It's about time I post another blog about Hungary. Hungary was a relaxing time spent in prayer. As I said in my previous blog post, we were at a prayer retreat this month. The first couple of weeks we spent our time preparing by doing yard work and decorating the yurt (prayer room). I got a chance to use my artistic skills by decorating the walls for the prayer room. Stephanie and I painted the benches and 4 different walls for the prayer stations.
The yurt was used for a twenty-four/seven prayer room. There are 4 main prayer stations: the map of the world, the wailing wall, praises and thanks giving, and fishers of men. On each of the walls people can write out prayers and attach them to the wall. For the map you can pray for the needs of the world, for the wailing wall you pray for personal needs, on the wall with clouds you post your praises and thanks in the heavenly courts, and in the fishers of men you write the name of a lost friend or family member on a fish and put it in a net. Every time you put up a prayer you take one down and pray for it.
There is also a altar where you can come directly before God to pray for whatever is on your heart. Some other prayer stations that I have never heard of, but found powerful, were there too. One was called the stations of the cross. It was basically the story of the death of Christ told in a descriptive way along with pictures and a prayer to go with each scene. I was touched by the way how it described the way Jesus must have felt and the pain that he went through for us.
The other station was the Jesus prayer. There are a set of words that you say to help you come before God to repent of your sins and for God to show you new one that you are holding on to. When you realize a sin, you write it down on a piece of paper and throw it into the sin bin, which will be burned later. This was a good experience because it was something I have never done but is a physical representation of something necessary to grow closer to God.
My team and I each took a hour during the night and a hour during the day to be in the yurt and pray. My time in the yurt was good for me because it forced me to spend more time with God in prayer, something I have been lacking lately. I had time to reflect on my life and ask God what he wants from me. I ask Him to help me set aside my greed and selfishness and help me to live a life of service to Him. Ever since I have been called to missions my heart has been for the needs of the poor and unfortunate around the world. It is hard to be motivated into action and I still find it hard to give up my comforts to help others much less fortunate than me. I am asking God to help me work through that so I can fully serve and help bring the Kingdom.
I have also been praying a lot about my financial situation. I believe that God will provide but only through the generous spirit of others. I need $6000 by Oct. 1 to continue, please if you can help, click on the Support me tab on the left. You can send a cheque or use a credit card to donate to Adventures In Missions. Put my name on it and it will be put into my account. Thank you for supporting me in the important work that I have been called to and be assured your money will be put to good use and will bring God's love and glory to people all over the world. What could be more important?
