A Burden to Pray

Prayer can change alot of things. I am particularly intrigued by how it can redirect itself. This is done subtly, over time. So if I am not committed to carry a burden, it may be crowded out by interruptions before I ever see it take new shape.

Tonight Traci and I joined a room full of past team members to hear Matt and Michelle talk about the kids they work with in the orphanage. We had a powerful time of prayer for our E. Asia GlobalX partners, their family, local staff and the children they serve. As people prayed in circles all over the room, a prayer was lifted up that redirected my thinking. Danny prayed for the few to take the message to many. Let me explain. The orphanage classrooms in which our friends work are for children with disabilities. There are many children living in the government run orphanage. But only a select few are allowed to take part in Christian classroom environment. The ones who do get to go, learn to laugh and sing, care for themselves, even walk. So when Danny prayed for the kids tonight, he prayed that these few who are learning about the love of Christ would not only find healing, but would take that light back into the dark, quiet halls of the orphanage. I have spent time with several of these kids. I have received their smiles and joined in their laughter. And I have no doubt God can bring healing to their hearts and they will share the love of Christ with other hurting kids who may never get out. As we prayed, I could envision smiles, laughter, brightness spreading through the gloomy halls filling the rooms full of bedridden children.

Isn't that powerful? These kids can share the love of Christ with other children whom none of us will ever see.

Here is how my thinking was redirected. As we were praying, I was struck with the reality of heaven being our home. All this is temporary and short lived. Most of these kids will never get out. The hope is that a few will be adopted. But there also has to be the hope that healing will take place right where they are. Can you imagine being one of these kids and reading Romans 8:18? Heaven is their hope. Jesus is their future.

I have carried a burden for one of these kids for a year and a half. We call him Israel. What I want for him is a home, a place where he can heal, love and be loved. The day I met him, I knew God had a reason for it. I have to admit that since God gave me the burden, I thought this boy would have a home by now. When I go back in April, it will be my third visit to his orphanage. And he will still be there. I get frustrated that I haven't found a family who would want him; that God hasn't raised up a family. He's such an awesome kid. I've told everyone I know about him. This past year I have heard stories of how he picks out clothes for some of the less mobile kids. He wants them all to match. When the teachers are on holiday, he marks the days on the calendar so the mentally disabled kids can get a grasp on when they will go back to school. He is a caring boy. And it hurts my hurt that he cannot experience the warmth of a loving home. But over time, as I pray for Israel, God has shown me that healing can take place right where he is because there are local believers who speak his language who teach him every day.

I still hope Israel finds a home. But now I pray God will heal him right where he is; all of his scars of being unwanted and memories of abandonment. I pray he will continue to carry hope to the kids around him. I pray he will receive Christ as his Savior and that the joy of the Lord will be his strength.