in a Wednesday night Bible study, a long list of prayer requests covered the board,  so several of us took some, and we had a good, old-fashioned prayer meeting. As I listened and agreed in prayer with my sisters, I was struck by the variety--even in our relatively small group--of praying styles and ways of addressing God: Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Father God, Lord.

Some adopt a special vocabulary, while others sound just as if they're talking to the next-door neighbor.  I quietly wrote down some of the phrases: Thank you for sisters,  Please heal our loved ones,  We lift him up to you,  Give wisdom.

I was struck by the realization that God hears such a vast array of words every day, prayed in all kinds of languages and styles. How beautiful the sound must be to Him! He made each of us and created the many personalities and styles of speaking.  I imagine he rejoices in all the accents and voices he hears.

We have the privilege at Grace to have a couple of international groups that meet here for worship, and on most Monday evenings, there is a thriving ESL (English as a Second Language) ministry taking place. When I was a little girl growing up in the hills of West Virginia, it was a great novelty to hear another language spoken, and here we are with the world at our own doorstep--indeed, right in our classrooms! I love walking down the halls and hearing different accents and languages  praising God.

Revelation tells us that the voices around the throne of God represent "all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues" (7:9).  Let's remember to pray--in whatever words and language we have--for people of all nations.  And why not pray for God to show you how you can minister to the world?

Perhaps you can help support a missionary family in the coming year--by regular prayer or financial gifts. Or maybe you'd like to show up on Monday nights and see what's happening right here at the corner of Shallowford and Jenkins.  (You could see Alicia Snyder if you have questions about that.) Let 2019 be a year of something new!

--Sherry Poff