Christmas is almost here. And many of us have not yet finished our Christmas shopping. We’re trying to think of what to get this person and that. And, only as an afterthought do we ask ourselves, “What kind of gift would I like to receive?” Because somebody’s going to ask!
In Luke 2, Luke tells the story of Simeon, a just and devout man, who was “waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” (Luke 2:25-26) In other words, Simeon was praying for the salvation of Israel; he was praying for the Redeemer. That was the gift he wanted to receive. Not just for himself, but for all Israel! He asked and he asked! He waited! And then he was led by the Holy Spirit to the Temple, where the parents of Jesus brought the young child. Simeon “took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: ‘Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace according to Your word; For my eyes have see Your salvation…” (Luke 2:28-29) He prayed; he waited; and God answered his prayer.
Also in Luke 2, Luke tells the story of Anna, a prophetess, who was 84 years old and “who did not depart from the Temple, but served God with fasting and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant (Jesus and his parents) she gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all those who looked for the redemption in Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:37-38) Anna had devoted her life to fasting and prayer for the coming of the Redeemer. She prayed; she waited; and God answered her prayer.
I was praying recently about the Faith Promise program at our church. Through Faith Promise we support about 10-15 missions/year, about 70 mission projects locally and internationally, 4 seminary students globally, and 12 missionaries. However, our Faith Promise monies were running short in early November. And our need was great. And I went to prayer — day and night. I labored in prayer. I thought about the missions that we would not be able to support. I finally asked God to enable us with Faith Promise funding to support the missionaries and mission outreaches that God wanted us to support. And it’s amazing! Just 5 days before our monthly meeting, money came in that enabled us to do our funding for the next 3 months. I had prayed; I had waited; and God had answered my prayer. What a great Christmas gift!
What is it that, for you, would be a great Christmas gift? What are you yearning for? What are you praying for? I hope you keep the Cross Point Emmaus Community in your prayers. A couple of years ago we didn’t have enough pilgrims signed up to even make the Walks financially feasible. Our board went to prayer. We labored in prayer. We made prayer the focus of our time together. And within 5 days both Walks were full. Hadn’t happened in several years!
Praise the Lord!
I encourage you to pray for full Walks this next spring. Make that your Christmas prayer. If God is calling you to get up and do something about it, then call Jon Barnes or Jeannie Owens, Walk lay directors, and volunteer to work. If God is calling you to get up and do something about it, then sit down with prospective pilgrims, tell them about the Walk, and sign them up to go.
De Colores,
Dan Patman
Cross Point Walk to Emmaus #1
Table of Mark
