Sweet times of prayer...

Last night I led my youth girls Bible study on prayer. We are doing the book, "A Young Woman's Call to Prayer" by Elizabeth George. We are basically through the "meat" of the book, and the remaining 4 chapters are really just some suggestions to help grow your prayer life. Since we didn't have lots of material to cover in the lesson, I thought we would spend a larger amount of our class time in prayer together.

After going over our lesson I explained to the girls that we were going to spend some extended time in prayer, and no one complained (as they did the first time I made them pray out loud.) I guess they have figured now that since it is a class on prayer they might as well do just that, and pray. Anyway, I explained that we were going to go around one by one, first doing praise and adoration prayers to God, then prayers of thankfulness, followed by prayers of petition for one another and ourselves. Before starting our prayers of praise and adoration, I told them to take some time to quietly confess their sins before the Lord, making sure their heart was clean so they would have unhindered fellowship with our Lord.

So our prayer time began, with some soft music playing quietly in the background. I just want you to know that my heart was so touched by hearing the heartfelt and sincere prayers of these young girls. That room was flooded with the presence of God and He moved among all of us last night. It was so precious to see and hear the Holy Spirit working and moving among us. There were some big hurts and fears in that room last night. One girl is experiencing a breakup with a boyfriend of over a year, one girl is facing some major surgery, one is trying to make a major decision, so wanting it to be a God-honoring one; one girl is dealing with the possibility that her grandfather may die, and another is dealing with tough situations at home. These girls opened up their hearts to God and to each other. They were able to give God thanks for some very tough things that have happened, and they all were desiring to seek God and His will and to know Him better. There were lots of tears, (and I had only one tissue!) but also lots of joy and peace.

It was a very sweet time in the presence of God, and my heart was so encouraged that these girls are obviously learning and desiring to pray. After praying together, it seemed our group was more bonded, closer, and more wanting to minister and care for one another. It was just a precious evening, one of those I don't think I will ever forget.

Please pray for these young girls, we have 3 more weeks together, and will have more times of prayer like we have last night. Pray that they will feel comfortable praying to our Heavenly Father, and that they would be drawn to a lifestyle of prayer. Thanks!